Hall of Fame

A three-year basketball player at NFA, Pires holds the special honor of being the first in his family to graduate high school. While his playing career started at NFA, he truly blossomed after graduation.

A three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track, Delgado’s career began to flourish during his junior season. He started the year as an All Capital District Conference selection in football at quarterback.

While he earned letters in basketball and track and field, Rose’s greatest accomplishments came on the football field. A tri-captain, he was named to the All Capital District Conference second team as a junior.

As a senior, Krohn received the Fletcher-Wiley Cup, the award presented to the top male athlete at NFA. It had been some time since a track athlete had won the award, but there’s no doubt about Bill deserving the honor.

During her NFA career, Curran Garver earned three varsity letters in basketball and two in softball. Her skills on the court earned her first-team all-state honors from the Hartford Courant, New Haven Register, Norwich Bulletin and The Day.

NFA did not have a women’s swim team when Hull McCabe competed. She swam during the boy’s season and competed against them in every event, all of which makes her accomplishments more astounding.

Akus put the rest of the area – and the state – on notice when in 1993, as a freshman, she swept the ECC, Class LL, and State Open cross country individual championships.

A three-time New England cross country champion, Erin-Kate earned 11 varsity letters during her four years competing in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track.

Named a Nike All-American and the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year in 2001, Saona Chapman led the Wildcats to two basketball state championships in 1999 and 2001 under fellow inductee Coach Bill Scarlata.

Her basketball career, which included four conference titles, started with two consecutive state championships in 2001 and 2002.

Drafted 71st overall (third round) in the 2009 draft, Shaughnessy played for the Oakland Raiders and was named to ESPN’s All-Rookie team.

For 13 years, Bill Scarlata served as the girls basketball junior varsity coach under Paul Giardi. When he took over the program in 1992, Scarlata made the Wildcats one of the most successful programs in Connecticut history.

JJ Justice, son of fellow Hall of Fame Inductee James Justice, was a four year varsity letter winner in football and a three year varsity letter winner in track and field.

Krista Rappahahn Birnie, Class of 2002, graduated as one of the top 10 scholars in her class, was Homecoming Queen, as well as being voted Class Athlete & Class Photographer.

Joey Kochanski Foo is the most decorated gymnast, among a field of exceptional performers, on one of NFA’s most successful sports teams.

Robert Larkham, Class of 1985, was an incredible wrestler during his high school career. Rob joined the wrestling team barely tipping the scales at 91 lbs.

Jayne Ledoux Rice, Class of 1984, was an accomplished gymnast prior to joining the NFA Gymnastics team in her Upper year.

Michael DeLucia, Class of 1983, participated in multiple sports throughout his time at the Academy. He played Football, Indoor, and Outdoor Track.

Gary Makowicki, Class of 1973, as a student, played Basketball for the Wildcats and served as a captain his senior year. He served on the faculty here at NFA as a math and computer programming teacher, coach, and Director of Athletics for 37 years.

James Justice, Class of 1973, was the epitome of the all-around athlete. During four years at the Academy, Justice earned 12 varsity letters – one for every season he played at NFA.

Christopher Andrew, Class of 2000, was not only one of the greatest runners to graduate from Norwich Free Academy, but is also one of the most decorated distance runners from the state of Connecticut.

The 1944-45 boys basketball team was inducted into the 2014 Hall of Fame.

The 1945 football team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

The 1977 girls cross country team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

The 1971 boys cross country team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Joseph Levanto was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He served as NFA superintendent from 1975-88 and also coached football and baseball.

Robert McPhail was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He was a man of all seasons at NFA, coaching football and basketball for 21 seasons and then golf, where he continued as head coach for 27 season with 629 career wins.

Eugene McGrath was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He spent 38 years at NFA as a coach in both cross country and track.

Barbara Marcie Glenney was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. A member of the Wildcats’ state championship basketball teams in 1996 and ’97, she was the New England Player of the Year in her senior season.

Norine Nadeau Brown was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. A basketball and track captain, Brown was the Norwich Sports Person of the Year in her senior season.

Chad Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Now a teacher and cross country coach at NFA, Johnson was a three sport athlete while at the Academy.

Christine Wood Escobido was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. She was a Class LL and State Open champion in the javelin.

Thomas Carey was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He a three sport athlete in football and indoor and outdoor track, and he went to Holy Cross on a football scholarship.

Robert Alves was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He was a three sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and baseball.

David Galligan was a three sport athlete at the Academy, playing football, basketball, and baseball.

Joe Kobelski was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He was a baseball captain for three seasons.

Melvin Makowicki was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He was one of the first NFA players to convert from the two-handed set shot to a one-handed jumper.