2014 Inaugural Inductees

Reynolds Hawkins, Jr.
Cherese Hinckson

Oliver Hinckson

Albert“Allie”Leftenant

Richard Allen Maher
Mary“Mazie”Kretz McDonough

Victor S. Niemi

Jeannette Santos

Kenny Young
1956 Varsity Football Team
1961 Varsity Football Team

Reynolds E. Hawkins Jr.

Class of 1978 & Coach

Reynolds E. Hawkins Jr., the second of two children born to Reynolds E. Hawkins Sr. and Mildred Johnson Hawkins, the husband to Andrea D. Hawkins of 31 years, and the proud father to Reynolds E. Hawkins IH, Jasmine D. Hawkins and Alexandrea D. Hawkins.

Reynolds attended and graduated Amityville School district in 1978, he participated in Basketball from 7* - 11* grade, Cross Country from 7"- 12* grade and Track and Field from 7*- 12* grade. Even though he loved Baseball and Basketball it was his mother who said to him, “No more Baseball and Track, you have to pick one”. Loving the recognition, but not the attention, he chose running. So under the teaching of John Gonser - Junior High (his very first coach), and Jerry Pollock- High School, he was taught the meaning of winning and working to accomplish a purpose.

Reynolds started running Cross Country in 7th grade when Junior High School athletes were 7th-9th grade students. He went undefeated in both Cross County and Track, when Coach Gonser and Coach Pollock asked him and Donald Beasley if they would be interested in moving up to Varsity (Donald was also an outstanding athlete).

While in Junior High, Reynolds ran 2 minutes and 14 seconds in the half mile in 7* grade and 4 minutes and 48 seconds in the mile in 8th grade, which are still Amityville's Junior High school records, and at that time the fastest 7th grade half mile run and 8th grade mile runs in Suffolk County. During his High School Track tenure from 9th -12th grade, he lost a total of 5 duel races over a 4 year span and never finished worse than 2nd place. In Cross Country, he lost only one duel race.

During this period, Reynolds held Cross County course records at Hecksher State Park - 15 minutes and 15 seconds and Amityville's course record of 15 minutes and 38 seconds for 3 miles. At that time running the top 50th fastest 3 miles at Sunken Meadow of 15 minutes and 49 seconds, he was also a 4 time Suffolk County New York State Cross Country meet representative, and is still Amityville's only State representative. During his freshman year in Track, Reynolds set the New York State freshman two mile record that stood for 27 years, and established the Long Island freshman mile record.

While competing during his freshman year as the #1 freshman miler/ two miler in the Nation and currently Amityville’s mile and two mile school record holder and a member of the schools mile medley relay record, he was awarded, 2 time Prep Track and Field Athlete of the Year by the National Prep- Track and Field Association.

During his freshman year, it was brought to his attention that he set the 14 year old National High School mile record but the USA Track and Field Association conducted a research and discovered that by the time the race was run(on his birthday), Reynolds was born at l:38pmandheranapprox: 4:00 pm, so legally he turned 15 years old.

After HS graduation, Reynolds attended Johnson C Smith University- Charlotte, NC (l year) earning All- CIAA(Centra1Intercol1egiateAthleticAssociation) and Freshman of the Year in Cross Country. He then transferred to F1oridaA&MUniversity where he competed and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology. He continued running, eaming ALL-MEAC (Mid Eastem Athletic Conference) two of the three years, and an invitation to the Olympic trials 1980. Due to the political unrest between the United States and Russia, the United States did not participate in the Summer Olympic games held in Moscow.

He began his coaching at Long Island Lutheran as an assistant boys Spring track and field coach in 1987. After 1 season at LI Lutheran he created his own youth track and field club (Suburban Winds) sponsored by Huntington Youth Development Association (YDA) 1988-89. In the summer of 1988, Reynolds was chosen by Partners of America(POA) to travel to St. Vincent, West Indies to prepare and coach their Track and Field team selected to participate in the 1988 Summer Olympics- Seoul, Korea. There he worked on the philosophy and technique with their jumpers, throwers and runners. In winter 2010, Reynolds was granted the opportunity to travel back to St. Vincent, this time as the Director of Youth and Sports.

In 1989 he began coaching Cross County, Winter Track and Spring Track at Bay Shore High School, until 1996. In 1995, Kerry Doran(then Amityville’s athletic director) contacted him and asked if he was ready to come back home to Amityville. During his coaching tenure in Amityville beginning in 1996, he has been blessed with the finest athletes in New York State, coaching 16 State Champions, over 30 State medal winners, Long Island, and County record holders as well as nationally ranked individual and relay teams, while compiling a personal Spring Track record of 120-9-1,with 11 League titles, 10 County titles and 3 Winter track County titles in 18 years of coaching. He's earned 24 League/County coach of the year awards, 2013 Suffolk County Winter Track Coach of the Year, and 2009 Long Island Spring Track Coach of the Year- Presented by Newsday.

I am so overwhelmingly, proud of this moment. To be honored by your peers is the greatest individual recognition I believe one can receive.

Thank you Amityville for allowing me to become who I have become.

Cherese Hinckson

Class of 1997

Cherese is the younger sister to Oliver Hinckson (2014 Amityville Sports HOF). She entered the Amityville School District in the 3"grade. Cherese always had a love for sports and wanted to always be better then the boys. When she was in 7* grade, she began to play for the Lady Warriors Soccer team on the varsity level. Being coached by Mr. Ron Forman, Cherese learned to play many positions on the field, she even played goalie. In the 1993 season, Cherese had the chance to play goalie and broke a school record of278 saves in one season. She always remembers Mr. Forman's motto “never say you can't, say you have not done it yet.”

Cherese began playing basketball in her 8" grade year, under Mel Miller. She learned that she was fascinated by the sport and would excel at the game under her coaches: Pam Slack, Dee Brown, and Christina Ho. During her 9° grade year, Cherese was asked to participate with the varsity basketball team during the 1994 run in the playoffs. During that run, Cherese helped the team capture the County Class B- C-D title.

Claude Byer has been a true blessing for Cherese and her basketball career. During her years under Mr. Byer, he allowed her to play all five positions at 6 feet and even attempt dunks in games. At one summer league she attempted and made the dunk. Cherese excelled under Mr. Byer and won a 1996 B-C-D title, receiving All County and All League, and 2nd Team All Long Island. Cherese will always remember Mr. Byer's motto of “We gonna press, We gonna press, We gonna press.”

Mr. Byer and Dotty Coleman exposed Cheresetotrave1Basketba11(AAU) by her sophomore year. Cherese had the chance to explore her talents with the Long Island Stars under the late Paul Reinholz and played with the Manhattan City team Milbank.

In 1997, Cherese received a full scholarship to Delaware State University, where she earned MEAC Rookie Honorable Mention. She would come back to Long Island and play for Dowling College under Anthony Crocitto(Amityville Alumni) and Joe Pellicane. While playing for Dowling, Cherese earned: All NYAC, NYAC Player of The Week, NYAC All Toumament Team, All Metropolitan, and Daktronics 2nd team. Cherese was even top ten in the nation for rebounding.

After leaving Dowling, Cherese was drafted in the 7* round by the Grand Rapid Blizzards in the National Women's Basketball Association(NWBL).

Cherese holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management and a Masters in Special Education. She resides in South Florida, where she is a Physical Education teacher, Athletic Director, and Girls Middle School Basketball Coach at Odyssey Middle School in Boynton Beach, F1. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Inc.

Cherese and Oliver would like to give thanks to their parents and sister for the time they dedicated to

their sports and especially to their father for video taping the memories!!!

Oliver Hinckson

Class of 1997

Oliver Hinckson started his education in the Amityville School System at Park Ave Elementary School in the 3" grade. While in the Amityville school system, he played football in middle school and 4 years varsity basketball in high school.

Oliver excelled in varsity basketball his freshmen year, starting in most games and contributing his efforts to points and rebounds. He was a great athlete that was about the team first. He was able to lead his team to the Suffolk County Championship as well as the class B State Championship games. By the time Oliver was in his senior year inl997, he left Amityville scoring over 1,000points, receiving A1lCounty,A1lLeague, First Team All Long Island, and receiving the recognition of being nominated to the McDonald’s A1l American High School Basketball Team.

As a graduate of Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville Florida, Oliver helped lead Santa Fe to a46-15 record in two years and was ranked 7"Natiorially during his freshmen season.

In 1999,Oliverwentto Coastal Carolina to continue his education and his basketball career. While at Coastal Carolina during his senior year, he was voted by all players as team captain. His best memory was when he scored 18 points against Georgetown University.

Oliver has lots of memories at Amityville, his fondest memory being when his team beat West Hampton to move to the Class B Championship in 1997. “I believe one of the greatest plays in Amityville history was in that game. Erick Lamot stole the ball and passed it to Boyd O’Kelly to give us the lead and win the game.”

Oliver Hinckson is also grateful to the whole Agostino Family for giving up their time to develop kids in the game of basketball. He will always remember when his coach, Jack Agostino, told him ‘We the ball, don't let the ball use you.” Oliver will always remember that quote and will deliver it to the youth of today.

Oliver and his wife Dayana currently reside in Orlando, FL, where he is a JV basketball coach at Olympia High School is also a 5* grade AAU(Amateur Athletic Union) boys ‘basketball coach for the Florida Tarheels. Oliver enjoys working with kids and has been teaching elementary physical education in the state of Florida for 12 years.

Albert "Allie" Leftenant

Class of 1962

While growing up and living in Amityville, Allie played football, ran track, and followed his brother and uncles in wrestling for AMHS.

Allie played three years and started two years (’60 & 61) for the varsity football team. Both teams (‘60 & ‘61) were undefeated and were the league and county champs. Although he only played in six games as a senior he won the county scoring title with 133 pts. Allie was selected to the All League And All County teams two years and all Long Island team.

As a junior, Allie won the league II wrestling championship at 161 lbs., but didn't wrestle as a senior because of injuries.

In 1962,Alliewasthe only doubles winner in the section 11 (Suffolk county) track championship, winning in the 100 yard dash and 180 yard low hurdles. The winning time for the 180 low hurdle was anew county record.Alliea1soanchored many winning relay teams

He also won a silver medal in the ’62 state track meet in the 180 low hurdles.

Allie wrestled for Morehead State College in Kentucky and was a co-captain in the ’64-‘65 season. He was also captain in the ‘65-’66 season. Allie was selected co-outstanding wrestler in the Miami(Ohio) Invitation Feb. ’66.

Allie resides in Florida with his wife JoAnnnee Brewster.

Richard Allen Maher

Class of 1967

Richard Maher attended Amityville for his whole school career and graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1967. In high school, Rich lettered in both football and wrestling. He was an offensive and defensive guard, as well as line backer for Coach Howard. He was an outstanding player and in 1966 earned All-League honors at defensive guard.

Rich excelled at wrestling under Amityville coach Eric Moyers and won league championships at the 1411b. and 148 lb. weight classes in 1966 and 1967. He won the County Championships in 1965, ‘66, and ‘67. Rich also represented Suffolk County at the NY State Wrestling Tournament earning All State honors after years placing 4th in ‘65, and 3“ in ‘66 and ‘67.

After graduating from Amityville, Richard attended Orange County Community College for two years and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in History. While at the Middletown, NY school, he wrestled at the 160 lb. and 168 lb. weight classes.

In the 1968 MIT Tournament, he won 1"p1ace in his weight class and earned the prestigious Outstanding Wrestler Award.

Rich won the 160 lb. championship in 1969 at the National Junior College Championships held at Worthington Minnesota.

In 1969, Rich married the love of his life Debbie Flutcheson and they raised two children, Jason and Rich. He is a retired member of the NY City Steamfitters, Local 638 and in retirement enjoys reading books and writing poetry.

Rich would like to thank everyone at Amityville for their kindness in giving him this honor and for their friendships over the years

Mary "Mazie" Kretz McDonough

Class of 1944

Mary “Mazie” Kretz was born August 17, 1926 in a house on Sterling Place in Amityville. She was the youngest of six(6) children and the younger sister of the Kretz brothers - Tom, Walter and Billy - who were outstanding athletes before her at Amityville High School.

From a young age, Mazie would try to keep up with her brother Billy(the closest in age) and every day she would race him home from school.

After graduating from St. Martin's grade school in 1940, Mazie enrolled at Amityville High School, where she became a cheerleader and a star on the field hockey team. While standing in line as a freshman waiting to try out for cheerleading, she met Audrey Doherty(of the Doherty wrestling family) and they became great(lifelong) friends, cheering and playing field hockey together.

During her senior year in high school, Mazie was selected to play in the Field Hockey All Star Game at Adelphi College as a left wing and center. She was also a member of the prestigious LIGA(Long Island Girls Association) and was named by her Amityville classmates as “Most Athletic” female in her class, the class of 1944.

A few years ago, the Pescitelli and Compitello families were at a family reunion and discussing great athletes from Amityville. Eventually the conversation led to the Kretz brothers, where ‘’Wucci” Pescitelli said, “Heck, the boys were great but the best athlete in the family was Mazie!”

In September 1947, Mazie married John McDonough(her brother Billy's best friend) and they settled in Amityville and raised six(6) children-Claire Wilensky, Mick, Michael, Tim, Dan and Dennis. She had eleven grandchildren and to date, has 16 greatgrandchi1dren.As a lifelong resident of Amityville, Mazie volunteered her time at St. Martin's School and the Good Samaritan Thrift Shop and she was also an active member of the Amityville Junior League and Amityville Historical Society.

Victor S. Niemi

Coach

Victor was born December 2, 1942 in Manhattan. He moved to Amityville with his family when he was a child. He attended Amityville schools and was a star football player for Coach Lou Howard High school. He played tailback and wore the coveted number 31 jersey for the team.

Victor graduated from the University of Delaware where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He held numerous master's degrees and completed post-graduate work at Hofstra University and New York University. After college he returned to Amityville to teach driver's education and coach football. Victor coached the Amityville Memorial High School Crimson Tide for 13 years (1967-1979.) His record was 72 wins, 29 losses and 4 ties (a.705 winning percentage.) He won the league title for the years 1969, 1970, 1972 and the county championship against Babylon in 1974.

In 1978 he was elected a village trustee in Amityville and was elected mayor the following year. He instituted the Village Revitalization Program was responsible for the brick walk ways and the gazebo in the village. He served as Chief of Staff to Lou Howard in the Suffolk County Legislature from 1981-1986. He later ran his own driving school in the mid 1980’s.

Victor passed away in 2000, leaving behind eight children and two sisters. The Amityville Memorial High School football locker room was dedicated in his memory a few years ago.

Jeannette Santos

Sports Contributor

Jeannette has been involved in the Amityville School district for many years. When her children enrolled in the Amityville Schools, she began taking an active volunteer role as a member of the Amityville Parents Association. She served as a building representative and worked her way up the organization to be Presi- dent.

She served as a member of the Amityville School Board and is also a member of the Board of Western Suffolk BOCES. She has served as President on both of these Boards. After 21 years on the Amityville School Board of Education she retired, but in 2012 she was once again elected to serve on the Board. On June 6, 2013, Jeannette was honored with the prestigious Distinguished Service Award presented by the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association for 40 years of dedicated service to education.

In 1960, Jeannette started attending and cheering for AMHS football, basketball, baseball and soccer games, and to this day at age 75 is still attending as many games as possible rooting for the Crimson Tide.

In 1974, Jeannette was a co-founder of the Amityville Soccer League. She was instrumental in naming the AMHS FootballField in honor of a Hall of Fame member and well respected coach, Lou Howard. She was also instrumental in naming the AMHS Soccer Field in memory of another outstanding coach and Hall of Fame member, Ralph Forman.

Jeannette has been involved in the Amityville School district wearing many hats and always advocating for the children. She is a “can do” person and great friend of the AMHS sports teams.

Kenny Young

Class of 1975

Born and raised in Amityville, NY, Kenny Young graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1975 where he excelled in multiple sports. In his senior year, Kenny was selected as 1st Team All- League and 2nd Team All-County in Soccer, and earned 1st Team All-League and 1st Team All- County in Baseball.

As his senior year concluded, Kenny received offers to play baseball on both the collegiate and professional levels. He was selected 2W Round in the 1975 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies (unsigned), and was awarded a baseball scholarship from the University of New Haven where he decided to attend.

In Kenny's junior year at UNH, he was selected 1st Team All-New England and 3rd Team All- America Baseball Team. That year, UNH came in 3rd Place in the 1978 College World Series (Division ll).

Kenny was selected in the 8*Round of the 1978 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, at which time he signed to pursue a career in Professional Baseball. In 1978 and 1979, he played for the Winter Haven Red Sox of Florida State League (A), and the team finished as 1979 League Champions. From 1980 to 1981, he played for the Bristol Red Sox of Eastern League (AA) who were League Champions in 1981.

Kenny lives in Fernandina Beach, FL with his wife Glenda. Graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration from UNH in 1987, Kenny has been employed by the Internal Revenue Service since 1987 and currently works as a Tax Analyst/ Computer Programmer at IRS Headquarters. He was inducted into the University of New Haven Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

Kenny sends special thanks to the Hall of Fame Committee, and his family, friends, coaches, and teammates, with very special thanks to his mentor and friend Mr. James Edwards for his guidance and encouragement throughout the years.

1961 Football Team

Nationally Ranked Undefeated Rutgers Champs

D. Smallwood, D. Buckley, S. Shannon, C. Makula, G. Cerchiai, B. Gerber, R. Howell,

T. Calcote, C. Podsen, C. Bond, A. Leftenant, G Butt, N. Sonne, D. Shedrick, R. Adams,

A. Smallwood, R. Flegenheimer, T. Mullin, J. Maher, R. Hepburn, J. O'Connor, C. Nickles,

W. Beaubian, W. Arrington, R. Heine, J. Hansen, J. O'Donnell, B.Chattman, R. Dau,

R. Staab, P. Kellogg, J. Xliland, B. Barton, E. Washington, B. Giannott, P. Linington

Coach Lou Howard and Coach Meckalauage

1956 Football Team

8-0 Rutgers Champs

Back Row: Howard, Feldman, Schwartz, Bates, Cutillo, Harvey, Stringer, Torkelson

3rd Row: Coach Howard, Wyatt, Pearsall, Plechner, Howell, Baker, Mobley, Davis,

D. Goldstein, Givner

2nd Row: Wood, Harsch, Carty, Weed, Alonso, Fatool, Gifford, D'Amico

Front Row: Zimmerman, Walker, Yates, Demarco, Chambers, Morselli, Plechner