Cornell University (soon)
The Harvard Cup Hall of Fame was created by the Buffalo Board of Education in 2002 to honor those players and coaches who, through there efforts on and off the field, were exceptional in their contributions to High School football in Buffalo. Included from Riverside High School in the Charter Class of Inductees in 2002 were Robert Rich, Sr. (Coach), Chuck Dingboom (Coach), Joe Ehrman (Player), and John Polanski (Player).
While no RHS people were included in the Class of 2003, 2004 saw the induction of Daniel "Bubba" Bednarski (Player), Edward Gallin (Player), and Steven J. Toth (Coach).
This year's Class of 2005 saw another five RHS people inducted. Coach Jim Simon, longtime Assistant Coach with Chuck Dingboom during the years of RHS domination of the Harvard Cup, led the group. The other RHS Inductees were all players and included Tom Oatmeyer (RHS '61), Larry Gallin (RHS '62), Bob Johnson (RHS '6?), and Joe Di Vincenzo (a star RHS player in the 1930s). The full Class of 2005 Inductees is shown in the photo above.
A new award entitled the "Jim Simon - Best Back Award" has been created and was announced during the ceremonies. It will hereafter be awarded each year to the most outstanding Harvard Cup back, in honor of our own Coach Jim Simon. Ed Gallin presented two honorary "Jim Simon - Best Back Awards" to Jim Simon and Coach Chuck Dingboom, who were in attendance to accept.
Many RHS alumni attended the ceremonies which were held at Pettibone's Grill in the Dunn Tire Park (home of the Buffalo Bisons) in downtown Buffalo. Besides my wife Karen and me, others spotted in the crowd included Joe Derme, Max Pettibone, Rich Pollier, Jack Dressel, Earl Tompkins, Steve Hussar, Cheryl (Podgers) Kerling, Charlie Spencer, Ed Mazga, and Ken Stuhlmiller. It was a great night for remembering the old days and renewing old friendships. Follow the link to see some more photos from the happenings. Pictures From The Weekend