WnyHSAA
Athletic Hall of Fame
1930’s
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.