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Editor’s Note: The Winchester Black and Red were known as the Sachems at the time the Hall of Fame inductees played for their respective high school teams, which is why they are being referred as Sachems in this story.
The Winchester Sports Foundation Hall of Fame dinner, where five new faces will be ushered into the town’s sports history, is edging ever closer. Take a minute and meet the athletes and coach who will be honored on Sept. 22 as described by the Winchester Sports Foundation Hall of Fame organizers:
Courtney Tavener — 2008
Courtney Tavener had an exemplary athletic career at Winchester High School. She was awarded seven varsity letters and elected a captain for both field hockey and lacrosse. She is remembered by teammates and coaches as a leader on and off the field.
Tavener’s high school field hockey career was nothing short of extraordinary. At the time of her graduation, she was the program’s all-time leading scorer with 55 goals and 36 assists, a record that stood for 13 years.
Starting every game in her varsity career, Tavener’s four seasons were marked by record-setting performances and numerous accolades. She earned a spot on the Middlesex League All-Star team all four years and was named 2007 Middlesex League MVP, Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-scholastic honors, as well as the Daily Times Player of the Year.
Tavener’s leadership qualities were recognized when she served as captain during her senior year. She played a pivotal role in the team’s historic win for the program’s first-ever Division 2 North Championship title, scoring the winning goal in overtime. Tavener’s outstanding performance earned her a spot on the Massachusetts All-Senior team and a place at the U.S. Junior National Camp, where she competed at the Junior Olympics for three consecutive years.
But that’s not all — Tavener also excelled on the lacrosse field. The pinnacle of her high school lacrosse career was reached in her senior year when she captained the team to a state title, contributing significantly to the squad’s second consecutive undefeated season with an impressive 23-0 record in 2008. This remarkable accomplishment was preceded by another triumph in the Middlesex League, setting the stage for the team’s historic win in the State Championship game in 2008.
Tavener’s leadership, skill, and instrumental contributions to these achievements solidify her as a standout athlete in high school lacrosse.
For her exceptional skill, leadership, dedication and achievements, Winchester Sports Foundation is proud to induct Courtney Tavener to the Winchester Sports Hall of Fame.
Steve MacDonald — 1983
Steve MacDonald was a three-sport standout during his years at Winchester High School. A 1983 graduate, he earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball.
In the fall of 1981, MacDonald was a starting defensive back on the Middlesex League Champion football team. Later in his senior year, MacDonald was a captain and starting pitcher for the Middlesex League Champion baseball team, a team that made it all the way to the state finals.
MacDonald was a three-year starter for the baseball team, starting in both the infield and outfield. It was as a starting pitcher that he left his mark with the Sachems.
In both his sophomore and junior seasons, he was the number two starter in the rotation. In the spring of 1983, he moved into the number one spot and had a season for the ages. MacDonald posted an impressive 10-2 record with an incredible ERA of under 1 run per game.
He was the winning pitcher in the Division 2 North Sectional Championship game. At the end of the season, MacDonald was named a first team Middlesex League All-Star and was the MVP of the 1983 Winchester team. This historic team was inducted into the Winchester Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
A successful multi-sport athlete, MacDonald made major contributions to league championship teams in two different sports.
During his junior year, he helped Winchester High School win the prestigious Dalton Award, recognizing outstanding Varsity Sports Achievement. With classmate Maria Montouri (WHS ‘83/HOF’94), he was recognized in the senior superlatives as “Most Athletic” in his class.
For his multi-sport contributions and his exemplary baseball career, Winchester Sports Foundation is proud to induct Steve MacDonald to the Winchester Sports Hall of Fame.
Frank Fodera Jr. — 1997
Frank Fodera Jr. is not only one of the greatest wrestlers in Winchester High School history, he is also among the greatest in the history of New England wrestling.
A member of the WHS varsity team from 1993-1997, Fodera attained unparalleled individual success while leading the program to some of its most memorable team achievements.
Beginning his career as a freshman in the heavyweight division, Fodera compiled a career record of 157-12, capped off by a perfect 50-0 record as a senior. During his four-year career, the Sachems posted a team record of 66-4, winning four Middlesex League Titles, two Sectional Titles, and the program’s first State Championship in 1995.
Fodera’s individual achievements are beyond impressive. He was a four-time Middlesex League Champion, two-time Sectional Champion, two-time Division 2 State Champion, 1996 Lowell Holiday Tournament Champion, a two-time Globe and Herald All-Scholastic, and a two-time All-State Champion. In 1997, in addition to being undefeated, Fodera was the New England Champion, an All-American, and The Boston Globe Wrestler of the Year.
In addition to having the most decorated wrestling career in the history of Winchester High School, Fodera was also a standout football player for the Sachems. He was a three-year starter at fullback and linebacker. He was All-Middlesex League as a senior and named the Carole Classic All-Star Game Defensive MVP after his senior season.
For his unmatched achievements on the wrestling mat and his outstanding career on the gridiron, the Winchester Sports Foundation is proud to induct Frank Fodera Jr. to the Winchester Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.
John Pirani — Coach
John Pirani is one of the greatest high school lacrosse coaches in Massachusetts history. He led his teams to great success on the field, while positively influencing hundreds of young men during their playing days and beyond. Everyone who played for Pirani can attest to his commitment to excellence, his unmatched ability to turn a phrase, and his passion for fairness and doing things the right way.
The ultimate motivator, as head lacrosse coach at WHS from 1989-2019, Pirani’s teams posted an impressive 445 wins and only 167 losses, a winning percentage of 73%. He led the Sachems to three State Championships (1999, 2000, 2019), three Eastern Massachusetts Championships, 15 league titles and made a combined 16 trips to the EMASS quarterfinals, semifinals, or finals.
Along the way, Pirani was named Massachusetts Coach of the Year three times and was elected to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, New England Chapter in 2001.
A player himself on the very first lacrosse team ever assembled at Winchester High School, Pirani had the privilege to coach many outstanding players. These included countless league all-stars, All Scholastics, and future college players. This prestigious list also includes 23 All-Americans.
Many will remember Pirani for his years as an assistant football coach for the Sachems. He coached football at Winchester High School for more than two decades, leaving a lasting impression on all he coached and winning Super Bowl Rings in both 1986 and 1990.
Pirani’s influence is still felt on the sidelines today. In a great testament to his legacy, many of the men and women currently coaching or teaching in the Winchester school system are quick to cite him as a mentor and proud to call him a friend.
For the outstanding and numerous contributions made during a more than five-decade relationship with Winchester High School, as an athlete, coach, and educator, Winchester Sports Foundation is very proud to induct Coach John Pirani into the Winchester Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.
Also on tap to be recognized for his efforts is Contributor Award winner, Bill Dowlings who is being honored scoring boys lacrosse.
Can I still go to the dinner?
The Hall of Fame Dinner will be held Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Burlington Marriott and it’s not too late to make plans to attend. Tickets are $55 each and can be purchased here.
Doors open at 5 p.m., giving event goers an hour to catch up with old friends and eat and drink before the presentation starts at 6 p.m.
Event Co-Chair John Fleming said there would also be time post presentation for people to mingle as well.
The event is open to everyone and particularly those who have a connection to the athletes or Pirani or Dowlings and promises to be, what Fleming called, an “exciting time.”
