Printer Friendly Version - Branford Sports Hall of Fame Honors 11 Inductees at 31st Annual Dinner

The Branford Sports Hall of Fame inducted 11 new members at its 31st annual dinner that took place at Woodwinds on Nov. 16. Pictured are (front) Frank Barron; (first row) Gary Gravina, Tahari James Castilla, Frank Forgione, and Brian Sager; (middle row) David DeLise (accepting for the late Philip DeLise), Caitlin Cahow, and Craig Kenney; (back row) Scott Torello, Paul Rowan, and Rachel Chamberlain. Photo courtesy of Bill O’Brien

The Branford Sports Hall of Fame inducted 11 individuals who brought honor and distinction to the town of Branford when it held its 31st annual dinner at Woodwinds on Nov. 16. The new inductees to the Hall of Fame are Frank Barron, Caitlin Cahow, Tahari James Castilla, Rachel Chamberlain, Philip DeLise, Frank Forgione, Gray Gravina, Craig Kenney, Paul Rowan, Brian Sager, and Scott Torello.

Frank Barron came to Branford in 2000 to help start a varsity boys’ lacrosse program at the high school. Later, he also became one of the founders of the Branford Youth Lacrosse program. Before coming to Branford, Barron had a 33-year career at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, where was a teacher and also coached football and lacrosse. Barron was part of 375 victories during his career. In 2003, he helped guide the Hornets’ boys’ lacrosse squad to the state title.

Growing up in Short Beach, Caitlin Cahow’s interest in ice hockey started at an early age. Cahow’s desire to excel at the game she loved led her to her playing ice hockey in prep school and later at Harvard University for four years. She became a member of the United States Olympic women’s ice hockey team, helping the U.S. win a bronze medal in 2006 and a silver medal in 2010. Cahow is now a practicing attorney living in Chicago.

Tahari James Castilla was one of the finest track stars in Branford history. In 2004, she broke the state record in the long jump with a leap of 19 feet-9 inches. By the time she graduated that year, James owned school records in the 400, the long jump, and the triple jump. She later excelled at Boston University, earning All-America Division I honors three times. James now lives in Atlanta.

A 2006 graduate of Branford High School, Rachel Chamberlain was the starting goalie for the Hornets’ field hockey team for three straight years. During her tenure, Chamberlain recorded 36 shutouts in goal while helping Branford achieve a record of 50-6-2-1 and win two state championships. She earned All-State honors in field hockey, as well as for the discus and shot put in track. Chamberlain later played field hockey at Providence College.

Philip DeLise was an advocate for education and athletics in the town he loved. As the principal of Branford High School, DeLise often attended sporting events to support the town’s teams and players. He was also instrumental in securing financial support for the town’s American Legion baseball team and the Branford Junior Football team. DeLise passed away in 2016.

Frank Forgione grew up playing many youth sports in Branford. He later attended the Hopkins School in New Haven, graduating in 1975. Forgione was awarded 12 varsity letters between hockey, baseball, and football, in addition to being named a Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation. He later attended Amherst College, where he played baseball for four years. Forgione has been the Judge of Probate for Branford-North Branford since 2011.

Gary Gravina is a native of Walpole, Massachusetts, where he was an All-State tackle in 1979 and 1980. Gravina later attended the University of Connecticut, lettering in football for two years. Gravina served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame-Fairfield, Amity, and Branford between 1988 to 2001, after which he became the head coach of the Branford football team in 2002. Gravina guided the Hornets to the Class MM state title in 2005.

One of the most intense athletes to ever play at Branford, Craig Kenney earned 11 letters while competing for the Hornets’ football, basketball, baseball, and track teams. By the time he graduated in 2005, Kenney was one of the most decorated athletes in Branford High School history. He went on to excel in football at Northeastern University. In 2013, Kenney became the proprietor of Branford CrossFit.

Paul Rowan earned a bachelor’s degree at Central Connecticut State University and a master’s degree at Indiana University. He then began 34-year teaching career at Branford. Rowan recognized the need for another fall sport, and so he organized the boys’ soccer team in 1968. He coached the team until retiring in 1985. Rowan led the Hornets to the Housatonic League championship in 1976.

A 1998 graduate of Branford High School, Brian Sager’s stellar pitching earned him All-State honors in his junior and senior years. He was named a 1998 preseason Prep All-American by Collegiate Baseball and later named the 1998 Gatorade Connecticut High School Player of the Year after leading the Hornets to the Class L state championship. Sager went on to attend Stanford University and Georgia Tech.

Scott Torello is a 1991 graduate of Branford High School, where he ranks in the top 10 in all-time scoring for the boys’ basketball team with 991 career points. In his three years as a starter for the Hornets, Torello led the team in points scored, assists, rebounds, and blocked shots. Torello intended to play basketball at Fairfield University, but a torn patella tendon led to his decision to forgo playing in college.