Eight alums inducted into Hall of Fame

A former Olympian, a renowned political cartoonist and a mechanical engineer who worked on NASA projects were among the eight distinguished people inducted into the City School District of Albany's Hall of Fame on Homecoming weekend in October.

Members of the Class of 2011 were recognized Oct. 14 at an induction ceremony and dinner. They were honored again Oct. 15 when their names were unveiled on the Wall of Fame at Albany High School and during halftime at the Homecoming football game at Bleecker Stadium.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2009 to honor accomplished graduates and others in the community who support Albany’s public schools. Those inducted fall into at least one of three categories: alumni who excelled in their careers or through community involvement; administrators, teachers and coaches; and loyal and devoted supporters of the district.

(Pictured at right are, front row, from left, Chuck Miller, Jennifer Tanzman, Sal Villa, Don Gisotti [nephew of the late Richard Cassiano]; and back row, from left, Tracy Baskin, Dr. Benjamim  Rosen [son of the late Hy Rosen] and Greg Sokaris [son of the late Alex Sokaris].)

Members of the Class of 2011, all graduates of Albany's public schools, are:

Tracy Baskin

Albany High School ‘83

Track star and former Olympian

The late Richard Cassiano

Albany High School ‘36

Pro football player, Brooklyn Dodgers

Robert Higgins

Albany High School ‘59

Founder, chairman and CEO, Trans World Entertainment

Chuck Miller

Street Academy of Albany ‘81

Freelance writer and photographer

The late Hy Rosen

Philip Schuyler High School ‘40

Political cartoonist

The late Alex Sokaris

Albany High School ‘58

Albany High teacher, coach and football standout

Jennifer Tanzman

Albany High School ‘96

Mechanical engineer

Sal Villa

Albany High School ‘65

Deputy Commissioner, Albany Department of Youth and Workforce Services

Visit the Hall of Fame web page to read more about this year’s inductees.

Members of the public are invited and encouraged to nominate people to the Hall of Fame throughout the year. Applications for the Class of 2012 will be accepted until Feb. 1 and are available on the district website.

albanyschools.org