2018 Hall of Fame Inductees

Ray Champlin has a lifelong relationship with Haldane. A 1948 graduate of the school, he participated in football and baseball and was also a member of the Student Council, Language and Archery clubs.

After Haldane he attended SUNY Albany where he majored in Education, pursuing his dream of becoming a teacher. Upon graduation from SUNY Albany he entered the Army where he served as part of the peacekeeping force in post-WWII Germany, working the Army Education Department.

He returned to Cold Spring in 1955 and was able to secure a teaching position at his alma mater where he remained for 34 years until his retirement in 1989. During his tenure he taught many of the math and science courses and eventually became the Math Department Chairperson. He also served as an advisor to several classes and was the National Honor Society Advisor.

Coach Champlin’s love for athletics was fostered under fellow Hall of Famer George Ellis as Ray played on Coach Ellis’ 1945 championship football team as a freshman. Now as colleagues, Ray immediately joined the coaching ranks as an assistant coach on the football team in 1955 where he remained for 15 years.

Another of Coach Champlin’s passions was tennis but at this point in time Haldane did not have a program so in 1964 he was able to start the girls tennis team which he remained as coach of for 26 seasons until his retirement. In 1978, without a boys tennis team, the program became co-ed which at the time was very controversial. The tennis courts at Haldane are dedicated in his honor.

George Hustis Sr. was born on October 10, 1932 right here in Cold Spring. George was an impact athlete in each of the three sports he competed in here at Haldane. He played four years of football where he also led the team serving as a captain for his Junior and Senior years. George was also a member of the track team for 3 years and a member of the basketball team for 4 years. George received multiple awards for his outstanding athletic ability - all county football in 1949, as well as MVP of his football team in 1949 and 1950. One of his most honorable awards was the Jack LaDue Award “Chosen by his team as the outstanding football player of the year” his senior year (1950).

When George wasn't playing all three sports he was active in the student body, as a member of the Civics Club in 1949 and 1950, Intramurals in 1948, 1949, and 1950 as well as the Bachelors Club his entire high school career.

George was a family man. When he wasn't in the classroom or the field, he was on the family farm or working for the family business. George worked before school and after practice, an arrangement he made with his dad, with his mothers support, so that he could be allowed to play sports. At this time, sports held little value in his family, as the farm and the business were the number one priority.

George was recruited to the University of Alabama, and accepted the offer in 1950. George would attend Alabama, however he would leave the Tide and sports behind to return to Cold Spring and take over the family farm and business, that he would run until turning it over to his son George Hustis Jr.. Upon returning to Cold Spring George would marry his wife Lois and have two children, George Jr. and Harriet. George was a lifelong resident of Cold Spring until his passing in July 31, 2006.

Coach Frank Milkovich and the 1963 Haldane Blue Devils Baseball Team started out that year wondering how they would overcome the obstacle of not having a home field. Due to reseeding of the Haldane field, the team had to use the Little League field for practice and all of their games were away, even though 4 of the games were played at Beacon Memorial Field with Haldane being considered the home team. The team ended up winning everything in sight.

With an overall record of 11 wins and 2 losses (both by one run), the team won the Harlem Valley Championship, Dutchess County Small School Championship by beating Hudson Valley Champions Pine Plains 4 to 3 and then beat Saugerties 1 to 0 to take the ultimate crown of the Dutchess County Scholastic League Championship. Haldane was held to 2 hits, both in the 6th inning. Dan Dillon led off with a single to right, pitcher Jerry Downer singled to left center with Dan going to third. Bob Byrnes then lifted a fly to right field with Dillon tagging up to score the only run of the game.

Bob Byrnes led the team with a .400 batting average (18 for 45) while Jerry Downer led the pitching staff with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses, 82 strikeouts, 27 walks and allowing only 22 runs on 40 hits. Jerry was also the MVP of the league.

The team was honored with a dinner at Dutchess Manor later in the year. Team members include Coach Frank Milkovich, Dan Dillon, Bob Byrnes, Jerry Downer, Bill Mazzuca, Howard Howell, George Stevenson, Bill Merante, Gary Maddox, Leigh MacKenzie, Wayne Robinson, Mike Boulanger, Pierre Laurence, Mike Daniels, Roger Owen, and Steve Tompkins.

Wayne Stellefson’s meeting with Floyd Patterson as a young boy helped lead him down his road in life. Pushing himself to be physically fit led him a spot on the Haldane varsity football team as a 9th grader where he played offensive guard and defensive tackle. Later that year, with the encouragement of coaches Packy Shields and Jack LaDue, he joined the Winter and Spring Track teams.

Wayne continued to develop athletically throughout his high school career and became an All-County football player and was named team captain his junior and senior years. As a senior in 1972 Wayne set a New York State record in the shot put with a toss of 58 feet 1 inch that made him the first Haldane student to be named a state champion. Wayne still holds the Haldane record in the discus with a throw of 150 feet 3 inches.

During his high school career Wayne was named the outstanding student-athlete of Putnam County and won the All-County Sports Award. He was also the Student Council president, member of the National Honor Society and the Philipstown Drug Council.

After Haldane Wayne accepted an athletic scholarship to Wyoming University where he placed in the Top 10 in the 1973 WAC Championships as a freshman. Later transferring to Penn State University, Wayne’s contributions to the Nittany Lions Track program earned him a plaque in the Penn State All-Sport Museum.

While working in Maryland, Wayne met the love of his life Chris and had two boys - Mike (shot put and discus at University of Pittsburgh) and Jon (Volleyball at East Stroudsburg University). Wayne worked for IBM for 25 years and received the Department of Defense’s “Admiral's Choice Award” for his work supporting the Armed Forces during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Christine Helbock has had a lifelong passion for sports that was fostered at Haldane. Chris and her family moved to Cold Spring in 1969 where she entered the 7th grade. At that time there were very few opportunities for girls to play a varsity sport (orly cheerleading, tennis and co-ed volleyball). As Chris advanced through her academic career opportunities presented themselves and her accomplishments paved the way for future female athletes at Haldane.

For the first few years Chris was a cheerleader for the football and boys basketball teams and then in the Spring of 1970 the Haldane Girls Track team was founded with Bill Merante as its coach. Chris found she had talent in the field events and began to excel in the shot put and discus. With additional coaching from Packy Shields and Jack LaDue, Chris began breaking records. As a senior a NY Times article about her tells how she set a new state record in the 8-pound shot put, shattering the previous record by over three feet. Not satisfied with that mark she proceeded to top her own record in the NY State Championships that were held at West Point that year winning the gold medal with a throw of 41 feet 10 ½ inches. She was a true state champion as at the time schools were not broken into classes by enrollment.

Chris also excelled in other sports while at Haldane. She was a member of the first girls varsity volleyball (coached by Nancy Belluscio) and basketball (coached by Andy Scecina) teams, leading both to Bi-Valley Championships in their first year - starting the rich athletic tradition of the women’s sports at Haldane.

After Haldane Chris attended SUNY Cortland where she majored in Physical Education while continuing her athletic pursuits as a member of the Women’s Track team and participating in swimming. After graduation Chris returned to the Bi-Valley league accepting a physical education position at Webutuck high school. When an opportunity to teach at FDR High School in Hyde Park arose she jumped at it and remained there until her retirement in 2013.

At FDR, Chris coached a number of sports including volleyball and track. She created the first FDR girls and boys swim teams - at a school that did not have a pool - and served as the first coach for both while finding locations for the team to practice and have meets. Following her high school coaching she became the Head Swimming Coach at Bard College where she coached for several years.

Chris met her husband Brian Berg on the Haldane shot put circle and the athletic genes run strong in the family as all three of their children - Corey, Kyle and Shea - were scholarship swimming athletes.

Mike Kiefer was a standout on the hardwood for Haldane and a terror for all of the Blue Devils’ opponents. Mike used his combination of athletic ability, size and leaping ability to control both ends of the floor. He also competed in cross country and tennis while at Haldane as well as in the classroom as he was awarded the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Mathematics and Science Award.

Mike joined the varsity basketball team as a sophomore and immediately had an impact as he became a matchup problem for opponents. Put a big on him and he would take him to the perimeter and drive past him or knock down an 18 foot jump shot. Put a guard on him and he would take him to the post and score at will. This scenario continued through Mike’s senior year earning him many accolades along the way and the team many victories.

During his career Mike lead the Blue Devils to a 50-14 record and became the first 1,000 point scorer in school history. He finished his three year career with 1,060 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He helped Haldane to three consecutive Section 1 Class D finals and was named to the All-Tournament team each year. Mike was named All-League all three years. He was also named Bi-Valley Conference MVP and Putnam County Courier All-Area Team in ‘87 and ‘88, as well as Poughkeepsie Journal and Evening News First Team in ‘88. He was named to the Croton and Hamilton All-Tournament teams each year as well. Mike finished his career at Haldane shooting 51% from the floor and 57% his senior year.

After Haldane Mike continued his playing career at Hobart College where he continued to excel. Mike was named team captain at Hobart and finished his career with school records that still stand - Top 10 in career field goal percentage and rebounding along with Top 25 in career scoring.

Kristin DeMarco was in her element when she stepped on the basketball court. Brought up to the varsity team as an 8th grader her love of the game was on display every night once the jump ball was thrown up. As a five year varsity player she amassed many accolades both individually and as part of the team.

She was a three year All-League selection, two year All-Section and as a senior was also named All-County, All-State, Section 1 MVP, New York State Tournament MVP, All State Federation First Team and USA Today All-American Honorable Mention.

As a senior she lead the Lady Blue Devils to a magical 25-1 season that culminated in their first New York State and Federation Championship. During that season she averaged 16.4 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. She became the first female to score 1,000 career points.

After Haldane Kristin continued to excel at the collegiate level attending Division II Barry University in Miami, Florida. She was named to the Sunshine State Conference All-Freshman team and then All-Sunshine State Conference as a senior. She remains #6 in career games started, #17 in career scoring and top 15 in assists, 3-pointers and games played. She also ranks top 20 in 3-point percentage, steals, free throws made and free throw percentage.

Joe DeMarco was a two sport star during his Haldane career emerging as a standout soccer and basketball star. Joe lead both these teams to very successful seasons throughout his varsity playing days.

On the soccer pitch Joe was a member of the first Haldane varsity boys soccer team as a freshman. During his three year playing career (he missed out on most of his junior year due to injury) he scored 59 career goals - a school record. Was a member of the first Haldane boys soccer teams to play in sectional games during his junior and senior seasons. He was selected All-League three years and All-Section his senior year. In his senior year he finished 5th in scoring in Westchester/Putnam with 23 goals and 6 assists.

On the basketball court Joe was a four-year varsity player and three-year starter each year reaching the sectionals at the Westchester County Center and leading the team to a career mark of 62-16. Joe was a two-time All-League, Croton tournament and Section 1 Class D All-Tournament selection along with one All-Tournament selection at the Elmsford Tournament. During his senior year he was the leading scorer in all of Section 1 averaging 29.9 points per game including at 41 point outburst against Lourdes. In scoring over 500 points his senior year he finished with over 1,000 career points and 300 career assists. After his senior season he was named League MVP, Westchester-Putnam Coaches Association All-County 1st team, Dutchess County Coaches Association All County 1st team, Poughkeepsie Journal 1st team. He was selected to play in both the Dutchess and Westchester County Exceptional Senior games, becoming the first non-Westchester resident invited to play in their Senior game where he finished second in the dunk contest.

After Haldane Joe spent a prep year at Trinity-Pawling where he lead the basketball team to a 23-1 record with their only loss in the New England Prep School Championship game. Elmira College was Joe’s next stop where he was a three year starter and 1,000 point scorer.

Aaron Nastasi had one of the most successful high school athletic careers in New York State history reaching nine state Final Fours, winning four state championships and two Federation Championships between volleyball and basketball.

As a member of the Blue Devils varsity volleyball team Aaron reached the state final four three times, bringing home the first state title in volleyball in 1998. She was a vital part of the team being named All-Section and All-State in multiple years.

On the basketball court Aaron was a six year varsity starter, playing against seniors as a 7th grader -- which proved not to be a problem as she was the youngest player ever named to the All-State tournament team as a 12 year old 7th grader. Haldane reached the state Final Four in every year of Aaron’s high school career taking home three state championships and 2 Federation titles while Aaron was being named to All-League, All-Section and All-State each of those years. The Lady Blue Devils were an astonishing 136 wins and 19 losses.

As a senior Aaron was named MVP in the state and Federation title games and also was presented with the Isabella Costa Award recognizing the Player of the Year in Putnam, Westchester, Dutchess and Rockland counties.

Aaron also excelled in the classroom graduating as the class salutatorian.

Greg Anderson was one of the most successful student athletes at Haldane. He was a three sport athlete who played varsity football, basketball and baseball during his high school career, and earned a total of 6 sectional titles and 4 state final four appearances. In addition to being an exceptional athlete, Greg’s academic success included a 94 GPA, President of the National Honor Society and graduating 4th in his class.

A three year member of the varsity football team during the 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons, he earned several awards and accolades. As a quarterback he led the 2000 team to its first ever Sectional Championship and State Final Four appearance, and was named the Section 1 Most Valuable Player as well as earning All-Section and Second Team All-State Honors. During his senior year, Greg passed for a total of 1,367 yards, recording 25 touchdowns. In the 2000 sectional championship he rushed for 63 yards, passed for 180 yards, totaling 243 yards and recorded 5 touchdowns.

Greg was a three year member of the varsity basketball team during the 1998-1999, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. During his basketball career he was selected to the Dutchess County All Academic Team, Poughkeepsie Journal All-Star Team and Journal News All-Star Team. During the 2000-2001 season he was the Section 1 Tournament MVP and received All-Section and First Team All-State Honors. He was also named Dutchess County Player of the year. His stats included 112 points during 5 playoff games, leading the team to the first ever state final four appearance. He finished his basketball career with 990 points.

Greg was a 4 year member of the varsity baseball team during the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons and a captain his senior year. He was an outstanding pitcher and outfielder earning All-Section and All-State Honors, and 2001 Section 1 Tournament Most Valuable Player. He was also named to the Poughkeepsie Journal All-Star Team. During his senior year he recorded an 8-2 record on the mound with a 1.47 ERA, leading the team to its third consecutive sectional title and second consecutive state final four appearance.

George Ellis joined the Haldane faculty in 1945 as a Health and Physical Education teacher while also coaching three varsity sports and serving as the school’s first Athletic Director. He was known to all as “Coach” and in 1972, after twenty-seven years of dedicated service, retired.

During his tenure, he coached football (12 years), basketball (20 years) and track (25 years). George started the Track program, a program which flourished under his guidance, including the tradition of taking the mile relay team to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays yearly. His teams were very competitive and, during certain seasons dominated in the Putnam League, the Northern Westchester Putnam League and eventually the Bi-Valley League. His teams won league titles in 1945 for football, 1948-1951 for track and 1946 & 1951 for basketball.

As Athletic Director, Coach did everything - schedule the games, the buses and the officials - and he was even a member of the work crew for the games. On a Saturday morning, before a home football game, Coach could be found with others preparing the field for the event, lining the yard lines with powdered lime, placing the yard markers and setting the famous spectator restraining rope. And, hours later, he was coaching his team.

For the home track meets, Coach once again joined the work crew lining the four lanes for the 100 yard dash, preparing the jumping pits and setting the boundary markers for the other running events. And in hours later, he was coaching his team.

At that time, there was a special relationship between track and baseball coaches because both teams simultaneously used the same field at the same time. The coordination of practices and games/meets was vital and the consideration of the athletes, many of whom participated in both sports, was paramount. Take batting practice, run 220’s, take fielding practice, run more 220’s and concentrate on skills in either sport were the basic components of the daily routine for the two-sport Spring athletes.

Coach Ellis made a lasting impression on all of the athletes he had in his long coaching career and his legacy lives on to this day as in 1998 the Haldane Football Association renamed their annual graduation award to the “George W. Ellis Memorial Athletic Award”.