CLASS OF 2017 TO BE INDUCTED OCT. 28
Five individuals, 1996 state title-winning football team headline inductees
TROY, N.Y. » Three athletes one coach, one contributor and one team will be honored at the 23rd annual Edward C. Picken THS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction/ Reunion Banquet will be held at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom located at 126 Campbell Avenue (former Mario’s) Saturday, Oct. 28 in Troy.
The former Flying Horses greats to be inducted are Class of 2006 Eugene Kennedy, Michael Melville of the Class of 2009 and Katie Rogan of the Class of 1995. Coach Sam Marro and friend of the program Michael Cocca will also be inducted along with the 1996 state champion Troy High football team.
Eugene Kennedy (2006)
Kennedy excelled as a player for Troy’s indoor and outdoor track teams and football Team. As a senior, he placed first in high jump at the New York State Public High School Finals with a jump of 6-feet, 8-inches which is also a record at Troy H.S. For the football team he was instrumental in leading Troy High to the New York State Public High Schools Championship in 2005. After Troy High School, Kennedy got a scholarship to study at SUNY Buffalo where he majored in Communications. He lives in Buffalo today. His parents are Herbert and Carla Kennedy and he has one brother and two sisters.
Sam Marro
Marro has been a football coach for Troy High School for nine years, but has a football related highlight reel spanning more than thirty years. His most magical moment to date, however, played out November 26, 2016 at the Syracuse Carrier Dome. That’s
where his underdog Flying Horses chalked up its 13th. win of the season and third state title with a victory over the favored Victor Blue Devils for the New York State Public High School Association Class AA title. The adrenalin rich game came down to the wire with Troy prevailing 21 to 20 over the Rochester area school.
He has coached in just about every role and position on all three sides of the game. He is currently the Special Teams Coordinator and Position Coach of Wide Receivers and Safeties.
Michael Mellville (2009)
Mellville played football at Troy High School. His position coaches were Jim Canfield and Mark Galuski. He made more than 150 total tackles, 10 career interceptions, three defensive
touchdowns and led team in tackles his senior year. Mellville was named to the First Team All Area during his Junior and Senior Years as a Defensive Back. He was elected and started in the Senior Bowl (All Star Game).
After graduating from Troy High School, Mellville attended Buffalo State. He is now a business owner. He remembers that his time at Troy High School playing football were the best years of his life. He still follows the Troy High School Football current team and goes to games.
Katie Rogan (1995) Rogan was born in Puson, South Korea in September of 1974. She lived in a bomo with about 100 other children with about 10 house mothers. Sue and Tom Rogan along with their two sons adopted Katie when she was four and she arrived in upstate New York in 1978. She progressed through the Troy School System where she quickly learned the English language and was happy to become part of a busy athletic family.
She started swimming and quickly became an excellent breaststroker. She was then introduced to Special Olympics and she has been involved ever since, She swims for Area 10 in New York State and has competed in her top event, the breaststroke, and team relay races. After winning many gold medals in the New York State Games, Rogan was selected to represent the United States in the first World Games outside of the U.S in 2003 when they were held in Ireland. She spent 15 days in Ireland and she came home with a silver and a bronze medal.
The Special Olympics have been good for Rogan and her entire family. She now lives in a residential home located in Cohoes with two roommates and has many hobbies. Her nieces and nephews are the love of her life.
1996 Troy Football Team
The Flying Horses won the Section II Class A championship to advance to the New York State tournament. Troy shut out Ogdensburg Free Academy 35-0 in the state quarterfinals then beat Yorktown 35-14 in the semis. In the final at the Carrier Dome, Troy beat Whitesboro 2713 to capture the school’s first state title.
Banquet tickets cost $55 per adult ticket and $15 per child ticket (12-yearsold or
younger). The Cocktail Reception is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner. Soda is provided and there will be a cash bar. Choices of entrees includes sliced tenderloin of beef, rolled filet of sole with crab meat stung or stuffing or chicken breast. Include your entree choice when sending dinner confirmation information. Closing date for the sale of tickets will be Sunday, Oct. 15. Send your reservations to Judith Valenti; 1410 Fifth Ave. Troy, N.Y. 12180. For questions, call 518495-4693 or email spellgirl1027@hotmail.com.