The Ed Picken THS Athletic Hall of Fame has been established to honor each year a representative number of athletes, coaches, and friends of Ed Picken who have attained a status of excellence in achievement that reflects the high ideals and pursuit of excellence that Mr. Picken instilled in each of his students. Also, each year one female and one male athlete are honored with $1000 cash awards, given by the Ed Picken Athletic Hall of Fame at the THS graduation ceremonies.

The induction weekend is held in Troy yearly to honor the newly selected members of the Athletic Hall of Fame.  Since 2004, several of us from the Class of '63 have met in Troy to attend the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, held the weekend of Troy High's homecoming.  These have been incredibly fun mini-reunions. 

2009 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION OF RICH POCHMAN, '63

Left to right:  John Baniak introduces Rich; Inductee Rich Pochman; Athletic Hall of Fame President, Joseph Caulfield, Pete Herman (behind the '63 sign), Judith Valenti (HOF committee), Ralph Passonno '59 (seated).

 

Our class honors Rich at the 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Awards Banquet in Troy, NY:

 

Standing left to right:  Larry Schlegel, Mike Apostol, Rich Pochman, John Baniak, Pete Herman.

Middle row:  Erin Apostol, Sandy Skinner Pochman ('62), Paulette Grennon Baniak ('64), Elaine Hogan Schlegel, Carol Sperrazza O'Brien, Betsy Mitchell Savery, Al Savery.

Seated:  Nancy Kinerson Dwyer, Carol Ritter Graham, Jim Patch, Anita Poole McCabe.

 

High school best buddies reunited in 2009:  John Baniak, Rich Pochman, Mike Apostol.  All three are THS Athletic Hall of Famers.

 

John Baniak, Rich Pochman, Holly Pochman Abnet, Carol Sperrazza O'Brien, Mike Apostol.

 

Class of '63 Reunion at the Red Front after the Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Banquet.

 

THS Homecoming Game

 

Some of Rich's fans from '63 at the homecoming game:

Seated 2nd row:  Elaine Hogan Schlegel, Larry Schlegel, Jim Patch, Pete Herman, Al Savery, Holly (Rich's and Sandy's daughter), Cydney (Rich's and Sandy's granddaughter), Sandy Skinner Pochman (standing).

Seated:  John Baniak, Rich, Lila (Rich's and Sandy's granddaughter), Cam (son-in-law)

 

Bottom row seated left to right:  Rich Pochman, Lila (Rich's and Sandy's granddaughter), Cam (Rich's and Sandy's son-in-law).

Next row up:  Jim Patch, Pete Herman, Al Savery, Holly (Rich's and Sandy's daughter), Cydney (Rich's and Sandy's granddaughter), Sandy Skinner Pochman.

Rich and Rabbit Riley ('64) from the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.

 

 

The Class of 1963 has been honored to have the following athletes and friends of Ed Picken inducted over the past few years: 

2004  Roger Fulkerson(deceased) - football, swimming

2005  Larry Schlegel - football, swimming

2006  Dave Reynolds, MD - football, swimming

2007  John Baniak - soccer, basketball, baseball

2007 Betsy (Mitchell) Savery - Friend of Ed Picken Award

2008  Mike Apostol - tennis, soccer, tennis

2008  Pete Herman - Friend of Ed Picken Award

2009  Rich Pochman - football, basketball, baseball 

 

THS Athletic Hall of Famers and Friends of Ed Picken Awardees at the 2009 Induction Banquet: 

Top:  Pete Herman (Friend Award 2008), Betsy Mitchell Savery (Friend Award 2007), Larry Schlegel (Athlete Award 2005)

Bottom:  John Baniak (Athlete Award 2007), Rich Pochman (Athlete Award 2009), Mike Apostol (Athlete Award 2008)

Missing from picture:  Dave Reynolds (Athlete Award 2006), Roger Fulkerson (Posthumous Athlete Award 2004)

                            

For more information, pictures, and a list of all members of the Ed Picken THS Athletic Hall of Fame, please go to our parent alumni website, www.classcreator.com/troy-ny-1900, and click on "Sports Hall of Fame" at the left side of the home page.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME PIN