2011 Inaugural Inductees

Elizabeth “Liz” Berning

Sally Brubaker

Frank A. “Babe” Burch

Patricia L. Bums

Claude Byer

Robert “Bob” Chester, Sr.

Tish Chester

Randy Jenelle Givens Ellis

Ralph Forman III

Jason Fraser

Louis T. “Uncle Lou” Howard

Shelton Jones

Henry “Lonnie” Kittle

Patricia Galloway Knappe

William “Billy” Kretz

Peter J. “Pete” Pappas

John “Jack” Schmitt

Fred Williams

Elizabeth "Liz" Berning

Amityville Memorial High School Math Teacher and Athletic Contributor

After graduating from C.W. Post with a Bachelors Degree in Education, Elizabeth accepted a job teaching mathematics in Amityville. She later received a Masters Degree from Hofstra University For the next 41 years Liz not only enjoyed teaching in Amityville but learning about the varied cultures, foods, music and life styles of her students.

At AMHS, Liz coached cheerleaders, advised the yearbook staf f, was a class adviser for many classes and worked with clubs and special events. She chaired the Middle States Accreditation Committee, was math department chair and served on evaluation and teacher reorganization committees.

Liz was frequently spotted at AMHS sports events supporting the teams. A typical day for Liz was after finishing her regular teaching day go to the basketball study hall ofering extra help, and then end the day by attending an evening wrestling event. She was quoted as telling athletes, “Education is as important as athletic ability, for one would go nowhere without education.

Liz created several scholarship funds but is particularly noted for the “Fred Williams Scholarship Fund” started in memory of the late Fred ms, who is also being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. She is still actively involved in fundraising for this scholarship.

In her own life, she raised a young man from the community from the age of two. His two children are an important part of her life and live with herThe oldest is a senior at the University oAlbany, and wants to pursue a law degree. The other is in seventh grade and very involved in basketball

When honored in 2008, by UNA YO as “Educator of the Year,” Liz was described as “making a difference.” She has maintained friendships with many former students and their families. Her philosophy of life for students is to encourage them by saying, “It is yours, go out and reach for it.”

Sally Brubaker

Amityville Memorial High School Physical Education and Coach (1962-1994)

Sally wrote this note from her home in Florida:

“It is such an honor to be selected to Amityville's Athletic Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend. I have spent quite a bit of time trying to recollect dates, etc. for coaching and other activities and it is not easy. My dates may be ‘way oil’ for there was no record ever kept for the girls’ program. What I remember is that we were ‘it’ for the girls’ program. On the first day of each sports season, we got out the equipment for that season. We put it away on the last day of the season and the next day we got out the equipment for the next sport season.When Patricia Bums coached the varsity I did the JV. When I coached the varsity, Patti did the JV. That's the way it went all year long.

Until Title IX, we did all of the sports programs for, I believe, a total of $200 each for the entire year. After Title Nine we got paid for each season. Obviously we did not coach for pay! It was the most fun I could ever have had. To work with kids who wanted to be there and who loved sports the same way

I did meant everything to me. I have so many wonderful memories of the great times we had and the girls who played on our teams. They were all very special and I think of those kids often.

Sports Nite was also a wonderful program. The great thing about it was that it involved any girl who wanted to participate and most did. If you weren’ I a top athlete it didn’ t matter because you could work on decorations, or costumes or songs. It took a lot of time and gym space and when the sports seasons got longer, Sports Nite got pushed aside. It was a good program and I sometimes wish it had not ended.

I served as President of the Suffolk County Women's Athletic Association, Volleyball and Basketball Chairman for the S.C. Board ofWomen Officials. I was a nationally ranked oficial for both basketball and volleyball, and was a member of the state committee for Girl's Athletic Activities.

When I retired in 1994, I stayed in Amityville until 2001, when I moved to central Florida. I love playing golf and since I could not play in the snow, I decided it was time to move south. I still play 2 or 3 times a week, not as well as I used to, but I still try I also love gardening and spending time with my family, all of whom live in Florida.

I thank you for the honor and wish you the very best.”

Sally coached JV Field Hockey, Varsity Volleyball, JV Basketball, Varsity Softball and Varsity Tennis and was the Cheerleading Advisor.

Patricia L. Burns

Amityville Memorial High School Physical Education and Coach (1962-1991)

Patricia wrote this note from her home in Florida:

“I am honored to be selected to the inaugural class of the Amityville High School Sports Hall of Fame. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the events on October 14 and 15. I am including a brief summary of my recollections of the girls' sports program from 1962 through 1991, when I retired.

I came toAmityville in the fall of 1962 after having graduated from Slippery Rocktâte College in 1958. I taught physical education in Pennsylvania for four years before coming to Amityville.

At that time the sports program for the girls of AMHS consisted of an extensive intramural program, interclass competition, and a brief extramural schedule (4 or so games), culminating in a single day sports tournament where the winner was awarded a banner.

The enactment of federal law Title IX in 1972 brought great changes in girl sports. Interscholastic sports grew by leaps and bounds. In a few years, schedules increased from 4 or 6 to 12 or 18 games. Practices were held on a daily basis and the intramural programs were pushed aside. A playoff system was established on the local and state level. It was an exciting time for girl sports.

Unfortunately as all of this was going on, we lacked the foresight to keep detailed records. I know we were particularly successful in basketball, but while I remember the players, I cannot remember the specific championships we won.

As the length of the seasons increased, I gradually had to relinquish coaching so many sports. For a good twenty years or more, Sally Brubaker and I coached all of the girls' sports that existed. I consider those years as the most enjoyable I had at AMHS.”

Patricia coached Varsity Field Hockey (winning a banner in 1963), Varsity Basketball (championships in 71 and 72), JV Softball, and JV Volleyball. She was president of Section XI of NYS Public High School Athletic Association 1989-90 and President of SC Board of Women Officials as well as President of SC Girls' Athletic Association.

Frank A. "Babe" Burch

Class of 1929

Frank was born in Amityville. At Amityville High School he excelled in basketball and football. He was awarded the gold football, as well as the gold basketball. He was elected Captain of the Amityville High School Basketball Team in ’28 and ’29, and was the leading scorer The team won the Western Suffolk Championship in 1927. He was awarded his varsity letter in 1928. Frank played at the P Interscholastic Basketball Tournament at the University of Pennsylvania on March 29, 1929. He was also a player with the East-West All Star Basketball team.

Frank was a star player on the first Amityville High School varsity football team in 1927.

He married Gladys (Scaefer) in 1932 and was the father of four daughters and one son. He worked most of his life as a mailman in theAmityville Post Office and was later employed by theTown of Babylon. He was a member ofAmityville Fire Department, Hose Company #4 where he served as Assistant Lieutenant. He later moved to Copiague and joined the Copiague Fire Department serving on the Board of Fire Commissioners. He was an active member of the both departments running team.

After high school Frank played on thRmityville Village Lone Stars Basketball Team where he led the team in individual scoring. He also played for the “Bear Cats” theAmityville village football team.

Frank was proudly nominated to the Amityville High School Sports Hall of Fame by his daughter Martha Peterson.