Michael Burke

Born in Enfield, Mike led a varied and colorful life with unique ties to the world of professional sports.  Prior to his marvelous career in athletics, Mike served with the Italian and French underground during WW II, and was awarded the Silver Star and Navy Cross for meritorious service.  The movie, “Cloak and Dagger” starring Gary Cooper was based on Mike’s life.  After returning to the United States from the war, Mike was the first General Manager of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.  HE was then named Vice President of Diversification for CBS, which included being named President of the New York Yankees. He later went on to serve as President of Madison Square Garden, The New York Rangers, and New York Knickerbockers.  After semi-retirement in Ireland, he wrote his biography entitled, “Outrageous Good Fortune”.  Upon his death, Mike was buried in his hometown of Thompsonville.

Paul DaSilva

A 1974 graduate of Enfield High School, Paul “Big D” DaSilva’s basketball career has been marked by record setting performances.  Beginning with JFK Junior High and continuing with Enfield High, University of Hartford, and Luxembourg in the European Professional Basketball League, he distinguished himself as a team leader and great player at all levels.  Paul was EHS’ first 1,000-point career scorer, while earning Journal Inquirer All-Area status each of his three varsity seasons, as well as All-State and All-League honors.  He earned a full scholarship to the University of Hartford where in four years, he graduated as the school’s fourth all-time leading scorer and rebounder.  During his collegiate career, he played every possible game (99 straight), thus earning him the nickname, “Iron Man”.  Paul finished his brilliant career by playing one season in Luxembourg, again leading his team in both scoring and rebounding.

Ken Gwozdz

A 1965 graduate of Enfield High School, Ken was a senior captain in basketball, baseball, and soccer.  He was selected All-Valley Wheel in basketball during his senior campaign.  A 1969 graduate of the University of Hartford, Ken was named Athlete of the Year in both 1968 & 1969.  He was captain of both the baseball and basketball teams in 1969, and named All-New England in basketball in 1968 & 1969.  Ken also received All-ECAC basketball honors in 1969, as well as Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors.  In 1993, he was inducted into the University of Hartford’s Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame.

Richard “Auggie” Gwozdz

A 1967 graduate of Enfield High School, Auggie played on various basketball all-star teams as a senior.  He went on to play at the University of Hartford where he received the ‘Unsung Hero Award’ from New England College Coaches and Sports Information Directors.  In 1972, he was a key contributor for the University of Hartford’s record of 52-15 during his career there.  In 1973, he had a tryout for the NBA’s Buffalo Braves, but opted to play in Luxembourg, Europe where he averaged 35 points per game, leading his team to the league championship.  He also played for Smith & Sons Jewelers, a semi-professional team from 1977-1984, where they captured four New England titles.  Auggie has also won numerous town titles with various teams. He currently coaches basketball in Ludlow, MA.

Peter King

A three-sport athlete (soccer, basketball, baseball) and 1975 graduate of Enfield High School, Peter is most renowned for his work in sports journalism.  Upon graduating from EHS, he earned a degree in journalism from Ohio University, where he was named “Top Senior Journalist”.  Peter is currently a senior writer for Sports Illustrated as well as the magazine’s football columnist.  Prior to taking a position with SI in 1989, he wrote for Newsday and the Cincinnati Enquirer.  His popularity and expertise have vaulted him into several television opportunities.  For two seasons (1994 & 1995), he was Monday Night Football’s halftime correspondent.  In 1996, he moved his talents to CNN/SI Network’s NFL Preview Show.  Peter has authored five books including “Inside the Helmet: A Player’s Eye View of Pro Football”.

Edmond Kukulka

Edmond played basketball and baseball for Enfield High School in the early 1930’s.  In 1934, he signed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher.  Early in his career, he played with such baseball legends as: Dizzy Dean, Paul Medwick, and Frankie Frisch.  An elbow injury ended his rise through the farm system.  He returned home to Thompsonville to play baseball for the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet team in the 1940’s.  Edmond led Bigelow to a AAA Championship in 1948, and then moved on to play in the Hartford Twilight League from 1949 – 1962.  In 1988, he was inducted into the Twilight League’s Hall of Fame.  In addition to baseball, he also played basketball for over 30 years starting in High School, and moved onto St. Adalbert’s semi-pro team, Bigelow-Sanford, and the Hamilton Standard teams.

Ray Legenza

Ray is a high school coaching legend in the state of Connecticut.  A 1944 Enfield High graduate, he began his coaching career IN Naugatuck in 1953.  He coached baseball for 23 years, and football for 15 years.  His baseball teams compiled an amazing 378-86 record, four state titles, and 12 league championships.  Legenza gained national fame when his baseball when his baseball teams won 64 straight games from 1970-72, a feat that is enshrined at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.  In football, his teams had an overall record of 90-33-9.  He was named National High School Baseball Coach of the Year in 1971, and awarded the Gold Key by the CT Sportswriters in 1976.  After high school, he served in the military, then chose college (UCONN) over signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  He went on to earn seven varsity letters at UCONN.  In 1984, he was inducted in the CT High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

Charlie Ragno

A 1966 graduate of Enfield High, he played football (wide receiver/defensive back/kick returner), basketball (guard), and baseball (shortstop).  In 1965 and 1966, he was named All Suburban League in football, and All-Valley Wheel in baseball.  Upon graduation from EHS, he played shortstop at William Penn College in Iowa where he batted .393 as a freshman.  He transferred to Springfield College where he completed his three remaining collegiate seasons.  In 1971, he was named all-New England as a centerfielder leading Springfield in batting.  He went on to sign a professional baseball contract and played 3 seasons for South Portland (Maine) in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.  In 1972, he was the starting centerfielder as South Portland won the league championship.  Charlie finished his career by playing for the Vernon Orioles (173-1976) in the Hartford Twilight League.

Amy Romano

1984 graduate of Fermi High School, she was a three sport (field hockey, basketball, and softball) star for the Falcons.  She arguably is the best softball pitcher the town has ever produced.  During her senior season, she pitched every game and led Fermi to an 18-0 regular season record. She earned all-league recognition in all 3 sports, and all-state honors in field hockey and softball.  She continued her field hockey and softball career at Assumption College.  Amy excelled as a pitcher compiling 40 collegiate winds, including a no-hitter against Winthrop College.  In field hockey, she was named All-Northeast Region  her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.  Amy’s collegiate career was capped off by being awarded the school’s senior student award signifying her as the top student-athlete at Assumption.  Amy currently teaches in the Enfield Public School system, and is the daughter of 1996 charter inductee, Tony Romano.

Cindy Turcotte

A 1978 graduate of Enfield High School.  Cindy was a standout in both basketball and softball.  She earned all-CCIL honors ion both her junior and senior seasons in basketball and during her junior campaign in softball.  During her senior season, she led both her teams to the state tournament as the basketball team turned in a 14-6 record.  Her softball team (16-1) entered the state tourney ranked number two that year.  Cindy went on to pitch at Central Connecticut where she posted a career 38-13 mark on the mound for the Blue Devils, including a 10-2 record her senior season.  She was the starting and winning pitcher in the New England Intercollegiate Softball Associate All-Star game.  In 1995, she became the first softball player to be inducted into CCSU’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Don Whittle

1976 graduate of Enfield High School, Don was a three sport (soccer, basketball, and baseball) star for the Raiders.  During his senior year, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in all three sports.  Don moved on to the University of Hartford where he again showed his all-around athletic prowess by becoming a 3-sport star in college.  This feat has not been accomplished in 11 years at the University of Hartford.  Originally recruited for soccer, Don led the 1979 Hawks team to an ECAC Division II-III berth in the New England Championship game as the team sported a 15-2-1 record.  That season, Hartford finished ranked number 12 in Division II and Don earned All-New England honors.  That same year, Don was UHart’s starting center fielder while pitching 21 innings too.  On the basketball court, he was named to the All-tournament team at the Hartford-Trinity Invitational Tournament.