Phoenix Central School District Inducts New Class into Wall of Fame, Recognizes Current Athletes During Ceremony

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Phoenix Central School District recently honored coaches and athletes past and present during a ceremony held in the John C. Birdlebough High School auditorium.

During the annual Wall of Fame induction, three individuals and one team were enshrined into the prestigious group of coaches and athletes who have made an impact on PCSD sports. This year’s inductees included William “Bill” Lonis, Marisa Turner, Steve Storie, and the 1971-72 boys basketball team.

Meet the Wall of Fame Inductees

Bill Lonis

Lonis was a longtime cross-country and track and field coach for the district, spanning from 1977 to 2011. His accolades include being named Coach of the Year six times throughout his career, earning the OHSL Coaches Award in 1986, and coaching several teams to league and sectional championship titles over the years.

Marisa Turner

Turner’s contributions to Firebird athletics from 2007-2012 have left a legacy of her own. The three-sport athlete excelled in cross country, volleyball, and track and field. Her achievements include being named OHSL first team all-league in cross country and MVP for four years. She set PCSD records in several track and field events, and was a standout volleyball player, earning first team all-league honors in 2011. She continued her athletic and academic career at St. Lawrence University, where she was named NCAA All-American and set five school records.

Steve Storie

Storie’s coaching career spanned several decades and left a lasting impact on both the girls and boys basketball programs. From 1973-1982, he coached the boys team and led them to a league championship, a Section III runner-up finish, and was named Coach of the Year in 1977. He followed that with additional success at the helm of the girls basketball team, guiding the team to league championship titles four times, a Section III championship finish, and was named Coach of the Year four times. He also served the district as a PE teacher and coached the golf team from 1995-2008.

1971-1972 Boys Basketball Team

The undefeated regular season, state-ranked 1971-72 boys basketball team was honored for its historic season. They went 20-1 overall and finished the season as league champions and playoff champions. The team was the first-ever recipient of the Oswego County Weekly Newspaper’s OCW Athletic Excellence Award as well. Led by coach Terry O’Connor, the team was comprised of Gene Walts, Gordy Dick, Tim Allen, Wes Pickreign, Tim Smiley Marty Schlecht, Steve Schultz, Scott Smith, Lynn Nelson, George Betts, Ken Brann, John Young and Don Mintonye. Several of the athletes were selected to the all-county team.

Following the induction ceremony, John Jeffries, Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics, recognized current senior athletes and presented several awards throughout the evening, including the Don and Marcia DenBleyker Awards; Judi and Doug Graham Awards; “Doc” Jones Awards; Ronald P. Woodruff Outstanding Senior Athlete Awards; and other special recognitions.

“We are proud of what you’ve accomplished, and even more excited for what lies ahead,” Jeffries said. “Keep chasing your goals, stay grounded in your values and never forget the power of showing up, giving your all, and supporting your team.”