Athletic Hall of Fame 2021

Nov. 22, 2021

Left to right are the 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees: Jeff Fernandez, Mike Casagrande, Gary Graziano, Liz Martin, Jim Cahill, Dan Bohenek, and Brian Chamberlain. Jackie Bohenek was also inducted but was not in attendance.

On Saturday evening, November 20, the Athletic Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony were held and eight new members were inducted. The inductees were each introduced by one of their former coaches or colleagues.

First up was a very special induction of a long-time RHS sports fan, Jimmy Cahill. Jim has been a fixture at athletic contests for many years and his Thursday pep talks for the football team were legendary. His honorary induction was given by former football coach Ken Owen and by his sister Carol Cahill, an English teacher at RHS. Jim was ecstatic and very appreciative of the well-deserved honor.

Next up was another very special induction and one that was a surprise for the recipient. Athletic Director and Class of 1980 RHS graduate, Gary Graziano who is retiring this year, has, year-in-and-year-out organized this banquet along with all the other duties he performs as AD. So it was only fitting that he was inducted as a member of the Hall of Fame. Coach and friend Fred Damon jokingly explained that he wasn’t being honored as an athlete at RHS (he was a good one) but more as a coach of many sports and as AD for the last 17 years. Graz was surprised indeed and very appreciative as well.

One of two females was next to be inducted. Mal Lannin-Cotton, former girls basketball coach inducted one of her players, Jackie Bohenek of the Class of 2008. Jackie wasn’t able to make it to the banquet since she is expecting her first child in December. Her twin brother Joe accepted the plaque for Jackie who was an All-Scholastic athlete and a 1,000 point scorer (1,441) for the Bulldogs in her tenure as a basketball player at RHS. Jackie was also an outstanding track and field athlete and led RHS to a cross country championship.

Jackie’s brother Dan Bohenek was next to be inducted as a wrestler and football player for RHS. He graduated with the Class of 2006. RHS wrestling coach Tim Brown did the honors and spoke about Dan’s ability to focus on the task at hand which enabled him to combine his athletic talent with mental stamina leading to his many victories on the wrestling mats.

The second female honored was Liz Martin from the Class of 2002. Girls basketball coach and Liz’s teammate, Diana Mitchell did the introduction and explained how Liz was an integral part of the girls’ basketball team’s State Championship in 2000, being the only sophomore in the starting lineup along with four seniors. Liz was also a soccer goalie and a softball player for the Bulldogs.

Next to be inducted was Brian Chamberlain, a football player for Coach Ken Owen. Brian graduated in the Class of 1992. Brian’s size and strength were key to the strength of the Bulldogs’ line. Brian has gone on to be a successful head coach at Braintree High School.

Former RHS science teacher and hockey coach, Jim Casagrande inducted his brother Mike Casagrande from the Class of 1999. Mike was a phenomenal hockey player and scored 100 points in his high school career at RHS. He also participated in four sports at RHS including track and earned 15 letters, an accomplishment that will not be duplicated.

Rounding out the inductees was Jeff Fernandez from the Class of 1983. Jeff was introduced by Steve Fernandez, his brother. Jeff was an outstanding football player on the 1982 Super Bowl football team. He was an All-Scholastic in both football and baseball and won the Joseph Dondero Award for both academic and athletic excellence in high school.