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Meet the Port Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees
Courtesy: Pam Monfort

Meet the Port Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — The Port Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame (PWAHOF) was formerly run by the Paul D. Schreiber High School athletic directors. However, upon former Athletic Director Stephanie Joannon’s retirement approximately three years ago, Pam Monfort, a lifelong Port Washington resident who was a longtime physical education teacher at Manhasset High School and helped with multiple Halls of Fame there, took over the role.

PWAHOF induction ceremonies are the first of several Pride in Port activities in September. The event features a breakfast and induction ceremony. Current Port Washington Athletic Director, Nick Schratwieser, is also heavily involved in the process.

In fact, a committee selects inductees, which also comprises prior Hall of Fame recipients from every decade. “Talk about Pride in Port. Selecting inductees gives me really great pride. It warms my heart. I used to be involved in Fire Medics, because that gives me great pride to give back to the community. Now, I am giving back in a different way.”

Currently, there are 209 members of the PWAHOF. The inaugural class was in 1990. Inductees are honored in a high school hallway near its gym.

What are the criteria to be inducted into the PWAHOF? Candidates should:

  • Be considered an outstanding athlete by their peers, community members, coaches and teachers.
  • Have hard data to indicate their ability — what level of success did they achieve at Schreiber High School? This can be indicated by conference, league, county, and state titles. In the event these accolades were not available an appropriate standard needs to be used to measure the candidates’ performance.
  • Have held some leadership position at the high school. Ex — captain of team, school office etc.
  • Have achieved recognition at a significant level of athletic performance. This can be one sport/activity, but must demonstrate a significant level of success.
  • Have been a member in good standing of the school community i.e. have demonstrated positive sportsmanship and citizenship.
  • Candidates can only be considered if they are out of Schreiber for ten years.
  • Six will be the most selected in one year.

Special Category

Made an outstanding contribution to the athletes or the athletic programs at Schreiber High School, and/or School District as a coach, staff member etc.

Inducted into the 2022 PWAHOF were:

Caitlin Fitzpatrick

Class of 2006

Caitlin Fitzpatrick was an outstanding three-sport athlete while at Schreiber. Her passion for protecting the goal was what she was known for, and what she credits her pursuit while going on to college years and beyond.

In the fall, Caitlin was the goalkeeper for soccer and played two years on the junior varsity team, where they went undefeated her freshman year, and two years on the varsity team, playing for Joannon. During her junior year, the team clinched the Conference Title for the first time in Schreiber history. They were the only team on Long Island to be undefeated and untied.

In the winter, Caitlin continued her success in winter track and field, as a shot putter, where she placed in every season meet during her three participating years. She qualified for Conference Championships, County Championships and Section VIII Championships each year. She was named two-time All-County, two-time All-Conference and Conference Champion during her high school career.

“She had three national titles while at Hofstra. Great individual who now works as a physical therapist,” Pam said.

Jacqueline Hehir

Class of 2004

It’s not too often that female athletes pass through the hall of Schreiber earning nine varsity letters in two sports, yet this was something that Jackie accomplished in both field hockey and lacrosse.

Playing for Coach Joe Lederer, Field Hockey seemed to come easy to Jackie. Playing four years on the Varsity team, she was awarded All-County for sophomore, junior and senior years. A leader on and off the field, Jackie served as captain during her last two years, while receiving the Coaches Award and MVP.

Jackie, today, has forged her place in the athletic world as an Ironman competitor. She has qualified for the Marine Corps Marathon run in October which will be held in Arlington, Virginia. This marks her 10-marathon run. She ran in New York City twice, San Francisco, Ventura and Sacramento, Calif., Vancouver, Paris, Vienna and Chicago. She is an avid distance runner and cyclist, biking 650 miles across Europe, from France to Italy via the Alps, this past July.

“She was a great field hockey and lacrosse player who now lives in California,” Pam stated.

Courtesy: Pam Monfort

James McKenna

Class of 1975

Jim McKenna played at a time in the Port Washington School district history, when Sousa was still a “junior high school” and Schreiber was a building of 10th to 12th grade.

As a freshman, Jim began the fall season participating in a successful freshman Soccer season as the goal keeper, whose determination aided in an undefeated season and moved on to what all would have thought to be a sport that he would continue throughout his high school career; basketball. He did play on the freshman team and was named MVP, and went on to play JV Lacrosse in the spring.

In the fall of 1973, Jim was an All-Conference player for Coach Biro. He courageously skipped basketball, and instead wrestled for Coach Busby. Although new to the sport, his dual team record was nine wins and three losses.

As a senior, Jim was a standout for football, as the team went undefeated. He was named to the “Nassau County Gridiron 44,” which was a selection of the top 44 players in the county. Jim again lettered in basketball and focused on lacrosse in the spring. Named senior captain, Jim led the team to one of its best seasons in history.

Courtesy: Pam Monfort

Norman Taylor

Class of 1956

Norm Taylor has a unique background. He is a 1956 graduate of Paul D. Schreiber High School.  He immigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1948. He first resided in White Plains and then Great Neck, and in 1954, Port Washington. It was also here, at Schreiber, where he met his high school sweetheart and leading personal supporter, his wife Judy.

He started his athletic career in Great Neck, competing in track, winning first place in the North Shore Championship Relay, and placing in other events. He remembers running against Jim Brown from Manhasset in the 880 relay.

“They changed their order, to attempt to get a leg up on us,” said Norm. “I was ahead by eight to nine yards, when I felt this unbelievable power coming past me: it was him.”

His Dad, who was a WWII veteran and fought in the Battle of Dunkirk, died suddenly in January of Norman’s sophomore year. The work in Sands Point immediately terminated, and his mom was invited to work for Helen Sperry Lee, daughter of Elmer Sperry (Sperry Gyroscope) on their estate in Lake Success, his mom housed in the main house, he on a bed in the garage. Every day, Norm made his way back to town, as challenging as it was, on foot, walking, hitchhiking, or running.  He would change and clean up in a public bathroom, and would attend school, compete, and do his very best in his education. The school eventually got word of it, and threatened to drop him from the rolls. The community rallied, and Mrs. Dell, mother of Bobby Dell, of Bar Beach Road marched up to the Administration office and indicated that he was living with her, and that he should remain as a student at Schreiber. And so he did. He also credits May and Al Hooper with helping him to remain in town.

As a sophomore, he lettered in Varsity Football, as an offensive end, defensive safety and kicker.

He is currently a Trustee for the Village of Plandome Heights serving since 2007.

“He really warmed our hearts. His story is incredible,” Pam noted.

Courtesy: Pam Monfort

Steven Shackel

35 Years of Coaching

With a teaching and coaching career that Coach Shackel describes as the “platform for providing a positive athletic experience and educating life lessons,” Coach Shackel may have thought, that’s where it ended with his retirement. The wins and losses don’t really count in this game of life, it’s the lessons that have been taken from those you have touched, and today, the recognition goes far beyond what was ever perceived.

Coach Shackel grew up in Port Washington, attending St. Mary’s playing basketball for the Gaels until his graduation in 1968. He went on to play at Marist College, throughout his 4 years, graduating in 1972, yet once again, it wasn’t any outstanding career or a member of a championship team that brought him to the love of sports.

Steve was employed by the Port Washington School District in 1973 as a junior high school social studies teacher. Soon into his career, he began coaching the seventh-grade softball, and the ninth-grade girls’ basketball teams. He continued in these positions until 1985 when Sousa became an elementary school and Weber the ‘middle school’.

In 1987, Steve was approached by Hall of Famer, Tom Romeo, Athletic Director of that era, to be the boys’ varsity basketball coach.  He accepted the position, with very little prep time, and a primary mission of creating an atmosphere where the athletes were part of something special, as representatives of their school, community, parents and coaches.

During his tenure as varsity coach, Steve and counterpart Joannon created a media guide to highlight players and introduce them to the community. It contained player profiles, Viking history, schedules, statistics and various articles about the sport they both enjoyed a passion for.

After eight years as the Varsity coach, Steve resigned to watch his daughters Beth and Kristina play at the collegiate level. Kristina (Shackel Wood) attended SUNY Oneonta, and graduated in 1998, was inducted into her University Hall of Fame in 2006, and Beth (Shackel Scott), who attended Steve’s Alma Mater, Marist, graduating in 1999. Both were inducted into the PWAHOF in 2008.

“He did everything from coaching middle school girls’ softball and basketball for girls and boys to boys’ varsity basketball,” Pam stressed. “Whatever he was asked to do, he did it. He was a great teacher and individual.”

Courtesy: Pam Monfort

Timothy Langton

Class of 1992

Although Tim was a strong athlete while at Schreiber High School, it proved to be a steppingstone on to an amazing athletic career, which he still pursues today. Tim was a seven varsity letter athlete participating in football, winter cross country and lacrosse.

As a “left back” in football, Tim played two years on the junior varsity team, and two years varsity. Yet, it was the spring sport that he participated in, lacrosse, that gave him the career and notoriety that Tim is known for.

Tim joined the high school lacrosse program, as an eighth grader, playing on the JV team. He continued playing junior varsity into his freshman year, but started his varsity calling during 10th grade. During that year, the team won the County Championship, yet lost the Long Island Championship by a goal. During his junior year, the team finished as the Nassau County Class A Semi Finalist, and the County Finalist during his senior season. Both junior and senior years, he was named with ‘All-County’ honors, scoring 256 career points, and served as senior captain.

Tim was the first overall pick in the NLL draft in 1996 chosen to play for the New York Saints. He went on to play 32 games for the Saints in three seasons, scoring five goals and 12 assists. He was a part of the NYAC Club Championship team in 1999 and had been an integral member of Harvey’s Lax Club and the North Hempstead Lacrosse Club Alumni.

Tim joins his sister, Jen who was inducted into the Schreiber Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

“He went into the Metropolitan Lacrosse Hall of Fame in January,” Pam stated. “Great lacrosse player.”

Looking at the entire 2022 PWAHOF class, Pam added it was great in many ways, including how its inductees represent several different decades. “That is something we try to do but do not necessarily achieve every year,” Pam concluded.

The PWAHOF is currently reviewing applicants for this year’s class, scheduled to be honored at this year’s Pride in Port weekend. The PWAHOF already announced Jeff Froccaro will be one person who will be inducted in the 2023 Class. This year’s event will take place at the high school auditorium and will feature a continental breakfast, as well as an invitation for former inductees to return and be honored at the event.

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