CLASS OF 2008 INDUCTED JANUARY 26, 2008
Thomas Gardiner
US Youth Under-20 National Team member (1979, 1980 & 1981); Played in CONCACAF Youth World Cup in Australia (1981); Signed with Philadelphia Fever in MISL (1981) and Charlotte Gold of United Soccer League (1982); Reached NCAA Division II Final Four with Southern Connecticut State College and named to New England Honorable Mention Team (1980); Member of Region 1 Olympic Development Program Team and played in U.S. Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado (1977, 1978, 1979); Played for RHAM High School (1976-1979) and won state championship in 1977; All State & All New England (1977 & 1978), Parade Magazine and Dr. Pepper All American (1979); Member of Connecticut State Team (1977, 1978); Played for Mansfield SC, Glastonbury SC, and Manchester SC youth teams.
Arthur S. Hennig
Art is being recognized for 30 years of commitment and service to soccer in Connecticut. He has been a dedicated coach, referee, and administrator during this time.
CJSA 1st Vice President (1998-2008); President of Avon Soccer (1979 - present); Co-founded Avon Soccer (1977); CT Olympic Development Program Administrator and Region I ODP staff (1988 - 1991); USSF Referee (1985-1988); NorthCentral District Representative (1998); CJSA Coach of the Year Award (1983); Coached Avon Stingers (1978-1990).
Mickey Kydes
Played for New York/New Jersey Metrostars of Major League Soccer (1996); Two-time USISL All Star as member of Connecticut Wolves and New York Fever (1992-1995); U.S. National Team member for 1987 Pan American Games; Olympic Festival goal medalist for South Team (1987); Played for Dallas Sidekicks and won MISL title (1986-1987); First round draft pick in both 1986 MISL (Dallas) and APSL (Canton Invaders) drafts; Led powerful NCAA Division I Long Island University team (1982-1985) and was twice named to All American teams (1983 & 1985); Attended Norwalk High School (1978-1981) and earned All State recognition (1980 & 1981) and was a 3-time All FCIAC honoree; Member of Connecticut U16 and U17 ODP teams (1979 & 1980); Won U14 CJSA State Cup with Norwalk Ahepa (1977).
Kevin Maher
Member of United States Under-23 National Team (1983-1984) and played in 1983 Pan American Games in Venezuela; Gold medal winner for Eastern Regional Team at National Sports Festival (1981 & 1982); Played 4 seasons in Major Indoor Soccer League with Pittsburgh Spirit and New York Express; Earned MISL Rookie of the Year Award with Pittsburgh (1983-1984 season); 4-year varsity starter at Yale University (1979-1982); Yale’s 2nd all-time leader in goals scored and total points (assists and goals); Two-time NSCAA All-America; Finished 4th in 1982 MAC Hermann Trophy (top collegiate soccer player) voting; Played 4 years at Guilford HSl (1975-1978) and won 3 consecutive Class L state championships (1976-1978); Named Parade Magazine All-America and High School Coaches All-America in 1978.
Michael Pitruzzello, Sr.
Recorded 342 wins, 120 losses, and 48 ties in twenty-seven seasons as Varsity Boys Soccer Coach at Cromwell High School (1980 – 2006); Won two Class S State Championships (1992 & 1998) and reached another state final (2006), Won 7 Charter Oak Conference titles; President of CT Soccer Coaches Association (1993-2004); Cromwell Athletic Club Hall of Fame Inductee; (2001); Hugh S. Greer Distinguished Service Award (Central Soccer Board) (2006); CT High School Coaches Assoc. Hall of Fame Inductee (2003); NSCAA Region I Soccer Coach of the Year & National Finalist (2002); National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year – Boys Soccer (1999); CT High School Coaches Assoc. Coach of the Year in Boys Soccer (1996); CT Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the Year in Boys Soccer (1995); Director of the Chill Travel Soccer Program, Cromwell, CT.
Marion Joseph Stoj, M.D.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Aztecs of North American Soccer League (1974); Invited to tryout for U.S. Olympic Soccer Team (1972); Played for CT Wildcats (1974) and CT Yankees (1976 & 1977) of American Soccer League; Wesleyan University (1970-1973), led team in scoring 1971 and 1973; All-American and All-New England recognition (1971 & 1973); New England Intercollegiate Soccer League (NEISL) All Star (1970, 1971, 1973); ECAC Championship (1973); Eastern U.S. All Star team member for 1974 Senior Soccer Bowl; Raymond J. Walsh Memorial Soccer Award for leadership and ability (1973); Skull And Serpent Honorary Society for outstanding academics and athletics (1974).
Roberto J. Taylor
Player with Hartford Bicentennials (NASL, 1976); Drafted third by Connecticut Yankees (ASL, 1975) and captained the team; Named ASL Rookie of the Year and league All Star (1975) and earned team MVP Award, Finished 2nd in ASL scoring with 14 goals and 4 assists in 20 games from midfield position; Attended University of New Haven (1973 & 1974) and named to All New England team both years; Scored 25 goals and added 8 assists in 26 collegiate games; Named UNH Athlete of the Year (1974) and was inducted into the University of New Haven Hall of Fame (1984); Mark T. Sheehan High School Boys Soccer Coach (1987-1996); CJSA Boys Coach of the Year (1993); currently serves as a youth soccer coach with South Central Premier.
Lyle Yorks
Member of U.S. Under-20 Youth National Team and competed in Youth World Cup (Saudi Arabia, 1989); Member of U.S. Under-16 Youth National Team and competed in Youth World Cup (China, 1985); Played professionally with DC United (Major League Soccer, 1998), New York Fever (USISL, 1995), Naestved Danish Superliga (1993-1994), and Milwaukee Wave (NPSL, 1992); Four year starter at University of Virginia (1988-1991), won two NCAA Division I titles (1989 & 1991), and earned All ACC honors (1991); Attended E.O. Smith High School (1984-1987), won 2 Class LL championships (1985 & 1987), and was twice named NSCAA and Parade Magazine High School All American (1986 & 1987); Earned Gatorade National Player of the Year Award (1987.)