Norwich announces 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame class

The Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome 13 new inductees during Homecoming Weekend, in a special ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 21, in Plumley Armory.

The 2025 class features 12 individuals and one team, representing a wide range of sports and eras, whose contributions helped shape the rich history and tradition of Norwich Athletics.
This year’s induction ceremony will be livestreamed on Norwich’s Team1Sports landing page.

Robert Priestley ’65 (men’s ice hockey) — A key figure on the legendary 1964-65 Norwich men’s ice hockey team, Robert Priestley served as the squad’s offensive engine and top scorer during his senior season. He netted a team-high 19 goals across 21 games and delivered one of the program’s most memorable moments, scoring the winning goal with just 20 seconds left in double overtime to upset Colby College, 5-4, at the 1964 Lake Placid Intercollegiate Hockey Tournament.  Priestley began the 1963–64 season slowly, but surged late with 26 points in his final 13 games. He earned The Hockey Medal for the highest academic average among hockey letterwinners, as well as the Mechanical Engineering Medal for academic distinction. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Vietnam War before enjoying a long professional career with General Electric.  Now in his 80s, Priestley recently helped lead the U.S. team to victory in the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame Tournament in Burlington, Ontario, scoring the tying goal in the final seconds to secure a championship win over the Canadian national team.  “Norwich played a major role in my life after school and continues to this day,” Priestley said. “Being recognized by this prestigious institution is a highlight of my life.”

Jaye Trapasso ’70 (Distinguished letterwinner in baseball & men’s basketball) — A six-time varsity letterwinner in baseball and men’s basketball, Jaye Trapasso left a lasting mark on Norwich Athletics as a sharp passer on the hardwood and a consistent .300-plus hitter on the diamond. He helped lead the 1969 baseball team to a program record in double plays and paced the basketball team in assists during both his junior and senior seasons. Trapasso also quarterbacked his intramural football teams to multiple campus championships, serving as team captain all four years. Trapasso’s Norwich experience paved the way for a distinguished 30-year career in public education, coaching, and officiating in Western New York. A longtime teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools, he coached Little League baseball for more than two decades and served as a football and basketball coach while officiating youth and high school sports for over 30 years.  He was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame and the JFK Football League Hall of Fame, and was recognized with the Niagara Frontier Officials Association Director’s Award in 2012 and a 30-year service award in 2021. “His dedication to athletics has followed him to today, as he continues to officiate youth sports in Buffalo sporting leagues,” said Barry Cochran ’70, who nominated Trapasso for induction. “Jaye Trapasso embodies all that is Norwich every day.”

Peter Cornish ’75 (Skiing) — One of the most accomplished figures in Norwich skiing history, Peter Cornish was a four-year letterwinner in both Alpine and Nordic disciplines and a cornerstone of the Cadets’ three consecutive Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) Division II Championships from 1973 through 1975. Cornish reached his peak during the 1974 EISA Championships, capturing multiple medals. He earned a bronze in cross country with a time of 58:16, took gold in the slalom with a combined time of 69.90, and finished ninth in the giant slalom to clinch the Alpine Combined title. As a senior, he placed sixth in slalom and helped Norwich earn a third-straight team championship while elevating the program to Division I competition through strong performances against top-tier opponents. “Peter Cornish was the strongest Alpine ski racer and an effective cross-country racer on Norwich University’s three-year undefeated EISA Division II Ski Team,” said Stephen Hammond ’75, team captain and classmate. “Together we have a combined 140 years of skiing and decades of racing and coaching the next generations in a sport we love. Peter’s recognition for the Norwich Athletic Hall of Fame is an honor well deserved.” Following graduation, Cornish has remained a champion of skiing in New England. He currently serves as the Director of Competitions at Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, Vermont, and has officiated more than 500 alpine ski racing events. He has also contributed significantly through roles with the Vermont Alpine Racing Association, Professional Ski Instructors of America, United States Ski Coaches Association, and the Tri-State Alpine Racing Association. In 2000, he was honored as the USSA Tri-State Coach of the Year.

Robert Archambault ’95 (Football) — Robert Archambault was a dominant force for the Norwich University football team in the early 1990s. A two-time captain in 1993 and 1994, Archambault led the Cadets in tackles in both seasons, tallying 118 stops as a junior en route to ECAC All-Star First Team honors. He earned Freedom Football Conference Second Team recognition as a senior and anchored special teams as a three-year long snapper, attracting interest from NFL scouts, including the Jacksonville Jaguars. A member of the Corps of Cadets and the Honor Committee, Archambault graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and computer science. He was a two-time FFC All-Academic honoree and capped his playing career by earning the Prestigious Student-Athlete Award from the Vermont Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He now serves as Vice President of Global IT Infrastructure and Operations at Biogen. His wife, Gretchen, is a 1996 Norwich alumna, and his daughter Neris ’24 was a dual-sport Cadet in ice hockey and lacrosse. Robert played alongside and co-captained the team with his brother, fellow Hall of Famer Mike Archambault ’94. “My dad has always put family first, and we have always known we are his greatest priority,” said Neris Archambault. “He is the kind of father who leads with faith, love, and devotion. His legacy at Norwich shows through the respect he earned from his teammates, and the impact he’s made by simply treating others the way he wants to be treated.”

Silver Oghayore ’05 (Men’s wrestling) — Silver Oghayore is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Norwich University history. Oghayore broke onto the scene as a freshman in 2001–02, earning the team’s Outstanding Freshman Award after a fourth-place finish at the New England Championships. He placed third in the 197-pound class in 2003–04 and earned All-New England honors for the first time. His senior season was his finest. Oghayore captured the 197-pound title at the 2005 New England College Conference Wrestling Association Championships and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships, where he won his opening match to advance to the second round. He led the Cadets in wins (34) and takedowns (118), while also recording seven pins. Oghayore was a two-time NWCA Scholar All-American and capped his career by receiving the Roy Looke Award, presented to the top civilian senior student-athlete for leadership, academic excellence, and athletic success. “Silver was a powerful and gifted athlete who held his teammates to high standards,” said former teammate and current women’s wrestling head coach Connor Keating. “He had a presence that demanded respect. One night after practice my freshman year, I was struggling to make weight, and Silver pulled me aside and said, ‘You and I are running back to the hotel.’ That moment has stuck with me to this day.”

Donovan Brown ’10 (Baseball & football) — Donovan Brown was a two-sport standout at Norwich University, excelling as a hard-hitting defensive back on the football field and a skilled infielder on the diamond. A captain and two-time Mike Yesalonia MVP, Brown helped guide the football team through its transition from the Empire 8 to the ECFC. He earned Empire 8 All-Conference honors in 2007 and 2008, then capped his career with First Team ECFC and New England All-Star accolades in 2009, leading the Cadets to a 49–14 win over Mount Ida in the program’s first ECFC title. “He was one of the most productive and consistent players I’ve ever seen,” said football head coach Bill Russell. “He retained information like a computer, and teams always knew where he was on the field. His leadership was a key part of that championship run.” Brown was also a three-year baseball letterwinner and 2009 GNAC Second Team honoree, leading the team in batting average (.348), hits (24), and total bases (33). A vocal leader, he was respected for his quick instincts and steady presence. After graduation, Brown served in both active duty and reserve roles with the U.S. Army, holding key leadership positions including Target Acquisition Platoon Leader and Fire Support Officer. His military honors include the Bronze Star Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Ally Daniels Gaudreau ’10 (Women’s basketball & women’s lacrosse) — Ally Daniels Gaudreau is one of the most accomplished dual-sport athletes in Norwich history, earning multi-year varsity letters in both women’s basketball and women’s lacrosse. On the court, she was a two-time GNAC Second Team All-Conference honoree and the 2009–10 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year. A member of two GNAC runner-up teams, she ranks in the program’s top 10 in career free-throw percentage, games played, games started, minutes played, and single-season free-throw percentage. Daniels Gaudreau’s lacrosse career was equally dominant. She was named 2008 GNAC Co-Player of the Year and GNAC Tournament MVP after leading the Cadets to their first GNAC title. She earned First Team All-Conference honors in both the GNAC and NEWLA, and was named NEWLA Rookie of the Year in 2007. She graduated as the most prolific scorer in program history, holding records for single-season points (95), goals (65), and assists (72), as well as most points (11), goals (9), and assists (7) in a game. “Being a dual-sport athlete at Norwich taught me discipline, resilience, and mental toughness,” she said. “Norwich will always have a piece of my heart.”

Kaycie Anderson ’15 (Women’s ice hockey) — The first Norwich women’s ice hockey athlete to play professionally, Kaycie Anderson helped define a championship era and remains one of the program’s all-time greats. Anderson ranks tied for eighth in career points (118) and assists (70), and still holds the record for most points by a first-year player with 47 in 2011-12, a season that earned her ECAC East Rookie of the Year honors and a trip to the NCAA title game. As a senior, Anderson led the Cadets to a third-place national finish, scoring twice in the NCAA Semifinal against Plattsburgh State and adding a goal and assist in the 5–1 win over Wisconsin-River Falls. She finished the season as the team’s leader in goals (14) and total points (32). “She had a quiet and kind presence with her teammates and coaches, but wow, could she fly out there with her swift stride and efficiency,” said former head coach Mark Bolding. “Her high hockey IQ, pinpoint passing, and passion for the game made her a threat every time she stepped on the ice.” Anderson earned ECAC East Player of the Year, CCM East Region All-American Second Team, NCAA All-Tournament Team, and a nomination for the Laura Hurd Award as the top Division III player in the country. After graduation, she signed with the Connecticut Whale of the NWHL (later PHF), where she appeared in 56 games over five seasons, becoming the first Cadet to play professional women’s hockey.

Vanessa Champagne ’15 (Women’s ice hockey & women’s rugby) — One of the most accomplished dual-sport athletes in Norwich history, Vanessa Champagne was a six-time national champion in women’s rugby and a two-time NCAA Final Four participant in women’s hockey. A four-year letterwinner in both sports, Champagne served as vice-captain of the rugby team and captain of the hockey team as a senior. She earned 111 caps and scored 493 points in rugby—ranking fifth all-time at Norwich—while helping the Cadets capture five Division I national titles, one Division II crown, and two national runner-up finishes. She was named an ACRA All-American and All-Academic honoree and earned a spot on the NIRA All-Tournament Team. “One of the best memories as a student-athlete is being part of the first Norwich 7s rugby team to ever win a national championship,” Champagne said. “We entered that tournament with very minimal experience playing 7s as a team, and winning it all was an incredible feeling.” In ice hockey, Champagne tallied 18 goals and 21 assists over 103 career games, helping the Cadets reach the NCAA semifinals twice and finish third nationally in 2015. She scored in the 2014 semifinal victory over Wisconsin-River Falls and was part of a dominant four-year run in which the program posted a 98–17–7 record. She was also a three-time ECAC East All-Academic Team selection and a prior Hall of Fame inductee with Norwich’s 2011–12, 2012–13, and 2013–14 national championship rugby teams. Following her Norwich career, Champagne earned a Doctor of Osteopathy in 2020 and now works as a biomedical engineering project manager at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal.

Aliah Curry Pulaski ’15 (Women’s basketball) — The all-time leading scorer in Norwich women’s basketball history, Aliah Curry Pulaski tallied 2,267 career points—a mark that stood atop the GNAC leaderboard for 10 years. A four-time GNAC All-Conference Team selection and two-time GNAC All-Tournament honoree, Curry Pulaski became the first sophomore in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark and later the first to eclipse 2,000 points. She earned regional accolades from NEWBA, D3hoops.com, and the ECAC, and was honored by the Vermont House of Representatives with a Concurrent Resolution. “Out of all the Hall of Fames I have been inducted into since graduating 10 years ago, this is the one I have looked forward to the most,” Curry Pulaski said. “It is an incredible feeling—one that will stay with me for a lifetime—just like my time at this university has.” Her legendary career included a 33-point performance in the 2014 GNAC Quarterfinals, leading the eighth-seeded Cadets to an overtime upset of top-seeded Emmanuel College, ending their 64-game conference win streak and run of seven straight titles. The game was hailed as the “greatest win in Norwich history.” Curry Pulaski has since been inducted into the GNAC, Berkshire County, and New England Basketball Halls of Fame. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and now runs a clinic and online platform alongside her husband, Nicholas Pulaski ’14, with whom she lives with their two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Ella and Rory.

Al Georgio ’15 (Football) — One of the most explosive offensive players in Norwich football history, Al Georgio ’15 set single-season program records for touchdowns (18) and scoring (108 points) during a dominant junior campaign. A four-year letterwinner, 2014 team captain, and two-time team MVP, Georgio rushed for 1,168 yards on 213 carries in 2013, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He finished his career with 539 rushing attempts, 27 rushing touchdowns, and a 13.8-yard punt return average. He helped lead the Cadets to a 28-15 overall record and a 22-5 ECFC mark, highlighted by the 2011 ECFC Championship and three consecutive ECAC Bowl berths. “Being inducted into the Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame is an honor that is indescribable,” Georgio said. “It is a privilege to share this moment with the most distinguished athletes from Norwich University.” A two-time ECFC First Team All-Conference selection and ECFC Offensive Player of the Week honoree, he also earned ECAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week recognition in 2013. That season, he broke the program’s touchdown record in an ECAC Bowl Game win over Springfield. Georgio graduated cum laude with dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and management before earning his Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law. He now practices law in Rhode Island and continues to give back as a youth baseball coach in his community.

Ernest Harmon (Honorary) — The 19th President of Norwich University from 1950 to 1965, Major General Ernest Harmon was a champion of Norwich athletics and a transformative leader across academics, facilities, and student life. A 35-year U.S. Army veteran, Harmon commanded both the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions in World War II and was selected by General Dwight D. Eisenhower to restore discipline following the Kasserine Pass. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, and Purple Heart. A 1924 Olympian in the modern pentathlon, Harmon also served as an assistant football and lacrosse coach at West Point. From 1927 to 1931, he returned to Norwich as Commandant of Cadets, professor of military science, and head polo coach. “General Ernest Harmon has had an extraordinary and lasting impact on Norwich University,” said LtGen John Broadmeadow, USMC (Ret), 25th President of Norwich University. “It is both fitting and deeply meaningful that we enshrine his name in the Norwich Athletic Hall of Fame.” As Norwich’s president, Harmon oversaw the addition of several varsity sports and the construction of key athletic facilities. He received two honorary master’s degrees from the university in 1931 and 1965, and passed away in 1979.

1975 Men’s Lacrosse Team — The 1975 Norwich men’s lacrosse team becomes the first in program history to be inducted into the Norwich Athletic Hall of Fame, forever remembered as the group that launched the program’s competitive rise. Featuring five eventual Hall of Fame players—Frank Paul DiMarco, Steve Otto, James Segar, Sal Pizzimenti, and Steve Volk—and led by Hall of Fame head coach Dr. Wallace Baines, the Cadets posted their first winning season just a few years after becoming a varsity program. Norwich finished 6-2 with victories over Castleton, Lyndon State, Nichols, UMass Lowell, Vermont, and Plymouth State, dropping only hard-fought contests to New England College and Middlebury. Following the season, the Cadets were honored with the prestigious Marsters Trophy by the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, awarded to the team showing the most significant improvement across New England. “The Norwich lacrosse program during those formative years depended on the players to generate the skills, knowledge, and competitive fire during practices, scrimmages, and games,” said Frank Paul DiMarco. “The virtuous character and dedication of the players is beyond measure.” Norwich’s breakout season featured balanced scoring from DiMarco, Argenta, Graziano, Volk, and Otto — who netted a remarkable seven goals in a 24-6 win at Lyndon State. Anthony Ortolano dished out five assists in a road win at Castleton, while goaltender Ed King delivered standout performances with 38 saves at Middlebury and 29 against Plymouth State. DiMarco, a co-captain, earned Brine All-New England honors and played in the All-Star Game at BU’s Nickerson Field. Dedicated to the memory of George Morrell ’76, who tragically perished in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, this induction celebrates not just a season of milestones, but a legacy of camaraderie, resilience, and Norwich pride.