Kathy Rusch - High School Coach Inductee
Kathy Rusch began her coaching career at Windsor Locks High School, where she compiled
a two season record of 32 wins against two losses, including a 15 and 0 record during her first year . Then, from 1974 to 1989, Kathy Rusch served as head coach for girl's basketball at South Windsor High School,
compiling an outstanding record of 234 wins against 119 losses. State finalists two years in a row, Rusch's teams also won seven Central Valley Conference Titles. In l978 Ms. Rusch was named District I Coach of the
year, and in 1989, the Connecticut General Assembly honoring her achievements during her 17-year coaching career presented her a citation. She is a Physical Education instructor at South Windsor High School. Marjorie R Dolan - Referee Inductee
From 1973 to 1988, Marge Dolan officiated high school and college women's basketball in Connecticut. A member of the college
board of officials, Ms. Dolan coordinated East Coast Tryouts for women's basketball for the '799 National Sports Festival before becoming manager of the National Sports Festival East Team in Colorado Springs and the
Women's Junior National Basketball Team in Squaw Valley California. In her 16-year officiating career, Ms. Dolan refereed numerous college conference and regional championships, as well as manager of before becoming
Program Coordinator for Health and Physical Education in North Haven. In 1992, Ms. Dolan was inducted in the New Agenda Northeast Women's Hall of Fame. Arden L. Curtis Honorary Inductee
Arden Curtis is one of Connecticut's pioneers in women's sports, as a Physical Education Instructor, coach, referee, and activist at all levels. During her teaching
career, of 32 years, she also was a basketball official, gymnastics coach, cross country coach and track coach. Most well known for her work on the state level, Ms. Curtis helped move the CIAC and the Connecticut High
School Coaches Association toward an acceptance of girls' varsity athletics. She has received national and statewide recognition for her outstanding leadership and for her contributions to the field of girls and women's
athletics. She was inducted into the New Agenda Northeast Women's Hall of Fame. Joan Bonvicini - College Player Inductee
A 1975 graduate of Southern Connecticut
State University, Joan Bonvicini starred at point guard there and earned four varsity letters. Her team went to the AIAW Nationals in '72, '73, '74, and '75, placing third in '73 and '74. As team co-captain, she was
named the AIAW Regional MVP in '75 and was Honorable Mention All-American, as well as a finalist on the '76 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team. In her senior year at Southern, Ms. Bonvicini led the nation in assists,
with an average of nine per game, and in steals, with an average of seven per game. Ms. Bonvicini, a 12-year veteran as Head Basketball Coach at California's Long Beach State where she posted the most wins of Division I
Women's Basketball Programs, is currently head Women's Basketball Coach at The University of Arizona.
Valerie A. DePaolo High School Player Inductee
A 1979 graduate of Southington High School, where Valerie DePaolo excelled in basketball, she earned the title of all-time leading scorer at Southington, and led her teams in
rebounding and assists, as well, totaling 1,330 career points and 1,074 career rebounds. Ms. DePaolo lettered in and was captain of three-varsity sports teams including basketball. She was named first-team All-Colonial
Conference three years in a row, First Team AU-State two years in a row, Prep All-American and Converse All-American in 1979. She received a full basketball scholarship to the T-University of Massachusetts. Ms. DePaolo
is currently a partner in the law firm of Sheffy, Mazzaccaro, DePaolo & Dunham, LLP in Southington and resides with her family in
Southington. Bethany Collins-Irwin - High School Player Inductee
During '82, '83 and '84 when Bethany Collins played varsity basketball Branford High
School, her team captured the Housatonic League Crown, and she was named to the All-Housatonic League First Team. Leading the team to victory, Ms. Collin's three-year varsity career scoring total was 1,339 points and
her career total for blocked shots was 261. During her best season, Ms. Collins totaled 549 points With 98 blocked shots. In '83 and '84, Ms.Collins' team won the CIAC State Championships, and she was voted to the New
Haven Register's All-State First Team. In 1984, she was also named to the All-County First Team, the Converse All-American Team, and the Parade All- American Team. Upon graduation, Ms. Collins received a four-year
athletic scholarship to Penn State University. She is employed by the State College Area School District and has coached the Girls Varsity Basketball team for 14 years. She has been married to her husband Rob for
11 years and has 6 children, Patrick- 10, Kyla-8, Kate-20, Kristin-18, Robbie-16, and Chris-15 |
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