SPORTS HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2016
KAREN HEMBERGER HUGHES ‘76
LAURA HEMBERGER CASHMORE ‘76
Gymnastics
RON KNOX ‘77BasketballNICK GAGLIARDI ‘82
Football, Wrestling & LACRosseDAN CHERICO ‘83
Soccer & baseballGREGory ROGERS ‘84
Football & LacrossePAUL WATSON ‘87
SwimmingDON ROGERS ‘88
Football, Basketball & LacrosseFRANCINE WARD ‘03
Track & FieldTHE 1988 BOYS FOOTBALL TEAM
KAREN HEMBERGER HUGHES
CLASS of 1976
Karen Hemberger Hughes simply loved the sport of gymnastics. At age 11, she began practicing in her backyard with her twin sister Laura. A latecomer to the sport, Karen’s qualities as a determined, focused, kind and hard-working athlete propelled her to great heights. Karen ultimately served as an ambassador for gymnastics for the rest of her life. From her days as a young athlete at Byram Hills to her development as a gymnastics coach who opened up and managed her own gym, Karen pushed everyone around her, encouraging girls to grow and become disciplined within the sport.
During Karen’s high school tenure, she earned numerous accolades. At the New York State championships during her sophomore year, Karen placed 3rd in the uneven bars and 4th in the vault, earning her the first of three All-State and All-County awards. During her junior year, Karen became an Elite Gymnast and was nationally ranked in the Top 40. That year, she placed third at the AA Regional meet, qualifying her for All-American status. She repeated this feat during her senior season, placing third at the Elite Nationals. She was also a two-time Level 10 All-Region award recipient, an award which typically recognizes the top gymnasts across the United States. Ultimately, Karen continued her gymnastics career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she was named team captain and garnered All-American status.
After college, Karen went on to coach and teach gymnastics at the Westchester Gymnastics school from 1982 to 1988. In 1988, Karen established the Artistics Gymnastics School in Raleigh, North Carolina where she mentored future athletes for the next 23 years. Through her work, she nurtured creativity, discipline and a lifelong enjoyment of physical fitness for thousands of young women. Karen was also a generous contributor to her community, working tirelessly for the International Special Olympics Gymnastics Program and serving as the director for the North Carolina Special Olympics in 1999. Karen also helped create three high school gymnastics programs in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties.
Unfortunately, Karen passed away in 2012, but her spirit lives on through her incredible family. She is survived by husband John Hughes, a Naval Aviator who currently serves as a pilot for American Airlines. In addition, Karen has two brothers, Jack and Stephen, and her twin sister and best friend, Laura Hemberger Cashmore. A fellow inductee into the Byram Hall of Fame, Laura will be accepting the award on her sister’s behalf. Karen and her husband also raised two beautiful children, Christen (30) and James (23).
~Karen’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by the Kansas City Gymnastics School~
LAURA HEMBERGER CASHMORE
CLASS of 1976
Laura Hemberger Cashmore began her gymnastics career alongside her twin sister Karen. Starting at HCC Crittenden Middle School, Laura began participating in the intramural program led by teacher-coach Lillian Reed. Recognizing her talent, Coach Reed introduced a 13 year old Laura to the High School Gymnastics program. Encouraged by the leadership and guidance of older gymnasts, Laura developed an affinity for the sport.
During her high school years, Laura began training 30 hours a week, traveling 90 minutes to a training facility in Connecticut. For Byram Hills, Laura competed under Coach Jerri DeCamillo who led their 1974 team to an undefeated season and a League Championship. Laura and her sister--the “Twins,” as they were affectionately referred to--often finished 1st and 2nd in dual meets that season. In their final match against Ossining, Laura won the beam, floor exercise and vault while her sister finished second in each of those events and won the uneven bars. Laura went on to place first in the AA Girls Gymnastics Sectional Championships as a sophomore. She was also granted All-State status where she competed in three events at the State Meet.
As a junior, Laura was recognized as a USAG Connecticut State Champion, competing at the Elite Level, an honor typically reserved for the top 40 gymnasts in the Northeast Region. In the Northeast Regionals, Laura captured first place and was recognized nationwide as a Level 10 gymnast, a preparatory step towards the Olympic games. Laura was ultimately selected as an alternate for the German national team. Unfortunately, Laura’s senior season was cut short due to a knee injury, but she was able to compete on a full athletic scholarship at Southern Illinois University from 1976-1979, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation & Sports Science.
Laura’s gymnastics career continues as owner and operator of the Kansas City Gymnastics School. She is a positive, hard-working, goal-oriented, and passionate gymnast who has surrounded herself with an amazing family. She has been married to William Cashmore for 35 years and has raised two young men who have both become NCAA Assistant football coaches: William Cashmore currently coaches at Drake University and Patrick is the special teams quality control coach at the University of Toledo.
~Laura’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by the Kansas City Gymnastics School~
Ronald Knox
Class of 1977
Ronald Knox was an outstanding basketball player who took home a lot of “firsts” during his tenure at Byram Hills. Under the guidance of newly appointed Coach Robert Croke, Ron Knox competed within the Northern League of Westchester County and starred for the basketball team from 1974-1977. According to Coach Croke, “Ron Knox was the epitome of great basketball in the early years of Byram Hills athletics and was a great leader, fierce competitor and brilliant floor general.” At the time, not many sophomores made varsity programs yet Ron was an active varsity player for three years. According to teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Kevin O’Callahan, “Ron was the guy that dove into the stands on the court and was as polite as can be off of it.”
Ron was the first basketball player in Byram Hills School history to capture All-League, All-County and All-State awards. He was also recognized as a Con Edison Award winner with a 4.0 GPA, #14 academic ranking, and member of the Cum Laude Society. In 1977, Ron was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, earning the team’s MVP Award. In addition, Ron was also named MVP at the McDonald’s Invitational, a prominent tournament to which only the top teams in Westchester were invited. In that same year, Ron was recognized by the Patent Trader as the Player of the Year.
As the captain of the team, Ron helped capture Byram’s Hills’ first WICC North Title that season. The team entered the county championships as the #2 seed with a 17-1 record. Byram defeated Rye in the quarterfinals and then went on to compete at the County Center for the first time in school history. Though the team ultimately came up short in the semifinals—they lost to an 18-2 Hendrick Hudson squad — Ron tallied 26 points. Despite the loss, this 18-1 team captained by Ron Knox helped place Byram Hills Boys Basketball on the map: the team finished 25th in the NYS rankings, the first time a Byram Basketball team ended its season as a ranked team.
Ron furthered his career in the academic arena, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in economics from Cornell University in 1981. He then attended law school at SUNY Albany and today works as a lawyer/consultant. With the help of his loving wife, Donna, Ron has accomplished his greatest achievement, the raising of his four children: Ron, Colin, Raegan and Courtney. One of seven siblings, Ron has instilled the family values of respect, responsibility, discipline and leadership within each of his children, all of whom were superb basketball players in their own right.
~Ron’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by the Armonk Youth Basketball Association & the O’Callaghan Family~
NICK GAGLIARDI
Class of 1982
It has been 34 years since Nick Gagliardi picked up a lacrosse stick for Byram Hills High School. Yet, if one goes through the New York State archives, his 1982 single season scoring record remains near the top of the list. With 106 goals in the season, he remains #5 on New York’s All Time single season scoring list and #102 in the entire nation.
Quite simply, Nick Gagliardi was the first true star of Byram Hills Lacrosse. During his junior year, Nick scored 30 goals and had 7 assists, serving as the face-off man for his team. The following year was the magical 1982 season where Nick captained the team to an undefeated 21-0 mark. Unfortunately, New York State only played one tournament for large schools at the time, so the Bobcats had to settle for the County Championship. Averaging 5 goals a game, he led the most potent offense in school history tallying 27 assists to go along with the 106 goals. Teammates state that Nick was usually pulled from games at halftime, a fact that leaves us to imagine even more impressive scoring numbers. Nick’s record is also more impressive when we reflect on the fact that his record came without the advantage of playoff lacrosse, as players today have more games in which to score. Nick was ultimately named to the All-County team, the All-Patent Trader team, and he was selected as an All-American, a nearly impossible feat coming from a small school.
Nick also participated in the football and wrestling programs for the Bobcats. During his sophomore season as a wrestler, he emerged as the League champion with an undefeated 12-0 record, notching 13 pins during that season.
Since high school, Nick has returned to Armonk to pick up the family construction business started by his father in 1952. Together with his brother Michael, Nick has grown Gagliardi and Sons Construction Company into a successful business. Nick has four children with his wife Julie. They have been married for 25 years, His four children Danielle, Cassandra, Nicholas and Michael each have continued in their father’s footsteps as student athletes at Byram Hills. Nick coaches with the Armonk Youth Lacrosse Program and has served Armonk as a volunteer fireman for the past 21 years.
~Nick’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by Armonk Youth Lacrosse~
DAN CHERICO
Class of 1983
During the three soccer seasons of Dan Cherico’s high school career, the Bobcats compiled a record of 54-6-2. As the captain of the team, he helped lead the Byram Hills Soccer Program, coached by the legendary Charlie Cundari and assisted by Steve Bolduc. Described by teammates as relentless and ferocious on the soccer field, Dan anchored an incredible defense as sweeper.
In soccer, statistics usually are the primary indicators of a great season. This element makes it very hard for defenders to capture any individual awards when the majority of coaches haven’t seen you on the soccer field and therefore rely solely on numbers. Yet, when your defense yields less than half a goal a game and the league coaches vote you as the League MVP for two consecutive years, the coaches outside of Section I take notice. During his Junior year season, Dan earned All-League and All-County honors and was voted as the League MVP. During his junior season, he led the team into the state tournament after capturing a Section I crown with a 3-1 victory over Rye, its county rival. In addition, Dan was named to the All-State second team, the only defender in Westchester County to achieve such an honor.
During his senior season, Dan repeated as the League’s MVP and also earned a first team All-State berth making the team with teammate Brett Gober, who captured third team All-State honors. Dan was also named the New York Daily News Westchester Player of the Year in 1982. That season, the team went on to capture its second straight sectional title (defeated Spackenkill 2-1) and lost in the quarterfinals of the state tournament to Clarke High School. It was the first time in Byram history that any team won back to back sectional titles. In addition to soccer, Dan also played baseball for four years at Byram Hills where he was selected as captain during his senior season.
After high school, Dan went on to play Division I soccer for Yale University. In Ivy League play, he competed several times versus fellow teammate Brett Gober (Cornell). Dan helped bring Yale a league title in 1986 and went on to play for a few international teams. After great success within the consulting world, Dan helped create Mercury Soccer in 2001. Through this organization, he helped train over 45 teams and 7 clubs within Putnam, Westchester and Rockland Counties. (FC Westchester/Rockland, Clarkstown FC)
Currently, Dan lives in Rockland County, New York with his wife Kate. They have three children, Katie, Louis and Erin. Dan is one of five Cherico siblings that attended Byram Hills, each of whom were excellent student athletes for the Bobcats.
~Dan’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by Friends of the Byram Hills Baseball Program~
Gregory Rogers
Class of 1984
Inspired by his brother Ken Rogers and his teammates Bobby Minicus, Marty Durkin (HOF ‘15), Kevin Kelley and Michael Doetsch, Greg Rogers was destined to play football and lacrosse as a Byram Hills Bobcat. Known for his tenacious, gritty spirit, Greg served as a role model for future all-around athletes at Byram Hills. From Homecoming King, to the Peer Leadership Committee, to the drummer of a Rock Band, to even capturing the Fred Carulo Humanitarian Award, Greg was truly a renaissance figure at Byram Hills.
Between 1981-1984, Greg was a seven time varsity athlete, a captain for both football and lacrosse. In football, Greg was a two time all county player (only done 3x in school history) and an All-State player during his senior year. In addition, Greg was also a recipient of the Daily News Sports Star award which recognizes achievement in both the classroom and the sports field. By maintaining a 3.8 grade average in the classroom, Greg earned the Con Edison Award which he promptly dedicated to his teammates serving as a great model of humility. During his final season, Greg led Westchester County with 1 137 points and 1,545 yards on just 182 carries. He even held the County record at the time for the longest field goal which was 35 yards. Including the playoffs, Greg finished the season as the leading rusher in New York State. For these achievements, Greg was named to the Golden Dozen squad, recognition reserved for the top players in New York State.
In 1983, the 5 foot 11 inch, 180 pound senior was the Bobcats’ kicker, punter, kick-returner, halfback, and corner. “I won’t see another like him for 20 years,” said Rich Caputo, Roger’s coach. “He has the ability, the intelligence and the pride to succeed. He is my definition of an All-American.” During his senior Homecoming game, he ran back the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown behind the blocking of co-captain Paul Feidelson. On Byram’s second play from scrimmage, Greg took the ball around the end for a 66 yard touchdown. The Bobcats went on to win the game, ending Westlake’s 14 game winning streak and assuring the Bobcats the Class B Championship.
In lacrosse, Greg was a two-time captain and participant on the undefeated 21-0 lacrosse team in 1982. He was selected as an All-County, All-League player during his senior season, though an injury cut his final season short. He cites his lacrosse trips to Maryland with the Byram lacrosse boys as some of his finest memories.
Greg went on to play both football and lacrosse at Brown University. He helped lead the Bears to two NCAA berths and an Ivy League title. In addition, he played for USA Eagles Club lacrosse team, competing internationally for a few years after graduation. Eventually, Greg earned an MBA from the Stern Business School of NYU. Today, Greg is the founder and managing partner of the RayLign Advisory firm based out of Greenwich, Connecticut. He and his wife Dana are currently raising three lovely children, Ben (19), Henry (16) and Rachel (13). Greg is being inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside his younger brother Don who will be presenting him with the Hall of Fame plaque on the night of induction.
~Greg’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by Armonk Youth Lacrosse~
PAUL WATSON
CLASS of 1987
For most, being admitted to Harvard as a sophomore and being awarded the John Harvard Academic Scholarship are enough to fill one’s resume. Add to that a NYS Regents Scholarship, being recognized as a National Merit Scholar, being named Academic All-Canadian, and holding down the leading roles in four high school musicals, and you have just some of the exploits that can be found on the resume of Paul Watson. And let’s not forget that he is arguably the most decorated swimmer in Bobcat history...
From 1984 to 1987, no one dominated the swimming pool more than Paul Watson. Since Byram Hills did not have a swimming team at the time, Watson competed alongside three other Byram students, participating as individual athletes. His swimming classmates were Brian Davis, Glenn Langhans and Seth Baum, whom Watson credits with helping him push his swimming talents even further.
Paul ultimately was recognized as a four year All-Conference and All-Section swimmer; he competed in both the 200 individual medley and the 100m backstroke at the highest level. In those two events, Paul captured back to back sectional titles, breaking both Section I records. In qualifying for the state meet as a junior, Paul finished third in NYS in backstroke, granting him All-State and All-American status. Paul also helped Section I take home a state championship, outscoring 10 other sections across the state.
During his senior year, Paul took home the gold at the state meet in the 200 IM and the silver in the 100m backstroke. He was named All-American at the State Meet becoming the only male swimmer to capture an individual state title in Bobcat history. With one of the top 12 times in the nation, Paul competed and took home gold in two events at Junior Nationals. Paul was awarded both the Villanova Club Award and Silver Bowl Award for two consecutive years as the Most Outstanding swimmer in Westchester County. In addition, Paul was named as a Con Edison Award winner and also took home the William McCoy Memorial Award, both signifying outstanding achievements in athletics and academics.
At Harvard University, Paul was All-Ivy for three consecutive years, competing in the NCAA tournament twice. His time in the 100m backstroke was fifth in the country in 1989, earning him a trip to the Olympic trials. A year later, Paul entered McGill Medical School and captured three gold medals in his first meet. There, he was named All-Canadian and broke 11 records capturing gold in 25 out of 29 races. Just recently, Paul competed in the United States Masters National Championship, winning the 200m backstroke for the 40-45 Age group. Today, Paul is an Orthopedic Surgeon living in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife, Katherine. Together they have four wonderful kids: Mary, Eva, John and Ed.
~Paul’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by the Byram Hills Booster Organization and Friends of the BHHS Swim Program~
Don Rogers
Class of 1988
The Byram Hills High School football team historically had a reputation for stopping winning streaks. In 1967, the Bobcats snapped Bronxville's streak at 39 games. Just twelve years later, they snapped Irvington's at 16. So, in 1987, when Captain Don Rogers took to the field, stopping Rye High School’s 23 game win streak and top NYS ranking became paramount. With the game in the balance, Don and the defense stuffed the Rye quarterback as he tried to get around the left end for a possible tying score. Leading 7-0 with seconds left, Don Rogers had to punt the ball away off of Byram’s one yard line. Rye blitzed up the middle and blocked the punt, something that would have resulted in a touchdown were it not for for Don’s athleticism. Don saw the ball ricochet to the back of the endzone, and with two men draped on his back, he was able to push the ball out of bounds for a safety, thereby securing the Byram victory by the score of 7-2. This hustle play and effort would come to encapsulate the way Don and his two brothers, Ken (‘81) Greg (‘84), took to sports, academics and overall life pursuits.
Don Rogers was named League Player of the Year during that season and earned All-State honors playing four positions for the Bobcats. He played safety, wide receiver, field goal kicker and punter. He served as the defensive play caller that season, leading the Bobcats to the stingiest defense in their history. On the football field, he led the team to two team league championships and two bowl appearances.
Without question, Don was a well rounded athlete. He was a nine time varsity letter earner and was named All-Section five times in three different sports. During his senior season, he was named a Top Ten Athlete of the Year by the Gannett Journal News. In basketball, Donald excelled at the power forward position as the leading scorer and Pleasantville Tournament MVP. As an All-Section player, he led the Bobcats to a 32-12 overall record in his final two years. In lacrosse, he was in the top five in scoring for two years. Amassing over 230 career points as an attackman, Don helped secure two league championships and one county title. He captained the Bobcats to its first and only state appearance in lacrosse losing to the eventual champion, Elmont High School, in the Semifinals. In addition, he was named as an All-American lacrosse player during his senior year.
Don continued his sporting career at Harvard University where he played freshman football and Varsity lacrosse. In 1990, he scored the game winning goal against Yale, capturing a League Championship for the Crimson. He helped lead the team to a #3 National ranking, and they went on to defeat Notre Dame in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, ultimately falling to UNC in the quarterfinals.
Today, Don works in investment management in Westport, Connecticut. He and his wife, Danna, are raising two boys: Zach (14) and Aidan (12). At the Hall of Fame banquet, he will be presented with the award by his brother Greg who will be joining him in the Hall of Fame...yet it should be noted that the longest field goal record in the Rogers house is held by Don and not brother Greg!
~Don’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by Armonk Youth Lacrosse and the Margiloff Family~
Francine Ward
Class of 2003
Francine Ward is one of the classiest young women to have ever graced the halls of Byram Hills. She has been described as quiet and unassuming, yet passionate and driven. One would never figure upon meeting her that she would break 35 school records in her career, holding 9 of them to this day. One would also never figure that she would become a 6 time All County runner and be named to the All-State team 3 times. But, that was Francine Ward, a humble scholar-athlete who was always quietly driven towards success.
From 2000-2003, Francine Ward dominated the Winter and Spring track seasons, capturing a Section I individual championship in each of her first three Varsity years. In her tenure, she captured 7 Section I championships including 200m, 300m (2x), 400m (3x) and 600m races. She was a Section I state qualifier five times in three separate events, with her speciality in the 400m race where she qualified three times. She finished in second place twice in the 400m at states and 5th on the third occasion. Overall, Francine captured four state running medals at the NYS Championships. In 2003, she was named Byram Hills Sportsperson of the Year for her accomplishments on the track.
Francine continued her track career at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. There she was awarded the Arthur Ashe Sportswoman award for track and field, an honor that goes to student-athletes who maintain a 3.2 grade point average or higher, excel as an athlete on the field, and are active civically within the college community. In addition, Francine helped capture an America East championship in the 4x400m relay, setting a school record that still stands today. While at Maryland, Francine earned a Master's of Public Policy degree; she eventually earned a J.D from Pace University School of Law where she earned a Pro Bono Justice Award for voluntary service provided to the community. It’s this same humanitarian spirit that she provided at Byram Hills High School where she was an active participant in Y.A.C (Youth Against Cancer), S.A.D.D (Students Against Drunk Driving), Amnesty International, the Red Ribbon Club and Habitat for Humanity.
Today, Francine works as an Assistant District attorney in the Bronx. She will be introduced at the Hall of Fame dinner by her coach Greg Govan whom she says helped “shape her into the person she is today.” Accompanying her to the dinner this evening are her parents and brother Frank Ward, whom was an outstanding athlete himself at Byram Hills High School.
~Francine’s Hall of Fame Plaque is Sponsored by the DiPietro Family~
The 1988 BYRAM HILLS FOOTBALL TEAM
Between 1986 and 1988, the Byram Hills football program’s defense yielded a total of 95 points in thirty games played. Mathematically, that means that Bobcat opponents scored an average of 3.16 points over a span of 30 games thus leading to three consecutive league titles. These three teams finished 27-3 during that time span with 19 shutouts. Now, what makes this overwhelming success so startling is that the Bobcats were not shipping players off to Division I colleges each year; at the time, the high school’s enrollment was less than 550 students Ultimately, those three years were a culmination of hard work, tenacity, dedication and school pride, with performances on the field that have never since been replicated.
Upon defeating Briarcliff 14-7 in its bowl game, the 1988 Football Team became the Class C Section I Champions and first team in Byram Hills history to finish the season undefeated. With the top defense in Section I, leading the league in every statistical category, the Bobcats posted a school record with 8 shutouts in a season that including 27 consecutive shutout periods. In addition, the Bobcats held opponents to under 100 yards during the first 8 games of the season. This streak was broken by Pelham, who gained 105 yards in a lopsided 39-0 Bobcat victory. Offensively, the 1988 football squad averaged 28.5 points a game and were led by their Most Valuable Back, Matt Muller who had rushed for over 1,000 yards by the fifth game of the season.
Yet, what stands out for the 1988 football squad was the balance on both sides of the ball with a workmanlike ethic that was second to none. As Coach Caputo eloquently states, “This 1988 Byram Hills Hall of Fame team was undefeated as a result of players, parents and coaches all working diligently together for one common goal, namely the team’s success.” The men on this team, nearly twenty years later, have continued their championship ways in becoming successes at the game of life, and for One Shining Moment in 1988, they were on top of the football world. They are the greatest football squad that Armonk has ever produced.
~Francine’s Hall of Fame Plaque is sponsored by the DiPietro Family & the 2016 Byram Hills Football Coaching Staff~