Hall of Fame: Class of 2005

W. Halsey Wood 1910
Graham A. Nadal 1920
James M. Crane 1940
David W. Drouet 1955
Stephen C. Gladstone 1960
Gifford T. Foley 1965
Anne T. Ingham Sezak 1965
Kevin M. Dougherty 1975
Karen Marsh 1980
Brian C. Perry 1980
Colleen Carroll 1990
Robert D. Wynne 1990

Coach - Peter W. Bragdon

Team

The 1950 Crew

W.Halsey Wood 1910

W. Halsey Wood was one of the "founding fathers" of Kent tennis. In a picture in the 50th Anniversary Book of Kent School, Halsey appears with his three teammates - Kent's first official tennis team. As the winner of a school-wide tennis tournament, Halsey was named Captain of the team that played Kent's first duel match. An article in the Prize Day 1910 edition of the Kent Quarterly comments that the match "stimulated, it is hoped, the interest in tennis and will assist in giving it the place which it should hold among the other athletics of the school." Wood family legend has it that Halsey even helped to construct Kent School's first tennis court.

After Kent, Halsey played tennis at Columbia University, and was nationally ranked in the top 100 for a number of years before and after World War I. During this period, as a member of the New York Lawn Tennis Club, Halsey dominated tournaments in the New York area, often teaming with his brother, Alex, Kent Class of 1911, to win doubles matches.

Halsey maintained close ties with Kent and with Father Sill, serving as President of the Alumni Association and as a Trustee of the School. Throughout his life he took great pride and pleasure in the growth and success of the tennis program that he helped to establish.

Graham A. Nadal 1920

Graham came to Kent with his older brother, Manuel "Bill" Nadal 1917, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. Like his brother, Graham was a two-time recipient of Pater's Mug. He earned a remarkable 13 varsity letters in his Kent career and was a mainstay of the football, hockey and baseball teams - earning five letters in both football and baseball, and three in hockey. In his 4th Form year, Graham was a member of a football team that scored 557 points. He went on to become Captain of a strong football team in his 6th Form year, and that same year was a dominant member of an undefeated hockey team that outscored its opponents 66-9. Senior Prefect of the Class of 1920, and President of his Form in 1918 and 1919, Graham was a leader among his peers.

James M. Crane 1940

Jim Crane arrived at Kent in the fall of 1935 as a 2nd Former. Like most in his form, his athletic career began in the intramural leagues in football, hockey and crew. Jim distinguished himself over the next five years as he worked his way up to varsity in three sports. In an era when every student played sports and there were fewer sports to choose from, the competition to make a varsity team was keen. Jim earned varsity letters in football and wrestling (having switched from ice hockey), but it was in crew that he made his most lasting mark. As a 4th Former - the youngest member of the squad - Jim traveled to Henley with the 1938 Crew as a spare. He returned to Henley the following year, this time rowing in the 7 seat for Kent. Finally, in his 6th Form year, Jim was elected captain of the Crew and led them to another successful season. At the end of the season, Jim was awarded the Bishop Oar for his excellence as an oarsman, and on Prize Day he received Pater's Mug as the outstanding athlete in the 6th Form.

On the Student Council, as a Prefect and as a Captain, Jim developed leadership qualities that served him well in later years at Yale University, in the Marines serving in the South Pacific during WWII, and in his career.

David W. Drouet 1955

David Drouet was an all-around athlete, who made his greatest marks on Kent athletics on the tennis and basketball courts. During his Kent career he earned four varsity letters in basketball, four in tennis and one in football. As co-captain of the basketball team in his 6th Form year, Dave averaged 20 points per game, had 186 rebounds and a foul-shooting percentage of 70%. In recognition of his achievements, Dave was awarded the Jenkinson Basketball Trophy in 1954 and 1955. He served as captain of the tennis team in both his Fifth and Sixth Form years. On Prize Day in 1955 Dave was awarded Pater's Mug, as the outstanding athlete in the School. Dave's yearbook page included the following comment: "Although a pacifist at heart, Dave is constantly on fire internally with a ‘will to win.' Whether it is on the athletic field or in pursuit of a tough night's homework, he works to come out on top, and usually does."

Stephen C. Gladstone 1960

Steve Gladstone made his mark at Kent in football, wrestling and crew, earning varsity letters in each and serving as Captain of the football team in his 6th Form Year. From Kent, Steve went on to Syracuse University, where he earned four letters in crew. With graduation from Syracuse, he began a remarkable coaching career that has spanned three decades. As the freshmen coach at Princeton, his crews won a pair of IRA silver medals. Heading north, Steve took over as varsity lightweight coach at Harvard and led the Crimson to four straight undefeated seasons, four Eastern Sprints championships and victories at Henley in the Thames Challenge Cup and Wyfold Challenge Cup. 1973 found him at Cal Berkeley, where he guided the Bears to three undefeated dual-race seasons, an IRA title, and a Pac-10 championship. In 1980 Steve returned to the east coast to Brown University. There he established a program that was regarded as the best in all of collegiate rowing. His crews amassed four Eastern Sprints championships, five IRA championships and two National Collegiate Rowing Championship titles. In both 1993 and 1994, the Brown varsity crew completed the "triple crown", with victories in each of these regattas - a feat that had never before been accomplished. In Gladstone's final season at Brown, the men's crew went undefeated as a program at all levels of competition. Finally, he returned to Cal in 1996, where he has won four more National Championships. Steve continues to be guided by the lessons learned from his Kent crew coach, Tote Walker. A 2002 article includes the following quotation: Tote "taught us that the route to personal fulfillment was not by doing things for yourself, or focusing on your own needs, but by being unselfish and working with other people to achieve a goal. I still believe that."

Gifford T. Foley 1965

Giff Foley had a profound impact on Kent. A leader in all aspects of school life during his three years here, Giff excelled as a multi-sport athlete, earning seven letters in football, wrestling and crew. His senior year he served as a Prefect, captained the football team and was awarded Pater's Mug as the outstanding male athlete in the School. He attended Dartmouth College where he continued his success as a standout football player. After earning two letters and All-Ivy honorable mention honors, Giff took a leave from Dartmouth to join the U.S. Marine Corps where he served with honor in Vietnam and was awarded a Silver Star. Returning to Dartmouth, he rejoined the football team and anchored the defensive line on the undefeated championship team of 1970 that won the Lambert Trophy as the best team in the east. That year Dartmouth nominated Giff for the "Swede" Nelson Award, recognizing "outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, sportsmanship and citizenship" among the leading football players in New England.

After graduation Giff earned an MBA degree at Harvard Business School. He married April, a classmate at Harvard, and together they raised three children Giff Jr. (Kent '98), Catherine and James. He was invited to join the Board of Trustees and served with distinction when the school embarked on the successful campus consolidation program. He was a true son of Kent who made the School a better place for his having been here. Giff left us far too soon and rests up on Skiff Mountain where his inscription reads:

Soldier, scholar, horseman he. What made us dream that he could comb grey hair?

Anne Ingham Sezak 1965

Anne Ingham Sezak's induction marks the first woman from the 1960s to enter the Athletic Hall of Fame. Anne's name appears more than any other on the girls' varsity team rosters from 1962 to 1965 - four varsity letters in field hockey, two in basketball and four in tennis. Anne distinguished herself as a two-time recipient of the Class of '31 Bowl, awarded to the Outstanding Female Athlete. She also served as Captain of the field hockey team and Captain in both her 5th and 6th Form years of the tennis team.

During this era there were few opportunities for Kent girls to play on all-star teams, compete for a league championship, and accumulate the awards and prizes that girls from the '80s and '90s could aspire to. While the boys' athletic program already had a long history and tradition at Kent, the girls' program was just beginning. With little fanfare or public recognition, Anne and her teammates on Skiff Mountain helped to create a tradition of excellence that continues to support Kent girls.

Kevin M. Dougherty 1975

Kevin Dougherty came to Kent in the autumn of '73 from the town of Massena, NY, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. During his two years at Kent he was a top scholar who earned membership in the Cum Laude Society, a Prefect and a great competitor. He competed on strong football, hockey and baseball teams.

In '74 his first line scored 116 goals on the way to a 20-2 season and a Championship; he was a superb Captain of the '75 Championship team. The manner and the method by which Kevin achieved so much even surpassed his magnificent accomplishments. All those connected to the '75 team would pay tribute to Kevin for his leading them to the Championship. A team which followed an opening 4-1 victory over Harvard Freshmen with consecutive losses to Cornell Freshman, Brown JV and Williams JV recovered to beat Princeton Freshmen, Yale Freshmen and Yale JV and - in character - came back from a 0-2 deficit to secure a 5-3 victory in the final game of the season on the Choate Rink - to gain a third straight Championship.

Kevin turned down Boston College and Dartmouth to return to the North Country and his family by way of a Presidential Scholarship at St. Lawrence University. On May 6th, on his way to the doctoral program at Penn State in athletic physiology and hours after he was chosen Scholar-Athlete of his class, when kayaking, Kevin was swallowed by cold northern waters and taken from us. He had so much still to give but left so much enduring beauty and inspiration in his wake. The words of Cy Theobald: "To this day there remains an award at Kent given annually to that member of the senior class who best exemplifies character, academic excellence, leadership and athletic ability. The name on that award is ‘Kevin Dougherty' and that says it all."

Karen Marsh 1980

From September 1976 to June 1980, the Kent athletic program was blessed with the presence of Karen Marsh on the river, in the gym, and on the playing fields. In each of her three sports she was a willing leader, a tough competitor, and a hard worker.

For four spring seasons, Karen played Varsity Softball. She was awarded the "Rookie of the Year" prize as a Third Former. She could play anywhere, but principally liked the responsibilities of catcher. I am hard pressed to remember a player who hit the ball harder than she. Karen won the MVP award in 1979 and the Captain's Award in 1980. Each winter, Karen played basketball. After her first year as a JV player, she became a starting player on the Varsity for the remaining three years, and was a fine Captain her senior season. In those days, Girls' Rowing was a fall sport, and Karen found a spot on the first boat right away her Third Form year, joining her sister, Valerie, who was the stroke. The next year, Karen became the stroke herself, and occupied that position for three years. Her senior year, Karen was elected Captain, and was the inaugural recipient of the William Hartwell Perry Bowl as the rower who "best exemplifies the ideals and traditions of Kent Rowing." At Prize Day 1980, Karen was awarded the Class of '31 Bowl emblematic of the top female athlete of the year.

After an ESU year, Karen attended Princeton University. She was a letter winner in rowing in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Over those three years, their record was 23-5, and they had a particularly spectacular year in 1985, with a perfect 8-0 record and the EAWRC Championship.

I have had the privilege of coaching Karen in seven of her twelve seasons at Kent. She was an exceptional athlete and a wonderful ambassador for Kent School. It is a distinct pleasure to have a part in welcoming her into the Kent Athletic Hall of Fame to take her rightful place beside the few, the proud, and the brave who have gone before her.

John Perkins

Brian C. Perry 1980

Brian Perry dominated Kent lacrosse during his time at Kent. In his 4th Form year he broke the scoring record, and proceeded to break his own record in his 5th and 6th Form years, with 58 goals and 50 assists in the spring of 1980. As Captain of the 1980 varsity lacrosse team, Brian led the team to its best record since lacrosse was started at Kent in 1971. That same year he was awarded the inaugural Lance Odden Trophy as the MVP in the WNEPSSA League, the Gowan Bowl and, to top off the season, he was selected as a High School All American. Brian excelled in soccer as well, where he played goalie. In his 5th Form year, with a 13-2-1 record, the team took the WNEPSSA championship. Although Brian missed five games due to an injury, he returned for the final game against Loomis to determine the League Champion. As Captain in his 6th Form year, Brian was awarded the Partridge Bowl, which recognized his "love of the game and outstanding contribution to the team". Brian went on to Cornell University, where he was top scorer in lacrosse in both his freshman and sophomore years.

Colleen Carroll 1990

Class of '31 Bowl winner, 3-sport athlete, and 9 varsity letter winner, Colleen Carroll's tremendous athletic career spanned all 4 of her years at Kent. In soccer, her teams won 27 games under Coach Ryder in a 3-year varsity career as she earned the Robert W. Partridge Award as the team's most improved player her junior season and tallied 12 goals and 6 assists her senior year. She led the hockey team in scoring all 4 years, captaining the team and earning Most Valuable Player honors her senior year. On the lacrosse field, Carroll was no less proficient, sharing the Walcott-Mulligan Most Valuable Player Award and serving as captain her senior season.

Her athletic career continued at the collegiate level at Lynchburg College, where Colleen earned All-Conference and All-State recognition in soccer. In lacrosse she was named Rookie of the Year in her freshman year, earned Most Valuable Player and Regional All American distinctions in her junior year, and in her senior year was Captain, MVP and All-Conference, as well as a finalist for Female Athlete of the Year and Senior Athlete of the Year at Lynchburg. Colleen's college coach credits her with being a "catalyst" in the rise of the Lynchburg soccer program. "Colleen was fearless and that allowed her to accomplish great things. She led by example and her intensity was reflected in all those around her, including her coaches."

Robert D. Wynne 1990

Three-sport captain and Pater's Mug Award recipient for the class of 1990, Bobby Wynne set a standard of excellence few have achieved in the School's illustrious interscholastic history. Winner of 12 varsity letters in football, hockey and lacrosse, he was a powerful force in the Founders League, spanning a brilliant 4-year career. Winner of the Franklin Bowl as the football team's most improved player his sophomore and junior seasons, and the C. L. Theobald Award as the team's top defender his senior year, he starred on both sides of the ball under coach Theobald. In hockey he earned the moniker Best Defense Forward his senior season.

In the spring, he was as dominant a lacrosse player as the School had produced in some time, starring all 4 years as a midfielder under Coach Gowan. In the fall of 1990 Wynne matriculated to Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he went on to earn 8 varsity letters in football and lacrosse. A 2-year captain in football, he was awarded the Mike Roberti '90 Memorial Award for his love of the game, and the Welch Memorial Award for his scholarship, sportsmanship and perseverance during his senior season. On the lacrosse field he was a member of 2 National Championship teams, was a 2 time All-American, and earned the USILA Division 3 Midfielder of the Year Award in 1994. He received the Kraus Memorial Award, as the School's top senior athlete and the Crook Family Award as the lacrosse MVP in 1994. Wynne's stellar athletic career was capped by his induction into Hobart's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 and now Kent School's Hall of Fame in 2005.

Peter W. Bragdon

Peter W. Bragdon has had an exemplary career in independent secondary school education as a teacher, coach, administrator, and headmaster. His influence on, and care for, legions of students, colleagues, and friends are unparalleled.

Today, Saturday June 18, 2005 we induct PWB into the Kent School Athletic Hall of Fame as a coach and recognize his contributions to a golden era of Kent athletics that set a benchmark standard of excellence.

Records and statistics are a road map through more than two decades during which his hockey teams garnered four consecutive Housatonic Valley League Championships plus a fifth in 1980. Bragdon teams played 278 games from 1967 through 1980 with 176 wins, 6 ties, and 14 winning seasons. Besides the League championships, a highlight was a sweep of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton freshmen in the 1974-75 season. Many Kent players went on to further glory in college hockey for which they could not have been better prepared.

The other area of Kent athletics that benefited from PWB immersion is club crew where the rivalries were fierce and the racing as exciting as KSBC's. From 1979 through'83 PWB coached the mighty Housatonics' first and second boats that wrested dominance from the Algos - the first boat winning each of these 5 years.

The thread that runs though all of the above is one of passion, commitment, selflessness, sportsmanship, winning and class. Kent is proud to list Peter Wilkinson Bragdon in its Athletic Hall of Fame.

Hart Perry
Proud Colleague and Assistant Coach

The 1950 Crew

The 1950 Kent First Boat was undefeated on both sides of the Atlantic. They began their racing season on April 22nd with a record-setting performance over Yale on the Housatonic at Derby and finished the year with five open-water victories at Henley Royal Regatta, bringing the Thames Challenge Cup to Kent for the fourth time.

There was early excitement when twenty-nine oarsmen reported for indoor practice in mid-February. Under the watchful eye of Tote Walker, one of Kent's best Eights was formed.

The Yale race was followed by defeats of Lower Merion (PA) and Arlington (NY) High Schools. The fourth race of the season, against the Princeton Second Heavy Freshman, was won by two and a half lengths, raising hopes for an unblemished season. Browne and Nichols was buried by four lengths. Kent won the New England Championships, thus earning a trip abroad.

Following a farewell dinner in New York on June 22nd, the crew boarded the Queen Mary, for the School's tenth trip to the fabled regatta. The crossing featured two-a-day practices on rowing machines fastened to the after deck. In the early hours of June 29th the crew arrived in Henley and continued another Kent tradition by moving into the Armistice Inn on Hart Street. The next day they experienced another unforgettable Kent tradition, the care of Percy Bullock, long-time Jesus College boatman who would look after Kent crews through 1972, the year of Kent's next Henley victory.

Brushes with British universities and schools preceded the races. The first day of the Regatta, July 5th, Kent went to the line against London Rowing Club. They overcame initial stage fright and dispensed their opponent by one and a quarter lengths; next came Lensbury Rowing Club by two lengths; and on July 7th a rematch with the Yale Lightweight Varsity who were left three lengths behind. On Saturday morning University College, Dublin fell by two lengths. In the Final that afternoon, England's last hope, Thames Rowing Club, trailed Kent by one and one half lengths of open water. The crew received their prizes from His Excellency L.W. Douglas, the American Ambassador. The cup was on its way to Connecticut!

The Champion 1950 Crew is honored in the Kent Room at Leander Club in Henley, in the new Rowing Center, and in the Sill Trophy Room.

Well rowed Gentlemen!