CLASS OF 2007
John Blomstrann
E. O. Smith boys varsity soccer team (1980-present), 415-68-27, winningest active Connecticut high school boys coach, 5 CIAC “LL” State Championships (1985, 1987,1991,1994,1998), NSCAA Top 25 National Ranking in Final Poll (1991,1994,1998); CJSA “Coach of the Year” (1985); NSCAA “Region One Coach of the Year” (1997, 2005); NHSCA “Region One Coach of the Year” (2001, 2005); NSCAA Region One Chairperson of the National High School Rankings Committee and High School All-American Committee; 3-year varsity letterman at University of Connecticut (1973-1975) & Eric Lund Memorial Award recipient as the most improved player (1975); Player in the CT Soccer League and the Shoreline Adult Soccer League for over 20 years.
Carlos M. Carlos
Started playing in the CT Soccer League at the age of 15 with the Waterbury Portuguese Club; 4-year letterman at University of Connecticut (1978-1981); Starting center midfielder for UConn’s 1981NCAA championship team; Drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 NASL Draft by the New York Cosmos; Signed a professional contract to play with the Cosmos in 1982; Played and coached in the CT Soccer League with Waterbury Portuguese & Ludlow Lusitanos; Played with Bridgeport Vasco da Gama in the Northeast Super Soccer League and Bristol Reds in the LASA league in MA & RI; Played, coached and managed the Waterbury Ports in the O-30 SASL and continues to play in the O-40; Grade 5 USSF referee; Currently coaching premier soccer with Academica Futebol Club (AFC).
Paul Duffy
Coach, West Haven Youth Soccer League (1980 – 1994); Director and Coach, South Division CT Soccer U23 League (1992 – 2001); USSF Referee (1983 to Present); USSF Assessor (1993 to Present); CSOA – NISOA Soccer Referee (1990 – Present); President, West Haven Youth Soccer League (1984 – 2000); Board Member, West Haven Youth Soccer League(2000- Present); Boys Commissioner, CJSA South Central District (1983 – 1985); Treasurer, CJSA South Central District (1986 – 1990 & 2005 - Present); Vice President, CJSA South Central District (1991 – 2001); US Youth Soccer Region I Tournament Committee (1994 – 2003); Volunteer, FIFA 1994 World Cup Draw; CT Special Olympics Soccer Official for 9 years.
Thomas M. Nevers
Professional soccer player (1978-82) with over 100 league games and international competitions; Played with Chicago Sting and Memphis Rogues in North American Soccer League (NASL); Played in Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) for Hartford Hellions and Memphis Americans; NASL and MISL Players’ Association representative; Scored 35 goals in 4 year college career at University of Connecticut (1974-77); UConn Club Award for Outstanding Student-Athlete (1977); Played in Senior Bowl (1977); Scored 79 goals at E.O. Smith High School (1970-73) and named High School All American (1972); Helped lead E.O. Smith to undefeated season and state championship in 1972.
Victor M. Santos
20-year career in CT Soccer League started at age 14; played CSL for Hartford Portuguese and New Britain SC/Rhode Island Oceanears; Played for New Britain Olympia in the American Soccer League (1965-1967); played high school soccer at Hartford Public (1964-65); coached Hartford Portuguese Dragons youth team (1970-73); coached Wethersfield Soccer Club (1974-94); Head Varsity Boys Coach at Wethersfield High School (1986-1992); During 1991 Wethersfield High School was ranked # 1 in the nation and won the Class L State Championship; Central CT Conference-West coach of the year (1991); Men’s soccer coach Quinnipiac University (1993-2001); Northeast Conference Coach of the Year (1997); CJSA Olympic Development Program coach and current director (1987-present).
Ans Swanson
31 years involvement in CT soccer; 30 years as Southington Youth Soccer League Coach, Coaching Director and Coordinator; Co-started Southington High School girls soccer program; Head coach St Thomas Junior high Boys for 2 years; Cheshire High School’s first varsity girls soccer coach (10 years); Started and coached the first traveling, competitive girls program in the Southington Soccer Club for 10 years, as well as different boys teams; Officer and current president of Southington Soccer Club (20 years); Referee for travel, town, and adult soccer (24 years); Organized and co-directed the Southington Soccer Tournament for over 25 years.
David Vaudreuil
Former Canton High School All-American and Princeton University soccer player; 14-year pro soccer career that included two MLS Championships with DC United in 1996 and 1997 and a Mexican Indoor Championship with Puebla in 1994; selected by Soccer America to the ‘Best Ever’ teams of both DC United and the Colorado Rapids; Also played with Chicago Fire (2000 & 2001); Executive Committee Member of the Major League Soccer Players Association from 1997- 2002; Head Coach of USISL’s Atlanta Silverbacks (2004) and Assistant Coach of Chicago Storm (2005, MISL); One of the most successful professional players in state history.
2007 Special Recognition: Italian American Stars