EIGHT INDUCTED TO LSI HALL OF FAME
Cahill, Callaghan, Casale, Egan, McCarty, Pelletier, Pitaniello, Rapp honored
TROY, N. Y. » The La Salle Institute inducted eight new members into its athletic Hall of Fame in a luxurious event on Thursday evening.
Hundreds gathered in the Franklin Terrace Ballroom to induct Michael Cahill ( Class of 1968), Thomas Callaghan ( Class of 1959), Nicholas Casale ( Class of 2004), Donald Egan ( Class of 1960), David McCarty ( Class of 2005), Josh Pelletier ( Class of 2004), Dennis Pitaniello ( Class of 1998) and former head coach Al Rapp.
Cahill was an ice hockey and football player at La Salle, where his father is also in the Hall of Fame. He was in the Top 5 in league scoring all four years he played. He was also the starting quarterback and ran the 440- meter distance in track.
Callaghan has a degree from Boston College, a law degree from UAlbany, and served in theUnited States Military during Vietnam. He played center and linebacker for the football program. He was best known as being a defender on the ice hockey team and played hockey at BC.
Casale played football, lacrosse and track at La Salle and captained the first two. He played football and lacrosse at RPI and was a captain in both of those
sports as well at the level.
McCarty is currently working in the United States Marine Corps and is stationed in Japan. He played football and wrestled at La Salle. He broke several records playing running back at the University at Albany.
Egan played basketball and baseball at La Salle and was a captain of his college basketball team in Vermont. Egan died at the college
age of 25.
Pelletier played basketball and football at La Salle. He is the all- time leader in points in school history. He was also a part of the 2003 Section II championship team. He was the captain at the College of Saint Rose, where he played basketball. He’s currently an assistant coach at the University at Albany.
Pitaniello played basketball and football at LSI. He scored more than 1,300 points during his entire high school basketball career.
He played college basketball at Hudson Valley Community
College and averaged 16 points per game, being named Male Athlete of the Year.
Rapp coached La Salle football for 16 seasons. He took a 3- 6 team and won the Section II title during the first year. He won four titles over his tenure and compiled a 96- 58 career record. He retired in the fall of 2015.
All the attendees were dressed up and treated to a nice meal before the ceremony.
Rapp said coming back allowed him to run into people whom he hadn’t talked to in years, including
several ex- players who had played for him.
“It’s just great to be recognized by the people of La Salle,” Rapp said. “We had a great run there, it’s so nice to see seven or eight former players here. Three of them getting honored for their accomplishments. It’s just great to be recognized.”
Each of the inductees were given a plaque and a place in the record books that won’t ever be erased.
“Some of ( the people here) have been in the service, have been away,” Rapp said. “It’s just great to get back here.”