St. Francis Hall of Fame

 
Dedicated to the Memory of
THE VERY REV. RUFINUS NIEDZWIECKI, OFM CONV.

            The Very Rev. Rufinus Niedzwiecki Memorial Athletic Hall of Fame at St. Francis High School is named after one of Western New York’s legendary sports figures.  In over twenty years at his alma mater, St. Francis High School, Father Rufinus built a reputation as one of the area’s finest and most knowledgeable coaches.  His basketball teams always enjoyed winning seasons and won numerous Manhattan Cup titles; and his baseball teams were an annual fixture in the Georgetown Cup championships.  Besides compiling one of the best records of any coach in the area, his astute administrative abilities led to the building of one of the finest athletic programs in the region a St. Francis.
            An outstanding basketball and baseball player, Father Rufinus was a member of the first class to graduate from St. Francis in 1931.  Known as a stern disciplinarian, Father “Rufe” is best remembered by his players as a gentle and kind person who was deeply concerned about every young man he coached.  In 2002, Fr. Rufinus was inducted in the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame.

Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Mr. Steve Otremba’90, Director of Athletics, announced the following alumni would be inducted into the St. Francis High School Athletic Hall of Fame on June 9, 2023.
Gregory A. Pivarunas
Class of 2006
Cross Country, Indoor Track, Track & Field

Dan J. Puckhaber
Class of 1999
Football, Wrestling

Nicholas Suchyna
Class of 2003
Football, Baseball

Tom Telesco
Class of 1991
Football, Basketball
 
A ceremony honoring the inducted will be held at the Gacioch Family Athletic Complex on Friday, June 9, 2023. Click the link below for ticket information.
 
*The Hall of Fame class of 2022 was delayed because of the Covid Pandemic.  The Class of 2023 members will be inducted as part of Homecoming festivities in the fall of 2023.  To nominate someone for induction, please click the link below. A listing of nomination criteria is included.
 
 

St. Francis High School

Fax (716)627-4610
info@stfrancishigh.org
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