Dozens of student athletes have passed through Hendrick Hudson High School, but only few leave marks so deep they become part of school history. On Friday, Sept. 19, the Hendrick Hudson Hall of Fame added seven new names to that legacy during its 19th annual induction ceremony. 

Held in the high school gymnasium, the event drew families, friends, alumni, and former Hall of Famers — some returning to the school for the first time in years. During the ceremony, Hen Hud Athletic Director Tom Baker opened the evening with remarks and a warm welcome back to the Sailor community.

“This is always one of the most special nights of the entire school year,” said Baker. “I think I speak for anybody that played a high school sport that your time as a high school athlete is one of the most precious times of your life and some of the greatest memories.”

Later that evening, the honorees were recognized during halftime at the Sailors’ 40–28 homecoming football win over Rye Neck. They walked across the 50-yard line alongside current athletes and family members while their biographies were read to the crowd.

This year’s class of inductees spans decades — from the boys basketball powerhouse of 1958–59 to a lacrosse standout from the class of 2015:

1958–59 Boys Basketball Team

Coached by Vince Verdeschi, the Sailors won 14 straight games, posted a 15–2 record, and launched a 32-game regular-season win streak. With a starting five of juniors Edward Snyder, Dick Kiefer, and Pete Kelly, alongside seniors Edward Lent and Dan Rudy, the team dominated without a player over six feet tall. Other roster members included Matthew Cook, Jerome Albanese, James McCloskey, Robert Miller, Charles Talbot, Wayne Smith, Joseph Vargo, and team manager Dominick Marafioti.

Edward Lent and Edward Snyder were inducted into the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2006; Pete Kelly joined in 2007. The 1959–60 boys basketball team was also enshrined in 2007.

Ivan David (Class of 1964)

David was a three-sport standout (football, wrestling, and track and field) who led Hen Hud wrestling to four undefeated seasons. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, David returned to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he won a bronze medal at the 1970 Caribbean Games and represented the USVI in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Canada. Chosen by his Olympic teammates to carry the USVI flag during the opening ceremonies, David left a lasting legacy in the sport. He passed away in 2020.

Jim Bertoline (Class of 1967)

A cornerstone of Hen Hud’s football program, Bertoline anchored the lines of the 1965 and 1967 squads and the undefeated 1966 team. He also starred in bowling, leading the team with his high average over four seasons, and competed in track and field for three years as a shot put and discus thrower.

Guy Van Benschoten (Class of 1970)

A captain in three sports (football, wrestling, and track and field) and one of Hen Hud’s most decorated heavyweight wrestlers, Van Benschoten is known as “Big Van.” He earned the prestigious Con Edison Scholar-Athlete Award during his time as a Sailor.

John Doehler (Class of 1983)

Doehler was a dual-sport captain (football and basketball) and All-County quarterback who earned Golden Dozen honors from the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame.

2000 Girls Volleyball Team

The team won the Section One Class B title over Fox Lane, launching a decade of dominance that included 11 straight sectional crowns and three state championships. Led by head coach Diane Swertfager and assistants Lisa Rudner and Kim Urban, the Sailors finished their year with a 25–3 record. The team was led by five All-Section players: Dina Bertoline, Shara Cooper, Caitlyn Welch, Megan Welch, and Mara Winokur. Megan Welch and Shara Cooper captained the team, along with fellow senior Tori Villa. The roster also consisted of Gina DeVivo, Caitlin Entwistle, Caitlyn Fanning, Alexis Hiatrides, Meagan Martino, Lara Saperstein, and team manager Marlene Gillis

Caitlyn Welch and Dina Bertoline were inducted individually in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Amber Feminella (Class of 2015)

The first true star of Hen Hud girls lacrosse, Feminella scored a then-record 222 career goals and earned multiple All-Section honors. She also played three years of basketball, averaging 11 points, six rebounds, and three steals per game as a senior.

Watch a highlight video produced by Hendrick Hudson’s Pete Ruf here.