{"id":12892,"date":"2015-10-02T08:00:31","date_gmt":"2015-10-02T08:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thebeehive.molloyhs.org\/?p=12892"},"modified":"2020-06-23T19:43:28","modified_gmt":"2020-06-23T19:43:28","slug":"the-beehive-10215","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thebeehive.molloyhs.org\/?p=12892","title":{"rendered":"The Beehive – 10\/2\/15"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Willie Hall \u201958 Inducted into NYC Basketball HoF<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Willie<\/a>One of the most talented basketball players in St. Ann\u2019s, Molloy, and New York City history was recently honored with induction into the prestigious NYC Basketball Hall of Fame. Willie Hall \u201958<\/strong>, also known as \u201cKid Kangaroo\u201d, was enshrined alongside greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed, Julius Erving, and Chris Mullin as well as Stanner greats like Lou Carnesecca \u201943, Kevin Joyce \u201969, Kenny Smith \u201983, Brian Winters \u201970, Jack Curran, Tommy Kearns \u201954, Kenny Anderson \u201989, <\/strong>and Jim Larranaga \u201967<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Willie Hall started his hoops career for the Varsity team at St. Ann\u2019s Academy. He started out as a freshman on the team, but rose through the ranks over the years to eventually captain his squad and become one of St. Ann\u2019s\/Molloy\u2019s greatest rebounders. He had the ability to play anywhere on the court, boasted an unbeatable jump shot, and could score from every conceivable angle. Willie was so good he was recognized in \u201cDell Sports\u201d magazine as one of the top ten high school players in New York City from 1957-1958. It\u2019s no coincidence, and no fluke, that the Stanners went undefeated under Coach Lou Carnesecca during Willie\u2019s senior year. That team would later be inducted into the Stanner Hall of Fame, as would Willie individually. After graduating from Mollo\"Willie<\/a>y, Willie followed Carnesecca (pictured with Willie<\/em>) to St. John\u2019s University, where the two pulled off another undefeated season in 1959-1960. \u201cAfter this period of my life ended, I was drafted into the United States Army,\u201d said Willie. \u201cGod again surrounded me with loving and caring people. The General, Chaplin, and many others made it possible for me being alive today. I was sent to Germany instead of Vietnam, where countless American soldiers never made it back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willie\u2019s amazing life eventually brought him to The New York Athletic Club on September 16th, 2015 for his induction into the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame. The selection committee strives to \u201c<\/em>promote and encourage sportsmanship, physical contest and academic achievement as a means of building character, as well as physical and intellectual well being among the younger generation in order to prepare them more adequately for their future rolls in society.<\/em>\u201d The Hall of Fame champions NYC Basketball, honors its legends and heroes, and encourages people of all ages to partake of the benefits the game provides.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Over 70 Revel in Molloy Baseball Reunion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Molloy welcomed over 70 alumni and family members on Saturday, September 26th for our latest Baseball Reunion. It was a perfect weather day in Briarwood, as the morning kicked off with Molloy\u2019s Varsity baseball team taking on (and eventually defeating) Mount Saint Michael Academy. As alumni cheered on the home team, a tailgate was hosted outside Stanner Field featuring burgers, hot dogs, beverages, and more. After the Varsity game wrapped up, alumni took to the field to play a scrimmage softball game of their own. It was odd years vs. even years, and though some had to shake off some rust, most players showed they haven\u2019t lost too many steps since hanging up their cleats. \u201cIt was a really great day that welcomed a diverse group of alumni,\u201d said Matt Rizzotti \u201904<\/strong>, Molloy\u2019s Alumni Development Officer who coordinated the event. \u201cWe had alumni from many different classes who came together as if they have all known each other for years. Obviously some have known each \"MLB<\/a>other for a long time, but it\u2019s easy for all the former players to bond. We all played on the same field, we all played for Coach Curran, and we all have stories to share.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matt represents one of Molloy\u2019s three most recent pro baseball players who were in attendance at the event. The other two were Dennis O\u2019Grady \u201907<\/strong>, who spent time this past season with the San Diego Padres\u2019 AAA affiliate in El Paso, and Mike Baxter \u201902<\/strong>, who split time in 2015 between the Chicago Cubs and AAA Iowa. Dennis and Mike both graciously took some time to share insights and stories with alumni as well as some of the Varsity players who stuck around after their game. Other notables in attendance included members of Molloy\u2019s 1987 and 2002 city championship teams, Stanner Hall of Famer Joe Russo \u201962<\/a>, current Varsity Head Coach Brad Lyons<\/strong>, and Assistant Coach Br. James Vagan<\/strong>. \u201cThe event was a great success,\u201d said Matt. \u201cThis is something we would love to do every year, but it really depends on what our alumni want. Whether it\u2019s every year, or every other year, their feedback would be greatly appreciated.\u201d Have any thoughts on this year\u2019s event or future baseball reunions? Contact us<\/a> or find Molloy Baseball Alumni on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a> View a full Photo Gallery for the Baseball Reunion on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t