Barrington High School and the Barrington Booster Club honored the the eighth class of inductees into the Barrington High School Athletic Hall of Fame at an awards dinner held recently at the Rhode Island Country Club. The thirteen inductees, including eight athletes, two teams, a coach, an administrator and a contributor, are as follows:

Julie (Ruggieri) Boynton - Class of 2007

One of just a few female athletes in BHS history to be named The Providence Journal Rhode Island Honor Roll Girl Athlete of the Year and RIIL Female Student-Athlete of the Year, Julie captained the field hockey, basketball and lacrosse teams to State Championships her senior year and was named Tournament MVP and/or selected to the All Tournament team in each sport. For her efforts she earned First Team All-State and All-American Honors in Lacrosse and First Team All-State and North Region All-American honors in field hockey. During Julie’s high school career, she was part of four State Championships in lacrosse, two in field hockey and one in basketball and was a four-time First Team All-State selection as a center (midfield) in lacrosse, a three-time First Team All-State selection as a center midfield in field hockey and a Second Team All-Division forward in basketball. She especially dominated in field hockey, leading the state in scoring her junior (51 pts.) and senior (59 pts.) seasons. Julie continued playing field hockey at Providence College where she was named Big East First Team and First Team All-Northeast Region her senior year.

Joseph “Spider” Caito - Class of 1955

Although a four-sport athlete, Joe's talents were really on display while running cross country under Coach Ainsworth, a former BHS HOF inductee, and playing guard on the basketball team led by Coach Rasmussen. Joe helped the cross country team to three State Championships from 1952-1954, earning All-Class honors in 1952 and First Team All-State in 1953 and 1954. In the New England Cross Country Championships, he placed sixth his junior year and the team placed seventh. On the hardcourt, he was named captain his senior year and was the second leading scorer behind BHS Hall of Famer, Ray Locke. Joe and Ray led their team to the first Class C Championship win since 1936 and Joe was named First Team All-Class and Second Team All-State. In the spring, Joe enjoyed success on the diamond under Coach Biber, starting all four years at third base and pitcher and captained the team during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Joe rounded out his high school career by playing defensive back on the football team.

Matthew Coffey - Class of 2004

A bruising running back and linebacker on the gridiron, Matt earned Second Team All-Division honors at running back his junior year and First Team All-State and All-Division accolades for his senior season. He led his team to a Division II Super Bowl win that year, gaining 134 yards on 28 carries and scoring two touchdowns. For Matt's efforts, he was named Running Back of the Year and MVP by the Providence Gridiron Club,  received the USMA Distinguished Athlete Award and was selected to the RI Governor’s Cup team which played an all-star team from Connecticut. On the diamond, he helped his team win the Class B State Championship while patrolling centerfield his junior year and was selected Second Team All-Class B. Matt continued to impress his senior season and was selected First Team All-Class B. He also ran indoor track was a member of the swim team, placing 8th in the 100 Breaststroke and 7th in the 200 Medley Relay at the State Meet his senior year. Matt went on to play football at Bridgton Academy and Becker College.

Scott Douglas - Class of 1986

Arguably the most dominant soccer player in Rhode Island during the mid-1980s, Scott started to make his name on the pitch his sophomore year when he scored 15 goals and was named First Team All-Division and Second Team All-State. His junior year, he led the team to a State Championship win, scoring 20 goals and receiving First Team All-Division, 1st Team All-State, All-New England and 3rd Team All-American. For an encore his senior year, Scott captained the team and scored 28 goals while winning another State Championship. Scott was selected MVP of the tournament and First Team All-Division, First Team All-State, All-New England and First Team All-American. By the time Scott graduated, he held the BHS boys soccer all-time goal scoring record. Following high school, Scott had a successful college career at University of Maine and University of Rhode Island, being named All-Maine and All-New England. He later played semi pro in the LASA League and then embarked on a distinguished coaching career in the East Greenwich area. Scott was inducted into the Rhode Island High School Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame as both a player and coach in 2014.

Drew Harker - Class of 2004

After starting as a midfielder on the Eagles' soccer team his sophomore year, a significant hip injury accelerated Drew's complete transition to golf. More lessons with mentor and local pro, Kyle Phelps, soon paid off as he helped his team win the State Championship that spring while earning Second Team All-State honors. Drew was named captain his junior and senior years and led his team to two more State Championship wins, receiving First Team All-State for his efforts both years. The pinnacle of his high school career was winning the RIIL Individual Golf Champion his senior year after coming up short on the back 9 his junior campaign. Drew played consistently on the US Challenge Cup and RIGA golf circuits throughout high school, winning the 2007 RIGA Four-Ball Championship with partner David McAndrew (also inducted in the BHS HOF). A Third Team DIII PING All-American and First Team All-Conference (UAA) selection at Emory University, Drew was captain and selected to the All-American Scholars team his senior year.

Kelly (McAndrew) Hogan - Class of 2000

A four sport athlete, Kelly was particularly in her element on the tennis court where she earned First Team All-State and All-Division honors as a freshman, leading her team to a State Championship win playing #1 singles. She captained the team her sophomore and junior years and once again received First Team All-State and All-Division recognition. Kelly was in line to be just the fifth Rhode Island high school female athlete at the time to be named First Team All-State four consecutive years if not for a labrum injury that precluded her from competing her senior season. She also was a shooting guard on the basketball team for three years and co-captain her senior year, ran the 400 in track and helped start the Girls' Lacrosse Club before it was a RIIL-sanctioned sport. Kelly continued her tennis career as a four-year starter at Villanova University, playing both singles and doubles. She was named co-captain her senior year and compiled a singles record of 23-4 that season.

Bradley “Brad” Holtz - Class of 2005

The best pole vaulter to ever compete at BHS, Brad also displayed some “hops” throughout his track & field career with the Eagles. He was selected First Team All-Division, First Team All-Class and First Team All-State during his high school career in the pole vault until injury derailed his senior outdoor season in 2005. A State Champion in the pole vault, Brad smashed the state outdoor record in 2004 with a height of 15’-6" which still stands today and was the state indoor record holder and New England Pole Vault Champion with a height of 15’-9”. In addition to the pole vault, he was All-Division and All-Class in the 60-meter high hurdles his sophomore and junior years and earned All-Division honors in the long jump and triple jump during his freshman campaign. Brad was also the Rhode Island State Jumpers Pentathlon Champion (high jump, long jump, triple jump, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles) his sophomore year and the Freshman State Indoor High Jump Champion. Brad went on to be a four-year NCAA Division 1 qualifier in the pole vault for the University of Tennessee and helped the Volunteers win the SEC Track & Field Championship in 2007.

David McAndrew - Class of 2006

A four year starter on the BHS golf team, David’s freshman year culminated with a State Championship, First Team All-Division honors and a New England Junior Golf Championship title. During his sophomore campaign he was an instrumental part of a team that enjoyed an undefeated season and won another State Championship. David topped that year off with a second place finish in the United States Junior Golf World Series. During his junior and senior seasons he was selected First Team All-State and All-Division and led the team to a third straight State Championship win. David also was a shooting guard on the BHS basketball team as a junior and senior and co-captain his senior year. He went on to play #1 on the Stetson University golf team for all four years. David qualified for the US Amateur National Championship his freshman year, earned the Atlantic Sun Conference’s All-Academic award his sophomore year and set the Stetson record for lowest season scoring of 73.2 strokes per round his senior year. David was also the RI State Junior Golf Champion in 2008, shooting the lowest score in the 103 history of the tournament at the time.

Boys Basketball Team - 1963

During what many call the golden age of basketball at BHS, the 1963 team soared to great heights. Under the direction of coach Phil Coen, the offensive juggernaut scored an average of 73 points per game to post a 13-1 record in the league and 19-2 overall. The team employed a stingy defensive as well, holding opponents to a 50 point per game average on their way to the Eastern Division Championship and Class C State Championship titles. The strength of the team rested in the teamwork of its rotating sextet of starters, Joe DeSisto, Pat Monti, Mike Raffa, Bill Reynolds, Jay Sarles and Steve Tilander. The Eagles' dream season eventually came to an end, losing to Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals at the State Tournament. Raffa, Reynolds and Sarles went on to play basketball and serve as team captain for Barrington College, Brown University and Amherst College, respectively.   

Boys Basketball Team - 2001

After falling to Lincoln in the state semifinals the year before, the 2001 basketball teams and its 11 seniors were on a mission. Led by the scoring of J.P. Corry, who averaged 17 points, the Eagles were undefeated (18-0) within its division, posted a 26-1 overall record (only lose was an injury fund game) and won the school’s first Class B State Championship in basketball since 1982. For the final game the entire team shaved their heads and the bald Eagles won in a romp over Narragansett, 63-37. Corry was named Player of the Game with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals while Fran Murray, the team's leading rebounder, was named MVP of the tournament. Said John Gray, Principal of BHS at the time, “The team’s sportsmanship, camaraderie and ability to keep everything in perspective as they played the game were outstanding." Corry and Murray went on to play together at Skidmore College.

John “Sandy” Gorham - Coach

Ever since Coach Gorham started his coaching career at BHS with the freshman football team in 1974, he has displayed a passion for helping students achieve success in their athletic pursuits, in the classroom and in life. He led the BHS combined boys and girls swim team until 1990, winning four State Championships and eight Division 1 Championships as well as producing the only All-American Relay team in RI history (inducted into the BHS HOF). Since 2013, Sandy has coached both the boys and the girls swim teams, leading the girls to eight straight State Cahmpionship titles and the boys to seven runner-up finishes until beating perennial powerhouse Bishop Hendricken this past winter to capture the State Championship for the first time since 1989. He is also the head football and softball coach for the Eagles and led his teams to a Super Bowl win in 2020 and a Division II State Championship on the diamond in 2018. He has been named Rhode Island Division 1 Football Coach of the Year four times. Sandy is a member of the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame, the Rhode Island Football Coaches Hall of Fame, the Providence Gridiron Hall of Fame and the East Providence High School Hall of Fame. 

Joseph Hurley - Administrator

Joe has served as the principal at BHS since 2009 after previously working at the school as assistant principal for ten years. His leadership, integrity and character has reinforced the legacy of achievement at BHS, whether it be academics or athletics. More than 50 State Championships and over 100 Division and Class Championships have been won to-date while Joe has held the reins. He has served on the Principal’s Committee on Athletics, the RIIL Boys and Girls Lacrosse Committees and was the Rhode Island Representative on the New England Association of Schools and College Board of Commissioners. In 2019, Joe was named RIIAAA Administrator of the Year after being selected Rhode Island Secondary Principal of the Year in 2018. Joe was also recognized with The Jacob Ludes III Leadership Award by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) for outstanding leadership.

1960 Field Hockey Team - Contributor

The foundation for all women sports at BHS, this group of field hockey players coached by BHS Hall of Famer Ellie Lemaire formed the first public school girls varsity team in the state. Thanks in part to an enthusiastic group of trailblazers who were eager to learn the game and their mothers (and fathers) who advocated for an equal opportunity for their daughters, today the RIIL enjoys a thriving athletic program for girls across the state. While just being able to play was truly the most important win that season, the team ended the year with a successful 5-2 record, topping prep schools Lincoln and Wheeler, among others.

Nominations for the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame were requested from the public this past summer and fall and the Hall of Fame Committee reviewed the completed nomination forms and made its final selections in December, 2021.