RHS Hall of Fame Inducts Eight

Robert Carey accepts Hall of Fame plaque for his father, John, Class of 1932 who starred in football at Rockland High School in the 1940’s. John Carey served in the Navy during WWII and was supporter of Rockland High School athletics.
John Spinale, a 1952 graduate of Rockland High (left), presents the plaque for his classmate and teammate William Hoss to his son, Derek. William Hoss who passed away in 2014 was an inveterate runner. He ran 66 marathons in his lifetime. His crowning achievement came at the age of 46 in the 1981 Boston Marathon, where he finished in 1st place for his age group with a time of 2:34:15.
Former RHS Principal A. Scott MacKinlay presents Tom Bailey with his Hall of Fame plaque. Bailey coached football, basketball, track, softball and cheerleading at Rockland High School in his 35 year tenure as a Business teacher and coach.
Stephanie Crawford, Class of 2008 (left) and Jessica Mellen Devereaux, Class of 2008, basketball teammates were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Nov. 18 at the Rockland Golf Course.
Stephanie Crawford, Class of 2008, with her former coaches, Mal Lannin-Cotton and Tom Bailey. Crawford and Bailey were inducted into the RHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Jessica Mellen received her Hall of Fame plaque from former RHS girls basketball coach Mal Lannin-Cotton at the Hall of Fame banquet.
Coach Mike Flaherty, Rockland High School Class of 1987, was introduced by his son, Mike at the Hall of Fame banquet. In addition to playing hockey for Rockland, Flaherty is now the team’s successful coach. His son, Mike is a senior captain of the team this year.
Coach Flaherty present and former RHS hockey players came to support him at his Hall of Fame induction on Saturday night.
Rockland High School Head Football Coach Nick Liquori presented Hall of Fame plaque to his former teammate Dan O’Brien, Class of 1994. O’Brien played football and basketball for RHS.
Mike McSharry presents Hall of Fame plaque to his brother, Tony McSharry, Class of 1994. Tony starred in football in Rockland and at Stonehill College. Mike and Tony played together in high school and college. Mike graduated in 1993 and is a Hall of Fame member as well.

Nov. 19, 2017   

Rockland High School Athletic Director is pleased to announce that eight new members were inducted into the Rockland High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday night, Nov. 18 at a dinner and induction ceremony held at the Rockland Golf Course.

The inductees include: John Carey, Class of 1932, for Football (Posthumously, his son John Carey accepting); William Hoss, Class of 1952 for Track and Cross Country (Posthumously, his son, Derek, accepting); Thomas Bailey, coach of over thirty years (Honorary member).

Also inducted were Michael Flaherty, Class of 1987, Hockey; Dan O’Brien, Class of 1994, Football and Basketball; Anthony McSharry, Class of 1994, Football; Jessica Mellen Devereaux, Class of 2006, Basketball; and Stephanie Crawford, Class of 2008, Basketball.

Graziano,  master of ceremonies, says the induction is a fitting showcase of the athletic tradition in the town of Rockland.   “It’s a great community event.  The theme is how involved all of these inductees have been, not only in our athletic programs, but in the Rockland community,” said Graziano.

Presenters included former RHS Principal, A. Scott MacKinlay;  William Spinelli, (William Hoss’ teammate); John Carey’s granddaughter Kim Carey; Flaherty’s son, Michael Flaherty Jr.; RHS Head Football Coach, Nick Liquori; Hall of Famer, Mike McSharry; former Girls Basketball Coach, Madeline Lannin-Cotton, and Girls Basketball Coach, Diana Mitchell.

Hall of Fame Committee members include:Gary Graziano, Kathleen Paulding, Fredrick Damon, Stephen Sangster, Madeline Lannin-Cotton and Nicholas Liquori.

Since 1988, Rockland High School has inducted 72 student-athlete alumni to the Hall of Fame, as well as four former coaches as honorary members.

Nominees for the Hall of Fame have had outstanding athletic accomplishments during and after high school. They also have contributed to their communities, and in some cases have overcome adversity during high school or later on in their lives. They must also be at least five years out of high school.

Anyone may nominate a Rockland High School graduate for consideration for the Athletic Hall of Fame.  To do so, contact the athletic director at graziano@rocklandschools.org.