Athletic Hall of Fame

1930’s


Maurice R. Potter

Maurice R. Potter

Class: 1928-1932

Sports Played:
Football 4 Years
Basketball 4 Years

College: Alfred University & Cortland State

Coached the Wellsville basketball team to the sectional finals in 1949-1950. The farthest any team has ever advanced.

Started on the undefeated Wellsville football team of 1927

Played 4 years on “The Line of Gibraltar” for Alfred University’s football team in the early 1930’s

Had tremendous success as a track coach in Corning.

After his retirement, the track in Corning was officially named the Coach Maurice R. Potter Track and Field.

 


George Louie DeBarbieri

George Louie DeBarbieri

Class: 1930-1934

Sports Played:
Football 4 Years
Basketball 4 Years
Track 4 Years

College: Canisius College & Dickenson Jr. College

In high school he lettered for four years in football, basketball, and track.

His senior year he averaged 14 points in basketball and had 18 touchdowns in football.

Played football, basketball, and baseball for two years at Dickerson Jr. College

Played football, basketball, and baseball for one year at Canisius College

Played semi-pro baseball with the old Wellsville Sinclair

 


 

Walter Shine

Walter Shine

Class: 1930-1934

Sports Played:
Football 3 Years
Basketball 3 Years
Track 3 Years

Military Service: U.S. Army

Recognized by Times Herald journalist Mike Abdo as one of Wellsville High’s finest all around athlete of the early 30’s.

In three years of running the mile in track he lost only one time.

Included in his wins was the sectional crown in 1934.

He held the Wellsville High School track record in the mile run for 33 years.

He has been an avid supporter of Wellsville sports for the past 60 years.

 


 

 

Lester Dye

Lester Dye

Class: 1931-1935

Sports Played:
Football 4 Years
Basketball 4 Years
Track 4 Years

College: Syracuse University

Went to Syracuse University where he played on the varsity basketball and varsity football teams

The only player from Wellsville High School to ever play in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins

For over a decade he was the chief recruiter for the Syracuse football team under the famous coach Ben Schwartzwalde. This combination culminated into a national championship in 1959.

In 1975, he was honored by the Syracuse Varsity Club when he was named a Letterman of Distinction.

 


 

Walter ‘Red’ Wightman

 

Red Wightman

Class: 1932-1936

Sports Played:
Football 4 years
Track 5 years

Military Service: U.S. Army

Played professional baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League system.

Received the 20-point letter in sports while attending W.H.S. in football and track.

While serving in the military he was chosen M.V.P. in baseball while stationed in the Pacific Islands.

Coached Little League Baseball in Wellsville for 12 years as well as Midget Football for 5 years.

Received the Sportsmanship Brotherhood Pin his senior year at W.H.S. and was recognized for his leadership (track captain).

 


 

Bob McCarthy

Bob McCarthy

Class: 1933-1936

Sports Played:
Football 3 Years
Basketball 3 Years

Military Service: U.S. Navy

Starting point guard captain of the 1935 Sectional Basketball Championship Team

Quarterback for 1935 football team that played 1st game ever under the lights at Hornell

Known for his toughness and dedication

Known as the “Sammy Baugh” of Wellsville Football

 


 

Paul Hungerford

Paaul Hungerford

Class: 1935-1939

Sports Played:
Football 3 Years
Basketball 3 Years
Track 3 Years

College: University of Illinois

Military Service: United States Navy

A great leader of men as he was chosen captain of all three sports he played his senior year

In 1938, he was the only double winner in sectionals winning the broad jump and the pole vault

In 1938, he set the Welsville High School broad jump record of 20’ 7” which stood for 18 years until 1956

As an end in football, he scored more points than any other on the 1938 football team

In 1939 he was named the Best All-Round Athlete to graduate from Wellsville and his football jersey #44 was retired by the late coach Sid Miles.

He went on to be a track star in college at the University of Illinois.

 


 

 

Fran Sawyer

Fran Sawyer

Class: 1935-1939

Sports Played:
Football 4 Years
Track 4 Years

Military Service: United States Navy

He is still recognized today as one of the most outstanding track men in the history of the Wellsville High School.

For two years he broke his own school records in the shot put, discus, and javelin at almost every meet he competed in.

In 1983 he broke the sectional record in the shot put only to be beaten out by another competitor on his final toss.

In football he was recognized as one of the hardest hitters on the field and a load to bring down when coming out of the backfield as a runner.