By Denise Richardson
LAURENS _ Pat Grasso is known to many as ``Coach.''
On Monday night, the gymnasium at Laurens Central School was dedicated in his honor, and the school inducted him and six other members into its first Athletic Hall of Fame class.
``This is a very, very special night,'' said Superintendent Romona Wenck.
Grasso, who has worked for the district as a coach and driver-education teacher, has shown loyalty and fierce passion for the school and its students, she said.
``There is no greater student advocate than Pat Grasso,'' Wenck said.
More than 350 spectators filled bleachers inside the gym to observe the dedication and applaud recipients before a boys basketball game between Laurens and Milford Central School.
The newly built gym was part of a $17 million building project that also included a 13-classroom addition, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria. Wenck thanked the school board and the community for supporting the project after the district had struggled to close a $450,000 deficit.
``The Pat `Coach' Grasso Court'' is painted in bold red letters on the floor, and a sign designating the name is ready to be hung.
Grasso joined Laurens in 1957, Wenck said. He coached three sports _ football, baseball and basketball _ from 1957 to 1987, and continued coaching basketball until 1988.
He was dean of students from 1985 to 1996, Wenck said, and he has taught driver education and been athletic director since 1957.
Wenck said Grasso won the respect of players and is best remembered for his time coaching boys varsity teams.
In the atrium outside the gymnasium, Terry Bookout, basketball Tri-Valley Player of the Year in 1979, looked at memorabilia from Grasso's tenure, including a picture of him on the court with ``Coach.''
Grasso steered players to have the ``proper attitude,'' Bookout, of Mount Vision, said, and ``to give it your best and not to worry about the outcome if you give it your best.''
Grasso said the dedication and Monday's event were ``unbelievable.''
He thanked everyone for attending the ceremony, and said he was especially happy his mother, Rose, 100, of Schenectady, and his granddaughters, Lydia, 5, and Emma, 3, were present.
Grasso was the first inductee into the Laurens Athletic Hall of Fame. Other inductees were:
Dorothy ``Dot'' Marsh, for dedication to the athletic program, including volunteering and support in the Booster Club.
Robert Wikoff, class of 1960, who played football, basketball, baseball and volleyball at Laurens. He was an all-star during his junior and senior years and was the first Laurens athlete to be named a member of the Section Four Hall of Fame.
Les Bush, class of 1968, who lettered each year in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a Tri-Valley all-star in football and won Laurens athlete of the year honors in multiple years. He taught physical education and coached at Edmeston Central School.
Carolyn Varian Crosby, class of 1982, who began competing at the varsity level while in the seventh grade. She was a starting player in soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball, and she earned 20 varsity letters. A Section Four Hall of Famer, she was a Daily Star Athlete of the Year twice, among other all-star titles.
Lisa Kollgaard Bower, class of 1985, who played soccer, basketball, volleyball and softball and was a starting player in soccer, basketball, volleyball and softball and a leading scorer. She has worked professionally as an athletic trainer.
Jonathan Cook, class of 2001, who played soccer and participated in track and field and indoor track. School records he set still stand in the long jump, triple jump, shot put, triple jump relay, shot put relay, discus and pentathlon. He attended Colgate University on a full soccer scholarship, and since college has played on semi-pro teams. Locally, he has coached at the State University College at Oneonta and for the Oneonta Soccer Club.
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