Senior Athletic Awards

Each year, Saratoga Springs High School hosts an awards ceremony for senior student-athletes.  Descriptions for the awards are included below.

Dottie Pepper Achievement Award 

A golfing legend at Saratoga Springs High School who graduated in 1983, Ms. Pepper is the winner of 17 championships on the LPGA Tour (thirtieth most in LPGA history). Her wins include two majors (Nabisco Dinah Shore, 1992 and 1999, with a 19-under par score – the lowest in LPGA history – in the latter). She was an LPGA Player of the Year, Vare Trophy winner, and money winnings leader in 1992, and finished in the top 10 ten times from 1991 to 2001. Ms. Pepper was named All-American three times at Furman University and was a standout on Saratoga’s golf team beginning in eighth grade. She won the New York State Amateur (1981) and New York Junior Amateur (1981 and 1983) titles, was a member of the 1981 Junior World Cup team and was low amateur at the 1984 U.S. Women’s Open. 

Damian Fantauzzi Basketball Award

Damian Fantauzzi was an art teacher and coach for Saratoga Springs High School for 34 years. Fantauzzi coached many levels of sports including: 

• Varsity and JV boys’ basketball – 19 years (varsity:184 wins/123 losses) 
• Girls’ varsity basketball – 8 years (80 wins/82 losses) 
• Girls’ modified basketball – 2 years (26 wins/2 losses) 
• JV tennis – 22 years 
• Boys’ varsity tennis – 12 years (132 wins/48 losses) 
• Track – 17 years 

His accomplishments include: 

• Named Coach of the Year for the Suburban Council in 1997 and 2001. 
• Named to Junior College Adirondack All State 5th team. 
• All League Western B Conference 1962 Mechanicville High Basketball scholarship to New Mexico Highlands Cowboy University. 
• Won Foothills JV League in 1974-1975, 1975-1976, 1977-1978, 1979-1980. 
• Won Foothills Varsity League in 1996-1997. 

Before becoming a teacher and coach, Fantauzzi played Junior College ball at Adirondack and averaged 21 points a game. He then played at New Mexico Highlands (NAIA school) and averaged 10 points a game. He tried out with the Denver Rockets of the old ABA. He played one year semipro with the Schafer Brewers. 

Greg Greve Memorial Award (Track)

 

Mike Beach Memorial Award

Mike Beach, class of 1979, participated in football, basketball, and baseball at Saratoga Springs High School. His accomplishments include: 

• Team captain, Most Valuable Player, and key players on the undefeated 
• Foothills Conference championship football team 
• Named to the First Team All-League, All-Area, and All-State in football. 
• Named to the First Team All-League and All-Area in basketball. 
• Named to the First Team All-League and All-Area in baseball. The team was the Section 2 runner-up. 
• He received the 1979 Booster Club Award, the highest award given at the end of year. 

Beach accepted a baseball scholarship to Stetson College and then became a Saratoga Springs Firefighter. Beach passed away in May 2006 and there is a scholarship award given each year in his honor and memory. 

Doug Leininger Outstanding Athlete Award (Soccer) 

Coach Leininger was a part of numerous sports programs over the years at SSHS. Coach Leininger started the soccer program at Schuylerville High School and after that, he started the Girls Soccer program here in Saratoga Springs with a JV team in 1980. Over his career, Doug spent 5 years with the girls’ soccer program, 6 years with girls’ basketball, 12 years with boys’ basketball, 4 years with softball, 7 years with girl’s indoor track, and 19 seasons with girl’s outdoor track. Coach Leininger was a constant in the boys’ soccer program for decades. He spent time at every level of the program, headlined by 19 years as the Varsity head coach. Doug will always be remembered for his fairness, his kindness, his calm demeanor, and his love of the sport and working with our student-athletes. We greatly appreciate the time and efforts Coach Leininger dedicated to coaching our student-athletes over the past several decades.  

Beth Chubb Roberts Memorial Award

There isn’t enough time and there aren’t enough words to capture all of whom Coach Roberts was and was to all that crossed her path. Coach Roberts was a teacher, coach, mentor, leader, great friend, role model, tutor, mom to her son and all of us and so much more. She was taken from us way too soon but fought hard right to the end of her battle with cancer. She never expressed anger about her battle with cancer even at the end and certainly she had a right to feel that way. Coach Roberts had a passion for athletics playing field hockey, basketball, and softball at Saratoga and then continuing on to play field hockey at Oneonta College. She spent years coaching lacrosse at Saratoga and Schuylerville, field hockey and basketball at Saratoga. She loved teaching, supporting, and cheering on her players, with her favorite player, above all, being her son Drew. Coach Roberts was referred to as “simply, one of the best”. The impact she made on her students, athletes, fellow coaches and anyone that stepped into her path is far reaching and will undoubtedly be one of her greatest legacies. Coach Roberts connected with so many that crossed her path. When she walked into a room or onto the field, she had an aura about her that made you feel so comfortable and helped you to have self-confidence in yourself. She inspired you to be your best self and helped you gain the tools you needed to succeed in whatever you were doing. 

The recipient of this award emulates some of Coach Robert’s best qualities. 

Benny Fasulo Memorial Award

Bernard Fasulo, who died in 1982, was a long-term coach and physical education teacher in the Saratoga Springs City School District. He contributed 35 years of service to the school district and the Saratoga Springs community. 

Mr. Fasulo played professional baseball as a player-manager in the Can-Am League from 1936 to 1942. 

In 1942, he began his career in Saratoga, where he served as varsity baseball coach for 20 years, collecting 246 wins, including eight Western B Championships, two Section II titles and two Eastern Conference Championships. He also coached junior varsity basketball from 1942-1966. 

Mr. Fasulo was the founder of Saratoga Springs Little League and served as its first president. He also served as the director of the summer recreation program for over 20 years. 

This award is presented to a female and male athlete who have displayed qualities of good discipline and character. 

Hutchin Tibbetts Award

Hutch Tibbetts, who died in 1996, was a long-time physical education teacher and coach at Saratoga Springs High School who has been widely acclaimed for his outstanding contributions to the school’s athletics programs. 

Mr. Tibbetts, an Ithaca College graduate, joined the high school faculty in 1947, coaching football, basketball, and track. In 1950 the program was expanded to include wrestling and bowling. He coached the basketball team to the Section II, Class B runners-up in 1949 and 1950. 

Mr. Tibbetts received the NYS Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Award for his outstanding service to the field of health and physical education for men in 1984. 

He was chairman of Section II Basketball for 10 years and a member of the Section II football and wrestling committees. Mr. Tibbetts was inducted into the Saratoga Springs City Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. 

This award is presented to a male athlete who has imitated the qualities of citizenship and leadership portrayed by Hutchin Tibbetts throughout his career at Saratoga Springs High School. 

 

Marge Tibbetts Award

Marge Tibbetts, was a long-time physical education teacher and athletic coach at the high school. She graduated from Ithaca College in 1933. 

Before beginning her career as a physical teacher, she played three years of semi-professional basketball and baseball for the Rochester Collegiate women’s team. 

Mrs. Tibbetts was a teacher, coach and official who supported all women’s sports activities and numerous men’s sports activities from 1947-1967. Although the New York State Regents would not permit organized competitive sports for women, she established play days for Saratoga Springs High School female students to compete against other area high schools in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She encouraged the development of women’s bowling and held weekly bowling sessions. She was the assistant coach for the men’s bowling team. She organized a women’s physical education demonstration for the public which was held at the Convention Hall or the high school, highlighting gymnastics, dance, rhythms, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. She organized a women’s physical education demonstration for the public held at the Convention Hall or the high school, highlighting gymnastics, dance, rhythms, basketball, tennis, and volleyball.

Mrs. Tibbetts also co-sponsored a Women’s Sports Club. She helped organize and run the food concession stand, and the proceeds supported the men’s and women’s sports clubs.  

In her honor, an award goes to a female athlete who has imitated the qualities of citizenship and leadership portrayed by Marge Tibbetts throughout her career at Saratoga Springs High School. 

Anthony Bellai Leadership Award

Anthony Bellai, a New York state champion wrestler, national junior college champ, and NCAA qualifier for the University of Oklahoma who went on to serve as a high school instructor and wrestling coach. 
 
Born in Niskayuna, N.Y., Bellai attended Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady, where he won the 105-pound title at the New York State wrestling championships in 1982. After graduating from Mont Pleasant, Bellai went on Delhi Junior College in New York, where he was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association wrestling champ at 118 pounds. 
 
Bellai then headed west to continue his education — and wrestling career — at the University of Oklahoma, where he wrestled for legendary Sooner coach Stan Abel. Bellai placed fourth in the 118-pound bracket at the 1988 Big 8 conference championships. Bellai then qualified for the 1988 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at 118. He won his first match, but then lost to Oklahoma State’s Cory Baze in his next match and did not place. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma in 1988 and his master’s degree from SUNY Albany. 
 
Bellai was a long-time Physical Education teacher and coach, employed for 17 years at Saratoga Springs High School where he was also a wrestling coach at the varsity and modified levels. In addition, he served as a girls’ softball coach, and the cross-country coach. 

This award is presented to a male athlete who has exhibited extraordinary leadership, commitment and perseverance during their athletic career at Saratoga Springs High School. 

Brenda Adams Leadership Award

Brenda Adams, a teacher and coach in the Saratoga Springs City School District for 28 years, was the winningest hoops coach for girls’ basketball in school history with a career record of 100-54. In addition, Adams coached two softball teams to sectional titles in 1994 and 2000 and was named Saratogian Coach of the year during both of those seasons. In 2014, she was named Times Union’s Golf Coach of the Year after a successful season. Adams passed away in January 2015 after losing a battle with ovarian cancer. 

Adams coached 64 different seasons from 1987-2014 at Saratoga Springs High School in six different sports including field hockey, basketball, softball, volleyball, bowling and golf. 

No matter what sport Adams coached, her teams were always prepared, competitive and looked like they enjoyed themselves, a direct reflection on a coach who was always a delight to be around. 

This award is presented to a female athlete who has exhibited extraordinary leadership, commitment, and perseverance during their athletic career at Saratoga Springs High School. 

Barbara Chubb Outstanding Athlete Award

Barbara Chubb, a former elementary teacher in the Saratoga City School District, taught from 1965 to 1999. Ms. Chubb was involved in a variety of school and community athletic groups. Due to her high level of involvement, she was asked by former Athletic Directors Raymond Waldron and Bob Stulmaker to help research the historical facts surrounding the history of Saratoga’s community and high school athletics. A conservative estimate of her support to the sporting programs in Saratoga’s community and high school is estimated at 40 years. Her involvement includes: 

Involvement: 

• Original board member for Saratoga Miss Softball 
• Started an evening program at Division Street Elementary School allowing young children to have open gym time. 
• Supported “All-Sports Booster Club”, prior to the district having individual booster clubs. 
• Raised money for all levels of Saratoga’s football program by orchestrating the program’s advertising book, which raised $5,000 a year. 
• Served as Treasurer for the Girls’ Basketball Booster Club for 5 years. 
• Charter member of the Committee for the Allegiance Bowl and member of its board for the first six years 

In appreciation for her many years of service to the student-athletes in the Saratoga Springs City School District, this award will be presented to a female athlete who has exhibited a quality of good sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition. 

Clayton Chubb Outstanding Athlete Award

Clayton Chubb is honored for the countless time and energy he has devoted to athletic programs in Saratoga Springs, from his years playing football, basketball, and baseball at Saratoga Springs High School through decades of service as a coach, umpire, and a leader in booster clubs for several high school sports. 

Mr. Chubb started coaching Babe Ruth baseball in 1957, right after high school, and continued with 30 years of coaching Little League in Saratoga, as well as coaching football, softball, soccer, and basketball. He was an umpire for several of those sports and was previously honored by the City of Saratoga Springs for his many years of service to the community’s youth. 

In appreciation for his many years of service to the student-athletes in the Saratoga Springs City School District, this award will be presented to a male athlete who has exhibited a quality of good sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition 

Blase Iuliano Distinguished Athlete Award 

Mr. Iuliano was the legendary football coach at Saratoga Springs High School for 37 years, with an overall record of 223-113-7. He was named Coach of the Year eight times during his tenure, which included nine Super Bowl appearances, four Section II championships, four regional appearances, and 18 titles and championships. One hundred and seventy-five of his players went on to play college football, including Anthony Weaver, who played for the NFL. Mr. Iuliano also served as Saratoga’s wrestling coach for 13 years, including one year as the undefeated Class A champions. Mr. Iuliano graduated from Ithaca College in 1964 with six letters in football and wrestling. He also played professional football with the Atlantic Coast League. Iuliano retired as Saratoga’s football coach after the 2006 season but has served since then as assistant football coach at Union College. 

This award is presented to a male and female athlete who has exhibited traits of leadership, poise, self-confidence, and courage during their athletic career at Saratoga Springs High School. 

Kevin Cummings Memorial Scholarship 

Kevin Cummings, Saratoga Springs High School Class of 1974, received nine varsity letters. 

• • Baseball three years 
  • Football three year 
  • Basketball three years 

• 1973 and 1974 All Foothills First Team Receiver 
• 1974 Troy Record First Team Receiver 
• 1974 All State: Second Team Receiver 
• 1975 All American Receiver 
• 1974 Capitan Varsity Baseball 

• Played Football and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst for Hall of Fame Coach Dick Mac Phearson 
• 1976 All Yankee & All New England Division II – First Team Wide Receiver 
• 1976 All ECAC Division II Second Team Wide Receiver 
• 1977 All Yankee Conference/All ECAC Division II, All American and Pepsi Cola Division II -First Team Tight End 

Ray Waldron Outstanding Athlete Award 

In June 2009, former athletics director Raymond Waldron Sr. became the first person to be inducted into the new Blue Streak Athletic Hall of Fame. Waldron, who died in August 2012, was an outstanding community leader, volunteer and advocate who worked for the school district from 1958 through 1996 as a physical education teacher and later as athletic director. He coached several sports during his tenure. 

Waldron took a leadership role in many sports organizations. He was the founder of the Saratoga Springs Pop Warner Football program and a 20-year chairman of Boys State. He directed Saratoga’s Punt, Pass and Kick program and the Elks Hoop Shoot, and served as chairman of Biddy Basketball for 10 years. 

He was named New York State Athletic Director of the Year in 1988, Capital District Athletic Director of the Year in 1990, and man of the year by the Capital District Wrestling Officials Association in 1992.

In appreciation for his many years of service to the student-athletes in the Saratoga Springs City School District, this award will be presented to a male and female athlete who has exhibited qualities of good sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition 

Robert Murphy Award 

Robert Murphy was an exceptional athlete, excelling in basketball and baseball for CBA High School. From there he received a full scholarship to Manhattan College where he excelled at both sports. His college basketball home court was Madison Square Garden, where he and his teammates faced several future NBA players. Upon graduation from college Bob received an offer to play for the Boston Red sox and was a territorial draft pick for the New York Knicks. He decided to start his career as an educator and coach in the Capital District. He was a beloved coach for various varsity teams in the area including CBA, Cohoes, Albany and finally Saratoga Springs. Bob worked for the Saratoga Springs School District for over 27 years as an assistant principal and coach for several of their athletic teams. 

Rich Johns Outstanding Female and Male in Tennis Award

Rich Johns graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam in 1972 from which he has been honored by being inducted into Potsdam’s Sports Hall of Fame and with Potsdam’s Minerva Award, the highest honor given to an alumnus.

Rich taught elementary and middle school as well as coached tennis at Saratoga Springs (NY) High School for 38 years. His highly recognized girls’ tennis teams were traditionally among the top teams in New York State.

Under his guidance, Saratoga won 17 League Titles, 9 Sectional Team Titles and holds the Section II record for Class AA with 85 consecutive wins and a record of 107– 2 during that period.

He has been recognized with numerous awards. He has been honored with the USTA National Starfish Award (2009) given in recognition of his “no- cut” tennis program and his positive impact on hundreds of players, Racquet Sports Industry as their National High School Coach of the Year (2010), and the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation Award (2010) for his distinguished – exceptional leadership and commitment to education and community service.

In January 2011, the USTA-Eastern Section presented Rich the High School Coach of the Year Award for the second time for his exemplary leadership skills. Rich has also been honored by SUNY Adirondack, Saratoga Springs School District and the South Glens Falls Community by inducting him into their Athletic and Community Pride Hall of Fames.

In 2015 and 2016 Coach was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award by the SUNY Albany Chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success. In 2018 he was honored by being inducted into the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame receiving the John Cahill Community Contributor Award.

Blue Streak Backers Award

This award is presented to a female and male student-athlete who has been a positive influence in the school, community and interscholastic Athletic Program.

Blue Streak Scholar-Athlete Award

This award is presented to a male and female athlete who has participated in a varsity sport and who has exhibited traits of high academic achievement, citizenship, and sportsmanship.