Mike Cassavino (1934)
Sgt. Michael Cassavino was born April 24, 1915, the fourth of seven children born to Carmine and PhilomenaCassavino. Mike was killed on September 15, 1943, during landing operations at Salerno, Italy. He was the first Lyons man killed in WWII. The American Legion in Lyons, Collins-Cassavino Post 227, is named after Bert Collins, the first Lyons man killed in WWI, and Michael Cassavino.

Mike was an outstanding athlete at Lyons High School and later in amateur and semi-pro baseball as player and manager. Principal Archie Bowler stated, ''We in school admired him as a student as well as an athlete." Coach Elbert Atwood commented, "Mike had a great fighting heart, but he was a square shooter." Mike played guard on Coach Atwood's 1931, 1932, and 1933 football teams. The 1932 and 1933 teams were Wayne County Champions. Coach Atwood stated, "Those teams are what any coach would have been glad to call a coach's dream."

Mike also played basketball in 1932 and 1933 and was the captain of St. Michael Ramblers.

In 1932,1933, and 1934, Mike played on three Wayne County championship baseball teams. Perhaps no high school ball player hit harder than Mike Cassavino. "Mike's batting average throughout his high school career was exactly .440, and many of his hits were home runs or at least extra base hits," said Coach Atwood. On the baseball field, Mike was a versatile player, being a splendid catcher, a great thrower, a good infielder, and a very fine outfielder.

Mike was a member of the St. Michael's baseball team which won the championship of the Lyons Republican League in 1934 and 1937, and he managed and caught for the Lyons team which won the championship of the Powers and Vail League in 1939 and 1940. He played baseball for area teams until his Army enlistment in 1942.

Besides his widow, Rose Williams, and his parents, Mike had four brothers: Anthony, Thomas, Rocco, and John; and two sisters Jennie and Josephine.

High School Experience:
Basketball: Forward, Guard; Captain 1932, 1933
Football: Guard 1931, 1932 & 1933; Wayne County Champs 1932 & 1933
Baseball: Catcher, Outfielder 1932, 1933, 1934; Wayne County Champs all three years

Coaching Credentials:
Baseball Manager from 1934 - 1941
Amateur & Semi-Pro Championships 1934, 1937, 1939 & 1940

Dave Fratangelo (1962)
"I was truly blessed and privileged to play amongst a group of very talented athletes and coached by terrific people. From sixth grade on, we didn’t ever approach a game thinking whether we’d win. It was always a matter of “by how much of a margin."

What made it more rewarding was competing at Double AA level. If you look up Wayne-Finger Lakes Champions during our junior and senior years, ie., ’60-’61 and ’61-’62, I’m almost certain one will find either outright or shared championships for Lyons in football, basketball, and baseball. Though we didn’t win any championships in our sophomore year, a message was sent to powerhouse football teams such as Mynderse Academy, Clyde, Waterloo, Geneva, DeSales, and Penn Yan to be prepared for what was about to come from the Lyons Lions.”

Dave’s high school accomplishments:

• All Conference offensive & defensive end (football) 1961 & 1962.
• All Conference guard (basketball) 1960 - 1961 & 1961 - 1962
• All Conference 1^st baseman (baseball) 1962. 
  
  

Dave’s college accomplishments at the University of Buffalo

• B.S. Business Administration, A.A.S from the University of Buffalo (1966)
• Basketball: A year on the freshman team and two years on the varsity
  
  

Naval career: U.S. Navy Supply Corps Football Championship 1968 (Quarterback). Served as Supply Officer for three years aboard USS JOHN KING (DDG-3)
Family: Married 38 yrs. to wife JoAnn and proud father of two boys, Anthony and Christopher.
Work: Internal Auditor (NYC), Contract Administrator (Europe), Retail Operations Manager (Japan), & Real Estate (U.S. & Japan).
Coaching: Captained the Yokohama Athletic Club Golf Section for approximately 12 years and won numerous team tournaments throughout the Kanto Plain (Tokyo). "All-Conference" was memorable as there were many outstanding athletes in the Wayne-Finger Lakes’ League. When you’re supported by such talented teammates, making All-Conference is considerably easier.

After release from active duty, I played on many basketball and baseball teams in Italy and Japan, many of which involved either active-duty service personnel or ex-collegiate members of the International Community. They were very, very capable and competitive opponents."

Pete Kitchen (1975)
Pete graduated from Lyons Central School in 1975. During his varsity football years from 1973-1975, Pete wore #14. In 1974-’75 football season, Pete was co-captain, was selected as Wayne Finger Lakes West All-Conference quarterback, was voted the team’s Most Valuable Running Back, and he was given the Sportsmanship Award.  He was second in scoring for the entire Wayne-Finger Lakes League, racking up 12 rushing touchdowns and 6 extra points. In a game against Red Jacket, Pete rushed for 137 yards on 13 carries, scoring 3 TDs and against Honeoye Falls-Lima, he ran for 101 yards on 8 carries. Pete also threw for 8 touchdowns to a variety of talented receivers.

During Pete’s high school athletic career, he also participated in varsity track where he ran the 100 yard dash, the 220 yard and 880 yard relay. Pete’s best time in the 100 was 10.4 seconds! He also recorded a time of 22.9 seconds in the 180 low hurdles. Pete was also a member of the 880 yd relay: 1:34.6 (Section V Class B Record in 1972) / Class B Champions (Dale Morris, Pete Kitchen, Larry VanHoesen, Larry Bailey). He was voted Top Sprinter in the spring of 1975.

"The thought that I am remembered for my sports enthusiasm and accomplishments is surreal to say the least. I loved playing football, as number 14, and running track. The coaches were always so encouraging and helpful, the student body and all the adults were also so enthusiastic. I can remember the stands being full of classmates, their parents and my family; everyone came out in full force to rally on the Lyons Lions. I can still hear roaring from the crowds. I remember big pep rallies and parades and bonfires. I also remember being the point of play on a float from another team where I was hanging from a noose, all in fun of course. Sports certainly meant a lot to me and helped me to become the man I am today. Not just the competitions but the sportsmanship that we all showed on the field. There was a true camaraderie among all of us players, and we became friends and allies for many years.  ut for sure my most memorable moment was winning a certain race that was as close as close could be."

In 1977, Pete married Diane Calabrese; they have two wonderful children, Kira and Grant. Kira was married on August 6, 2011, and Pete and Diane have welcomed a new son-in-law, Craig Wadsley, into their family. Son Grant has a wonderful girlfriend, Leslie Hicks and a beautiful baby boy, Brayden Gregory Kitchen, born in April, the very first grandson. Pete and Diane still live in Lyons. The Kitchens have many wonderful friends that have remained in Lyons; they take great pride in being able to say that their family and friends are some of the most important things that they are lucky to have.

Clarence Potter III (1983) 
Before graduating from Lyons Jr. Sr. High School, Clarence Potter III or Pumpkin, as his family and friends called him, was a truly gifted athlete and a great young man. Clarence was a tough running back for the football team in 1980, ’81, and ’82. He received 1^st team All-Conference honors, All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention and Lyons Football Team’s Best Back Award in all three seasons! Clarence also received the Times Union’s Super 22 recognition, as well as All-State Second Team recognition in 1982. In his senior season, he was selected to play in the Eddie Meath All-Star game.

Clarence was the center on the high school’s basketball team from 1981-1983.  During the ’82- ’83 basketball season, he was awarded the Lyons Central School Fireman of the Year award and was a member of the ’81-’82 team that finished second in the state tournament. During his high school track career, Clarence was a member of the 4 x 100 relay team that set the school and county record in 1983 at the Aquinas Relays that still stands at both the school and county levels. That relay team was also first team All-League that year; he also ran the 200m and was a long and triple jumper. In 1982, Clarence added the 800m relay to his events and was voted Most Consistent track team member. He finished off his high school career by being voted Most Athletic in the class of 1983.

Clarence continued his football career at Cortland State University, where he was a running back during the 1983 and ’84 seasons. Clarence and his wife Teresa have seven children and live in Georgia.

Alison Schott (1995)
Alison was an outstanding three-sport athlete during her years at LHS. From 1991-1994 she started as a midfielder on the soccer team. In 1994, Alison was selected to 1^st team All-County and participated in the Wayne County All-Star Soccer game. She was point guard on the high school basketball team from 1991-1995. In her senior year, Alison was captain of the basketball team, made 1^st team All-County and was chosen to play in the Ronald McDonald High School All-Star Game.  In the spring, Alison ran track for LHS. She ran the 100, 200, 400 hurdles, and was a long jumper.

From 1995-1999, Alison continued her athletic career at Guilford College in North Carolina. She was a midfielder in soccer and a point guard for the basketball team. In 1997, Alison was team captain in soccer, and in 1998 she was captain in both soccer and basketball. Alison was chosen 1^st Team All-Conference (ODAC) soccer in 1997 and 1998, as well as soccer MVP during both seasons. In 1998, she was voted Best Undergraduate Athlete and Best Defensive Player in basketball. Alison was voted Best Senior Athlete and was awarded the Guilford English Athletic Leadership Award in 1999.

Alison graduated from Guilford College with records for goals in a season, points in a season, career goals and career points in soccer. After college, Alison continued her career in soccer, playing 5 years in the W-League with the Piedmont Spark/Greensboro Twisters.

Alison currently lives in Greensboro, N.C., where she works as an accountant at Forman Rossabi Black.  She has also coached travel soccer for 13 years and currently has a U12 and U14 Classic team.  Her brother Dean and her sister Kristen were previously inducted into the Lyons Athletic Hall of Fame.

Alan ‘Red’ Simmons (1973)
The summer following Alan’s freshman year, he was in a car accident that claimed the life of his mother, Leona Simmons. The following information from Alan’s scrapbook was dedicated in her memory.

Alan was a three-year all-league first team performer in basketball and baseball. In basketball, his versatility allowed him to play all positions. He played guard and forward his sophomore season, averaging 14 ppg.  He was named to the first team All-County team. This 1971 Lyons team was undefeated and ranked #1 for several weeks in NY State for small schools.  Winning most games easily by double digits, the #1 seeded Lyons were upset in the sectionals. This was the only loss of a 19-1 season.

His junior year, Alan was the only unanimous All-Star team choice in the league, Greater Rochester All-Star, and named to the NY State All-State team. He averaged 17 ppg, making his mark as a premier defender. He was often tasked to guard the opponent’s leading scoring threat, no matter what position the opponent played. As league champion with only one loss and the #1 sectional seed, Lyons was again upset in the Sectional finals. During his senior year, Alan was called upon to score more and responded by leading the league in scoring, averaging 24 points per game. He again was the only unanimous first team all-league selection.

Other awards were for best foul shooter, sectional all –star teams, MVP of a Christmas Tournament, and Lyons Athlete of the Year.  Christened “Big Red” by Coach Dick Blackwell, he honed his skills playing junior high basketball for the legendary coach.

In baseball, Alan was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher. He was a four-year starting pitcher with three no-hitters to his credit. In one game, he struck out 17 batters. Alan had at least 2 one-hit games, including a no-hitter lost with two outs in the last inning. He had many games with double digit strike outs. Alan also pitched one season at Erie Community College.

Alan was scouted by many major league team organizations that visited Lyons to watch him pitch, including the Philadelphia Phillies (Elmer Vallo) and New York Mets (Barney Smith).

Being recruited by many colleges, Lyons native Santo DeSain was the head baseball coach at Erie Community College. He convinced Alan to attend Erie near Buffalo. Alan pitched a no-hitter against Buffalo State and had other exceptional performances.  The Los Angeles Dodgers were also eying him in Buffalo. Alan was tutored by Al Widmar who played for the Milwaukee Braves and was pitching coach for the Newark Co-Pilots, the Milwaukee Brewers Farm team at the time. Widmar later was the pitching coach for the World Champion Toronto Blue Jays.

Alan served in the United States Navy for ten years, earning two honorable discharges - one touring overseas, and the second as a Congressional Staff Writer in Washington D.C.  He is now a manager for a global market research and consulting firm.  Alan is married to Polly Simmons (formerly Ms. Valenzano - Lyons Elementary School teacher), who now teaches in the Marcus Whitman School District. They have two daughters, Danielle and Rachel, and reside in Canandaigua, NY.

Coaching Credentials

• 1990’s--Junior High Boys’ Basketball: 9 wins and 4 losses
• 1990’s—Junior High Girls’ Basketball: 10 wins and 3 losses

Presently coaching Canandaigua sixth grade girls’ Basketball, including up-and0coming star daughter Rachel.

1980 Boys Basketball Team

The 1980 Boys’ Basketball Team had a tremendous season! They were crowned Wayne County Champions, Section V Champions, Western Regional Champions, AND New York State Class C Champions, while comprising a record of 25 wins and 2 losses.

The team was coached by Rod Verkey with junior varsity coach Dean Schott and junior high coach Chuck Meyers assisting. The co-captains of this great team were Al DiSanto and Elgin Riggins. The team averaged 68 points per game of offense while giving up only 50 points per game defensively. The team won with strong rebounding and excellent foul shooting.

Kenny Kemp and Elgin Riggins were selected All-League while Al DiSanto was selected to the 3^rd Team All-League. Elgin Riggins was also honored by being selected to the 1^st Team All-Greater Rochester.

This team was the second team in Section V to win a state championship and the first of many Wayne County Teams to achieve this goal. What a wonderful experience for these young men and their coaches!