Induction Class Of 2006

Todd Soares had an outstanding football career at NBHS. He played for coach Joe Wirth from 1987 to 1990. Todd's freshman season was cut short by a broken collarbone. As a sophomore, he was a wide receiver and cornerback for the Whalers.

Todd played quarterback in his junior and senior years and was a two-time selection to the Standard-Times "All-Scholastic Team". He was selected "Player of the Week" several times. He was the captain of the team in his senior year and led the Whalers to a 9 - 1 record. The only loss was to Brockton High School (24 - 21), which ended their Super Bowl Hopes.

Todd set the single-season TD passing record during his senior year by throwing

16 TD passes. The record was later broken by John Seed, Jr.. In his senior year, Todd threw for 3 TDs in a lopsided win over Taunton and threw 3 more TD passes in the first half against Durfee en route to a 44 - 7 win on Thanksgiving Day. Todd never lost to Durfee during his four years at NBHS.

Todd was also a great baseball player at NBHS. He was a four-year starter at shortstop and center field. After graduation, he played in minor league baseball in the LA Dodger organization for 2½ years as a third baseman in the Florida Gulf Coast League. He played with current big leaguers Raul Mondesi, Mike Piazza, and Todd Hollinsworth.

Todd is the Sales Manager for Long Built Homes. He and his wife of nine years, Michelle, live in New Bedford. They have a daughter named Averi.

Donna Poyant is a 1989 graduate of New Bedford High School. During her four years as a "Whaler" athlete, she proved to be a most versatile performer in volleyball, basketball, and softball. Her most notable accomplishments came in volleyball and softball, being named a Standard-Times all-star in both sports in her Junior and senior seasons. In her senior year of volleyball, she recorded 65 kills in the first 11 matches of the season, before being sidelined with a knee injury for the rest of her senior volleyball and all of her senior basketball season. Absent their team captain the volleyball team went on to win the Southeastern MA Conference with a record of 17 1, but were eliminated in the first round of the state tournament. There is no doubt that the Whalers would have gone deep into the tournament had Donna been in the lineup.

After missing her senior basketball season to rehab her knee and get ready for the softball season Donna returned to the diamond with a vengeance. As a pitcher, Donna's career statistics are staggering, with 45 wins, only 4 losses, 9 no-hitters, and one perfect game. Her senior year is by far a most memorable one with a 22 - 1 record, 15 shutouts, allowing only 10 earned during the entire regular season. Leading the Whalers to its first and only Division I State Championship winning all six games while pitching shutouts in every game accounting for 47 scoreless innings and extending her season streak of 54 consecutive scoreless innings.

Following graduation from NBHS Donna enrolled at Eastern Connecticut State University and graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. While at ECSU she was a four-year member of the softball team. Continuing with her pitching prowess Donna helped ECSU win the Division Ill National Championship in 1990. In 1991 she and her ECSU teammates were division Ill National Runner-up and in 1992 they finished fourth in the Nationals. As the team captain her senior year Donna also received many individual honors, among them are Two-time ESCU/Metropolitan Life Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award, New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association All-Star sophomore and senior seasons, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference 2nd Team all-star (jr. year), INCAA Division III All-Northeast Region 1st Team (soph. yr.) 2nd Team (jr. & sr. yr.), NCAA III National All-Tournament Team 1991. She finished her career with a record of 48

14, 7 saves, 1.10 ERA and 134 Strikeouts.

Donna continued her education at Springfield College receiving her Master's Degree in Sport's Management.

She worked 4 years in Minor League Baseball with the Prince William Cannons (Woodbridge, VA) and the Winston Salem Warthogs (Winston Salem, NC) and has worked for the past 8 years for the Northeast Conference, and Division I college athletic conference. She was named Assistant Commissioner in June 2002 and oversees all NEC Championship events and is the primary media relations contact for select sports. Donna currently resides in Piscataway, NJ, and still enjoys playing volleyball in a YMCA co-ed league.

Michael Grant is one of the fastest athletes ever to compete for the Whalers. The two-sport star electrified fans with his breakaway speed on the gridiron and demonstrated sprinting talents that ranged from the fifty yard dash all the way up to the quarter mile, which is unusual for a sprinter to exhibit. He was recognized for his accomplishments when he was named the school's Athlete of the Year in 1980.

Mike played varsity football for the Bruce MacPherson coached squad during the 1978 and '79 seasons. As a junior, he rushed for two hundred and fifty yards and scored three touchdowns in a victory over Falmouth as the team finished with a sparkling 9 - 1 record. As a senior, he rushed for more than one thousand yards and ten touchdowns. He was offered more than fourteen football scholarships. He is a member of the NBHS Gridiron Club Hall of Fame.

During the winter and spring seasons, Mike was one of the premier sprinters in all of New England He captured the indoor Class A fifty-yard dash title and recorded the fastest time of all four classes. At that time, there was not an all-state indoor meet. He is the co-holder of the school's fifty-yard dash record (5.4), In the spring, Mike captured the class A 100-yard dash title and. anchored the 4x110-yard relay to the class A title. In the All-State meet, Michael once again was anchoring the relay team to a state title and concluded his career with a runner-up finish in the relay. His time in the New England meet of 9.7 for 100 yards still stands as the school record.

Mike along with fellow Hall of Fame member Russ O'Berry, led the high school to team titles in the Class A, All-State and New England meets.

Michael accepted a full athletic scholarship to Boston College. During his collegiate career, he earned two varsity football letters despite suffering a severe knee injury during his sophomore season. He competed for one year on BC's track team and finished as the New England indoor 55-meter dash runner-up as a freshman. He graduated in 1984 with a Degree in Education.

Today, Michael resides in Carver with his wife Roberta and children Kyle, Michael Jr., Marcus, and nephew Keith. He and his wife recently became proud grandparents of their first grandchild, Julian. He is the Director of Staff Recruitment for the Department of Corrections.

Mark graduated from NBHS in 1979 where he earned 10 varsity letters in hockey, football, and baseball. In hockey. Mark was a two-year Captain having earned the rare distinction of being named captain as a Junior.

He was a two-time Standard-Times and Southeastern Conference All-Star and led all NBHS defensemen in scoring as a sophomore, prior, and senior.

A catcher in baseball, Mark was Captain as a senior and was twice named to the Standard-Times and Southeastern MA Conference All-Star Teams. Mark was named most valuable player in the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game, hitting two triples and throwing out two would-be base stealers in the South's A 3 win over the North

In football, Mark was co-captain as a senior and a three-year Standard-Times, Taunton Gazette, and Southeastern MA Conference All-Star selection. As a junior, Mark was the Standard-Times "Spotlight Player of the Year" and as a senior, received the Mayor John A. Markey Trophy as "Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year".

He was selected as a Boston Herald All-State 1st Team All-Star and co-captained the First Annual Shriners High School Football Classic All-Star Game Coach Bruce McPherson called Mark the greatest lineman he ever coached. Mark was elected to the NBHS Football Hall of Fame in 1997. 

While at NBHS. Mark was a member of the National Honor Society and as a senior received the Dr. Wollison Award for Scholarship. Citizenship and Athlete Ability and the James P. Murphy Award as the top student-athlete

Mark received a four-year athlete scholarship for football at the University of Connecticut where was a three-year starter and a four-year letter recipient. He was a key member of the offensive line on the 1980 team that won the Yankee Conference Championship and finished ranked 10th nationally in Division I-AA. He graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education/Sports Marketing.

Upon graduation from UCONN, Mark began a successful twenty-year career with Healthtrax International rising to the position of Senior Vice President. In 2003, he became a partner and Chief Operating Officer of Preventure, a company that provides preventive health management solutions to corporations and health.

Mark spent five years as President of the Southeastern CT Ice Hockey Referee's Association and officiated

USA, High School, and Junior Hockey for ten years. He is currently a girls' softball coach at Bacon Academy High School and for the CT Bombers ASA/Pony travel teams.

Mark and his wife Joyce have been married for seventeen years and reside in Colchester, CT. They have two daughters Kerry 16 and Jamie 13 who are both outstanding students and excel at soccer and softball.

David Grimes is a 1973 graduate of New Bedford High School. He was a varsity member in baseball from 1971 - 1973 and captained the 1973 team. He was also a member of the basketball team in 1972 and 1973. During these years, his team participated in the state tournaments at the old Boston Garden.

It was in baseball that David really shined. As a varsity player, David pitched and played first base. During his playing days, he was selected as the local

"Player of the Week" four times and was also chosen twice as an "All-Star" by the Standard-Times.

During his senior year, David received All-State honors in baseball from the Boston Globe. He was selected as the best right-handed pitcher in the state with his 12-0 record. That same year, he batted .395 while playing first base.

Coach John Pacheco said of David, "He was one of the finest competitors to ever have played for me. In addition, David possessed tremendous leadership qualities".

Upon graduation, he was offered a full scholarship to Providence College but chose to enter the workforce instead. David worked for the Polaroid Corporation for over 20 years.

Today, David lives with his wife Tina and daughter Alyssa in the town of Acushnet. He stays active by competing in cross-country skiing events. David also enjoys attending New Bedford sporting events especially girl's volleyball and softball in which his daughter Alyssa stars.

Roger Canto is a 1970 graduate of New Bedford High School. As the #2 Singles player on the 1969 and 1970 State Champion Tennis team, he was a vital cog in their 2 year run as State Champs. They played Class A which placed them against the powerhouses of the Greater Boston area.

In 1969, his three hour win in the State final broke a 2 - 2 tie and allowed the Tennis team its 1st State title. Roger was Bristol County Standard Times All Star and Standard Times player of the week in 1969. In the schoolboy Singles tourney, he won the Southeastern MA #2 singles title and went on to a quarter-final finish in the state schoolboy finals. Roger's individual record for 1969 was app. 25 - 3.

In 1970, the Tennis team went undefeated and unscored on; winning each match by a

5. O score in the Bristol County League. As the #2 Singles player, Roger again won the Southeastern MA #2 title and moved on to the State Schoolboy Singles tourney where he was a semi-finalist against the best players in the State. Once again, the Team went on to win the 1970 State Team Title against the best Division One talent in the State. Roger's individual record for 1970 was app. 26 - 2. He was also a Standard Times Bristol County All-Star in 1970.

Roger attended Southeastern MA University (which is now UMass Dartmouth) and graduated with a degree in Marketing in 1974. He was elected into the UMass Dartmouth Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 after a stellar 4 year Tennis career with numerous appearances in the NAIA National Tourney.

Roger is the owner of Canto Real Estate, Inc. in New Bedford and is a two time Past President of the Greater New Bedford Association of Realtors. He lives in Dartmouth with his wife Kimbra and has two sons, Sean and Brian.

Jerry Leblanc is a 1955 graduate of New Bedford High School. In addition to his athletic abilities, Jerry graduated "with honors" from NBHS

Jerry was a rare athlete having lettered in soccer, football, basketball, and baseball during his three years at NBHS. It was, however, in the sports of basketball and baseball that Jerry excelled. He was the starting second baseman in baseball and point guard and captain of the basketball team. Jerry learned how to play the game and the importance of teamwork having played for two "Hall of Fame" coaches, Stan Grabiec and Al Palmer. Jerry would often call for an assist rather than gain the glory that goes with scoring points himself.

Jerry is one of seven children. Two of his sisters, Rosemary and Monica, also enjoyed the spotlight having both been cheerleaders for NBHS.

Jerry married his high school sweetheart Brenda Emerson. They are the proud parents of four children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Jerry was self-employed for many years until he retired to Sarasota, Florida in 2004. Jerry enjoys golfing and going to the beach. He and Brenda will celebrate fifty years of marriage in October.

Jack Nobrega graduated from New Bedford High School in 1949. He played both baseball and basketball for NBHS but it was in basketball that he excelled. Jack played for Coach Win Dodge and was captain of the 1949 team. Don Harrington, a writer for the Standard-Times, referred to Jack as the "Little Wonder" for his performance as point guard. Jack received "All Bristol County" honors in 1949. He also received the Jacob Palestine Award as the most outstanding player in the Greater New Bedford area.

After spending four years in the US Air Force, Jack returned to the area to coach the Holy Family High School basketball team. He held this position for nineteen years. In addition, he coached baseball there for four years. During his coaching years, Jack won many Narry League Championships and his teams faired very well in both the state and Catholic Tournaments. Jack is most proud of his 1967 and 1969 Class C Eastern Massachusetts Championship, but it was the winning of the 1972 Class C State Championship that defined his career as a coach.

In 1969, Jack began working as Assistant Executive Director for the New Bedford Housing Authority. Jack has been a community leader for many years. He has spent 36 years on the New Bedford School Committee and 27 years as a member of the New Bedford Vocational School's School Committee. Jack currently works as a consultant in District Attorney Paul Walsh, Jr's office.

This will be Jack's third Hall of Fame induction having been elected to Holy Family's Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches' Association in 1987. Jack was also selected as the Prince Henry Society's "Person of the Year" in 1989.

Jack and his wife, the former Barbara Ann Constantine, live in New Bedford. They are both very proud of their son David, his wife Shannon, and their three grandsons, Nicholas, Patrick, and Christopher.

Wayne Hamlet enters the NBHS All Sports Hall of Fame for his success as the Head Coach of Whaler Football from 1992 to 2003 and for his dedication as a long-time assistant coach at NBHS.

As Head Coach his Whaler teams appeared in 6 Super Bowls in 12 years.

He won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1993 and 1994 and was selected the "Boston Globe Coach of the Year" in 1993. In 1998 he was chosen as an assistant coach for the "Annual Shriners All-Star Football Classic"

Wayne is a 1970 graduate of Dartmouth High School. He played for legendary coach Carlin Lynch. He was a four-year starter on the football and baseball teams and a three-year starter on the basketball team. He captained all three sports. He was named to the Standard-Times and Taunton Gazette "All-Scholastic Teams in both football and baseball. He was inducted into the Dartmouth High School Hall of Fame in the second year of its existence.

He went on to the University of Bridgeport on a football scholarship and graduated in 1974. He is currently retired from coaching and is a biology teacher at New Bedford High School.

Wayne and his, Cynthia, live in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and have two children, Beth and Drew.