Class of 2020 Inducted Into Windsor Locks Athletic Hall Of Fame

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — They may have had to wait awhile due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the electees of the Windsor Locks Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020 were finally able to receive their accolades at a ceremony May 15 at La Notte in East Windsor.

Individual inductees were Tom Fahey (Class of 1965), Rich Blevins (1966), Earle Flick (1973), Dan Kycia (1976), Curt Schiessl (1981) and Maureen Walsh Schultheis (1983). Also celebrated were the 2005 and 2006 Raider baseball teams, which captured back-to-back Class S championships.

A look at the honorees:

• Tom Fahey humbly speaks of growing up at the right time in Windsor Locks, with the right teammates and the right coaches. But Tom’s talent as a pitcher would have come through no matter where or when he was raised. Relying on ball movement rather than power, Tom was armed with sinkers, sliders and curves that consistently kept opposing batters baffled. He made the varsity team as a freshman and by his junior year was the team’s workhorse either starting or relieving in all of the 14 games the team played. That year he had a record of 6-3 with one save while being on the mound for 70 percent of the innings the team played. Tom’s senior year was one for the ages. He appeared in 14 of the 16 games the team played pitching 76 percent of the innings. His personal record was a remarkable 11-2-1 on a team that went 13-2-1. The 1965 Raider team was ranked 4th in state Class B, the first WLHS team to play in the Class B Division Tournament. They won the Charter Oak North Division with a 6-0 record. Though the team had high hopes they could not make it beyond the tournament quarterfinal losing 4-3 to Norwich Tech with Tom on the mound. It was only the second game he lost all season, the other being the opening game against Windsor. Five days in to the season Tom got his revenge pitching a 12 inning complete game against Windsor and then winning his next 10 starts. At the end of the season Ton was deservedly named to the Charter Oak Conference North All Star First Team. After high school, Tom played a year of freshman baseball at Brown University before deciding to concentrate on his education. Tom went on to graduate from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1972, For the last 45 years, he has been practicing law in Windsor Locks and is considered one of the finest zoning lawyers in the state. In 1948, the Boston Braves relied on “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain”. The 1964-1965 WLHS Raider baseball team had it easy; just give the ball to Fahey and he got it done, game after game, inning after inning. A record that is unlikely to be duplicated.
• Peter Sarant coached many outstanding athletes during his tenue at Windsor Locks High School but none of them were as versatile and consistent as Rich Blevins. Rich placed in more state track meets than all of Sarant’s charges, with the exception of Hall of Famers Bob and Gary Morrell. Rich’s specialty was the hurdles. He placed first in 120 yard hurdles and third in the 180 yard hurdles in the 1965 state final meet. In his senior year in 1966 Rich placed third in long jump and fourth in the 60 yard hurdles in the state finals. At one point Rich held the school records for both the high and low hurdles. Recognizing a great athlete when he saw one, Coach Dan Sullivan asked Rich to try playing goalie for the soccer team his senior year. Having no prior experience Rich anchored a team that lost only two games that season, one in the regular season and one in the state tournament. Despite only one year of varsity soccer in high school, Rich went on to be a versatile member of the Eastern Connecticut University soccer team playing in goal and on the wing. His college days were cut short when Rich joined the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Rich served as an airborne voice processing specialist and interpreter training in multiple Vietnamese dialects. After completing his military service Rich continued to enjoy many sports including golf, bowling, and basketball. The 1966 senior class from Windsor Locks High School had many fine athletes and state champions; none more versatile than Rich Blevins.
• Earle Flick was blessed with athletic ability that the rest of us could only dream about; and the drive to use that ability to compete at the highest level on the track and on the soccer field. Before he left Windsor Locks High School Earle established himself as one of the best hurdlers in the region and in school history. As Hall of Famers go, his career was relatively short. Earle did not play much organized sports before high school. He casually agreed to go to the high school soccer tryouts with a friend his freshman year, made the varsity, and never looked back. During his four years at WLHS the soccer team won two state titles and lost in the finals his senior year. A speedy, reliable wing, Earle left his imprint early scoring a goal in the championship game his freshman year. His senior year he was named one of the team’s tri-captains and was selected to the All-Conference team. Although his ability in soccer earned him a scholarship at UConn, Earle is most remembered for his talent as a runner. A four year member of the track team, Earle distinguished himself in the 330 yard intermediate hurdles winning many events including the 1972 New Britain Invitational, the 1973 Hartford Public Invitational, and the 1973 State Championship. His senior year he set a new school record at the 1973 Coast Guard Academy Meet. Individual accomplishments aside, Earle equally enjoyed his time as a member of the school’s successful 440 yard relay team. Earle suffered a season ending injury playing soccer his freshman year at UConn and never returned to organized sports. He channeled his competitive drive to his studies, fulfilling his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Earle settled in Western Maryland with his wife Dr. Karen Pierpont, living on a farm across the street from their animal hospital. God given ability used to its fullest, devotion to his profession and his God, Dr. Earle Flick is a Hall of Famer for all seasons.
• Dan Kycia is considered to be one of the best running backs to ever play at Windsor Locks High School. His junior and senior years he carried the football more than 1,000 yards and carried the fledgling WLHS football program to respectability. Dan joined the football team in 1972, the third year of the newly reformed program. In the 1972 and 1973 seasons the team managed only one win per season. Dan was named co-captain prior to the 1974 season and the team won its first two games; the second coming against perennial powerhouse Simsbury. By season’s end the team boasted a 6-3-1 record, 5-2 in the conference. Dan ran for 1,051 yards and scored 72 points that season. He earned an “Honorable Mention” on the 1974 All-CVC football team. In 1975 the team continued to improve, earning a 7-3 overall record, 4-2 in conference play; good enough for second place in the conference. Dan ran for 1,054 yards and scored 92 points his senior year and was unanimously voted to the All-CVC football team. Several coaches in the conference considered Dan the best running back they had faced in many seasons. After graduating from Windsor Locks High, Dan played two years at Mattatuck Junior College in Waterbury where he was named Athlete of the Year. After Mattatuck, Dan played two years at the University of New Haven. In 1979, Dan led UNH to an undefeated season and a New England Conference title. Dan left us too soon in 2012 at the age of 55, leaving behind his son Erik. Those who knew him best remember his infectious smile and fierce loyalty to his friends and teammates.
• It was not easy to stand out athletically at the Schiessl house, but Curt Schiessl found a way. His parents were both accomplished athletes at Weaver High School and his brother and sisters fine athletes as well. Curt used what he learned from his family and mentors like All American Mark Nolan, to become a Hall of Fame soccer player. Tutored through the Windsor Locks recreation travel soccer programs on how to play soccer "Coach Sullivan style," Curt and his teammates showed their promise early winning the 1977 Connecticut Junior Soccer Association State Cup. Curt earned a spot on the Varsity Soccer team at Windsor Locks High School during his sophomore year and was a fixture on the Central Valley Conference All Conference Team for the next three years. As a senior, Curt and his teammates had a truly remarkable season, going 15-0-1 in the regular season, while Curt won the league scoring title with 20 goals. He capped off the year being voted on to the Class L All-State soccer team. After high school Curt furthered his passion playing soccer at Mitchell College in New London. During his college career, he was named to the NJCAA All- New England team for two consecutive years. During his second season at Mitchell College, Curt and his teammates made it to the NJCAA tournament bowing out in the quarterfinals just shy of a trip to the final four. Curt credits his success to the love and support of his parents, Carl and Carol and siblings Caren, Carl and Carrie, along with his amazing teammates.
• Maureen Walsh Schultesis was as versatile an athlete as Windsor Locks has ever seen; and few were more decorated. Before she graduated from WLHS in 1983 Maureen was selected second team All-State in soccer, All Conference all four years in softball, All Conference three years in soccer, captain of the soccer, softball and basketball teams, won the Underclassman Athletic Award, the Ruby Fournier Sportsmanship Award and was voted Most Athletic in the senior class. Maureen has the distinction of being named All Conference in softball at two positions, center field as a freshman and her final three years as a catcher; the next in a long line of excellent catchers playing for Coach Pat Scelza. Maureen was the goaltender on the varsity soccer team all four years saving over 1000 shots on goal. Maureen was instrumental in WLHS’ run to its first Woman’s State Championship Soccer finals, a close loss to powerhouse E.O. Smith. Maureen Wash Schultesis had a rare talent that allowed her to excel no matter the sport, no matter the position. Along the way she gained recognition and respect from her classmates, teammates, coaches and opponents. She is a welcome addition to the Hall of Fame.

Photos courtesy of Windsor Locks Athletic Hall of Fame