Erie Community College, State University of New York

Valerie Banks
Inducted April 2004

While at Erie Community College, she was an integral part of the volleyball, basketball and softball programs from 1980-82. Banks was a member of Regional Championship teams in each sport and a member of the 1981 & 1982 NJCAA National Champion Softball teams coached by Santo DeSain. She played alongside fellow Hall of Famers; Mary Jo Monin, Diane Jircitano, Barb Rieman, Sue O'Callaghan and Sally Wood.

Her individual accolades included All-Region honors in volleyball in 1980 & 1981 and All-American Honors in softball in 1981 & 1982.

William Cooke
Inducted April 2004

William Cooke enters the Erie Community College Athletic Hall of Fame as a contributor. Cooke’s long history of dedication to the sports teams at Erie was second to none. Cooke passed away on March 8, 2002 and will be forever missed as he was a ray of light to anybody he was around.

Cooke started his career as a Copy Boy at the Buffalo News while he attended college at Buffalo State. He began his sports writing career as the Sports Editor at the Lockport Union Sun and Journal in the 1960’s. He then moved on to the Courier Express as a Sports Reporter and was very successful.

Bill then became President of the Erie Community College Athletic Advisory Board where his experience helped pave the way for many successes at Erie. The ECC “Paw Logo” for the new football team and many of the caricatures of the athletic “Kat” logo were designed by Bill. They have become one of the most well known athletic logos in Western New York.

Peggy Funk-Kuhn
April 2004

Winning the NJCAA National Championships in both her seasons, she was the first collegiate bowler in Western New York to bowl a 700 series, a 711. In 1983, she was the Western New York Conference MVP and her team MVP. The honors did not stop there though as she garnered the ECC Female Athlete of the Year and the Helen R. Cornell Scholarship as the athlete with the highest GPA- 3.82.

In that same year, she was the doubles champion and all-events champion in the NJCAA National Tournament, earning All-American Status.

In the 1983-84 season, Peggy was again All-American and again captured the NJCAA Doubles title. She qualified ninth for the United States Team Trials with a 9th place finish in the WIBC Tournament.

After graduating from Erie, she went onto Buffalo State where she was All-American in 1986 and represented the United States in Bogotá, Columbia in the FIQ American Zone Championships. She has been named Buffalo Area Bowling Council Bowler of the year four times and was inducted into the Buffalo Women’s Bowling Council last year.

Anthony Merriweather
April 2004

While playing basketball at Erie, Anthony joined the program at the same time that first-year Head coach Don Silveri took over the reigns. The team started out the year with a 15-3 record and were ranked second in the region on the heels of a defeat of the second-ranked team in the country, Allegheny, when Merriweather was injured. They proceeded to finish the season 5-6 for a 20-9 record. They drew the top-ranked team in the country, Jamestown, in the playoffs and played valiantly with Merriweather back in the lineup. They were defeated and finished 20-10, surprising many people. Merriweather was named 3rd Team All-Region III and 2nd Team All-Penn York Conference.

Robert Nowak
Inducted April 2004

Bob Nowak is a graduate of Cleveland Hill High School, where he made All-Western New York in three consecutive years. He entered Erie Community College in 1966, then named Erie County Technical Institute, or ECTI. He majored in recreation supervision and later transferred to the University at Buffalo.

While at ECC Bob was a starter in his Freshman year. His first collegiate game was against Jamestown CC and scored 41 points, two points shy of the school record. In his second season he was team captain and was named ECC Athlete of the Year.

Nowak finished his Erie career one point shy of 1000 and was Empire State Junior College Conference First-Team All-Star as well as NJCAA Honorable mention All-American.

Tom Schratz
Inducted April 2004

Tom Schratz, a soccer player for Erie Community College, led a revitalization for the men’s soccer team in 1971. After not qualifying for post-season play in the first nine-years of the program, his stellar play and record scoring put the Kats into the Regional playoffs for the first time ever. With a regional-record 24 goals, he was named to the Region III All-Star team.

Schratz scored at least three goals in six-straight games in 1971, still thought to be a record. He scored six in an Invitational Tournament game at Behrend and was named the top offensive player in the tourney for his exploits.

Kerm Helmer
Erie CC Bowling Coach
Inducted March 2003

Kerm Helmer was without a doubt the patriarch of the bowling programs at Erie Community College as he founded the program.  He devoted over thirty years of his life to the program as well as donating his efforts to the WIBC, YABA, ABC, and IBC.

His thirty-seven NJCAA Championships are by far the most of any coach in any sport in NJCAA history. His passing in October of 2002 was felt across the country as he was remembered by Professional Bowlers, newspapers, and broadcast media.

ECC Athletic Booster Club Founders
Inducted May 2002

Gene Covelli, Ken Duke, George A. Thomas, Dave & Judy Kuntz, and Tom and Bette McCullough

In 1975, these members along with the Director of Athletics, Ralph Galanti, founded the ECC Athletic Booster Club to help raise revenue for the athletic department. These members volunteered long hours to help promote the ECC student-athletes and their respective teams. Over the years, they were able to fund raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the program. These individuals are synonymous with the success of the Kats and Lady Kats throughout the years. The officers were president Dave Kuntz, vice president Judy Kuntz, treasurer Bette McCullough and the executive board, Gene Covelli, Ken Duke, Tom McCullough, and George A. Thomas.

Jack Catalano
Inducted May 2002

Basketball / Track

Jack Catalano played guard for Coach George Killian during the 1964 – 1966 seasons. In those two years, Jack led his team to the Regional Playoffs. In 1966, under his leadership on the basketball court, the Kats advanced to the NJCAA District Final in Massachusetts. Coach Killian said that Jack had three outstanding attributes, ball handling, shooting and leadership. During his two years at the college, Jack scored 1,012 points. George Killian considered Jack one of his all time outstanding basketball players.

Lorenzo Cheatom
Inducted May 2002

Basketball 1978 – 1980

A two year starter who played center for ECC from 1978 – 1980. Named Most Valuable Player for the 1978 – 1979 season. He also earned All Tournament Team Honors at the Niagara CC Tournament and was named 2^nd Team All Penn York Conference. After graduation from ECC, he received a full scholarship to attend Stonehill College in North Eaton, Massachusetts. At Stonehill, he led his teams to two undefeated seasons and the conference championship. He is a member of the Stonehill Hall of Fame. Lorenzo works for the New York State Department of Corrections.

Linda Rogers was an outstanding cross country runner and track long distance runner for ECC. Although she only spent one year at the college, her achievements were outstanding. In the Fall of 1977, she was the first ECC female athlete to receive the NJCAA Cross Country All Region and All American honors. In the Spring of 1978, she joined the track team and doubled in the 1500 and 3000 meter events. She once again earned NJCAA All Region and All American honors. During her career at ECC, Linda maintained a 4.0 GPA and was named the “Female Athlete of the Year” in 1978. Linda received an athletic scholarship to Fort Hayes State University where she starred as a cross country and track athlete. Linda graduated Summa Cum Laude and is a certified public accountant.

Jim Kaska was an All Region goaltender for the two seasons he played at ECC. He led his team to two Region III Championships where he was voted the Most Valuable Player both years. In 1991, he was First Team All Region III and All JUCO. In the same year, he was named 2nd Team All American. After graduating from ECC, he went on to SUNY Brockport. Jim is a City of Buffalo Police Officer who received many awards and citations during his career as a law officer.

Dave was an outstanding two sport athlete at ECC (formerly ECTI). During his two years at the college, he set single season and career scoring records in basketball. In Dave’s freshman year, he was selected to the 1st Team All Empire State Conference Team and 2nd Team NJCAA Region III All Star. He was the leading scorer in the conference and named on Region III All Tournament Team where he won the Sportsmanship Trophy. In his second year, Dave made 1st Team All Star on both the Empire State Conference and Region III teams. He was the winner of the ECC Richard Dry Award for Most Valuable Basketball Player during his two years at the college. In baseball, he was an outstanding catcher and was named to the NJCAA Region III All Star Team for two years.

Martin was an outstanding all around track athlete. He participated in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles; long jump and high jump; 100; 200 and 400 meter dashes and the sprint relays. He was named All Region for 10 separate events in his two-year indoor track career at ECC. During the outdoor track season, he earned 18 All Region honors. He was an NJCAA All American in the Outdoor High Jump in 1986. He was the Men’s Track & Field Most Valuable Player in 1985 and 1986 seasons and was honored that same year as the Male Athlete of the Year.

Diane Jircitano was a two sport athlete at ECC playing both basketball and softball. She was a steady and dependable player on the basketball court and was a star on the softball field. During her two seasons, her team won the Region III Softball Tournament. In 1981, Diane helped the Kats to their second consecutive NJCAA National Title. She was named to the All Tournament Team that year. In 1982, she was named Region III Tournament Most Valuable Player and earned 1st Team All Region Honors and was selected 1st Team NJCAA All American. She received a full scholarship to the University of Iowa where she had an outstanding career. She graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and is currently an accountant.

Rick Ross is considered one of the all time great defensemen who played for the ECC Hockey “KATS” from 1977-79. He led the KATS to two straight Finger Lakes Collegiate Hockey League divisional and playoff championships. The KATS were also runners up in the Region III Championship Tournament.

Cindy Coburn was the first female bowler at Erie Community College. In 1974 – 75, she bowled with the men’s team and earned All American honors. The next season Cindy bowled on the first Women’s team the college sponsored and that team won the NJCAA Region III Championship. In 1976 she advanced to the Collegiate National Bowling Championships where she set a single game record at that time of 269 that stood for the years. In 1976, again she was selected to the NJCAA All American Team.

After graduating from Erie Community College, she continued her education at the State University of New York at Buffalo and became the first women bowler elected to their Hall of Fame. She turned professional in 1978 and as bowled over 13 perfect 300 games and has won over 14 professional titles. Her bowling awards are numerous and she is regarded as one of the top women bowlers in the country.

1998 Elected to NJCAA Bowling Coaches’ Hall of Fame
2001 Elected to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame

Ralph Galanti, Sr.
Inducted May 13, 1991

Ralph J Galanti, Sr has been associated with ECC for over 30 years. He served on the college’s Recreation Leadership Advisory Board where he was appointed in 1961 as one of its original members. He also served as a member of the ECC Booster Club Executive Board for 16 years.

Through the years, Ralph contributed to the growth of the ECC athletic department by providing use of the City of Lackawanna’s excellent softball facilities for the women’s softball games and tournaments, assisted in fund raising activities; helped many student athletes secure employment upon their graduation from ECC and was an avid fan of the Kats and Lady Kats as he attended many of the college’s varsity team games.

Mr. Galanti was the Recreation Director for the City of Lackawanna for over 40 years. He was regarded as the “dean of Recreation Directors” for the state. He is the father of current ECC Athletic Director, Ralph J Galanti Jr.

George Killian
Inducted May 13, 1991

George E Killian, Executive Director of the National Junior College Athletic Association, and former ECC Athletic Director and men’s basketball coach has the honor of being the first inductee into the ECC Hall of Fame and Distinction.

George Killian laid the foundation of the college’s successful athletic program and holds the record of the most wins (253) for a basketball coach (1954-1969) George was largely responsible for the athletic complex at north campus which was built in 1960.

Mr. Killian has received hundreds of international and national awards throughout his years as athletic director and head of the NJCAA. He is considered one of the most influential men in the world when it comes to amateur men’s basketball. He has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame and has been president of the International Amateur basketball Federation. Erie Community College established an athletic award in his honor in 1978 to honor his accomplishments for the college and country.

Henry Krol
Inducted May 13, 1991

Henry “King” Krol played basketball for George Killian during the 1954 – 56 seasons. Has was recruited by George from local Catholic leagues where he was the 4th leading scorer. In his first game, Henry scored 22 points to help George Killian win his collegiate coaching debut.

Henry was a tremendous defensive player and also had a 13.2 points per game scoring average. He was All League for the two years he played at Erie. His teammates voted him the Most Valuable Player for the 1954 – 55 season. In 1956 he gained All Region status and became one of the pillars of the basketball program.

After graduation he had the privilege of playing against the Harlem Magicians where he scored 8 points. He is currently active in promoting youth participation in sports in the Western New York area.

He has been a basketball referee for 25 years and still remains active in the Western New York Basketball Officials Association.

Ruby, Sam, & Al Pastor
Inducted May 13, 1991

Ruby, Sam, and Al Pastor were three of the most avid supporters of the ECC Athletic department, its programs and it’s student –p athletes. Through the years, the Pastor’s who owned the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, became a major sponsor of the athletic program at ECC. They helped with fund raising activities, donated prizes, and purchased athletic equipment to update the athletic facility at north campus.

In 1986, Syd Pastor, Vice President of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, established the Sam Pastor Memorial Hockey Scholarship in memory of his father. At the ECC Athletic banquet, Syd stated, “When the ECC Athletic department calls, Pepsi listens.”

The Pastors generosity went beyond the athletic department as they donated Pepsi products for other college functions, such as Special Olympics. SGA activities and the ECC Foundation. Ruby, Sam, and Al are missed but their memory will always be with the ECC Athletic Department and it’s student athlete’s.

Joseph Peeler
Inducted May 13, 1991

Joe Peeler was a Buffalo All City basketball and football player who came to our college in 1964-67 to play basketball for George Killian. .While attending Erie, Joe was All Conference in 1964-65. During the 1985-66 season, Joe helped lead the Kats to the ranking of #6 in the nation. While getting NJCAA All American Honors and made 1st team All Region III and All Conference.

Joe had the privilege of playing in George Killian’s 200th win as a coach. Killian refers to Joe as one of the three best basketball players he ever coached at the college.

After graduating from Erie in drafting, he attended Buffalo State where he received his B.S. in Industrial Drafting.

Ed Retzer
Inducted May 13, 1991

Ed Retzer was one of the finest baseball players to play at ECC. He played during the 1975-77 seasons, where he helped to pitch the Kats to the Region III title in 1977. Ed was a versatile athlete as he played 3rd base and pitched for the Kats. He was an excellent fielder who batted .345 but his forte was pitching. He was undefeated during the 1976-77 season where he defeated the top ranked Monroe CC team 5-2 to earn the schools first Regional Championship in 10 years.

Upon leaving Erie, he attended the University of Buffalo where he was a star pitcher from 1977-79. He was drafted by the Oakland A’s in 1979 and played 5 years in their organization.

After his professional career ended, he returned to coach the ECC baseball team. From 1983-86 where he guided the Kats to winning seasons. He still remains active playing in the Buffalo Muny Baseball League.

James Shenton
Inducted May 13, 1991

James Shenton is a former President of Erie Community College (1963-1974). Under his guidance, ECC became one of the most productive and successful athletic programs at the junior college level.

Mr. Shenton and the late. Mrs. Elizabeth Shenton, were frequent spectators at the college’s sporting events.

Jim was one of the 12 original college staff members in 1946 when the college was known as NYS Institute of Applied Arts & Science.

He progressed from a department head in 1954 to Dean of the College and finally as President. During his tenure as President, city campus was established in 1971 and south campus opened in 1974.

Mr. Shenton retired in August 1974 and is still very active in college activities at ECC. The athletic department established the James E Shenton Most Valuable Bowling Award in 1982 to recognize the growth of athletics at the college.

Guy Vastola
In the memory of Guy Vastola
Inducted May 13, 1991

Guy Vastola was one of the finest cross country who attended ECC. Although he was plagued by injuries during his two years at the college, he compiled impressive cross country records. In 23 meets he had 17 first places; broke the school record 3 times and held the school record for 7 years; placed 7th on the All Time Honor Roll at Mohawk Valley CC and placed 4th in the Region III Championship Meet in 1971. At that time, that was the highest place an ECC cross country runner ever achieved.

He co-captained the 1971 cross country team to 13 wins and only 4 losses. During the 1971 and 1972 seasons, he was ranked in the top four of the region by the Region II coaches.

On April 1, 1973, three weeks before Guy was to compete for the ECC track team, he met with his untimely death. The college, teammates and friends donated the Guy Vastola Memorial Plaque donated to the outstanding runner each year.

Sally Wood
Inducted May 13, 1991

Sally Wood was the greatest women’s softball pitcher in the history of the college. During her tenure at ECC (1979-1980) she compiled a 38-1 record. She helped to win 2 NJCAA National Softball Titles. In 1980, she pitched every inning in the tournament compiling a 4-0 record and winning the MVP at the Nationals. In 1981 she suffered her only loss in her ECC career but rebounded back in the double elimination tournament to pitch the Lady Kats to their second consecutive national championship as well as her Most Valuable Pitcher Award.

During her career at ECC, she made the All Region III team, Region III All Tourney Team and MVP of the Region III Tournament.

After graduating from Erie, Sally attended the University of Indiana on a softball scholarship. She was the NCAA All Mid-East pitcher and compiled a 40-16 record for her two years. She returned to ECC as a pitching coach on the women’s softball team.