Tiger pride was front and center Oct. 14 as the Thayer Sports Hall of Fame inducted four individuals and three teams as its Class of 2022. 

The ceremonies, which were held on the eve of Homecoming in Cahall Dining Hall, featured good friends and great stories as classmates, teammates, and family members gathered to recognize the Hall’s latest inductees. The individuals honored that night were Greg Apostol ‘81 (Soccer, Ice Hockey, Track & Field); Jed Sheehan ‘96 (Soccer, Ice Hockey); Lauren Medici ‘00 (Field Hockey, Track & Field, Gymnastics); and Mike Jones ‘03 (Basketball, Track & Field). The teams recognized were the 1968 varsity football team, the 1970-71 varsity wrestling team, and the 1971-72 varsity wrestling team. 

“Tonight, we celebrate the best of the best,” said Head of School Chris Fortunato P ‘26, ‘28, who welcomed guests that evening. He congratulated the Hall of Fame members for reinforcing “an identity and culture which puts character first.” 

Athletic Director Bobbi Moran echoed those comments, telling the audience that talent doesn’t go very far without teamwork. “We are incredibly grateful to be celebrating this class of inductees,” she said. 

Apostol, who played varsity hockey all four years at Thayer and earned ISL All-League honors in his last three, thanked his parents, his coaches, and his teammates. 

“You don’t land here without the support of so many people,” Apostol said. 

Sheehan, who was both a standout soccer and hockey player at the Academy, earned the prestigious ISL MVP Award in soccer during his senior year. He called Thayer “a special place” and noted that, as a freshman hockey player, the older players took him under their wing. 

“They showed me how to play, how to practice, how to compete,” he said. “Without great teammates, you don’t go far.” 

A three-sport athlete at Thayer, Medici served as a captain of the field hockey, gymnastics, and track teams before competing in both cross country and track & field at Dartmouth College. 

“I would have never become who I am without this school,” said Medici of her Thayer experience. 

Jones, who scored more than 2,000 points in his Thayer basketball career and broke records as a member of the Academy’s track and field teams, went on to play basketball at the University of Maryland and then professionally overseas. He now serves as head coach of Thayer’s varsity boys basketball team and varsity boys track & field squad. 

“I’m so grateful for my journey,” said Jones, who told those gathered that he fell in love with basketball at the age of 7. “I wouldn’t change a thing.” 

Jeff Bone ‘69 spoke on behalf of the 1968 football team. 

“It was a fun season,” said Bone, displaying a gift of understatement, before explaining that the 1968 team boasted a 7-0 record, scoring a total of 304 points and allowing just 22. 

Jim Fitzpatrick ‘72 and Mike Latessa ‘73 spoke about the wrestling teams, with much of the praise reserved for their beloved head coach, the late Bill Smith. 

“He was such a nice guy and he made the sport fun,” said Fitzpatrick of Smith. “We loved our coach.” 

And Latessa noted that, given the demanding nature of the sport, it’s not really a sport for those without passion and commitment. 

“Wrestling is not a fun sport if you don’t love it,” said Latessa. 

Established in 1991, the Thayer Academy Sports Hall of Fame recognizes Thayer alumni who have left their marks on the school through their spirit of athletic determination and their qualities of perseverance, cooperation, sportsmanship, and courage.