The Wheeler School Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the school’s Alumni Office, is proud to announce the creation of the Wheeler Athletics Hall of Fame (HOF) and the introduction of its inaugural class. The honorees will be inducted on Saturday, October 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Wheeler’s Van Norman Field House in Seekonk, Massachusetts.

The Hall of Fame’s first class will consist of two Warriors sports icons, MaryAnn “Mama” Farroba and Julie Baldwin, as well as two historic championship teams, 1985 Boys Soccer and 1988 Field Hockey.

“We are very excited to recognize Mama Farroba and Coach Baldwin, two women who set the foundation for athletics excellence at Wheeler, along with two legendary championship teams, as the first members of the Wheeler Athletics Hall of Fame. We are also excited to honor Jon Donahue for his work as our longtime Director of Athletics and for his achievement as the head coach of the 1985 boys soccer program," said Wheeler School Director of Athletics Sean Kelly ‘02. 

"Mama Farroba and Julie Baldwin are two of the most prominent names in our school’s sports history, and without their efforts our athletics program would not be where it is today,” both of these women also played an instrumental role in the development of female sports across Rhode Island and through their work with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. They truly are the pillars of our athletics history here at Wheeler.”

The 1985 boys soccer team kick-started Wheeler’s dominant stretch in boys sports in the late 1980s. Captained by Dan Forman ‘86 and Billy Krolicki ‘86, the team won the SENEISAA Division II Championship and became the first Wheeler boys program to win a tournament championship. The Warriors claimed four First Team All-League selections: Geoff O’Hara ‘87, Billy Krolicki ‘86, Dylan Gamache ‘89, and Andy Krolicki ‘88. The 1985 team also had two All-League Honorable Mention honorees: Charlie Laurent ‘88 and Dan Forman ‘86. After winning the league championship, the soccer team won their NEPSAC Semi-Final game against Concord Academy with an exciting 5-4 victory before falling 3-2 in the New England Championship to Winchendon School. 

The 1988 field hockey team captured the Rhode Island State Championship with a dominating 3-1 performance over Burrillville High School and finished the memorable season with an impressive 17-2-2 record. With the help of a senior-laden team (10 members) and three outstanding captains in Carrie Tuttle ‘89, Stacy Schwartz ‘89, and Susan Krolicki ‘89, the Warriors captured the regular-season championship before knocking off North Kingstown High School 2-0 and Lincoln High School 1-0 in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League playoffs en route to the championship game. Four members of the team captured All-State accolades: Robin Berk ‘89, Susan Krolicki ‘89, Carrie Tuttle ‘89, and Val Cioci ‘90. In addition, Liz Glicksman ‘89 was an All-Division selection. 

The Wheeler Athletics Hall of Fame, founded in 2020, is intended to honor and give lasting recognition to those individuals who, either through participation, support, or interest, have made exceptional contributions in the athletics arena, and specifically to the Wheeler School athletics program. The individuals and teams recognized within the HOF have brought recognition, honor, distinction, and excellence to Wheeler and its athletics program, and they continue to demonstrate the spirit of Wheeler and interscholastic sports in their lives. 

It is also the purpose of the Wheeler Athletics Hall of Fame to promote greater interest in the Wheeler athletics program among alumnae/i, students, parents, and friends by honoring the legacy of those enshrined.

Hall of Fame Committee Members 2020 - 2021

Peter Pizzarello ‘92, Former Alumni Board President

Peter Brown ‘03, Alumni Board President

Sue Clegg ‘85, Alumni Board Member

Steve Rosa, Board of Trustees Member

Eric Stein, Assistant Athletic Director 

Sean Kelly ‘02, Athletic Director

Kelly Clifton ‘02, Director of Alumni Engagement 

Members of the 1985 boys soccer program coached by Jon Donahue:

1986

Dan Forman, Billy Krolicki, and Jon Shipman

1987

Charles Blackman, Chris Cobleigh, Josh Horwitz, Max Kahn, Geoff O’Hara (deceased), and Harold Sturner

1988

Don Clarke, Daryll Denelle (deceased), Jason Izzi, Andy Krolicki, Charlie Laurent, and Sean Wheelan

1989

Dylan Gamache  

Members of the 1988 field hockey team coached by Julie Baldwin:

1989

Robin Berk, Allison Cohen, Muffy Feldman, Liz Glicksman, Susan Krolicki, Alex Laurelli, Christine Naughton, Alyssa Qualls, Stacy Schwartz, and Carrie Tuttle

1990

Valerie Cioci and Nicole Manocchio 

1991

Cara Iacobucci and Stephanie Kolb

1992

Jaimee Daniels