The Valley Central Hall of Fame accepts inductees annually. Use this link to learn how to nominate someone for the VC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Inductees 2023
Facebook Post of the 2023 Induction
Kyle Cavanaugh, Class of 1976
Kyle Cavenaugh is a 1976 graduate of Valley Central. Kyle transferred into Valley Central as a competitive swimmer with his sights set on earning a swimming scholarship. The only problem was that in 1976 Valley Central did not have a pool. So Kyle opted to play Football and Basketball. His skills on the court and his grades in the classroom earned him a basketball scholarship to Tusculum College.
Kyle returned to Valley Central in the beginning of his career teaching special education and coaching modified soccer and basketball. After having earned two master’s degrees and an MBA, Kyle went on to hold a variety of administrative positions over the last 30 years. Kyle spent 13 years as the Vice President for Administration at Duke University.
On March 1, 2023, Kyle was named NBA President, Administration. In this role, Kyle will oversee the global facilities, information technology, security, risk management, people and inclusion, and administrative affairs of the league and its related entities. It is a pleasure to announce Kyle Cavanaugh as a 2023 Inductee to Valley Central’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Michael Rechtorovic, Class of 1995
Michael Rechtorovic was a two-sport athlete at Valley Central (Football and Wrestling). Michael was a 2-year letterman and played on conference championship team that finished and ranked top 10 in County. Michael was a Section IX Champion in the sport of wrestling. Michael placed 5th in the States at 215lbs. Michael made All-County and Section IX first team in Football. He was a part of the first Varsity Football team at VC to beat Kingston High School. He was also a part of four straight County Championship Wrestling teams and three straight Section IX Championship Wrestling teams.
Michael has been teaching and coaching for over 20 years at Williamsport High School in Maryland. He coached over 50 State placers and 14 State Champs in Wrestling with over 350 wins. In football, Michael has coached multiple teams to the State Quarterfinals and winning seasons over the years.
It is a pleasure to announce Michael Rechtorovic as a 2023 Inductee to Valley Central’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Robert Decker, Coach
Robert Decker was a 30-year coach at Valley Central from 1965-1995. He coached Football, Cross Country, Winter Track and Spring Track. Bob is credited with both creating the Winter Track program and Designing and building the Cross Country trail at Valley Central. Some of Bob’s most memorable highlights were David O’Connor winning the world record in the mile, Bobby Harjes winning in the State meet for the shot put and the many successful years coaching with Gene Martin. His most rewarding experience as a coach is being able to see many students succeed in Track and Field whether it was a State record or a personal record and having it carry over to college years! It is a pleasure to announce Robert Decker as a 2023 Inductee to Valley Central’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Drew Cook, Class of 2008
Throughout his high school career, Drew Cook played Varsity Lacrosse from 2003-2008. In his senior year, Drew and the lacrosse team compiled a 19-2 record, winning the Section IX Title. His greatest achievement was holding the title of the first All-American Lacrosse Player at Valley Central in 2008. Drew was a 2-year Captain and VC’s All-Time Leader in goals and assists. Drew currently holds 4th place with 142 goals and 4th place with 104 assists. This has Drew currently holding 2nd place with 246 career points. Drew is currently a NYFD firefighter in Harlem and has been married for one year to his wonderful wife, Ciara. It is a pleasure to announce Drew Cook as a 2023 Inductee to Valley Central’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Michael Bliss, Class of 2000
Michael Bliss was a four-sport athlete at Valley Central (Football, Basketball, Lacrosse and Track & Field). Michael was Captain of his Football, Basketball and Lacrosse teams. He was named Football MVP in his Senior year. In Basketball, he won the Camio Hills and John Walsh Awards and helped the team reach the playoffs. He also held the Lacrosse Face-off percentage school record for 3 years and became the first-ever Team Captain. In college, Mike played Football for 1 year at SUNY Cortland and Rugby for 4 years at Coastal Carolina. Mike was Valley Central’s Assistant Varsity Football coach for 15 years and Assistant Varsity Lacrosse coach for 2 years. Mike currently serves as the Recreation Coordinator for the Village of Walden and helps create sports programs for youth that feed our school sports programs. Just last year, Mike was instrumental in bringing back the largest youth wrestling tournament to Valley Central. Michael has spent his career creating opportunities for the children of Valley Central. It is a pleasure to announce Michael Bliss as a 2023 Inductee to Valley Central’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Diane (MacDowell) Conroy, Class of 2008
Diane was a three-sport Athlete at Valley Central (Softball, Soccer and Track & Field). One of Diane’s most memorable highlights was simultaneously competing in two Varsity Sports (Softball and Outdoor Track). She has fond memories of Softball journeys to Myrtle Beach and traveling to the State Track & Field competitions.
Diane is most proud of the following accomplishments:
- Track & Field–Placing 12th in NYS for Long Jump in both indoor and outdoor
- Softball–Batting a career .391 with a career .970 fielding percentage
- 3x Times Herald Record 1st team All-Star, 4th team All-State in 2007
Diane played softball for University of Albany from 2008-2012. In her Junior year in college UAlbany won the America East Conference Championship. The following Senior year, she recorded a .306 batting average with three triples, 39 runs scored and 28 stolen bases. Diane currently sits fifth with 66 career stolen bases at UAlbany.Diane is currently the co-leader for the women’s Vertical Jump with 23.5 inches. It is a pleasure to announce Diane Conroy (MacDowell) as a 2023 Inductee to Valley Central’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Maggie Cocks, 2012
Maggie Cocks was a three-sport athlete at Valley Central (Softball, Basketball and Soccer). In Softball, they won the Section IX Championship three years in a row and in her Senior year, the team made it to the State Tournament. In basketball, they won the first Section IX Championship for VC since 1993. During her Senior year in soccer, they made it out of the regular season and into the Section IX Tournament.
Maggie played Division I softball for the University at Albany where they won the America East Championship her sophomore year and traveled to Oregon for the Regional tournament. It is a pleasure to announce Maggie Cocks as a 2023 Inductee to Valley Central’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Team Induction: The 2000 Varsity Baseball Team
The 2000 Baseball Team set the school record for wins in a season with a season record of 23 wins and 5 loses. This baseball team was one of the hardest fighting teams in Valley Central history. They never gave up. Pitching, batting and fielding all came alive when needed. The 2000 baseball team’s success was a true team effort.
The team took their game all the way to the NYS Class A final. They fought a hard battle against Oceanside losing for only the 5th time all season and finishing their season in 2nd place in NYS.
The members of the 2000 Varsity Baseball Team are: Charles Belfiore, Nick DeMaro, Andrew Easemont, Justin Fowler, Joe Greaney, Bill Green, Marty Hand, Mike Krawieck, Bill McGrade, Jason Motte, Jim Owens, Kelly Sherin, Bryan Snyder, George Timke, Joe Walentin, Garrett Wasson, Reese Wasson, and Tom Weiner