Circle of Pride induction on Nov. 13

Oceanside has been the hometown to a great many accomplished citizens—civic and religious leaders, war heroes, renowned entertainers, and ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.

Former PE teacher and coach Frank Januszewski, who believed that “A school that has no past has no future”, created the Oceanside High School Hall of Fame in 1960. For the next 55 years, with the help of curators Mike Limmer, Sean Keenan and Richie Woods, Januszewski 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.

The Oceanside High School Hall of Fame is preparing to induct a new class.

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.

Beamer was a basketball and soccer player for the school, and later served as soccer coach for 16 years. Moltisani coached lacrosse for 40 seasons, and for 7 of those was named coach of the year. Under his direction, the Sailors won the 1996 county championship. Randazzo was a 1,000-point scorer in basketball for Oceanside. He later played college ball for Sacred Heart, and professionally in Europe. Mormile, after attending Oceanside, went on the ear All-America honors for lacrosse at Brown University. Rosen still hols the state record in the high jump and was an All-American in college. Swegler, also a member of the CW Post Hall of Fame, earned all-county honors for volleyball and basketball at Oceanside. Trotta was an All-American wrestler who finished second in the state tournament in 2000. Gibel coached wrestling for 27 years.

The 1973 soccer team had an undefeated season at 18-0. They scored 99 goals while allowing 4. Atanasio was one of the stars of that team. He went on the become an All-American at Adelphi University, and to play professionally with the New York Cosmos.

Tickets for the dinner and induction ceremony are $75 per person, with all proceeds from the benefit funding the Hall of Fame. Contact Richie Woods at rtwoods@gmail.com for more information.