Sidney “Sid” Borgia
~ 2000 ~
Sid Borgia came to New Rochelle in 1995 from the coal mining hills of West Virginia and the 29th Street neighborhood in NYC. He joined the Army during WWII.
Upon returning home Sid became one of the first NBA referees. He worked for the NBA for 20 years and was selected to officiate the All-Star game eight times. Sid served as Supervisor of the NBA officials for 5 years. He moved to the ABA and served as referee and Supervisor of officials. Sid was one of the most colorful and well-respected officials to ever work the game. Sid started the “YES” call while he was refereeing a game. When a player drove to the basket while being fouled, Sid would call, “YES! and it counts.”
Edward Bugniazet
~ 2000 ~
Ed attended Iona Prep and was one of the key members of the 1951-52 basketball team that went 16-3, the best in the school’s history. He was first team All-County, as well as leading scorer in the county, and an All-Tourney selection at the Eastern States Tournament. His scoring prowess was unmatched, having scored 60 points against Hastings and then 42 point the next game. This two day total stands as one of the greatest scoring achievements in Westchester County sports. Ed was a Con Edison Award winner and also a star pitcher on the baseball team, having been drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies.
In college, Ed was the leading scorer on the freshman team, and helped lead the varsity team to a NIT bid and an invitation to the ECAC Holiday Festival Tournament.
Robert DiBuomo
~ 2000 ~
While at Albert Leonard High School, Bobby was a true Triple Threat athlete, starring on the football field, baseball diamond and the basketball court. He was elected to the Westchester County Baseball team because of his batting and fielding skills.
During his service in the Army he played shortstop for the Wetzler Post league. He was voted MVP, with his team winning the pennant and performing very well in the European playoffs. Bob’s statistics were amazing. He batted .460, hit 12 home runs, 4 triples, 18 doubles and drove in 54 runs. His defensive play was just as solid. The New York Yankees invited DiBuono to several tryouts. Although he decided not to travel through the bush league circuit, Bob continued his baseball career by playing for the top semi-pro teams.
Al Paolucci
~ 2000 ~
Roy Stephenson
~ 2000 ~
Al was an outstanding athlete in high school and college. In high school he starred as QB for the football team and was captain of the baseball team, being elected All-County. A graduate of Ithaca College, earning his degree in health and physical education, Al served as a teacher at the Hamilton School in Mt. Vernon for 35 years.
He worked for the New Rochelle Parks and Recreation for over 30 years in various positions, ranging from playground supervisor to Supervisor of Officials for the adult’s softball league. Al devoted his life to encouraging our young people to participate in sports. He truly believed that sports do make a difference in a young person’s life.
“The Greatest Softball Pitcher of All Time!” This statement is universally accepted by everyone who ever played with Roy, played against Roy, or watched Roy play. He played softball for 23 years, beginning in 1938 at the age of 15. He started in New Rochelle with the Shamrocks and the State Bears. Roy pitched more than 50 No-Hitters during his career. He was named to the ASA All-American team in 4 different years. His team won the famous Jones Beach Softball League six years in a row. He also starred in the Eastern Softball League, winning the title twice. Roy struck out 28 consecutive batters in a 15 inning game. He also went to the National Softball Tourney 8 times. Roy was named to the National Softball Hall of Fame, Nassau County Hall of Fame and the Long Island Hall of Fame.