JOHNSON, VT. – Four individuals and one team were inducted into the Johnson State College Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday night in a ceremony held in the Stearns Performance Space on the campus of Johnson State College. The induction class of 2016 included Gail Favreau '91, Billy Noyes '11, Frank Ponte '06, Casey Rusin '09, and the 1979 Men's Ski Team.
"Congratulations to our inductees tonight as you will forever have your mark identified in the Johnson State College Hall of Fame," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Jamey Ventura in his closing remarks at the banquet. "Thank you again for making this a wonderful night by coming back and sharing your stories. We wish you nothing but future successes and hope you will continue sharing your JSC pride and leaving your mark."
2016 Johnson State College Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees:
Gail Favreau '91
During her time at Johnson State, Gail Favreau was a four-year member of the cross country team. Favreau enjoyed a decorated career for the Badgers, receiving multiple awards and recognitions for running. In her time at Johnson, Favreau and the Badgers won the NAIA New England Championship three times and competed in the NAIA District 5 Championship all four years, winning in 1989. In her rookie year, Favreau was named to the NAIA All District 5 Team and competed at Nationals in 1988. In 1990, Favreau finished 4th at the Vermont State Race, the highest a Johnson runner had ever finished. Following her senior season, Favreau, a two-year captain, received the Richard E. Anderson award for athletic and academic excellence, as well as great conduct on and off the playing surface. She was also named to the NAIA All New England Team and received the team's Most Valuable Player award. Off the trail, Favreau was a Hotel Hospitality Management Major. Favreau has continued to race since graduating, participating in triathlons and marathons. Favreau currently resides in Massachusetts, where she works as an Executive Director for the American Liver Foundation's New England Division.
Billy Noyes '11
Billy Noyes' impact on Johnson athletics lives on in the Johnson men's lacrosse record books, as he is currently the all-time leader in career points (172) and assists (67), second all-time in goals (105), and fourth all-time in groundballs (166). Noyes also earned North Atlantic Conference (NAC) First Team honors in 2008 and 2009 and was an honorable mention in 2007. Noyes was a member of the golf team at Johnson for three seasons, playing under Coach Lou Jarvis. As a student at Johnson, Noyes was a Business Management Major. Noyes currently resides in Avon, Colorado, where he works for Boston Beer Company, covering their Rocky Mountain territory.
Frank Ponte '06
Frank Ponte is one of the most accomplished men's basketball players in Johnson State College history, ranking in the top five of numerous all-time statistical categories. Ponte ranks fifth all-time in points (1489), third all-time in rebounds (563), and third all-time in field goals made (598). Ponte was named to the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) First Team in 2006, becoming the first Badger to earn that honor. He also earned a NAC Honorable Mention in 2004. Ponte has continued his involvement in basketball since his time at Johnson, coaching youth basketball and playing in recreational leagues. Ponte, a Business Management Major at Johnson, currently lives in Connecticut, where he is a sales representative for Brescome Barton. He has been recognized as Rookie Sales Representative of the Year and is a two-time Zone Sales Representative of the year.
Casey Rusin '09
Casey Rusin was an accomplished two-sport student-athlete at Johnson, participating in soccer and basketball. Rusin is one of the most successful players to step onto the soccer pitch for Johnson State ranking first in numerous career statistical categories including most points (103), goals (43), and games (70) all-time. She also holds the record for most points (12) and goals (5) in a single game. Rusin ranks second all-time in assists (17), and earned North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Honorable Mention in 2006 and 2007. Rusin was also a successful basketball player, ranking ninth all-time in points (836), sixth in assists (209), and fourth in 3-point field goals made (119). As a student, Rusin was an Anthropology and Sociology Major and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Rusin currently lives in South Burlington, Vermont where she works at MoveWell Spine & Sport.
1979 Men's Ski Team
In the winter of 1979, the Johnson State College Men's ski team capped a stellar race season by winning the Division II Championship at the Norwich University Invitational. Both skiers and jumpers came through for Johnson on this day in February of 1979. The giant slalom race was dominated by Johnson skiers, with Dave Vanderzee in second, Steve Hardy in third and Tim Littlefield in 4th. Johnson skiers took the top spot in the individual cross country race, led by Larry Martell, followed by Steve Hayes in second, and Peter Albright, Eric Smith and Peter Fernett all rounding out spots in the top ten. In the slalom and jumping events, Johnson held its ground and placed well enough for the team to beat out all ten teams and win the 1979 championship with a combined score of 274 points, just ahead of Norwich and Cornell who both had 271.5 points. The team was coached by Rob Broadfoot, who trained and led the skiers on and off the hill. This group of alpine and nordic athletes were all serious and committed racers, with many of them competing at the national level and other race series outside the college circuit. In the mid 70's, the nordic skiers had been groomed and trained by Jim Fredericks '73, who helped develop the athletes and the nordic program. Every member of the 1979 ski team played a crucial role in the team's success, with each athlete supporting their teammates in training and at meets. Many members of the '79 team remain involved in skiing following their time at Johnson.