Tiverton Names Very First Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Tiverton's Hall of Fame inductees were announced this week, but the inductees' achievements are not the only reason this celebration of Tiverton's athletic talent is special. 

The Class of 2013 is the very first Hall of Fame class to be inducted. The Tiverton Hall of Fame Committee has worked hard to choose these special individuals for the very first honor. 

This year’s group, the first to be inducted, features 11 individuals and one team in this tribute to Tiverton’s athletes, teams, and contributors spanning the high school’s 45-year history. 

An induction ceremony, sponsored by the Viti Automotive Group, will be held on Nov. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at McGovern’s Family Restaurant. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the Tiverton High Athletic Director’s office at 401-624-8494, ext. 8.

Bo Sullivan
A 1970 graduate lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. He was named the school’s outstanding male athlete in 1970. He was a member of the 69 & 70 baseball teams which advanced to the finals and semi-finals in the state tournament and was named to the first team all-division team as a shortstop in 1970. In basketball, he captained the team from 67 through 70 and was named all class in '69 and '70. In football he was the starting quarterback in '69. He was named the THS scholar athlete of the year in 1970 Ranked 3rd in his class and graduated from Brown University with a degree in electrical engineering.

Elaine Ferreira
Also a 1970 graduate, she lettered in three sports: basketball, softball, and volleyball and was named the school’s outstanding female athlete in 1970. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island, where she competed in all three sports basketball, softball, and volleyball. She would later coach all three along with field hockey at the Tiverton High School for a period of 16 years.

Stephen Lake
One of the high school’s most decorated athletes and coach he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football in all four years. He was the school’s first 1000 pt. scorer in basketball and named first team all-league in his Junior and Senior years. In football, he was an outstanding running back again named first team all- league in both his junior and senior years. It was in baseball where he truly excelled named first team all-league as a pitcher in his sophomore year and then first team all-state in his junior and senior years. He would continue his education at the University of Connecticut, where as a freshman he pitched on a nationally ranked team and in the college world series finishing 5th in the nation. He would go on to captain the team in 1975 and was named All New England 1st team pitcher that year. He would return to Tiverton as a teacher and coach where he was named to RI Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Sara Cayer Dixon
Graduated in 1984 and was considered one of the best athletes of her time, she was voted the school’s outstanding female athlete in 1984 her senior year. She participated in Field Hockey, Basketball and Softball all four years she attended Tiverton High School. Her basketball team won a state championship in 1983/84 and she was selected first team all-division. She finished her career with 973 points in an era where there was no 3pt.line and a boy’s basketball was used. She was selected as MVP in all three sports during her Senior Year.

Jim McGlynn
He also graduated in 1984 an outstanding clutch athlete Jim was a member of the 1982 Baseball State Championship Team and got the game winning hit in the 82 State Championship game. He was a member of the 83 & 84 Class C State Champion Basketball teams and with Dan McDonald made up perhaps the best backcourt in Tiverton basketball history. In 1983 and 1984 his Junior and Senior years Jim was selected to the 1st team all-division teams in both basketball and baseball. Jim would continue his education at Rhode Island College playing both baseball and basketball for the Anchormen. He was selected 1st Team All New England Baseball in 1988 and was inducted into the RIC Hall of Fame in 2009.

Kristan VonVillas Housholder
Kristan graduated in 1985 and lettered in three sports at Tiverton High School, Field Hockey, Basketball & Softball . She was selected to several all division teams in all of three of the sports. A fierce competitor she was tireless in her effort and a tremendous leader. She was a member of the 1984 Girls Varsity Class B State Championship Team. She is currently a physical education teacher and was selected Teacher of the Year. She continues to coach at both the Junior and Senior High School level in Volleyball, Track & Field, Softball and Field Hockey in Virginia.

Tom Murray
Tom graduated in 1989 he lettered in three sports at Tiverton but it was in Soccer that he has left his mark as both a player and coach. In soccer he was selected to the all- division team starting in 86-87 his sophomore year. Then in 87-88 his junior year he added all-state to his accomplishments and along with his teammates the first ever Division II State Championship in Tiverton soccer. In 88-89 his senior year another State Championship followed and Tom added RI Gatorade Player of the Year, All- New England and 1st TEAM All American to his list of accomplishments. Tom continued his career at Massasoit Community College and then received full scholarship to Lenoir Rhyne College in North Carolina. Currently he is the Head Soccer coach at Tiverton and still plays soccer in the LASA.

Michelle Milot
A 1990 graduate Michelle starred in Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball in an illustrious career which spanned all four years at Tiverton. In soccer Michelle was named to the All- Division Team in 1987 and followed that up with 2nd Team All-State in 1988. She finished up her soccer career with an Honorable mention All-State selection. In Volleyball she was named to the 1st team Class A in 1989 and 3rd Team All-State in 1990. Basketball however is where Michelle would perform exceptionally. In 1987/88 she was selected to the Class A second team. In 88/89 she was First Team Class A and selected to the Class A All-Tourney Team capping it off by being selected to the All-State Team. Michelle finished her career at Tiverton with over 1500 points and 1000 rebounds, and was selected to the all-state team for a second time. Michelle would continue her Basketball career at Skidmore College where she was named the MVP in Women’s Basketball in each of her four years. She finished her career in 1994 being named the Senior Athlete of the Year and finishing with 1313 points and 1088 rebounds. In 2012 she was elected to the Skidmore Hall of Fame.

Rick Messier
Rick starred in both football and baseball at Tiverton before he graduated in 2001. In baseball he was the starting shortstop for all four years at THS. In his junior and senior years he was first team all-division. On the gridiron in 1999 Rick rushed for over 1500 yards and 23 touchdowns and was selected to the All- State Team. In 2000 Rick was integral part of the Division IV State Champions and an All- Division Selection and was selected All-State Honorable Mention.

Alyson Beck Carver
Alyson graduated in 2003 after starring in three sports during her outstanding career during which her teams reached the finals in soccer, basketball and softball. In soccer Alyson was selected to the 1st team all-division in 2002 and received the RIIL Sportsmanship Award. In basketball she was also an all- division selection in 2003. In softball she was selected to the all-division teams in both 2002 and 2003 being named to the all-state team in 2003. An outstanding shortstop she led the Tigers to two successive Division II State Championships. Alyson was named the Wendy’s Heisman Award winner in her senior year. She continued playing softball at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.

1982 Baseball State Champions
The team was coached by Tiverton Hall of Famer Stephen Lake. This talented team featured All- state athletes Richard Phillips and Mark VonVillas along with a senior dominated line-up that became the first team in Tiverton’s history to win a Open State Championship.

James Cook Sr.
The first athletic director at Tiverton High School. His leadership in the school’s early years provided the foundation for athletic success. He also served as the school’s Industrial Art’s Chairperson and had a great effect on the careers of many Tiverton Students. He was the school’s Head Golf Coach during the 1970’s decade. He was an original Tiverton Booster Club Member. His contributions and support of Tiverton High School, its athletes and its teams played an important part in establishing the High school’s athletic program.