Haldane Athletic Hall of Fame

John, a 1969 graduate, was a very accomplished athlete participating in three sports during his high school athletic career.

Known primarily as a standout in basketball, John was also a member of the cross-country team for two years, as well as the spring track team his senior year and the baseball team for three years.

John was honored for his achievements in sports by being named All-County baseball team in his sophomore year and both All-League and All-County basketball in each of his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. 

John was well-known and was regarded as one of the premier basketball players in all of the Hudson Valley, including the schools, regardless of their size or classification. At a time when it was very rare to move a player up from the JV level before their junior year, John’s superb talents led him to be selected to the varsity basketball team as a sophomore. John amassed 989 points in three seasons for the Varsity Blue Devils.

Because the teams in that day very rarely got to play into the sectional round, the Blue Devils were unable to extend their seasons deeper into the postseason, which definitely kept John from reaching the coveted 1000 point plateau.

In John’s senior year he led the Blue Devils to a three-way tie for the league championship. Only an overtime loss on a disputed field goal in regulation kept the team from winning the league championship.

That season, John had 25 points and over 18 rebounds per game. He was as good as anyone from any school that season in Westchester or Dutchess County.

John had a profound impact on the Haldane Boys Basketball program over his three seasons. His statistics aside, John was a great player and teammate, and a constant team player, always putting his team first. Congratulations on your induction!

Mary, a 1977 graduate of Haldane, is among the best all-around female athletes in our school history. Mary participated in many sports during her time as a Blue Devil, but like her brother John some years before, she excelled on the basketball court. Mary played many sports: Softball, Volleyball, Co-ed Volleyball, Winter Track, and also served as the Football Statistician and Basketball Team Manager.

Basketball in the mid 70s at Haldane was in its infancy. The schedule was much shorter with around 12 to 15 games and no sectionals or state tournaments for the girls. However, these early Blue Devil teams enjoyed tremendous success in these early years. They had some very talented players led by Mary.

Beginning in the 1974-75 season, the girls registered two undefeated seasons, and in their third season extended their winning streak to 30 before dropping their first contest in three years. During these three seasons, they were league champs every year.

In Mary’s junior year she scored 53% of her team's points, finishing the season with an average of 32 points per game. It was very rare for Zuvic to score less than 20 points. She scored 30 or more points eight times in her junior season, and in one three-game stretch she recorded 41, 51, and 41 points. 

In 1976-77, Mary’s senior year, the Lady Blue Devils had an even stronger and deeper roster than the previous two seasons. With that extra experience and chemistry, Mary didn’t have to carry as much of the scoring load as she had previously.

After seeing their three-year, 30-game winning streak come to an end, the team posted a 12-2 record and a tie for league championship. The team’s goal of going to the Class C Sectionals became a reality. Unfortunately, the Lady Blue Devils came up short with a 54–53 final score. Mary ended the season averaging more than 20 points per game.

As evidence from the above account, Mary Zuvic fashioned one of the all-time great careers in Haldane Girls Basketball. Her contributions, which led her teams to extraordinary success, are legendary. Due to the era in which most extraordinary feats in girls sports were accomplished in relative anonymity, her accomplishments went largely unnoticed. Not anymore---congratulations, Mary!

*Inducted in 2023, celebrated in 2024

Kristen was a student athlete at Haldane High School who played volleyball and basketball. She brought the 1996 girls’ basketball team to the state final win, and onto the confederations of New York State Athletic Association. Kristen graduated from Haldane in 1996 and attended SUNY Binghamton to study psychology. 

Kristen was a true gift. Many people pass through our lives, a few come into our lives and last forever, such as with Kristen. 

Individually, she gained the respect and admiration of those around her. Later, as the “mother hen” to a youthful basketball team, she became a leader. Flawlessly, she led this very young squad to a State Championship, where she earned MVP honors with the best two games of her high school career. 

Along with her athletic prowess, she was a perennial honor student. What was evident was that she didn’t shy away from hard work in both athletics and academics. This work ethic carried her through her pursuit of her BA at SUNY Binghamton, (where she continued to perform as a student athlete), through her Master’s program and onto her Doctorate at SUNY Albany. 

Kristen was certainly a RISING STAR and many of us in this town were in awe of her continued successes. Her shortened life was a blow to us. As time passes, we are grateful that she came into our lives and touched us all in one way or another. 

The 2011 Haldane Volleyball team was a team on a mission. The previous year’s team had no seniors, and the season had ended in a heartbreaking loss in the state finals. With all players returning and a few extra players added, they worked hard to become a well-rounded team that was praised for its depth of talent. With a 15-2 regular season record, this team competed in the competitive “Power League," a league composed of some of the best competition in the section, regardless of school size.

During their league play, they beat Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland, Yorktown, and Walter Panas (who ended up the #4 seed in Class A). They also beat Arlington—the #1 seed from Class AA. This team won the program’s 9th straight Section I title and didn’t lose a single set once they entered post-season play. Not only were they dominant on the court, but they embodied their slogan, “We’re not just a team, we’re a family,” and the players emulated this throughout the season.

Every member of the team was an essential player, complementing each other perfectly. When it came to the final match against Randolph, they never let up, played as a cohesive group, and won in 3 straight sets to earn the 2011 New York State Class D State Championship.

Roster: Kelsey Flaherty, Emily Lombardo, AJ Curto, Dana Solit, Katie Cunningham, Michelle Miller, Claudio Percacciolo, Gabby Carnabuci, Caitriona Daly, Becky Garrison, Kelly Vahos, Lauren Etta, Sara Chirico

Head Coach: Melissa Rossano

Assistant Coach: Ashley Murphy

The 2011 Haldane Varsity Softball team was the culmination of many years of building, growing, and coaching by Nick Lisikatos. The team went 17-1 during the regular season. They beat Tuckahoe to win the Section 1 championship, moved on to beat Chester 4-0 in the first round of Regional play, and then beat Port Jefferson 6-1 to advance to the NYS Final Four. They trounced Frewsburg 22-6 in the State semifinals to advance to the finals. The Blue Devils took on Notre Dame in the championship on that rainy, cold Sunday. After eight hard-fought innings, the Blue Devils lost in the bottom of the eighth inning and finished the most successful season in history with a 21-2 record. 

Four players received All-State Honors: Chelsea Lisikatos (First Team), Sam Lisikatos (Second Team), Judi Barcavage (Third Team), and Laura Campbell (Fifth Team). 

Though the team came up one inning short of winning a state championship, their overall accomplishments are proof that this team is more than deserving of their induction into the Haldane Hall of Fame.

Roster: Allie Monteleone, Kit Daponte, Laura Campbell, Samantha Ricketts, Kelsey Flaherty, Katie Cunningham, Chelsea Lisikatos, Samantha Lisikatos, Vanessa Minardi, Rebecca Garrison, Shauna Ricketts, Judi Barcavage, and Liz Khadabux.

Head Coach: Nick Lisikatos

Assistant Coaches: Katie-Lee Mineo and Ashley Murphy

Team Manager: Melissa Tringali

The phrase “student athlete’’ immediately comes to mind when describing Theo Henderson. Coach A.J. McConville referred to Theo as “one of the hardest working, most dedicated, and reliable” athletes he has had the pleasure of coaching in the past ten years. He added that Theo was a “great teammate and team leader” in both track and cross country. He played a major role in establishing both the cross country and track programs. In fact, he was such a good team leader that according to Coach McConville, Theo could have served as team captain as an 8th grader; he was that mature and dedicated at an early age.

As a senior, Theo put together a legendary overall championship season, starting off with a Section 1 Class D Championship in cross country. At the Northern County Track Championship in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase, he ran in first place for a state qualifying time despite the extreme heat. The following week he capped off his senior year by finishing 3rd at the state championship meet, earning a time of 9:30.30, one of the fastest Section 1 Steeplechase performances ever recorded.

Theo holds numerous school records at Haldane. Besides the steeplechase, he set the outdoor track school record in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. He helped several relay teams set school records in the 4 X 400, the 4 X 800, and the sprint medley. In indoor track he set the school record in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:04.02 and in the 1600 meter with a time of 4:35.27.

Theo continued his outstanding cross country and track career during his four years at Middlebury College. In 2019 he finished first in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the outdoor New England Small College Athletic Conference Championship and second in the 500 meter run at the New England Division 3 outdoor track championship. In addition, he was selected as a Division 3 All American in cross country.

Without doubt, Theo was one of the finest long distance and cross country runners Haldane has ever produced. He is a worthy member of the Haldane Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sam Giachinta, a distinguished athlete from the Haldane High School Class of 2019, has earned his place as a first-ballot inductee into the Haldane Hall of Fame. His remarkable contributions to both football and lacrosse have left an indelible mark on the school's athletic history.

In football, Sam's prowess was evident from the start. Over his career, he amassed impressive offensive totals, including 646 carries for 4,046 yards and 43 touchdowns, alongside 16 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Sam recorded 153 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 6 fumble recoveries, showcasing his versatility and tenacity on the field. His performance in his sophomore year in 2016 earned him the MVP Offensive Player for Class D, highlighting his exceptional skills. He was also recognized as the Section's Outstanding Lineman by the SOFCA and earned All-League and All-Conference honors for Class C/D, culminating in a Class D Championship victory over rival Tuckahoe. His consistent excellence continued in 2017 with another All-League selection, and in 2018, he led his team to another Class D Championship, once again beating the Tuckahoe Tigers. That year, he was named All-League, All-Section, Outstanding Back by the SOFCA, Class D MVP Offensive Player, and Player of the Year for Class C/D in Section 1. His accolades were rounded out by All-State honors, and the prestigious Lion’s Club Male Athlete of the Year award in 2019.

In lacrosse, Sam's impact was equally profound. He was an All-League selection in both 2017 and 2018, and by 2019, he was on the preseason watch list, a testament to his growing reputation in the sport. That year, he led his team to a League Championship with a 15-3 record, achieving a personal milestone of 128 career goals and 72 assists, totaling an impressive 200 career points. Notably, his 100th goal marked a historic victory over Putnam Valley, showcasing his ability to deliver in critical moments. Sam's lacrosse career concluded with another All-League selection in 2019, solidifying his legacy as one of Haldane's most accomplished athletes. His dedication, skill, and leadership on the field have made him a deserving member of the Haldane Hall of Fame.