RECEPTION FOR RICH THOMPSON MONDAY, DECEMBER 29TH 12 NOON
We invite all Branford swim alumni, spouses, parents and friends to attend a reception for Rich Thompson to celebrate all that he has done for Branford High School Swimming. For the past 11 years Rich has been the boy’s head coach and for six of those years was the girl’s assistant coach. Prior to that he was the Stingray 9 and 10 coach and has been the Pine Orchard coach for the past 14 years. His positive impact on a generation of Branford swimmers and divers will be the focus of the reception which will be held in the Dining Commons. There will be pizza served and we hope all will stay and renew old friendships. Remember to send your “Greetings to Rich” to jroconnor@snet.net so that they can be included in a scrapbook that will be given to Rich. Anyone that would like to say a few words at the reception should contact O’C.
ALUMNI MEET DECEMBER 29TH AT 11 A.M.
The annual alumni meet will take place just prior to the reception for Rich Thompson on Monday, December 29th. Warm-ups will be at 10:30 so we can begin at 11. Once again all races will be half their normal distances and male and female alumni are urged to participate.
BOYS MEETS ARE UNDERWAY
The boys team under newly named head coach Scott Butler has begun their dual meet season. Scott reports that he has 29 swimmers but 12 are new to swimming. They opened with an away meet against Hamden on December 17th. Their first home meet will be Tuesday, December 23rd against the Co-op team of North Haven/North Branford. The Boys will have a rare vacation meet with Sheehan at home on Friday, January 2. After an away meet with Shelton on January 6 the boys return for a home meet with West Haven on January 13th. All home meets begin at 4 p.m. We will include the rest of the schedule in the next update. PLEASE SEND UPDATES TO jroconnor@snet.net(Past updates can be viewed by clicking on Alumni Archives)
08 – Owen Rood seen in the Tufts vs. Brandeis meet that was telecast on the web and Owen swam well in freestyle and breaststroke events. The announcers were praising Owen for his 56 in the 100 breast and they never did figure out that the clock had malfunctioned.
07 – Jaclyn Abbatti is attending Gateway community college and attended the dinner for Sue Lecza. Enjoys being home and having her car back.
06 – Greg Miles is in his junior year at Tufts where he has been part of a tradition of 12 Branford swimmers and divers that have competed for Tufts.
04 – Kevin Miles has graduated and is now living in Los Angeles, where he is pursuing his career in film making.
02 – Stephanie Abbatti is a nurse at Yale New Haven on the ninth floor working in general medicine. Also doing a great job serving as 9 and 10 StingRay coach. Attended the Hall of Fame dinner honoring Sue Lecza and Jen Lincoln Toomey.
02 – Ashley Kelley is finishing up her physical therapy degree at Northeastern this year.
01 – George Miles ran the Marine Corp Marathon last month in Washington, D.C. This was his first Marathon and it is one of the biggest and best run any where.
00 – Sarah Hayes starts a new job this week at Yale New Haven where she will be on the Psychology floor.
99 – Cindy Rock will be married on July 31. Congratulations.
98 – Erin Kelley is working at Walsh Intermediate School and the Rec. Department.
94 – Denise Rock is expecting her second child in February.
90 – Sean O’Connor was taken by surprise at the Girl’s All-State banquet when he was told that last years coach of the year had to give the Invocation. He pulled it off like he was a member of the clergy.
89 – Jen Lincoln Toomey enjoyed her first trip back to Branford in many years for her induction into the Sports Hall of Fame. I let Jen know that I could now say I coached a national champion and national record holder. Hopefully no one will figure out that it was a different sport and that I had nothing to do with it.
89 – Michele Rock is adapting well to life as a swim coach and teacher in Florida.
87 – Dale Burkard Izzo was at the Hall of Fame dinner honoring Sue and Jen. Dale’s staff at the Rec. Department did an excellent job organizing the dinner.
87 – Jeff O’Connor is the Stingrays 9-10 coach had some fantastic time drops from his swimmers this fall. Jeff was at the Hall of Fame dinner supporting both Sue and Jen.
86 – Sandy Lecza and his wife attended the dinner honoring Sue. They were joined by parents Ron and Peggy Lecza who flew in from Arizona. Ron was the president of the Stingrays and BOSS during the late 70’s and early 80’s when Diane, Sue and Sandy were all involved. It was great to see them back in Branford for such a happy occasion.
84 – Sue Lecza was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in November. It was nice to see tables filled with her family, friends, Stingray parents, former swimmers she coached and swam with. Had one of her 12 year old girls go a 56 for the 100 free at a meet in December.
84 – Joanne Toland is Nurse at St. Raphael’s, Joanne was also at the dinner supporting Sue and Jen.
83 – Pat Conroy- Condolences to Pat on the passing of his older brother Chris in November. Pat flew up from Florida for the funeral but managed a stop at Lenny’s where Chris Conlin reportedly took excellent care of him.
83 – Jim Rowe came to support Pat and Mike Conroy at the funeral for their brother Chris.
83 – Diane Lecza drove up from Pennsylvania for Sue’s induction. Diana has three sons and is a teacher.
81 – Mike Conroy and his wife Rose had a difficult weekend up North as they attended brother Chris’s funeral and visited her ill mother.
Maintained by Coach O'C: jroconnor@snet.net
Welcome 