Alumni News
Hempstead's Williams to play football for AIC
Terrell Williams, the 2008 Thorp Award winner from Hempstead, has signed to play football for American International College this fall.
Williams, 19, spent last year at St. Thomas More preparatory school in Oakdale, Conn., where the running back worked on his grades in order to attain NCAA eligibility. He was named Post-Graduate athlete of the year at the school after successful football, basketball and lacrosse campaigns, and he made the Honor Roll for the third and fourth marking periods.
"He's really made good strides in the classroom," said AIC offensive coordinator Dave Beaudin. "That, more than anything, shows the light bulb's gone on."
For his efforts on the gridiron, which included touchdown runs of 78 and 63 yards, Williams was named All New England Prep Class C.
At Hempstead, Williams set nine school records, including career touchdowns (42) and all-purpose yards (4,799). In 2008, the do-it-all talent had five runs of 50+ yards, four return touchdowns (two kickoffs, one interception and a fumble recovery), five receiving touchdowns and 61 tackles as he became the sixth Hempstead player to win the Thorp Award (given to Nassau's most outstanding player).
Division I schools such as UConn, Syracuse and Maryland showed interest in Williams, but he said their pursuit waned during his year in prep school.
"It's my fault because I wasn't really focused," said Williams, who added he's gained about 20 pounds of muscle to the 190-pound frame he sported his senior season. "I got my head screwed on now. It doesn't matter where you go as long as you have the work ethic."
Though Williams holds tight the dream of playing at a big-time college program, and even in the NFL eventually, he said he is content with his choice to play at the Division II school in Springfield, Mass.
"My dream is to make it to the NFL, but if that doesn't work out, I have to make sure I get a good education," he said. "A few people told me how good the school was, and I fell in love with it."
Williams will likely make his Long Island homecoming on Sept. 11 when AIC visits Stony Brook - another school that showed interest in him. AIC opens its training camp on Aug. 10.
AIC's September 23rd game at Southern Connecticut State University will be televised nationwide on CBS College Sports Network and kickoff at 8 p.m. AIC posted a record of 5-5 last season and finished seventh in the Northeast-10 with a 3-5 conference record after going 9-2 in 2008, a year in which the Yellow Jackets won the NE-10 with a perfect 7-0 record in conference play.
Devin Ebanks, '08 Joins LA Lakers
The evening of Thursday, June 24th, 2010 marked a momentous occasion for the St. Thomas More School community. Devin Ebanks, '08 was drafted in the 2nd round, 43rd overall pick to the two-time defending NBA World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. After playing for the Chancellor Post Graduate basketball team during the 2007-2008 campaign, Devin went on to star at the University of West Virginia from 2008-2010. Some career highlights for Devin include being named to the All-Big East Third Team in his Sophomore year, His 273 rebounds are the second most in school history by a Freshman and he was one of 30 high school players to be invited to the USA Basketball Development Festival in 2007 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO where he averaged just over 28 points and just under 5 rebounds per game. Also, this past season Devin helped the West Virginia Mountaineers to the 2010 Final Four where they came up just short against the eventual National Champion Duke Blue Devils. It is truly a proud day for the St. Thomas More Family and CONGRATULATIONS to Devin Ebanks!
Golf Classic, 10
The 10th Annual St. Thomas More School Golf Classic was played Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the River Ridge Golf Course in Griswold, CT.
STM Spring Spree/Open House, 10
On Saturday, May 1st, 2010, St. Thomas More School held their annual Spring Spree and Open House.
NCAA Tournament Buzz
Edwin Ubiles '06, who averages 15.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 2.3 APG, and the 13th seeded Siena Saints (27-6, 17-1 MAAC) will be opening up against the #4 seeded Purdue Boilermakers (27-5, 14-4 Big Ten) @ 2:30pm on Friday, March 19th, 2010. The Siena Saints are the leading underdog favorite in the tournament due to their depth and veteran leadership. They are being picked to upset Purdue in the opening round since the untimely injury to Purdue star Robbie Hummel. The opening round games will be held at the Spokane Arean in Spokane, WA. If the Saints advance, they will take on the winner of (5) Texas A&M and (12) Utah State.
Antonio Pena '06, who averages 10.9 PPG and 7.4 RPG, and the #2 seeded Villanova Wildcats (24-7, 13-5 Big East) will open up against the #15 seeded Robert Morris University Colonials (23-11, 15-3 NEC) on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 12:30pm. The opening round games will be held at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. #2 Villanova is the heavy favorite in this first round matchup. If the Wildcats advance, they will take on the winner of (7) Richmond and (10) St. Mary's CA.
Devin Ebanks '08 who averages 11.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.8 APG and Dan Jennings '09 who averages 1.6 PPG and 1.7 RPG in his rookie campaign, and the 2nd seeded West Virginia Mountaineers (27- 6, 13-2 Big East) will be open against the #15 seeded Morgan State Bears (27-9, 11-1 MEAC) on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 12:15pm. The opening round games are to be held at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. Ebanks, Jennings and the Mountaineers are also heavy favorites in this first round matchup. If the Mountaineers advance, they will take on the winner of (7) Clemson and (10) Missouri.
Paul L. Jones, '74 Passes Away
Paul Jones, '74 passed away on November 10, 2009 at Yale-New Haven Hospital after a long illness. He leaves his wife Cathy Lundgren Jones and their two sons, Christopher and Ryan. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends.
STM 10th Annual Career Day!
On Thursday, March 18th, 2010, St. Thomas More School held their 10th Annual Career Day.
STM Welcomes New Alumni/Public Relations Coordinator
02/17/10
St. Thomas More School is happy to announce that Brendan Caffrey '04 has been named as the new Alumni/Public Relations Coordinator in the Development Office.
Two Alumni Inducted into NE Basketball Hall of Fame
10/08/09
Congratulations to Jack Phelan ’73 and Cas Grygorcewicz ’69 for their inductions into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Jack Phelan ’73, a former PG Basketball Standout and current member of the Board of Trustees, was nominated for his play at T-More. Cas Grygorcewicz ’69, who played for fellow Norwich native Nick Macarchuk while at STM, was nominated for his career coaching the Mitchell College Women’s Basketball Team. The New England Basketball Hall of Fame is now located at Mohegan Sun, after moving from the University of Rhode Island. St. Thomas More School is well represented in the Hall of Fame, which includes PG Coach Jere Quinn and the ’91-’92 PG Team, winners of the New England Prep School Championship.
Jim Zapf, '70 Passes Away
9/16/09
Jim Zapf, '70 passed away on September 16, 2009. Deepest sympathies to his wife Laurie Zapf and all of his family and friends.
S. Andrew MacDonald, '00 Passes Away
S. Andrew McDonald ’00 passed away on Wednesday, June 17th, in San Francisco. He had just relocated to the city four days prior to his untimely death
Andrew graduated from STM in May of 2000 and then attended the University of Montana. He was an accomplished skier, snowboarder, and surfer and pursued his passion across the country. He had been trained in mountaineering and wilderness survival skills. Andrew had also devoted himself to art and was to attend art school in San Francisco to further study oil and canvas paintings.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to Andrew’s parents Mary Beth and Scott McDonald and his sister Leigh Anne.
Golf '09
6/22/09
A few passing showers did not deter the STM faithful from coming out for the Ninth Annual Golf Classic. Thank you to all of our generous sponsors and enthusiastic participants. This year's Golf Classic at River Ridge Golf Course was a success. The winning foursome included Bob Bugbee, John Elliott, Shayne McAvoy and Dr. Ravi Prakash. Coming in a very close second were past champions Headmaster Jamie Hanrahan '72, Jeff Hanley, Sr., Jeff Hanley, Jr. and Tim Ashburner. The third place foursome included STM's Jere Quinn, Tim Riordan '79, Emmett Riley and Tom Alquist. Joe Daly '66 won the longest drive, and Ryan Taranto '05 was closest to the pin.
Thanks to the alumni who showed their support for the event. Those present included Hugh Casey '97, Alex Casey '08, Nick Conti '00, Tim Pavidis '00, Jason Bugbee '01, Ryan Taranto '05, and golf committee members Joe Daly '66 and Bob Malerba '66. 18-holes of golf, a full reception and some great raffle prizes were all part of the fun. All proceeds of the event directly benefit the St. Thomas More School Chancellor's Fund.
Alumni Win 11-6 vs. STM Chancellors
Fans Brave Chilly Weather to attend RI Reception
Over 110 Guests at 8th Annual Founder's Dinner
Hartford Club Reception Held 10/15/08
