Photos taken of the induction dinner are accessible here: 2024 Hall of Fame Dinner Photos
Chris Canetti
Chris Canetti grew up in Guilford, Connecticut and went on to become a respected and recognized business leader within the America soccer community. His soccer career began with the NY/NJ Metrostars when MLS was in its infancy. He was selected the MLS Executive of the Year in 2008. He joined the Houston Dynamo in their inaugural season as the Chief Operating Officer and then President. Houston won the MLS Cup (2006 & 2007), Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2018), and were MLS Cup finalists (2011 & 2012) with Chris in charge. Canetti oversaw the development of the 22,000 soccer specific stadium in downtown Houston (2012) and established the first expansion team in the Nation Women's Soccer League, the Houston Dash (2014). Though his efforts as President of the Houston Bid Committee, Houston was selected as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Never forgetting his roots, Canetti led an effort to organize Soccer Night in Newtown, Connecticut, (2011) in response to the national tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The event drew over 50 professional and legendary soccer players, including the likes of Mia Hamm and Landon Donovan, to provide support to the community in their time of need.
Annmarie DelMastro Catania
Annemarie was the goalkeeper for Rocky Hill High School (1984-1986), leading them to the State Finals each year. She was named All-State, All-New England, and All-America in high school. She also was a member of the CT State Olympic Development Program team from 1981-1986, winning the ODP regional championship in 1984. Catania was All-American at Mitchell College (1987) and a two-time All-New England selection (1987 & 88), and her team won the New England Championship (1987-88). After college, Annemarie returned to Rocky Hill High School as assistant coach (2000-2011) and then varsity head coach (2012-present). Additionally, she has bee goalkeeper coach for Rocky Hill travel soccer (2005-2015), CT ODP (2010-present), ODP Regional Program, CFC (2005-2015), New England Mutiny (2013), Star Goalkeeper Academy coach and camp director (2020-present). Catania has been a volunteer director/coach of the Rocky Hill Sidekicks program with her high school players (2014-present). She was inducted into the the Rocky Hill High School Hall of Fame (2003), Mitchell College Hall of Fame (1994), and the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches hall of Fame (2004).
Tom D'Agostino
Tom played for the American Soccer League Connecticut Wildcats and Boston Astros as well as the Hartford Italian American Stars, Hartford United, Hartford Portuguese, and Ludlow Lusitanos. As a professional educator, his true love was coaching. He holds a United States Soccer Federation "A" license. He coached Connecticut Olympic Development Program (1994-2006) and was a member of the US Youth Soccer Region I coaching staff. D'Agostino was the Assistant Coach of the Men's and Women's teams at Westfield State College (1990-91) and A. C. Gioventu, guiding them to be USA Champions and Bronze Medal winners at the Italian National Youth Games in Genoa, Italy (1991-92). He coached the United Women's Soccer Connecticut Fusion (2018-2021) and the United Soccer League Western Mass Pioneers (2007). He also coached youth soccer for over 40 years in Connecticut and Massachusetts including Oakwood Soccer Club, FSA, South Central Premier SC, and Longmeadow (MA).
Jerry Garlick
Jerry played soccer at State University of New York at Albany and then in several indoor and outdoor leagues. He is Past President of the Simsbury Soccer Club (1999-2003) and a former USSF referee. He has been the Chair of CJSA's Disciplinary Committee from 2009-present. His true passion is coaching soccer. He has been a coach for the Simsbury Soccer Club since 1994, coaching both Recreation teams (1994-97) and Travel teams (since 1997). His teams have won 8 Connecticut Cups and numerous tournament championships throughout New England. He was named 2002 CJSA Coach of the Year of a Female Team and the 2003 NSCAA National Coach of the Year - Youth Girls Division. In 2018 the Town of Simsbury recognized Garlick as a "Hometown Hero" for his years of coaching youth soccer. He is known as a caring and nurturing coach who teaches young players the lessons of soccer on the field and life lessons off the field. His players learn the principles of fair play, hard work, and sportsmanship along with required soccer skills. His teams are taught to win and lose with equal grace on the pitch and in life.
Stephen v B Griggs
Steve was an All-New England player at Trinity College (1966) and the men's head coach at Yale University (1978-1995). He remains the winningest coach in the history of Yale soccer with a record of 143-110-21. His teams won the Ivy League title in 1986, '89, and '91. Yale reached the NCAA Division I quarterfinals and finished ranked in the top ten nationally. He was a public address announcer for the 1984 Olympics and worked at the 1990 World Cup in Italy hosting the USA '94 Potential Bid Cities Committee. In 1991, Griggs volunteered at the 1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Draw Dinner in New York city. He managed international soccer games at Yale Bowl, including Italy vs. Portugal in US Cup 1992 and USA vs. Brazil in US Cup 1993. Yale Bowl narrowly missed out being a host site for World Cup '94. Griggs then was the liaison for the Irish National Team delegation participating in the World Cup. Steve also was the director of soccer facilities at Yale for the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in New Haven, Connecticut. The logistics encompassed the Opening Ceremonies at Yale Bowl, attended by over 70,000 people, including President Bill Clinton. Griggs founded the FC Sarum Soccer Camp in Salisbury, Connecticut to bring his passion for soccer to the northwest corner of the state.
Allen Nunes
Allen played soccer at Hartford Public High School, where he was the top scorer for all four years (1966-1969). He played college soccer at the University of Hartford where he broke the school scoring record as a freshman. Nunes held the scored record at U of H for 34 year until 2004, was selected First Team All-New England all four years, and was named Athlete of the Year in 1971. Nunes was the first soccer player inducted into the University of Hartford's Hall of Fame in 1991. He was drafted by the Connecticut Wildcats of the American Soccer League in 1974. He played and coached for both the Hartford Portuguese and Hartford Luso soccer teams (1969-2001) and was inducted into the Hartford Portuguese Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.
Gary Swanson
Gary played soccer at Waterford High School, where he was the all-time leading scorer and had his #10 jersey retired. He was the 1982 New London Day Player of the Year and was selected All State and All New England (1981 & 1982) and Parade Magazine All American (1982). He also played for CJSA Olympic Development Program (state) teams age 16-19. He went on to play college soccer at Boston University where he was team captain and All New England player (1985 & 1986). He scored on of the PK's in BU's victory over UConn in 1985. Swanson was chosen to play in the 1986 College Senior Bowl. He played in the LASA League with Taunton Sports and Lowell Lusitanos. He played on championship and cup winning teams with the Bridge Grille, Bridgeport Italians, Waterford Xara, Waterford Over 30's, and Southeast Rovers. He was a NESN Color Commentator for NE College Soccer which included the Big East Championship (1987-1992), St. John's University on SportsChannel NY, and the MAAC Conference Tournament Final on ESPNU. Swanson was also a Waterford Soccer Club recreation and travel team coach and board member (1995-2008) and a Southeast Premier coach (2003-2007).