42°
This year's inductees include the 1977-78 girls basketball team, Kathy Ryan (class of '83), Courtney Smith (class of '89), Jay Pritchard (class of '89), Vinnie Nittoli (class of '89) and Michelle (Breen) Hiltsley (class of '93), according to a statement from the school district.
Tom Baker, the district's athletic director, said he is proud of the inductees' accomplishments.
"Hall of Fame Day here at Hen Hud is always one of the most rewarding days of the year," he said. "I thoroughly enjoy seeing some of our past athletes return with such pride."
Baker said the students, both old and new, also enjoy the weekend's events.
During their days at Hendrick Hudson, this year's Hall of Fame inductees achieved a number of successes.
The 1977-78 girls basketball team finished the regular season with an undefeated league record of 15-0. To date, the team remains the only Hendrick Hudson girls basketball team to win a league championship.
During her high school years, Kathy Ryan was a "true multi-sport athlete," playing softball and basketball, according to the school district. She excelled at softball, playing centerfield and leading the team in her senior year with a .565 batting average. The team finished 20-2 that season, coming in second in sectional competition.
Courtney Smith, who earned numerous honors while competing on the track and field team, was instrumental in winning the program's first sectional title, according to the district. Smith also played soccer, contributing to the school's first sectional and regional championship soccer team in 1988.
Another track and field star, Jay Pritchard still holds high jump relay records with Smith, according to the district, which said Pritchard was also instrumental in the program's first sectional title. Pritchard was Hendrick Hudson' first pentathlete.
Nittoli, Pritchard and Smith together hold a Section 1 record in the shuttle hurdle relay, according to the district. Another student athlete vital to the program's first sectional title, Nittoli is hailed as the "best hurdler and horizontal jumper in Hendrick Hudson history."
Hiltsley, a three-sport athlete, excelled at field hockey, basketball and soccer, according to the district. Hiltsley was a four-year varsity athlete in soccer and basketball and helped lead the soccer team to several league championships. She also contributed to the program's first girls soccer team sectional appearance.
Hendrick Hudson is to honor the 2016 Hall of Fame inductees during a banquet at the high school at 1 p.m. on Oct. 1. The inductees are to be honored at halftime of the Hendrick Hudson Sailors' football game later that day against Peekskill High School.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.
