Athletes, dedicated alumni, staff celebrated at N-W

By Benjamin Joe

Tribune Editor

The 2019 Niagara Wheatfield “Athletic Hall of Fame” and Niagara-Wheatfield’s “Falcon Wall of Fame” received a new class of inductees over the weekend. Those chosen were honored in a special ceremony.

The “Falcon Wall of Fame” is described as being founded for those who’d summitted “lifetime achievements” and were picked out of alumni and staff at the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District and district’s community contributors. The “Athletic Hall of Fame” honors the athletic achievements of both alumni and staff of the district.

“You’re going to hear a lot of good things about a lot of people,” said Alan Pogel, chairman of the “Athletic Hall of Fame” and “Falcon Wall of Fame Board.” “There are some great individuals, that’s for sure. Eight, who are athletes, and 11, who are on our wall of fame. People that did so much for this district over the years, and people who stood out themselves. We’ve had a ton of support from the community. It’s just an excellent event that we hope everybody enjoys.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, what an honor it is to be here today,” Pogel announced to the assembly. “It is humbling and inspiring to be in the presence of a group of individuals whose talents and efforts mean so much to this district. Today’s celebration is a reaffirmation of the greatness and goodness that is N-W at its core.”

“I’m going to talk about our first inductee. He was a teacher’s teacher, and an administrator’s role model,” said William Ross, NCCC chairman of the board of trustees and on the “Falcon Wall of Fame” committee. “He gave 34 years to this district with exceptional service. To faculty, to students, to our community.”

Many more words of celebration followed from both Ross and Bruce Strassburg to honor those whose achievements are special and ongoing, to those who still live in the Niagara-Wheatfield School District. Many of the inductees have passed and their awards were received by their families.

Inductees for “The Falcon Wall of Fame” included: Robert Arlington, 1958-92; Ross Bellitto, 1967-84; Dr. John Coniglio, Class of 1976; Raymond W. Van Deventer, 1954-86; Dr. Bruce Fraser, Class of 1976; Gary & Margaret Guiliani, 1964-2004; John Marasco, Class of 1971; Marjorie Printup, 1970-93; Everen Strassburg, 1963-80; and Dr. Robert W. Wisniewski, Class of 1986.

To introduce the individuals on the “Athletic Hall of Fame” was Bob Koshinski and Pete Cerny. Both serve on the “Athletic Hall of Fame” committee.

“Recently I went to a conference. Athletics and extracurricular activities were referred to as the other half of education,” Niagara-Wheatfield Athletic Director Matthew McKenna said. “I think we all can agree with this statement just by reflecting back on our own lives. The lessons that we have learned, to our own

Niagara-Wheatfield’s “Falcon Wall of Fame” and “Athletic Hall of Fame” inductees.