As we sat at our table during our 55th class reunion, Al's name came up and we were wondering about him. We talked of the different sports which he excelled in and what a kind soul he was. I always remember Al as being very quiet and on the shy side. He was well loved by his classmates and we will surely miss him. May he rest in peace.
The official athletic site of the HAWKS, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2014 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS says of Al Santio “His discus toss in June of 1963 (53.32) still stands today as school records.”
However, not to detract from Al’s phenomenal prowess but to keep the record updated, here is an e-mail I received from our classmate, reputable Howard Kouffman who admired Al:
“To Sylvia, With respect to Al Santio, I officiate the Maryland State ( University of Maryland Eastern Shore) team at the New Balance Track and Field Center in New York City six to eight times over every Winter, and have gotten to know the throws coach very well. Al was a legend at the college and his school discus record was just broken in 2013 after 53 years.” [50 years by my math.]
Nosey Sylvia Ann Soares went searching and found the following. (She actually started college to be a journalist not an actress.)
Santio’s record in June 1963: discus 51.32. Dillon Simon in 2013 at 53.65. The UMES site’s Santio page has not been update updated.
“2013 Outdoor Season: Breaking a school record for the discus throw (53.65m at the Duke Invitational), finished second in the discus at Morgan State Legacy with a distance of 50.18m. Earning seven top-ten finishes, five of those were also top-three finishes, placed 2nd in the shot put with a personal best of 17.47m at ECAC and IC4A.”
“[Dillon} Simon finished the Raleigh Relays with two top ten finishes in the field events. In the discus throw, Dillon finished in fifth with a throw of 53.15 meters, his best throw of the season, just ½ a meter off his school record toss.”
Al Santio, a standout out field performer for the Hawks, loomed over the competition, both literally and figurative. Standing at 6-7, Santio used his height and size to its fullest. His discus toss in June of 1963 (53.32) still stands today as school records.
More than just a thrower, Santio was an integral part of the 1963 team that won two National Championship and an NAIA District 19 Championship. Before UMES women's bowling did it in 2011, Santio and his teammates, which included Hall of Famers Charlie Mays and Ed Skinner won two National Championships in the same year. The then, Maryland State College Hawks, with just a seven-man squad, took the NAIA championship in May and later the NCAA Division II title (then known as the College Division) in June. The seven Hawks scored an impressive 98 points, a record that stood until 1982. They made it a three-peat by capturing the NAIA District 19 title earlier in the season.
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Albert Santio
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Santio was critical to the championship wins as he won the discus throw, earning NCAA National Champion honors with a toss of 173 feet and four inches, and later took the shot put gold and title with a toss of 54 feet. He was named a two-time All-American from the United State Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Santio also starred in basketball for four seasons and was the captain his senior season. Wearing number 32 and nicknamed "Lil' Abner," Santio would go on to play professional basketball, being drafted in the 1963 NBA draft by the St. Louis Spirits. He was the sixth pick of the sixth round of a draft that saw only 84 players. He was the 51st overall pick. He later played in the ABA, including a stint with the Hartford Capitals.
Harvey Allen Wagner
I was saddened to hear the passing of Al Santio, especially after our 55th reunion. I have fond memories of
Al, a gentle giant, pleasant, courteous person & a wonderful accomplished athlete.
Harvey Allen Wagner
Frances Hoctor (Dorr)
Harvey, you couldn't give a better description of Al. Such a nice guy and an athlete Hope High could be very proud of.
Fran (Hoctor) Dorr
Joyce Brathwaite (Thorne)
As we sat at our table during our 55th class reunion, Al's name came up and we were wondering about him. We talked of the different sports which he excelled in and what a kind soul he was. I always remember Al as being very quiet and on the shy side. He was well loved by his classmates and we will surely miss him. May he rest in peace.
Linwood Young
Al was a Sincere, Kind Soul. He will be missed, but Good Memories
Never Die.
Sylvia Ann Soares
The obit said 8/27/14. Don't know how much space we have in these but here goes:
The photo wouldn't post but is on UMES site of him winding up to throw discus.Obituary for Al Santio
http://www.canadianobituaries.com/albert-monteiro-al-santio-obituary-august-27-2014.html
The official athletic site of the HAWKS, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2014 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS says of Al Santio “His discus toss in June of 1963 (53.32) still stands today as school records.”
However, not to detract from Al’s phenomenal prowess but to keep the record updated, here is an e-mail I received from our classmate, reputable Howard Kouffman who admired Al:
“To Sylvia, With respect to Al Santio, I officiate the Maryland State ( University of Maryland Eastern Shore) team at the New Balance Track and Field Center in New York City six to eight times over every Winter, and have gotten to know the throws coach very well. Al was a legend at the college and his school discus record was just broken in 2013 after 53 years.” [50 years by my math.]
Nosey Sylvia Ann Soares went searching and found the following. (She actually started college to be a journalist not an actress.)
Santio’s record in June 1963: discus 51.32. Dillon Simon in 2013 at 53.65. The UMES site’s Santio page has not been update updated.
http://www.umeshawks.com/sports/c-xc/spec-rel/011514aaa.html
THIS WAS ON UMES SITE on Dillon 2013
“2013 Outdoor Season: Breaking a school record for the discus throw (53.65m at the Duke Invitational), finished second in the discus at Morgan State Legacy with a distance of 50.18m. Earning seven top-ten finishes, five of those were also top-three finishes, placed 2nd in the shot put with a personal best of 17.47m at ECAC and IC4A.”
http://www.umeshawks.com/sports/c-otrack/mtt/simon_dillon00.html
THIS ARTICLE DATED MARCH 31, 2014
“[Dillon} Simon finished the Raleigh Relays with two top ten finishes in the field events. In the discus throw, Dillon finished in fifth with a throw of 53.15 meters, his best throw of the season, just ½ a meter off his school record toss.”
http://www.umeshawks.com/genrel/033114aaa.html
THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE UMES SITE
http://www.umeshawks.com/sports/c-xc/spec-rel/011514aaa.html
Albert Santio - Men's Track & Field 1959-1963
Al Santio, a standout out field performer for the Hawks, loomed over the competition, both literally and figurative. Standing at 6-7, Santio used his height and size to its fullest. His discus toss in June of 1963 (53.32) still stands today as school records.
More than just a thrower, Santio was an integral part of the 1963 team that won two National Championship and an NAIA District 19 Championship. Before UMES women's bowling did it in 2011, Santio and his teammates, which included Hall of Famers Charlie Mays and Ed Skinner won two National Championships in the same year. The then, Maryland State College Hawks, with just a seven-man squad, took the NAIA championship in May and later the NCAA Division II title (then known as the College Division) in June. The seven Hawks scored an impressive 98 points, a record that stood until 1982. They made it a three-peat by capturing the NAIA District 19 title earlier in the season.
Inline Image Not Displayed
Albert Santio
Inline Image Not Displayed
Inline Image Not Displayed
Santio was critical to the championship wins as he won the discus throw, earning NCAA National Champion honors with a toss of 173 feet and four inches, and later took the shot put gold and title with a toss of 54 feet. He was named a two-time All-American from the United State Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Santio also starred in basketball for four seasons and was the captain his senior season. Wearing number 32 and nicknamed "Lil' Abner," Santio would go on to play professional basketball, being drafted in the 1963 NBA draft by the St. Louis Spirits. He was the sixth pick of the sixth round of a draft that saw only 84 players. He was the 51st overall pick. He later played in the ABA, including a stint with the Hartford Capitals.
Dunbar Young
Al Santio was a wonderful person, a good athlete , a sincere person and a friend who was shared by many .
Dunbar Young
Bob McCauley
Albert was a good person with ability and a heart as big as all outdoors, it was a pleasure
to play with him and have as much fun on and off the court. He will be missed but not forgotten
by all who knew him.
Bob McCauley
Joseph Costa
Al Santio was a class act on and off the field or court. Hope High lost a giant.Joseph Costa