Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame
Posted on 06/06/2023
The Galway Central School District is proud to announce the 2023 Inductees into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame.
Galway’s Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame recognizes and honors student athletes, coaches, teams, and community members who have made significant contributions to the Galway athletic program. Individuals were nominated for their service, performance, dedication, and commitment to Galway Athletics by members of the Galway community. A selection committee then voted to induct the following athletes, community members, and teams into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame.
The following individuals were honored at the Wall of Fame Ceremony on June 7, 2023, along with the 2022 inductees. The Athletics Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place in the High School Auditorium (moved from the pavilion) at 6:30pm.
Please join us as we celebrate our 2022 and 2023 Golden Eagle Inductees!
2023 Inductees
Kyle Leach, Class of 1998
Kyle was a three-year starter for the Golden Eagles basketball and baseball teams. In basketball, he scored over 1,000 career points; was named to the Class C All-State team twice, Amsterdam Recorder Player of the Year twice, and one of the top 50 players in New York by USA TODAY; and was the Capital Region Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award winner amongst many other achievements. Kyle went on to play college basketball at the University of Rochester, starting all four years. He remains in the top 20 in the University of Rochester's program history for offensive rebounds and games started.
Harleigh Leach Chwastyk, Class of 1996
Harleigh was a four-sport athlete at Galway, participating in volleyball, basketball, softball, and track and field. She was twice named a Tri-Valley League All-Star for volleyball and twice led her team into the Class CC sectionals as a captain. For basketball, Harleigh was twice named the Offensive Player of the Year. As a senior, Harleigh was a Capital Region Sports Foundation Scholar Athlete. She went on to play two sports at Trinity College where she holds volleyball records for career solo blocks, individual season block assists, and total blocks. Harleigh played on the basketball team that won the ECAC Championship in 2000 and earned a bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament.
Scott Beatty, Class of 1983
Scott was a three-sport athlete at Galway, competing in soccer, basketball, and baseball. In the Tri-Valley League, he was named a First Team All-Star three times for baseball, once for soccer, and once for basketball. He also made the Schenectady Gazette Third Team his senior year. Scott went on to play basketball at SUNY Brockport, where he was a four-year starter and set the school record for most games played. During the 1985-86 basketball season, Brockport had a frustrating 0-8 start but then had 10 victories in the final 15 games. Coach Ron Jones credited Beatty, the team captain, as the main reason for the second half surge of the season.
Brittany Orminski, Class of 2015
Brittany was a superb volleyball player at Galway. She was a WAC All-Star for three years, MVP for four years, and made the Class D All State Second Team. After graduating from Galway, Brittany made the IREVA travel volleyball team and played in Florida before attending Fulton-Montgomery Community College, where she was captain and starting libero. Brittany moved on to Sage College and then SUNY Brockport, where she continued to play volleyball.
David Neahr (Legacy), Class of 1971
David was a four-sport athlete at Galway, competing in cross country, soccer, basketball, and baseball. His coach in cross country and basketball, Dan Connelly, stated that David was one of the best athletes of his generation. He excelled at every sport he participated in. David was a key member of his basketball team, advancing to the Sectional Semifinals his senior year. He continued to be involved in the Galway community since graduating, serving as an umpire, little league coach, junior varsity baseball coach and assistant varsity coach, and president of the Galway Wrestling Booster Club.
Ed Palmer (Legacy), Class of 1953
Ed was a three-sport athlete at Galway, playing soccer, basketball, and baseball. He was one of Galway’s high scorers and a League All Star in basketball his senior year. In 1951, Ed was instrumental in his soccer team's Four County Championship win and advancement to the Sectional Quarter Finals. He has always been supportive of Galway athletics, attending many games over the years. Ed is also a longtime member of the Wall of Fame Committee.
Brita Donovan, Ed.D. (Community)
Brita first came to Galway in the role of athletic director and associate principal. Her love for athletics comes from many years of playing sports in high school and excelling as a track athlete. She continued to show her passion for athletics by coaching volleyball, soccer, basketball, track and field, and serving as a volleyball official. Dr. Donovan continued to serve Galway CSD as the director of curriculum and is now the superintendent. Brita has been very supportive of our athletic program and the Galway community. She was instrumental in the creation and expansion of the district's Homecoming festivities and the establishment of our Wall of Fame. She helps coaches prepare to obtain their coaching certificates by facilitating monthly DASA trainings and then donating the proceeds back to improve not only the athletic program, but the district as a whole. Dr. Donovan is currently working to expand the athletic facilities in the district so that all Galway community members and students can enjoy the very best athletic experience.
2023 Inductees
Jodie Evans, Class of 1993
Jodie was an outstanding athlete, playing three sports at Galway Central School District. She competed in varsity track and field, soccer, and basketball. She was captain of the track team, Sectional Class C Champion, and Tri Valley League Champion in long jump and 800m. She had a record of 17’ 3 1/2” in long jump and a time of 2:28 in 800m. Jodie also scored for her team in relays and other events all through high school. Her coach, Mr. Geoff Maliszewski, remembers Jodie as one of the most talented track athletes he has coached in his 30+ years at Galway.
Ms. Evans went to Allegheny College where she was a member of both the soccer and lacrosse teams for four years. Her soccer team made the NCAC All Conference in her senior year, and her lacrosse team made NCAC All Conference in her junior and senior years. Jodie was also named the Offense MVP in lacrosse in 1996.
Emily Orminski, Class of 2015
Emily was a superb volleyball athlete at Galway Central School District. She was a leader both on and off the court. Emily was the 2014 Team Captain who led her team to become the Section II Champions. Emily also was MVP Setter and All Star in 2012, 2013, and 2014. After graduating from Galway, Emily made the IREVA travel volleyball team and played in Florida before attending Fulton Montgomery Community College where she was the starting setter and captain. She went on to SUNY Brockport after FMCC and was a setter on the team, which advanced to the NCAA Regionals. Emily coached for IREVA volleyball camps, college camps, and high school camps from 2015-2019. In 2019, she was the assistant coach for the SUNY Geneseo Knights, who successfully made it to the SUNYAC Championship game. Today, Emily is the Assistant Coach for the Division I Siena Saints.
Douglas DiCerbo, Class of 1987
Doug was a three-sport athlete at Galway Central School District, competing in soccer (one year), wrestling (four years), and track and field (three years). He was varsity wrestling captain and two-time Class D Champion with over 100 wins. The Galway wrestling team went undefeated in Doug’s freshman year. He placed third in Sectionals his sophomore year and won every tournament in both his junior and senior years. Doug had a record of 64-4 during his junior and senior years. After graduating from Galway, Doug earned a scholarship for and attended Hartwick College. Today, he is the owner and founder of Sentry Hill Financial Advisors in Boston.
2016 Volleyball Team
The 2016 Volleyball Team was the first volleyball team in school history to make the State Final Four. They finished the season ranked third in New York State for Class C schools. They were also the WAC West Division Champions, WAC Tournament Champions, WAC League Champions, Section II Class C Champions and Regional Class C Champions with a record of 20-1.
The team had many individual accomplishments as well:
Brittany Kenyon – First Team All State, WAC West Division MVP, WAC First Team League All-Star, Times Union Section II Middle Hitter Second Team All-Star
Abigail Pritchard, WAC Defensive Player of the Year, WAC Second Team All-Star
Emma Smith, 5th Team All-State
Lindsey Zawisa, First Team All State, New York State Final Four All-Tournament Team, WAC First Team League All-Star, WAC MVP Hitter, WAC MVP Runner-up, Times Union Section II Outside Hitter Second Team All-Star
2016 Team Members:
Emily Smith, DS/OH
Hannah Bramer, S
Carlee Hortsmann, MH/OH
Emma Smith, OH
Lindsey Zawisa, OH/RS
Sydney Crawford, RS/OH
Schuyler Arnold, RS/S
Hannah Hofmann, S/DS
Brittany Kenyon, MH
Casey Dunleavy, MB
Brooke Martin, RS/OH
Samantha Munchbach, DS/MH
Annelise Ostrowski, MB
Abbie Pritchard, L
Samantha Grant, MB
Anna Gardner, OH
Paul Munchbach (Legacy), Class of 1971
Paul was a three-sport athlete at Galway Central School District, competing in soccer, basketball, and baseball. He was co-captain of the soccer team during his senior year and helped lead his team to win the Sectional Championship. Sports were always a major factor in Paul’s life. After graduating from Galway, Paul played soccer for Hudson Valley Community College and then played semi-pro for the Schenectady Power Pallets. He played slow pitch softball for eight years for Lamonts, Pines, and C&R Restaurant. Paul was also a soccer official for the Galway Youth Commission for over 12 years. In 1972, Paul started taking Karate. He received his black belt and became the Chief Instructor of the Galway Karate Club in 1981, where he taught for 35 years. Under his instruction, the Galway Karate Club won the Top Ten Schools Award three times and was recognized and published in Inside Kung Fu and Karate Illustrated in 1985. Paul competed in tournaments and excelled at Breaking and Weapons. He was the standing Breaking Champion for 14 years, Weapons Champion for 13 years, Kata Champion for 11 years, and Sparring champion for 10 years. In the year 2000, Paul was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Instructor of the Year. In 2001, he was inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Distinguished Master of the Year. Paul expanded his learning into Judo and Jui Jitsu as well. He earned the rank of Grand Master, 8th degree black belt in Karate and a 5th degree black belt in both Judo and Jui Jitsu. One of Paul’s greatest joys has been to serve the Galway community where he coached karate; served as a pastor; and after retiring from General Electric, worked as a bus driver, custodian, and substitute teacher at Galway Central School District.
Robert Stangle (Legacy), Class of 1951
Robert was a three-sport athlete at Galway Central School District, playing soccer, basketball, and baseball. Bob excelled for four years at all three sports. He was the captain of the soccer team in 1951 and the high scorer of basketball in 1949 and 1951. His batting average in baseball was .474 in 1950, and .484 in 1951. After graduating from Galway, Mr. Stangle was invited to a baseball major league tryout camp.