Three former Pioneer Central School athletes are set to be inducted into the Pioneer Athletics Wall of Fame.
Ceremonies are scheduled during the Homecoming varsity football game at 7pm on Oct. 15 at Memorial Stadium.
Kathleen Connelly Thomas ('75), Aaron Meyers ('01) and Joelle Connelly ('08) are the new enshrinees.
The following is a breakdown of how each candidate met the selection criteria.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY THOMAS
Pioneer
- Played essential role in promoting Girls Interscholastic Sports 1970-1975
- President of the Girls Athletic Association her Senior year 1975
- Participant in GAA sports programs from their inception 1970-1972
- 4-year Field Hockey player 1972-1975
- Field Hockey team captain her Junior and Senior years 1974-1975
- 3-year varsity Basketball player 1973-1975
- Basketball team captain her Junior and Senior years 1974-1975
- 3-year varsity Swimmer 1973-1975
- Swim team captain her Junior and Senior years 1974-1975
- 2-year participant in Track and Field 1974-1975
- 1-year participant in Softball 1975
- Served 3 years as Secretary of Class of 1975 1973-1975
ABOVE: Kathleen Connelly Thomas is shown in the field hockey team picture from 1975.
Post High School
- Arcade Recreation Counselor 4 years
- Organizer of Class of ’75 events (Reunions) Present
- Participated in “Playing for Payne” Alumni Basketball Scholarship Games 2008-2012
- Participated in 2002 Olympic Torch Run as Breast Cancer survivor 2001
- Recreated Torch Run for Arcade Elementary students 2002
- Avid supporter of Pioneer Athletics through FOPA Present
- Retired USPS Postmaster in Delevan and Fillmore, NY
AARON MEYERS
Pioneer
- 2 years, Football 1st team class “A” all-league 1999-2000
- 2-time Football Big 30 all-star 1999-2000
- 1st team All-WNY Defensive Back, 1st team All-State Defensive Back 2000
- HS SPORTS Section VI Offensive Player of the Year (RB) 2000
- Team Co-Captain, won 2 straight Section VI Class A titles 1999-2000
- Rushed for 1,130 yards as a RB 2000
- Co-Captain of Varsity Baseball 2001
- Baseball 1st team ECIC Division 3 All-League 2001
- Super 7 Athlete of the Week (Baseball) 2001
- Member of ECIC Division Championship Wrestling team 2000-2001
ABOVE: Aaron Meyers was a three-sport athlete at Pioneer.
Post-High School
- Member of GCC Baseball team 2002
- Member of Alfred University Football Team 2003-2005
- 3-year starter at Safety for Alfred University 2003-2005
- Empire 8 Rookie of the Year 2003
- Pete DeRose Memorial Award (Top DB) 2003, 2004
- Alfred Team captain 2005
- Empire 8 1st Team All-League, All ECAC 1st Team 2005
- Dan Hansen All-American, 3rd Team 2005
- Alfred Saxon Defensive MVP 2005
- Member of 2 ECAC Northeast Football Championship Teams 2004-2005
JOELLE CONNELLY
Pioneer
- 5-year member of the Girls Varsity Basketball team 2003-2008
- # 1 All-Time WNY scorer (2300 points) 2008
- # 1 All-Time WNY leading rebounder (1555) 2008
- 2-time WNY Player of the Year 2007, 2008
- 2-time 1st team All WNY 2007, 2008
- 4-time ECIC 1st Team All-Star 2004-2008
- 2-time Big 30 Player of the Year 2007, 2008
- 1st Team All NYS Class A 2008
- McDonalds All-American Nominee 2008
- 2-year member of the Varsity Volleyball team 2007-2008
ABOVE: Joelle Connelly & teammates celebrate as she reaches 2000 points on Jan. 18, 2008.
Post High School
- Played college Basketball at Hofstra 2009, 2010
- Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year 2009
- Played Division I College Basketball at Temple 2011, 2012