Oceanside’s Circle of Pride to welcome new members

Frank Januszewski began his teaching career at Oceanside High School in 1956. From the start, he had a sense of history. “A school that has no past has no future,” he said.

Wanting to celebrate the school’s exceptional athletes—past, present and future—Coach Jan proposed a Hall of Fame, and not just some trophy room, but a space where the community’s sports stars would be honored for all time. Oceanside established its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1960, and Januszewski was pleased but not satisfied. For the next 55 years, with the help of curators Mike Limmer, Sean Keenan and Richie Woods, he worked tirelessly to make Oceanside’s Hall of Fame one of the most extensive in Nassau County.

In 2003, Oceanside unveiled its Circle of Pride, which included charter inductees Jay Fiedler, Steve Friedman, Patty Hanlon, Art Heyman and, of course, Januszewski himself. Today, the Circle of Pride offers visitors both a look back at Oceanside’s storied athletic history and the promise of its future. Artifacts and displays and team pictures date back to the early 1900s.

On Nov. 13, Oceanside will be adding to its Circle of Pride with an induction ceremony for Jayme Beamer, Bob Moltisani, John Randazzo, Jim Mormile, Alex Rosen, Lore Swegler, Ron Antonasio, Mike Trotta, Ira Gibel, the Orzano Family and the 1973 soccer team at the Knights of Columbus O’Connell Hall in Oceanside. Tickets for the dinner and induction ceremony are $75 per person, with all proceeds form the benefit funding the Hall of Fame.