Hall of Fame: Class of 2007

James W. Reily Jr. 1937
Clifford E. Wilson Jr. 1952
George Semler 1962
Sam R. Watkins Jr. 1962
Virgil D. Hauff 1967
Jeanne S. Johnson Thompson 1967
H. Ike Bogosian Jr. 1977
John D. Piatelli 1982
Monica C. Varri 1987
Jeffrey S. Harpham 1997
Dana L. Peirce 1997

Special Recognition

Robert L. Sanford 1950

Team

The 1982 Boys Lacrosse Team

James W. Reily Jr. 1937

Jim "Boogie" Reily came to Kent School from New Orleans, Louisiana in the fall of 1932 as a young man with fine natural athletic abilities determined to participate in sports he knew well and those he had only heard about as a boy growing up in the south. On the football field Kent had established a highly competitive program by the mid 30s. Under the head coach and Athletic Hall of Fame member, Bill Nadal '17, winning had become the norm. Jim played on Varsity Football for three years excelling as right end on the undefeated '35-'36 team. The following season coach Nadal asked Jim to play halfback and to see if he could learn to be the team punter and kicker as that player had been lost to the team by injury. Jim answered the request. During that season when a (still) controversial official's call cost the team a second consecutive undefeated season, Jim was responsible for much of the offense. Kent beat Westminister 22-0 in the Fall of '36 and Jim Reily scored every point in the game, three touchdowns and he kicked two con-versions. During part of the season when team captain, Doc Barnum '37, was injured, Jim became acting captain. In a 6-6 tie against Hotchkiss Jim completed the longest touchdown run ever recorded to date in School history by reversing his field twice. Hence the name, Boogie.

When Jim arrived at Kent, basketball was a new winter sport at the school. Prior to the construction of the fieldhouse, the team played at the Kent Town Community Center, which had a great wooden floor but very low rafters. Jim was drawn to the game and he and his teammates excelled in
the new sport. By Jim's sixth form year they played in Kent School's new fieldhouse and won the tri-state league competition with a 7-2 record.

Jim Reily was a natural tennis player. He played as a boy growing up and added his skills to a talented group of Kent players. Jim played 1st doubles for two consecutive years with fellow classmate and Athletic Hall of Fame member, Bill Thorn. Along with players Tate, Rees, and Dayton, they were regarded as one of the top prep teams in New England for Jim's fourth through sixth form seasons. In the spring of 1937 they were 7-2, losing only to Yale Freshmen and Choate.

From Kent Jim went on to Yale and played freshman football with his great friend Doc Barnum. Jim was the high scorer of that team and he was guided to the goal line many times by the sure blocks of Doc. Jim finished his college years back home at Tulane where he continued to excel on the tennis court there and for many years thereafter.

Clifford E. Wilson, Jr. 1952

The 1952 Pater's Mug recipient as well as winner of the Columbia Cup, Clifford "Butch" Wilson earned 5 varsity letters - three in football and two in basketball. He captained the football team, tallying 10 touchdowns in his gridiron career. In football he was described as a three year triple threat (running, passing, blocking) and in his yearbook it was noted that he "never failed to inspire/encourage the team". On the hard court, he started for two years, helping lead the team to a Tri-State Championship in 1951, while garnering the Jordan Trophy - recognizing his spirit and leadership. He dabbled in crew and baseball in the spring before succumbing to appendicitis his senior year. One of Butch's classmates remembers: "He was a real leader in football. He would cream an opposing player with a vicious block and then help him up. Butch played hard and very well, but always with a smile on his face and a keen sense of fair play and sportsmanship." It is fitting that he won both Pater's Mug, as the outstanding athlete in his class, and the Columbia Cup, given each year to the boy "who has shown the most comprehensive grasp of his life and work at Kent." Upon graduation from Kent, he returned "home" to the University of Wyoming where he played both football and baseball.

George Semler 1962

George Semler entered Kent as a third former in the fall of 1958 and immediately established himself as an outstanding athlete. A star quarterback on the football team his senior year -- few will forget the day he led Kent to a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Loomis to regain "The Spoon"-- George was also a three year letter winner in baseball and shared the Nadal Trophy with his friend, roommate and co-inductee Sam Watkins. However, George saved his best for hockey, where he won three letters and was the high scorer of the team in each of his last two years. Following Kent, George attended Yale where he was a three time hockey letter winner, assistant captain and was awarded both the Malcolm Chase Award for the player who "through sportsmanship, spirit and ability, has best served the finest traditions of Yale hockey", as well as the Coaches Award his senior year.

After Yale, George spent three years as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving with distinction as a rifle company commander in Vietnam. Following his return to civilian life, George moved to Spain to work on a Vietnam memoir and launch a career as a freelance journalist. In Spain, he resumed his hockey career, playing for many years on the international level and earning the sobriquet "Padrino (the Godfather) of Spanish hockey" as coach of the first Spanish National Team. George now resides in Barcelona, Spain and has authored several books and innumerable articles about life in southern Europe.

A literary review describes George as:
"A generalist, Semler has written about everything from fly fishing to flamenco, wild mushrooms and running with the bulls for publications including the Los Angeles Times, Saveur, Forbes FYI and Sky".

As the third set of brothers to be inducted after the Nadals and the Sullivans, George joins his brother Jack, class of '64, in the Hall of Fame.

Sam R. Watkins, Jr. 1962

Sam Watkins entered Kent as a second former in the fall of 1957, the first of four Watkins siblings who would have a profound impact on Kent athletics over the next decade. An outstanding soccer player, Sam won four varsity letters at Kent playing for Coach Bob Partridge who, after his senior season, awarded Sam the Captain's Trophy as the team's most valuable player. Bob considered Sam one of the finest players he coached in his three decades at Kent. A two-year starter in hockey, he led the team as captain his senior year. In the spring Sam played second base on Bob Partridge's baseball team, winning three letters and the Nadal Trophy his senior year - which he shared with his roommate, good friend and co-inductee George Semler. Following Kent Sam attended Yale where he again excelled in soccer as a starter on the varsity, graduating with academic distinction in History. Following Yale, Sam attended law school and earned a JD degree from Boston University. He is now a successful lawyer in the firm that he founded 23 years ago and also is a judge in his hometown of Croton-on-Hudson, NY.
Perhaps the comment from Sam's yearbook best reflects his career at Kent: "Someday when he is fat and forty, we will all remember the little guy who did everything so well at Kent".

Sam is now well past forty and anything but fat-and remains an enthusiastic and accomplished athlete.

Sam joins his brother Bob, class of '68, who was inducted in the Kent Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

Virgil D. Hauff 1967

Not only did Virgil Hauff make the difficult transition from his home in Rosebud, South Dakota to Kent School, but he also faced breaking into an athletic program filled with athletes who had played varsity sports together for several years before Virgil arrived. Although neither transition was easy, Virgil made both with grace, unselfishness, significant effort each day, to say nothing of athletic talent not seen at Kent in a very long time.

As a fourth former Virgil was a member of the l964 football team and played running back and defensive halfback. He scored 4 touchdowns that season. As a fifth former in l965 Virgil carried the ball 96 times for a team-leading 324 yards and 9 touchdowns. This included a 68-yard run against Taft and 2 interceptions. That team finished 5-2. In his sixth form year, Virgil was captain of the team and scored 6 touchdowns and 3 extra points. He was well known for his speed and elusiveness.
As a fourth former Virgil joined a basketball team that returned four starters. He had a great season, scoring just under 10 points a game. As a fifth former he started on the 13-3 Tri-State League Championship Team and averaged just over 11 points per game. He was elected captain of the l967 team, which finished 7-9. Virgil averaged 16 points per game during that season and was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award at the end of the season.

Virgil was a member of the varsity baseball team for three years. He pitched in one game as a fourth former, started 11 games as a fifth former and won 7 of them. Unfortunately he was injured for the entire baseball team in his sixth form year. Virgil combined toughness, agility, consistent intensity, and the unique quality of wanting the ball in critical situations to be one of the best athletes of his era. These traits, along with his easygoing, friendly personality, made Virgil highly respected and tremendously well liked.

After Kent, Virgil attended Wabash College in Indiana where he made the varsity basketball team as a freshman and played for them. He left Wabash and finished his education at the University of South Dakota, earning a law degree. He worked in private practice for several years and then spent ten years researching and updating U.S. Government land titles. He is again in private practice now in Rapid City, South Dakota and is married to the former Jane Struppmann of the class of l967.

Jeanne S. Johnson Thompson 1967

Jeanne Johnson Thompson came to Kent in the years before MVP awards and All-State teams for girls athletics. Organized sports were new to many of the girls, but Jeanne arrived from western Pennsylvania with good skills, a competitive drive and a strong team spirit. In her three years at Kent, Jeanne earned a varsity letter every season - in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse. As captain of the field hockey team in the fall of her sixth form year, Jeanne led the team to an undefeated season. The team that year scored 35 goals and was scored against only 6 times. Jeanne remembers particularly fondly the games against Westover School, when she had the chance to compete against (and occasionally beat) her sister, who was a student there. On Prize Day of her fifth form year, Jeanne was awarded the Class of '31 Bowl, one of only a few fifth formers to have received the award.

Jeanne attended Hollins College, a school she chose in part for its organized, competitive athletic program. There she continued as a three sport varsity athlete, missing only her junior year when she studied abroad. When it became known that she had successfully competed in junior and women's amateur golf tournaments in Pennsylvania, Jeanne was asked to play on Hollins' newly established golf team. At graduation, Jeanne was the recipient of the Sportswoman of the Year Award, Hollins's only athletic award at the time.

H. Ike Bogosian, Jr. 1977

Ike was arguably Kent School's finest football player. A daunting figure in the Blue and Gray backfield during the '76 and '77 seasons, he led the team to back-to-back undefeated campaigns - compiling a 16-0 record in that span while outscoring the opposition by a margin of 375-92. Co-captain of the '76 squad, he was a dominant force on both sides of the ball, yet running off tackle was his forte and the team's signature play during this unprecedented run in the mid 1970's. Perhaps his finest individual performance and the team's landmark game in this era occurred on a gridiron in Brooklyn as Kent took on powerhouse Poly Prep. Ike accounted for both of Kent's scores with a 22-yard reception and a 92-yard interception return as Kent downed the top-ranked city team by a score of 12-6. He also played basketball, lettering his junior and senior years while serving as co-captain. In college, he played football at Boston College before transferring to Syracuse, where he had an outstanding career and was elected captain for the '81 season.

In the words of Coach Theobald: "While Ike would tell you that he was surrounded by good hard-working players, he was still the reason we went undefeated during his two years at Kent. He was an explosive runner, getting to full speed by the time he reached the line of scrimmage. What impressed me most was his durability, carrying the ball in many situations where everyone knew he was getting the ball and still making yardage. A humble young man, he never sought fame or recognition for himself, and he never put his own interests ahead of his team or his teammates. He worked as hard on Tuesdays as he did on Saturday afternoons, which is always the mark of a dedicated athlete. Ike learned the value of hard work from his grandfather and father, and that lesson has served him well at Kent, in college and now in the business world."

John D. Piatelli 1982

Jack started on the varsity lacrosse team for four years at Kent. In each of his last three years he was the leading scorer on the team and was selected to the All New England Lacrosse Team. He was captain of the team in both his fifth and sixth form years. In l982 he led the team to an undefeated 14-0 season - the only undefeated season thus far in Kent lacrosse history. That year he was also named MVP. Jack excelled in hockey as well. He was captain and MVP on the l982 varsity hockey team, which finished 8-0 and were champions of the Housatonic League. Jack played varsity football in his fourth and fifth form years, but injury prevented him from playing in his sixth form year.

Jack went on to play lacrosse at Springfield College, where he started on their lacrosse team for four years. From his sophomore through his senior years, Jack was All New England and led the team in scoring, finishing as the fifth leading scorer in Springfield College history. As a senior captain of the team, Jack was selected to play in both the North-South and the East-West All-Star games, and that year he was the first player in Springfield College history to be named 2nd team All American. Jack tied an NCAA record with 12 assists in one game and his team finished the season ranked 7th in the nation in his junior year and 8th in the country his senior year. In 1999 he was inducted into the New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Springfield, Jack went to Australia to play professional lacrosse. He was selected as first team All Pro at the end of the season and set the team scoring record for one season with 75 points. He was also named "the best and fairest player" in the league. Jack returned to New England to play professional lacrosse for the Boston Blazers in the professional indoor lacrosse league from l988-l991. As a member of the Masters Division USA Lacrosse Team, he participated in the World Lacrosse Games in Perth Australia in 2002. Currently, Jack is President of the King Philip Youth Lacrosse League and continues to coach youth lacrosse and to be involved in New England lacrosse. Jack is northeast sales manager for Warrior and Brine sports owned by New Balance.

Monica C. Varri 1987

It didn't take long to identify Monica Varri as a one of a kind athlete when she joined the Kent community for her sophomore year. It was obvious she would be an impact player and she would immediately raise the level of excellence for Kent Athletics. She was such an outstanding athlete that she could have earned a place and been a contributing member of any varsity team at Kent. Versatile, coachable, competitive, dedicated, diligent, and driven describe Monica as an athlete. A bit shy and reserved at first, once given the opportunity to "show her stuff," Monica stood above all the rest.
Monica contributed to the varsity soccer program for two years and was named the Most Improved Player for the '86 season and was an important member of the '87 squad that went 13-1 for the season. She immediately earned a spot on the varsity basketball team, although not a sport with which she felt particularly comfortable. She demonstrated unique techniques for dribbling, passing and shooting - always entertaining, but most importantly, effective. On the WNEPSGBA League Championship teams of '85 and '86, Monica earned the Captain's Award and the Most Valuable Player Award respectively. She served as Captain of the '87 team, which for the first time in Kent history traveled to a preseason tournament at Tabor Academy where she again earned MVP recognition.

But it is in tennis where Monica truly outshone the rest. She played the #1 singles position for all three years she attended Kent. In 1985, the team went 11-1, beating teams from Taft and Loomis 7-0 and Greenwich and Hotchkiss 6-1. Coach Jim MacLeod wrote about Monica, "She is the most outstanding player on the team. She led the team by her exemplary play." She was named Most Valuable Player in 1986 and served as co-captain in 1987. Coach MacLeod again sang her praises," Monica demonstrated a stylistic way of playing, and in my twelve years of coaching, she is the best #1 singles player I have coached."

Monica not only contributed to Kent athletically, but she also served the school as a prefect. She received the First Class Prize and the Class of '31 Bowl at the 1987 Prize Day ceremonies. Monica is a deserving recipient of the honor of being named to the Kent Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jeffrey S. Harpham 1997

Pound for pound, Jeff Harpham is certainly one of the best athletes ever to graduate from Kent. Jeff combined outstanding skill in three sports with a fierce competitive spirit to be one of the best athletes of his era.

Jeff played varsity soccer for four years. He won the Captain's Cup in his fifth form year and was elected captain for his sixth form year when he was selected MVP as well. Jeff played varsity hockey for four years and was captain and MVP in his sixth form year. In his four years of playing varsity lacrosse, Jeff was Most Improved Player in his fourth form year, MVP and winner of the Captain's Cup in his fifth form year and captain and MVP in his sixth form year. On Prize Day he was awarded Pater's Mug as the outstanding male athlete in his class. Jeff went on to Hobart College where he played hockey as a freshman and both soccer and hockey in his last three years.

Jeff earned his Master's Degree in Physical Education at Springfield College where he played adult hockey on the Springfield Hockey Team. Jeff is currently teaching physical education in the Waltham MA school system and will be coaching high school hockey next winter in the Newton school system.

During his four years at Kent, Jeff set the standard for toughness and competitiveness. He was an example to his teammates of commitment and hard work.

Dana Peirce

Dana had a fantastic athletic career at Kent. She entered Kent after the fall term of her third form year and was awarded a varsity letter in swimming that season followed by a varsity letter in her sport every term she was at Kent (11 varsity letters!). She was Co-Captain and Co-MVP of the cross country team, was a solid swimmer, and rowed in the six-seat of the varsity KGBC eight for four consecutive years.

Her rowing career began with an ergometer piece her Third Form winter. Katherine Lucier Greene, a coach of both swimming and rowing, feels she was without question the strongest young athlete she has ever coached. Her varsity coach Mark McWhinney underscores Dana's talents. From the first stroke in a boat she had a natural rowing talent and all the elements that make winners - competitive, coachable, enthusiastic, mentally and physically tough, motivated and determined. Dana was Captain of KGBC her sixth-form year and won NEIRA gold medals in 1996 (with a record-setting time that still stands) and in 1997.

While at Kent, Dana rowed for the US Junior Women's Team's eight after her fifth and sixth form years and won a bronze medal in the 1997 Junior Rowing World Championships in Hazewinkel, Belgium.

Dana was highly recruited by major rowing colleges but instead accepted a Morehead Scholarship to the University of North Carolina where she was a driving force in a rowing program that was building a solid reputation. In her freshman year her four won a bronze medal at the NCAA Championships and later crews received national recognition. She was MVP and Captain her senior year and was consistently on the ACC honor roll and National Scholar Athlete rowing team.

Next came Dana's rowing at the highest level, the National Team. Through perseverance, relentless training, evaluation, and selection she became a vital part of USA's "golden years" in the sport. Her achievements include gold medals in the women's eight at 2002 Princeton International Invitational regatta, the 2002 World Championships in Seville, Spain, and the 2003 World Cup regatta in Munich, Germany.

Without doubt Dana is one of Kent's finest oarswomen and she has been a credit to her school, her university, and her country.

Robert L. Sanford 1950

Bob Sanford '50 is one of Kent's most devoted sons. His thoughtful support of the School and athletics is endless.

Bob's contributions to Kent athletics are centered in Litchfield County, Connecticut, but reach far and wide, especially to a town on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, UK. He first went to Henley Royal Regatta in 1971 and quickly became a "regular". He has made the magic of Henley even more wonderful for Kent crews since, including the Kent girls who have done so well at Henley Women's Regatta. Bob provides the sartorial splendor of straw boaters and entertains crews and parents at the house on Wharfe Lane where a Kent banner hangs every year with or without the presence of a Kent crew. Bob's generosity was a major element of the creation of the Kent Room in the historic Leander Club.

At Kent School Bob never misses a basketball game coached by Don Gowan and loyally attends football games at all levels, varsity to thirds. On any given Wednesday or Saturday afternoon, Bob can usually be found at a Kent sporting event, whether it's on the river, at the fieldhouse, at the rink, or on the field.

Bob's loyalty to his Class is recognized by his honorary membership on the 1950 Henley-winning crew. In addition, he has served as a Class Secretary and on the Alumni Council.
Bob's support of the rowing program is legendary. He established the "Pass the Torch" dinner for the boys crew program, an event that welcomes back rowing alumni to share with current rowers their experiences and stories. Alumni loyally return to take part in this annual tradition. In addition, he has hosted rowing banquets at his wonderful Long Mountain Farm and many gatherings of students, faculty, parents, and friends.

Ever generous, ever caring, many thanks!

The 1982 Boys Lacrosse Team

The l982 lacrosse team returned eight players from the Division II Championship team the year before. Moving up to play in Division I would still be a challenge. After a week-long trip to Virginia for early practice, the team returned to over twelve inches of snow, which forced postponement of the Choate game and canceling of the Kingswood game. After early season victories, the season turned on the Avon game. Kent found itself down 4-0 at the start of the game but fought back to make the score 7-5 Avon at the half. Kent came together in the second half and outscored Avon 9-4 to win the game 14-11. The closest any team came to Kent after that game was seven goals. The end of the season was marred a bit by a bus breakdown in Hartford that prevented the team from playing Deerfield. However, Kent finished the season 14-0, setting the record for the most wins in a season by any Kent lacrosse team and establishing themselves as the only undefeated lacrosse team in Kent history thus far. The team produced seven Division I All-Stars at the end of the season. Pat Davis was selected as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player in Western New England and also as a High School All-American. The team was led in scoring by Captain Jack Piatelli, 38 goals and 29 assists. Phil Hills had 27 goals and 31 assists. Jocko Magadini had 32 goals and 11 assists. Midfielder Steve Edmonds finished with 23 goals and 21 assists and Scott O'Callaghan finished with 18 goals and 12 assists. The defense was centered around goalie Jon Hetzel. The team was talented, tough, and most importantly, they played together. It was certainly an unforgettable season.

Scores of critical games:

Kent 12 Loomis 6
Kent 10 Hotchkiss 5
Kent 14 Avon 11
Kent 14 Taft 2
Kent 22 Westminster 10
Kent 18 Choate 9