Avon HS Sports Legends Honored At 2025 Hall-Of-Fame Event

Avon Falcons Athletic Hall of Fame

AVON, CT — Six athletes, two coaches, and one team were inducted into The Avon Falcons Athletic Hall of Fame at a special ceremony on May 2 at the Golf Club of Avon.

The inductees join three prior classes of outstanding athletes honored since the organization was founded in 2022.

This 2025 class spans five decades at Avon High School, reflects 10 different sports, and represents accomplishments including all-conference, all-state, all-New England, and all-American awards, as well as many team and individual state championships.

Some of the honorees went on to play at the collegiate and semi-professional level, and most have continued their athletic lives through coaching and adult-league play.

They have carried their drive and discipline into leadership roles in the military, Fortune 500 business, law enforcement, and health care.

The athletes selected and inducted into this year’s Falcons Hall of Fame are:

· Brian Brown (Class of 1989 | Soccer)

· Brian Dubiel (Class of 2002 | Football, Wrestling, Lacrosse)

· James Eacott (Class of 1966 | Football, Basketball, Track)

· Richard Hadden (Boys Basketball Coach, 1974-1977 and Girls XC Coach, 1983-1987)

· Shara McNeill (Class of 2002 | Soccer, Track, Golf)

· Tara Morris Piper (Class of 1992 | Field Hockey, Track)

· Jillian Strassner Reardon (Class of 2009 | Soccer, Swimming, Track)

· James Taft (Basketball Coach, 1978-2003, and PE Instructor)

· The 1982 Wrestling Team (Bill Devin, Dave Drago, Peter Feldman, Phil Foster, John Gagliardo, Rich
Hernandez, Eric Johansen, Randy Levesque, Bill Lohman, Paul McGuinness, Matt Milewski, Peter
Weiblen, and Coach Bill Riccio).

In their acceptance speeches, the inductees thanked their families and friends, and affectionately
recalled coaches who were like second parents and teammates who became brothers and sisters.

They reflected back on the joys of growing up in Avon and the life lessons learned through Falcon sports.

If anyone would like to suggest a future inductee, they can nominate them via the Avon Falcons Athletic Hall of Fame website, www.avonfalconshalloffame.com. Those interested in joining the hall of fame committee can apply by emailing the committee chairperson, Susan Rietano Davey, at srietano@gmail.com.