Manchester Sports Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2011

The Manchester Sports Hall of Fame Executive Committee has announced the following inductees for the class of 2011: 

Mike Massaro is a native of Manchester. While playing the "normal"sports in Manchester, he was also exposed to motor sports while watching his father modify race cars. After graduating from East Catholic High School in 1988, Massaro studied in Boston and graduated with a degree in speech from Emerson College. Mike returned to our area in 1994 to start his career as the public address announcer at the Stafford Motor Speedway. Through the years that followed, Massaro worked his way through the ranks of motor sports, as a reporter for MRN Radio and for Inside NASCAR on TNN. Mike was also a pit reporter for NBC ‘Sports’ and TBS ‘Sports’ races. Presently, Mike Massaro is a two-time Catlin award-winning reporter for NASCAR and is the host of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and NASCAR Now.

Ernie Noske excelled on the pitching mounds of Manchester’s baseball fields. A product of both MHS and American Legion play, Noske pitched and hit for nine teams - MHS, Legion, Pagani’s West Sides, Moriarty Brothers, British-Americans, Bolton, East Hampton, Hamilton Standard and Spruce Market through his youth and adult years. Offered a pro tryout in 1948 with the Quebec team in the Canadian-American League, Noske chose instead to stay close to home to throw at the state and semi-pro level. After three years in the US Air Force, Ernie returned to Manchester, played ball in his spare hours from Hamilton Standard (30 years) and part-time status on the Manchester Police Force (14 years). Unlike many ball players who lose interest in the sport, baseball and softball have always been in Noske’s blood. Noske played his final baseball game back in 1963, but continued to coach the American Legion with Wally Fortin, missing only one game, the no-hitter, his son, Alan had pitched. Ernie continued to play and coach softball until he was 72.

Vinay Annigeri was born in Cambridge, MA, but his parents moved him and his brother to Manchester in 1985. Vinay started to swing a tennis racquet at the young age of six. As he learned the fundamentals, many adults and coaches noticed his exceptional ability on the tennis court. During his youth, Annigeri moved through the competition ladders, playing and being invited to match his ability on the national and international youth tennis circuit. This excelled competition level prepared Vinay for his High School tennis play at Manchester High School. In 2000, during Vinay’s Junior year at MHS, he earned the ultimate High School title, capturing the CT High School State Open Tennis Champion. Adding to this impressive title, Sports Illustrated featured Annigeri in their “Faces In The Crowd” column, noticing that this young man had never lost a single set during his regular Junior year season at Manchester High School and went 6-0 in the State Class LL tournament and 4-0 to win the State Open. 

Ron Anderson has given countless hours to two sports in Manchester, swimming and softball. Born in West Hartford, the Anderson family moved to Manchester when Ron was five. Excelling in football, baseball and swimming, Anderson was a  letter-winner in multiple sports upon graduating from MHS in 1964. After a year and half at UCONN, Ron left his studies to enlist in the US Army, quickly being promoted to Infantry Officer 2Lt. After being wounded in Vietnam, Anderson arrived home in 1969 to marry his wife, Martha, and finish his studies at UCONN and graduate in 1972. Ron began his teaching career in the Vernon School system and also started coaching the Manchester Swim Club and umpiring softball in 1973. For almost 40 years, Ron has devoted his time and expertise helping young swimmers reach their dreams in the world of swimming. From 1976 to 1986, he coached the MHS Boys Swim Team, bringing many to the All-American honors and develop 100’s of young swimmers to go onto swim at the collegiate level. 

This year’s individual inductees will be joined by Tris Carta, DMD, receiving the McCluskey Award, named after one of Manchester’s finest runners, Olympian Joe McCluskey. The award is given annually to an individual for their devotion to the Manchester Road Race. Dr. Carta has served on the Road Race Executive Committee since 2000 and has been the President for the past five years, continuing to guide the tradition and direction of the Thanksgiving Day race to excellence, making the annual race one of the best in the country.

The Earl Yost award, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated extreme dedication to the sporting world. The 2011 recipient is Andrew Vincens. For the past 40 years, Andy has volunteered his time and mapped out running courses for the sport of cross-country running while he spends his days as Vice-Principal at Illing Middle School. His extra-ordinary efforts were recognized, and the Illing Invitation was renamed the “Andrew P. Vincens Cross Country Invitational.” Vincens was a member of the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame Executive Committee for 25 years and continues to volunteer his time and craftsmanship to the Manchester Theatre and Manchester Cheney Hall Board.

The MSHoF Committee will also honor the 1958 and 1959 MHS Golf team, for winning back to back Connecticut High School State Open Championships. Members of the two teams are Ron Smith(‘58,’59). Joe Segal(’58), Bob Reynolds(’58), Bob Ballard (’58,’59)(deceased), Stan McFarland(’58,’59), Bob Seelert(’58,’59), Dick Kerr(’59) and Roger Poe(’59)(deceased).

The new Hall of Fame class will be inducted on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Manchester Country Club during the 32nd MSHoF Induction Ceremony. A social hour begins the festivities at 6 p.m., with the dinner getting underway at 7 p.m. Tickets, priced at $40.00 are available at Park Hill Joyce Flower Shop located on 36 Oak St. in Manchester, (860) 649-0791, and also can be purchased at the Customer Service Center, located at the Manchester Town Hall, 41 Center Street, (860)-647-5235.