Inducted into the Hilton High School Sports Hall of Fame on December 28 were (l-r) Jonathan Crumley ’95 (Football); Aprille Sweeting Burton ’95 (Volleyball), Cal Palumbo ’07 (Volleyball, Basketball); and Tammy Page Gouger ’88 (Soccer, Volleyball). The Hilton High School Sports Hall of Fame recently recognized four outstanding athletes for their achievements at Hilton High School and at the college level. This year’s honorees are: Jonathan Crumley ‘95 (Football): Aprille Sweeting Burton ‘95 (Volleyball), Cal Palumbo ‘07 (Volleyball, Basketball); and Tammy Page Gouger ‘88 (Soccer, Volleyball).
“We inducted the youngest member, Cal Palumbo, into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. That speaks to his outstanding achievements in volleyball and basketball. Tammy Page-Gouger dominated her era in soccer before graduating in 1988. And ask anyone who say John Crumley and Aprille Sweeting-Burton compete and they will say that they were elite in the sports of volleyball and football respectively. These four athletes were simply the best of the best during their era,” said Athletic Director Michael Giruzzi.
The Hilton High School Sports Hall of Fame annually recognizes those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Hilton athletic program and in some cases, at a higher level, through their participation as athletes, coaches or administrators. The 2012 Induction Ceremony was held during the Hilton High School Hall of Fame Boys Basketball Tournament on December 28 with a reception and presentation before the game, and recognition at halftime.
Those qualifying for admission to the Sports Hall of Fame are graduates of Hilton High School who have been out of school a minimum of five years or coaches who have been retired from coaching for five years; individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Hilton sports program or have established themselves in the field of athletics at the local, state, national or international level (professional, Olympic, college athlete, coach, etc.); and students who, while in high school, received athletic honors such as All-American, All-State, All-Greater Rochester, State/Sectional Championship, Athlete of the Year, or All-County (overall team success and multiple-sport participation may also be considered). Any student who participated in Hilton High School athletics may be considered under special circumstances.
Members of the selection committee are: Brian Bartalo, Hilton High School principal and former swim coach; Tom Coyle ‘55, former Hilton statistician and record keeper; Jeff Merkel ‘84, athlete and track, cross country coach; Mike Whelehan ‘75, Hilton athlete and coach; Dick LeBeau, retired Hilton athletic director and coach; and Michael Giruzzi, Hilton director of athletics.
