(MARCH 2013) -- The 2012 class of inductees for the Rogers High School Athletic Hall of Fame has been announced by the school's Hall of Fame Committee. This year's group, the fifth to be inducted, features seven individuals and one team in this tribute to Rogers' athletes, coaches, and athletic contributors spanning the high school's 139-year history.
BOBB ANGELL -Since the early 1970's Bobb has been handling play-by-play for high school football, basketball, baseball, softball, and hockey. A 1962 graduate he has received a variety of awards including R.I. Sportscaster of the Year 7 times from the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters. Bobb was in the initial class of inductees for the City of Newport's Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He has been selected for the Words Unlimited Hall of Fame and the R.I. High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2010 Bobb was enshrined into the R.I. Radio Hall Of Fame, and this year he is also an inductee into the R. I. Interscholastic League's Hall of Fame.
JEFF BARLOW -A 1980 graduate who initially by-passed scholarships offers to serve his country in the USMC through 1984. He was a member of the '78 & '79 Class A Football State Championship teams. While at Rogers he also was a 3-time All-State Shot Putter, All New England & All-State Hurdler and 2-time All-State End in football. In 1980 he was recognized by the URI Century Club as the Male Athlete of the Year. After his military service he played football at URI and was a member of the Ô84 & Ô85 Yankee Conference Champion Football teams.
ERIN BOWLEY-HOULIHAN -This 1996 graduate lettered in basketball and tennis all four years at Rogers. She was selected All-State in both sports in 1995 & 1996. She is still holds the record as the Lady Vikings all-time leading scorer with 1,512 points. She went on to continue her basketball career at Keene State College in Keene, NH.
THORNTON "Bubba" DRUMMOND (Posthumous) -Graduated in 1946 and was considered one of the best athletes of his time. He was the Vikings top running back from 1943-1945, earning All-State honors in 1945. Bubba was also a letter recipient in basketball and track. He went on after school to have a distinguished career with the Newport Police Department as a detective and retired with the rank of Sergeant.
HENRY "Rick" HOLE (Posthumous) -This 1963 graduate is considered by many as the top football lineman ever to play at Rogers. An All-State selection in 1961 and actively recruited by college programs as a junior. Unfortunately, his football career was cut short with a back injury going into his senior year. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball from 1961-1963. Rick served as a physical education teacher in the Newport School system and coach from 1968-87 and in 1987 was named the Athletic Director at Rogers High School where he worked until his retirement in 1996. In 1996, he earned the Athletic Director of the Year Award from the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He has also been inducted into the City of Newport Sports Hall of Fame.
DAVID SIMS -A 1978 graduate was an outstanding running back and sprinter while wearing the red and black. He lettered in both sports for the Vikings from 1976-1978. David was selected as an All-State running back in '76 & '77; he was also honored as an All-State sprinter in'77 &'78. As a senior David was named the 1978 Words Unlimited Schoolboy Athlete of the Year.
KAROLYN WALSH-BOWLEY -This 1987 graduate was simply the best female runner Rogers has ever had. She is also a 2004 inductee of the Newport Sports Hall of Fame and the Rogers Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1985 Girls Cross-Country team. Karolyn was first team All-State in the 3 years she ran cross-country, finishing 1st in both her junior and senior year.
1973 BOYS TRACK TEAM -This team was coached by Rogers Hall of Famer Charlie Gibbons. It is the only Rogers team to win the State Indoor, State Outdoor and New England Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the same school year. This talented team featured multiple All-State athletes and was captained by Joe Dias, Bob Novick and Rogers Hall of Famer Phil "Tiny" Kane.
The induction ceremony will be held Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Vasco da Gama Hall - 15 Fenner Avenue - 6pm. For further information contact John Dias at (401) 862-0954 or Jim Cawley at (401)862-0635