WnyHSAA
Athletic Hall of Fame
1960’s
Brian A. Gray
Class: 1958-1962
Sports Played:
Wrestling 4 Years
Football 4 Years
Track 3 Years
College: St. Cloud State College
Played football and wrestling for two years at St. Cloud State College
Coached wrestling at Wellsville for 34 years, from Youth Wrestling to Modified, J.V. and was the Varsity coach for 14 years.
Coached several sports at the community level including: Minor League Baseball (9 yrs.), Little League Baseball (3 yrs.), Babe Ruth (6 yrs.), Cinderella Softball (6 yrs.) and Midget Football (17 yrs.)
He was one of the original members of the Old Timers Wrestling Club (6 yrs.) where he only lost one match.
In weight lifting from 1992-2002 he was the ADFPA NY Champion as well as the National Masters Bench Press Champion for seven years.
Rich Hetzel
Class: 1958-1962
Sports Played:
Football 4 Years
Basketball 4 Years
Baseball 4 Years
College: University of Buffalo
Recognized for his leadership qualities as he was selected captain of football, basketball, and baseball his senior year
Chosen as the Olean Times Herald M.V.P. in basketball for his league in 1962
After high school he was offered an athletic scholarship in football from Ithaca, basketball from U.B., and baseball from Syracuse.
Chosen Athlete of the Year at the Wellsville High School his senior year
Went on to play basketball and baseball at the University of Buffalo
Terry Engelder
Class: 1960 – 1964
Sports:
Track 4 Years
Football 4 Years
Wrestling 1 Year
College: Penn State, Yale, Texas A & M
He set or tied 13 school or meet records in three different track events: mile, two mile, & distance medley
In 1964 he set the school record in the mile event which stood for 41 years – 4:28 minute mile
In 1964 he was chosen as the Olean Times Herald Scholastic Trackman of the Year. That same year he held the Section V Two Mile Record.
Accepted a track scholarship at Penn State where his cross country team won a medal at the ICAAAA Track Event
At Yale University his training partner was the world famous Frank Shorter who would go on to win a gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Olympics in Munich
Jim Stein
Class: 1962 – 1966
Sports Played:
Football 3 years
Basketball 4 years
Track 3 years
College: Syracuse University
Was a three sport star at Wellsville High School, excelling in football, basketball, and track.
An outstanding athlete, he became a letter winner and state medalist in swimming at Syracuse.
Coached at Wellsville High for 23 years in 11 different positions.
A tremendous motivator that got the most out of the talent presented to him.
At the Wellsville High School he coached 3 individual Section V Swimming champions and was a huge contributor to 3 Section V baseball champions.
In 1981 he was recognized as the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce “Person of the Year.”
For five years he coached the Alfred University Women’s Swim Team to very successful seasons.
Dan Harris
Class: 1963 – 1967
Sports Played:
Golf 4 Years
Basketball 2 Years
Football 2 Years
College: Hobart College
He was recognized as one of the best golfers in Wellsville School history as a 4 year starter.
In 1966 he won the Steuben County Championship and was the runner up by one stroke in 1967 after calling a 2 stroke penalty on himself for hitting the wrong ball.
In football Dan was recognized as a punishing two way starter as an offensive and defensive lineman.
In golf at Hobart College he was recognized as a leader of men being selected team captain his senior year.
Tom Monico
Class: 1963-1967
Sports Played:
Baseball 4 Years
Football 3 Years
Basketball 2 Years
Colleges: Eastern Arizona Jr. College & Grand Canyon College
In high school he won 9 varsity letters in the sports of baseball, football, and basketball.
In baseball he was recognized as an outstanding hitter while playing the tough catching position.
At Arizona Junior College he was selected to the All Conference Team twice while having a career batting average of .400.
He was the starting catcher for Grand Canyon College when the team made it to the NAIA College World Series.
In the summer of 1968 he was selected MVP of the Alle-Catt Semi Pro Baseball League.
Kevin Harris
Class: 1965 – 1969
Sports Played:
Football
Basketball
Golf
College: Syracuse University
He was Wellsville’s very first Big 30 All-Star in football in the Fall of 1968.
Recognized by many as the finest golfer to ever play for the Wellsville Lions.
In 1968 he was the New York State Junior Ameateur runner-up in golf.
Played for Division I Syracuse University in golf in 1970 and 1971.
Since college he has won an untouchable 13 club championships at the Wellsville Country Club.
John Richardson
Class: 1966-1969
Sports Played:
Football 3 Years
Basketball 2 Years
Golf 1 Year
Track 1 Year
Baseball 1 Year
College: University of Tennessee
Tremendous athletic ability, excelling at 5 different sports in high school
Averaged over 100 yards rushing per game his senior year in football
Original member of the very first Big 30 Football Team
Holds school record in track as part of the 880 relay team