Athletic Hall of Fame

The Governor’s Academy Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to honor those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the quality and tradition of Governor’s athletics. The first class was inducted in the fall of 2003, and since that time, the Academy has inducted 42 individuals. Honorees are now selected biennially by a committee of alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators, including former and current Academy coaches. The Athletic Hall of Fame is located in the Pescosolido Field House. 

athletic hall of fame nomination form

Class of 2023

The Governor's Academy is pleased to induct an all-female class into the Athletic Hall of Fame in honor of 50 Years of Women at Govs. Please join us in Byfield for the 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

athletic hall of fame induction ceremony
saturday, june 10, 2023
11:30 a.m.
the governor's academy
linda miller '79
soccer, nordic skiing, lacrosse

Linda Miller grew up on the campus of Governor Dummer Academy, never thinking she would be able to attend. Once girls were admitted to GDA, Linda distinguished herself as a student and an athlete in Byfield. She competed and excelled in soccer, Nordic skiing, and lacrosse. Linda was on the first-ever girls soccer team at GDA, which began her sophomore year. She was MVP of the girls soccer team for three years, and she was the captain her senior year. She was also awarded the most improved on the Nordic ski team in her sophomore year on the boys Nordic skiing team; the girls team did not yet exist. In her final year, she was awarded the Anne Marie Murphy Athletic Award. Her accomplishments continued in both soccer and lacrosse at Amherst College, where she captained both teams. She was MVP of the soccer team and received the Coaches’ Award for the lacrosse team in her senior year at Amherst. Linda continues to be involved in sports as a soccer and lacrosse coach.

kk (scharfe) richardson '00
field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse

KK Scharfe arrived at Governor Dummer Academy in her ninth-grade year and immediately made an impact on the field hockey and lacrosse teams. In field hockey, she was a three-time All-League recipient and a two-time team MVP recipient, as well as captain her senior year. Similarly, in lacrosse, KK was a three-time All-League recipient and was the team MVP and captain in her senior year. Most impressively, KK was recognized five times as an All-American; twice for field hockey and three times for lacrosse. In her senior year, KK was awarded the Anne Marie Murphy Athletic Award. In 1999, she was on the U19 national team for lacrosse where she helped the US team win gold by being the only player to play every minute of every game in Perth, Australia. Recognized as the second-highest D1 college prospect by Lacrosse magazine, following GDA, KK was recruited to play lacrosse at the University of Virginia.

keara (thomas) mcguire '07
cross country, track and field

Keara Thomas arrived as a freshman and instantly began rewriting the history of girls cross country at the Academy. Keara was undefeated in both regular and championship cross country meets, 55 total victories, resulting in four ISL and four NEPSTA Championships, four ISL Team and four NEPSTA Team selections, four ISL MVP awards, as well as being the course record holder at multiple schools. As a junior, Keara broke the 17-year-old home course record, only to break it again as a senior. She was the only Govs runner ever to break 19:00. She was the cross country team MVP for four years. In her senior year, she earned a role as captain and was awarded the Abusamra Coaches’ Award. In addition, Keara also received the Gilbert Distance Running Award and the Anne Marie Murphy Award. In outdoor track, Keara’s superlative career continued: 2005 ISL MVP, a four-time ISL champion in four different events, and ruling the 1500 and 3000 meter races in both regular and championship meets all four years. At University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Keara was an A-10 All-Conference choice, cross-country captain, ranked 9th in the country in the 3K steeplechase, won three straight A-10 steeplechase championships, still owns the school record in the steeplechase, was the Outdoor Track MVP, and qualified for the USA National Track Championships.

becca block '09
soccer, basketball, lacrosse

Becca Block arrived at The Governor’s Academy in ninth grade and made an immediate impact on the girls athletic program, earning ten varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. On the field, Becca was a force in all three sports due to her speed, agility, and tenacity. Becca was a team captain at Govs and an All-American for lacrosse. After Govs, Becca went on to be a team captain at Syracuse University, where she was one of the strongest defenders in the country. Becca was named Division 1 Defender of the Year in 2013. She was also a NCAA D1 finalist, Big East Champions 2012, 2013, Big East Regular Season Champions 2013, NCAA D1 Final Four 2010, 2013, and NCAA All-Tournament Team 2012 and 2013. At the national level, Becca has been a National Team member since 2012. She won the 2017 and 2022 FIL Women's World Cup 2017 International World Games Champion. In addition, Becca won Athletes Unlimited Defender of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Becca is one of the finest lacrosse players ever to graduate from the Academy.

elizabeth "betsy" clark
teacher, coach

Hired in 1975, Betsy Clark quickly established herself as an integral member of the athletic department. Not only a pioneer as the first head coach of both girls soccer and volleyball, she soon became a three-season varsity head coach, leading the field hockey, volleyball, and lacrosse teams for a total of 27 seasons. Her coaching accomplishments include several league titles in volleyball and the first-ever Independent School League Championship for a Governor Dummer Academy female team in 1979 when her lacrosse team took home the title. As one of her prominent players said of her as a coach, she “recognized my potential before I did. She encouraged me to work hard, speak up on the field and lead by example, and, have fun doing it.” Betsy continued to be actively involved in sports after Governor Dummer as a long-time and decorated official in both field hockey and lacrosse.

maryellen karin
teacher, associate athletic director, coach

MaryEllen Karin worked 41 years at Govs, serving in various capacities. For five years, she was the head coach of three varsity sports: field hockey, volleyball, and outdoor track and field. She won two league titles as a volleyball coach, though she made her strongest impact as a track and field coach. Her girls’ teams won four New England titles in a row from 1983-1986 and three more from 1988-1990. Those teams were also ISTA Champions from 1988-90. As one of the first females to be a boys varsity head coach, her boys track and field teams were also New England Champions in 1993 and 1998. Over the last 22 years of her career, she served as an assistant track and field coach, coaching the sprints, hurdles, and javelin. In her time coaching the Govs track and field teams, her athletes broke over 50 school records. Throughout New England track and field coaching circles, she was recognized for her knowledge of the sport, and in particular, she was the go-to expert for javelin coaching. Beyond her knowledge and accomplishments, she was a constant and ardent proponent of doing things the right way for coaches and athletes. MaryEllen always demanded sportsmanship from everyone around her. Early in her career, Peter Bragdon recognized her as one of the finest coaches at the Academy, and that remained true throughout her entire career. 

Class of 2021

charles randolph light '59
Football, Basketball, Baseball

Charles Randolph Light '59 was a three-sport letter winner in football, basketball, and baseball during his sophomore, junior, and senior years at the Academy. He captained both the football and basketball teams during his senior year. "Randy" was awarded both the Goodwin Athletic Award and the Morse Flag at Commencement. After graduating, he attended Harvard College. A shoulder injury during his senior year at Governor Dummer Academy ended his pitching career, so Randy decided to take up lacrosse, playing left-handed. He played on the Harvard varsity lacrosse team for three years, then went on to earn his J.D. degree from Northwestern University School of Law and practiced law for 50 years in Toledo, Ohio.

James Cavanaugh ’94
Football, Hockey, Baseball

James Cavanaugh '94 made a significant impact as an athlete when he arrived in Byfield as a sophomore. He exuded excellence as a player in all three sports he played, earning four MVP honors in football, hockey, and baseball. A three-time all-league player in football, he was also named All-Scholastic his senior year and earned the National Football Foundation Award. He also garnered all-league honors in both hockey and baseball. A noteworthy example of a multi-sport athlete, he continued to play football and hockey at Bowdoin College, was named captain in both sports, and earned First Team All-League honors in football and the Coaches Award in hockey. He continues to be involved in sports as a volunteer youth football and hockey coach. When awarded the Goodwin Athletic Prize at the Academy, then Head of School Peter Bragdon referred to him as “a competitor and a sportsman” and “an honest, hard-working athlete who leads by example.”

Vanessa Russell Tripp ’02
Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse, Track and Field

Vanessa Russell Tripp '02 earned eleven varsity letters in five sports during her time at Governor’s; one in cross country, two in soccer, four in basketball, two in track and field, and two in lacrosse. She was elected captain of the soccer and basketball teams in her senior year. Vanessa was a three-time MVP: Cross country in her ninth-grade year, and basketball and track in her senior year. She received All-ISL honors twice for basketball. During her senior year, Vanessa broke five school records: High jump, 200M, 400M, 800M, and the 4 x 400 meter relay. After Governor’s, Vanessa played basketball at Bowdoin College, where she was a four-time NESCAC champion and had three Elite Eight appearances. Vanessa was the captain during her senior year when her team was the runner-up for the national championship.   

Robert J. Francois '04
Football, Basketball, Track and Field

Arriving from Highlands, Texas as a tenth grader, Robert J. Francois '04 made a long-lasting impact on Governor’s athletics. Robert earned three varsity letters in football and All-ISL honors twice. As a senior, he was team captain and MVP, leading the team to an undefeated season, a league championship, and a New England Championship. A multi-sport athlete, Robert earned two varsity letters in basketball, and he was a standout in track and field. As a sprinter, he was All-ISL for two seasons, and as a senior, he was team captain, team MVP, and MVP at the New England Championship meet. Robert was also a member of the school record-holding 4 x 400 relay team. He was awarded the Goodwin Award as the best male athlete in his class. After graduation, Robert went on to play linebacker for the Boston College Eagles. Following his college career, Robert spent 4 seasons in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers, and he was a linebacker and special teams player when the Packers won Super Bowl XLV.

Alex carpenter '11
Hockey, softball

Alex Carpenter '11 arrived at The Governor’s Academy as a ninth-grader and made an immediate impact on the girls’ athletic program as a four-year stand-out on the ice hockey and softball teams. A tireless competitor, every time Alex stepped on the ice, she was a scoring threat. She led her ice hockey teams to four straight New England Division II Championships. During this time, she was named N.E. Tournament MVP four years in a row, team MVP four years, ISL League MVP two years, and All-League recognition four years. Alex was not only an outstanding scorer but an equally outstanding playmaker scoring 237 goals and 181 assists in 100 games during her time at the Academy. During her senior year, she captained both the ice hockey and softball teams. Alex was awarded the Boston Bruins Carlton Award given to an outstanding student-athlete in an Eastern Massachusetts high school or Jr. Hockey team. She was also a three-year member of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s Select Team, winning a Gold medal in 2011 and Silver Medal in 2012 at the World Jr. Championships. Alex was a four-year letter winner in softball earning team MVP honors twice and All-League recognition four times. She attended Boston College, where she was the highest scoring hockey player, man or woman in the school’s history, with 278 career points, including 133 goals and 145 assists. Alex won the Patty Kazmaier Award given to the top female college ice hockey player in the United States and the Cammi Granato Player of the Year award twice. She is the Hockey East career assists leader and ranks #2 in Career Points with 76 goals and 84 assists. As a U.S. Women’s National Team member, she played in six World Championships, winning five gold medals. Alex also played in two Winter Olympics, winning silver medals in 2014 and 2022.

Jay Cooke, III '64
friend of governor's athletics

Jay Cooke, III '64 arrived at Governor Dummer Academy in the Fall of 1961 and became a dedicated athlete in soccer, wrestling, and track. After graduation, he continued his love for sports in both skiing and sailing. Jay used the life lessons of dedicated hard work he learned on the playing fields in Byfield to carry on throughout his life. An extremely successful businessman, Jay transformed the Academy’s athletics program by generously supporting the girls’ athletic programs in particular — his generosity touched every student in the Academy.

Past Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

CLASS OF 2019
  • Colleen Christopher Farias ‘97
  • Daniel F. Hanley ‘35
  • Kate Manzella Mayhook ‘96
  • C. Thomas Tenney, Jr. ‘69
  • Antonio T. Thomas ‘80
CLASS OF 2017
  • James Waugh '44
  • Wallace Rodman "Rod" Jennings '49
  • Claire Shearman Joyce '98
  • Daniel Gadzuric '98
  • Delia Cox '02
CLASS OF 2015
  • Shannon Davenport ‘90
  • James Morrissey ‘02
  • Damian Prescott ‘94
  • Lisa Sweeney Ryan ‘88
  • Stevenson Bucknall ‘85
  • David Abusamra (faculty)
CLASS OF 2012
  • Robert E. Anderson (faculty)
  • Brandy S. Fisher ’94
  • Isaiah Suggs ’78
CLASS OF 2009
  • Jonathan N. Pingree '81
  • Marc K. Tucker '68
  • David M. Hicks '54
  • Donald N. Rice '52
  • Bennet “Bots” Young Jr. '45
CLASS OF 2007
  • Edward Ashley “Ash” Eames II ’48
  • Jeffrey B. Ellis ’63
  • Anna Hill Gerry ’85
  • Amy Russell Bonnerot ’89
  • A. MacDonald Murphy (faculty)
  • William H. Sperry (faculty)
CLASS OF 2005
  • Howard J. “Buster” Navins ’31
  • C. Nelson “Nels” Corey ’35
  • Franklin “Fritz” Freeman ’48
  • Michael K. Mulligan ’71
  • Julia L. Duff ’80
CLASS OF 2003
  • Joe Hoague ’37
  • Bob Rex ’53
  • Carl “Skip” Pescosolido ’55
  • Ray Huard ’67
  • Susan Perry ’81
  • André La Fleur ’83
  • Heb Evans (faculty)