2017 Hall of Fame Inductees

Mike Scoba was a member of the first football team fielded by Haldane. The year was 1932 and the school, located on High Street, played their games at Kemble’s Field on Kemble Avenue. Mike participated in football, basketball, and baseball, but he excelled in football and was considered one of the best running backs in that era. Upon graduating from Haldane in 1937, he received a scholarship from Peekskill Military Academy where he also played football. In 1940, having received 15 scholarship offers, he accepted a scholarship to Syracuse University with the desire to become a commercial artist. With war sweeping Europe, he volunteered for the Army in March 1941, nine months before Pearl Harbor. Serving as a First Sergeant, his company of 52 ambulances landed two days after D-Day on Utah Beach, crossing through the hedgerows of Northern France, the Ardennes, Central Europe and the Rhineland. Mike was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions during this period and was discharged in March 1945.

Entering Syracuse in 1946, Mike played football and was named an All-American in 1947. After lettering at Syracuse in 1947 and 1949, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Mike graduated in 1949 with a degree in physical education and after foregoing a draft selection to the Los Angeles Rams, he began to teach and coach football and basketball at Beacon High School. Later he became an assistant principal at Beacon and, in 1968, became the principal at Forrestal Elementary School in Beacon.

After 32 years of service, Mike retired retired in 1982 to enjoy his wife, children, ten grandchildren, and friends. Ever the artist, he painted and made furniture and Christmas gifts for his grandchildren. A quiet man that lived a simple life. Mike made his last run on May 31, 2006 at the age of 88. A life well blessed and well spent.

Joe Schatzle attended Haldane for his junior and senior years, participating in track and basketball. On the track, he was the League Champion for two years in the 100 and 220 yard dashes. Joe received a track scholarship to Manhattan College where he excelled and established a school record of 20.91 seconds in the 220 yard dash. Throughout his college career, Joe was a member of the 440 and 880 yard relay team that never lost a race.

In 1953, Joe was selected to the United States Team to participate in the British Games where he won the 100 and 220 yard dashes. He was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1991. Joe went on to coach in the Wappingers Central School District for 17 years. During that period, he won 13 league titles. Joe passed away on June 4, 2011 at the age of 79.

Frank Milkovich has a long history at Haldane. As a student athlete Frank competed at football, basketball, track, and baseball. He was captain of the football and baseball teams, and was the leading scorer of the ‘51 boys basketball league champion team. As a baseball pitcher he was 8-0 in his senior year, leading the team to win the league title.

Frank coached the Varsity Football team from 1957-1971, including a league championship title in 1964. Frank coached the Varsity Baseball team from 1957-1964, including the small school and big school championships in 1964.

Frank spent his entire educational career dedicated to the students of Haldane. He began as a science teacher from 1957-1973 and then served as the JR/SR High School Principal until 1986 when he became the Assistant Superintendent. Throughout his time at Haldane he was a steadfast supporter of the athletic programs and always worked to ensure that student athletes found success in the classroom and on the playing fields.

Frank retired in 1989 after 32 years of service to Haldane students.

Packy Shields coached all three seasons of track, indoor track, and cross country from 1962-1986, plus one additional season in 1987 - nearly 75 seasons in all. Under his guidance, Haldane won eight Spring Track League Championships and, at one point, won 26 consecutive dual meets over a four-year period.

Coach Shields coached five New York State Champions: Wayne Stellefson (1972 shot put), Christine Helbock (1975 shot put), Russell Miller (1978 shot put), and Brenna O’Connor (1985 and 1986 discus). Brenna went on to win the Eastern States discus championship with the longest throw in New York that year.

“Mr. Shields’ support and guidance was not only unwavering towards his athletes, but reassuring. Without a doubt he was dedicated and committed to providing his athletes with the best tools for training and competition. Simply put, he prepared his athletes,” said Brenna O’Connor. “At a time when he was contemplating retirement from coaching, he waited until after I graduated. We were able to finish what we started. Mr. Shields is classy, dedicated, committed, and supportive coach.”

A Blue Devil through and through, as a student Packy was a four-year varsity athlete, competing in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was also a charter member of the Haldane National Honor Society (1955-56). Packy graduated from Albany State University in 1962 and returned to Haldane to teach Social Studies for 32 years.

Jack LaDue earned a varsity letter in football, basketball, track, and baseball during his time as a student athlete at Haldane. In 1960, he was voted an All League halfback as a member of the Haldane Football team. In basketball, Jack earned All League and All Area honors. He led the league in scoring, averaging 18 points per game and also had 31 rebounds during a single game in 1961.

In track, Jack was a three-time double winner in the 100 and 220 in the league championships. He also won the Section 1 Class C championship in the 100. Jack set the Haldane running record with a 10-second 100. Jack was also a baseball shortstop and pitched as a member of the Haldane Baseball team.

Jack attended Penn State University and was a sprinter on track team. While there, he ran against and defeated future NFL Hall of Famer, Paul Warfield, of Ohio State in the 60-yard dash. Later, he was a physical education teacher and driver education instructor for the Haldane School District.

Overall, Jack was an outstanding athlete who made his mark across multiple Haldane sports. His accomplishments exemplify what it means to be a hall of famer.

Brenna O’Connor was one of the finest all-around athletes who participated at Haldane. She was All League in softball, the leading scorer in basketball, played volleyball, and still holds the Haldane school record in the shot put, the javelin, and the discus.

In volleyball Brenna was a Section 1 Conference C All-Star in 1983, 1984, and 1985. On the basketball court, she was Section 1 Conference C All-Star in 1984 and 1986 and received the same honor in softball in 1986.

Brenna made a name for herself in track early in her career. As a freshman in 1983, she set a New York State record for freshman girls in the discus with a throw of 124’ 3”. In 1984 at the New York State Empire Games, she won both the shot put and the discus. In 1985, Brenna won the javelin at the Empire Games even though she seldom practiced that event at Haldane. In 1985, she also won the New York State discus in open competition with a throw of 136’ 1”.

In 1986, Brenna went on to win the state discus championship for the second time and a week later won the Eastern States’ discuss championship with her personal best throw of 146’ 11”. That throw was one of the best in the country; she was offered an athletic scholarship to Penn State where she competed for four years in the Penn State track program.

As a senior, Brenna was named the Poughkeepsie Journal Player of the Year for both Volleyball and Track & Field, she received the Westchester/Rockland Top 10 Award, and was the first female to receive the David Dahlia Award. She was also an Honorable Mention All-American by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. She amassed 7 gold, 3 silver, and a bronze medal at the Empire State Games, along with 5 golds and 2 silvers from the Arlington Relays during her high school career.

Kristin DeMarco, Kim Kiefer, Lisa Merritt, Liz Schultz, Alex Hannah, Ellen Rockett, Carrie Hilpert, Tricia Dillon, Corrine Mazzucca, Sonia Lopez, Debbie Follis, Tracie O’Connor

Coach Ken Thomas

Assistant Coach John Merante

The Girls Basketball team of 1989 was truly a spectacular team. With teamwork, skill, and court experience, the Lady Blue Devils and 2nd-year varsity coach, Ken Thomas, brought honor and pride to both Haldane and the Cold Spring Community by becoming the Class D State and Federation Champions.

The girls were the first sports team in the history of Haldane High School to become State Champions. They defeated Rye Neck and Pawling to claim the Section 1 Class D title. In regionals, the girls went on to play Eldred, the defending Class D State Champs. After an exciting 51-43 win over Eldred, the team headed to Queensbury for the State Tournament, followed by many faithful fans. By defeating Avoca 57 - 39 and Charlotte Valley 43-41, the Haldane Lady Blue Devils were named Class D State Champs.

The season was picture perfect, but not quite over. The last game of the year was played at Marist College against St. John’s Prep - the girls won and became Federation Champions.

The Lady Blue Devils of 1989 finished the season with a record of 25-1 and an average margin victory of 23 points per game. They finished the season ranked #3 in the Final NYS Sportswriters Poll for class C-D.

Josh Maddocks was a varsity football and varsity baseball standout at Haldane. Josh earned All League in football in 1987, 1988, and 1989 and was a 1,000 yard rusher. He earned 1st Team All Section in 1989 and was team captain.

Remarkably, Josh earned All League in baseball in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990. As a senior, he was captain of the 1990 state runner up baseball team and was named First Team All Section. He also received the Bernie Dillon Award at graduation.

Josh continued his baseball career for two years at Seminole State College in Oklahoma where they were ranked #1 in the country for junior colleges in 1991. During both seasons at Seminole, he participated in the College World Series. Josh then transferred to Campbell University where he was named to the All Big South Conference team and was presented with the James RysKamp Award, given to the player who best exemplifies character, dedication, and baseball prowess.

All who know Josh say he always gave 100 percent, both on and off the field.

Jen Moran was a whirlwind of hustle and hassle to opponents while on the basketball court. Her immense passion for the game, combined with great talent, manifested itself in 1,776 career points - making her the second all-time lead scorer for boys and girls in Haldane history.

Jen’s relentless work ethic shined through five years of varsity basketball, as she helped lead her teams to three State Final Four appearances and an overall record of 97-15. Jen was an All-League player from 8th grade on, and All-Section her last three years. She was also recognized as first team All-State her senior year. Jen was on the Journal News All-Star team from freshman year on and was also named the 1993-94 Gannet Suburban Newspaper Girls Basketball Player of the Year as a senior.

Jen was also a member of the Hudson Valley Scholastic Women’s team that won a gold medal at the Empire State Games.

Jen’s hard work and leadership skills on the court landed her a basketball scholarship to St. Thomas Aquinas College. She continued her basketball success in college, amassing nearly 1,000 points.

Brittany Shields joined the varsity girls basketball team in her 7th grade year and became the all-time lead scorer in Haldane basketball history - both boys and girls - at 1,945 points. Her career rebounds totaled 1,364, making her the fourth highest rebounder in New York State history.

Brittany was named Journal News 1st Team and Poughkeepsie Journal 1st Team in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, she was named Player of the Year. She was a 2nd Team All-State Player in 2005, 2006, and 2007 and a 1st Team All-State Player in 2008. Brittany was an All-Section selection in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. She received the Isabel Costa Award for Best Girls Basketball Player in Section 1 (Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Westchester - All Schools Class AA-D). Brittany played on the New York State Empire State Team from 2006-2007 and was team captain in 2007 and 2008.

In her senior year, Brittany was New York State Class C Player of the Year and led her team to a State Championship where she was named Most Valuable Player. She also received the Con Ed Award, MVP of Class C, and 3-time Section 1 MVP.

Brittany earned a 5-year scholarship to Pace University where she continued to receive accolades. She is the seventh player in Setters’ history to record more than 1,000 career points and rebounds, and ranks third in the Pace annals with 1,757 points. Today, Brittany is in her third season as a graduate assistant coach with the Pace Women’s Basketball team.

Varsity Girls Basketball Coach 1987-2000

Varsity Boys Golf Coach 2000-04

Varsity Girls Soccer Coach 2004

Throughout his 32 years at Haldane High School, Ken Thomas was a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend to hundreds of students. Coach Thomas, with his girls basketball players, put the Haldane Girls Basketball program on the map. He showed the state how small teams from small communities can still play large.

Coach Thomas built a strong and respected program over 13 dedicated years. He always put academics first and held mandatory study halls whenever there was a late practice. During the “off season” he coached summer league, AAU, ran several weeks of summer camp, and somehow found time to spend with his family.

With a winning percentage of .872 (273-40), he was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. Coach Thomas’ teams captured:

• 10 Class D Section 1 Titles
• 10 Class D Regional Titles
• 4 Class D State Titles
• 3 Class D Federation Titles

A ready smile, an encouraging word, insightful perception - what more describes this teacher, mentor, and coach.