Category Archives: Search for Inductee
Alan Malizia
Al Malizia’s coaching career spanned twenty two years from 1979-2000 and during that time he has established quite a resume. It started when he became the head coach of Stamford Catholic High School (aka Trinity Catholic). Al brought his enthusiasm, dedication and winning attitude to his players. This is evident in his teams’ success. In 1981 Stamford Catholic qualified for the CIAC State Tournament. Just two years later they not only qualified for the tournament, they reached the finals and they won. This was to be repeated for the next two years- Al’s teams won three consecutive state championships: 1983, 1984, 1985. Also during that ’85 season Stamford Catholic was FCIAC League and Tournament Champion and posted a perfect 23-0 record. In 1988 Al once again brought his team to the state tournament and another appearance in the finals and another victory. Winning four state championships is quite an accomplishment in a coaching career. The Connecticut High School Coaches Association apparently agreed because that year Al was selected as a Coach of the Year- Outstanding Coach of Volleyball.
Throughout his 22 year career Al’s teams made 16 consecutive FCIAC playoff appearances; 17 consecutive CIAC State Tournament appearances (4 of which were in the finals); and he compiled a .640 career win percentage, 274 wins and 154 losses. He had just 5 losing seasons in his career. Many outstanding athletes played volleyball for Al and he had numerous players named to All-FCIAC and All-State teams. Many of these student athletes went on to play on the collegiate level on scholarship for schools such as Georgetown, Boston College, UConn and Holy Cross.
In 2004 Al Received the Stamford Old Timers Athletic Association Award in memory of “Mickey” Leone.
Dorothy Franco-Reed
Dorothy’s distinguished career began in 1972 when she entered Milford High School. At that time, athletic seasons were not as rigidly defined, so as a freshman, Dorothy was able to play four sports: volleyball, swimming/diving, basketball and softball. It was that year that she first walked into the gym to try out for volleyball, a sport she had never played, and she was nervous. She overcame her anxiety, and with determination and hard work she made the team. Just two weeks into the season, to her surprise, her coach, Edna Fraser moved her up to the varsity. Although there were no all-star teams for volleyball in the early 70’s, Dorothy was a standout for her team. She was an aggressive hitter, tenacious on defense and a powerful server. While at Milford, Dorothy earned 13 varsity letters. She was captain of the volleyball team her senior year, the tennis team her junior and senior years and the basketball team her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. She competed in state tournaments in five sports: volleyball, basketball, swimming/diving, and tennis.
Dorothy received one of the first NCAA scholarships for women. She attended the University of Alabama on a volleyball and basketball scholarship. She was a four-year varsity volleyball player earning letters each year. She appeared in three AIAW National Championship tournaments.
In 1980, Dorothy started teaching in Milford, but left in ’81 to train for the Olympic Games (Team Handball). She made the team and represent the US in the ’84 Games. The team finished fourth, missing a medal by a goal.
After the Olympics, Dorothy began a 13 year college coaching career which took her at the University of Minnesota, Tulane University and the University of Alabama. After marriage and two children, Dorothy decided to discontinue her Division I coaching career and she returned to Milford to resume her teaching career.
Dorothy has been the Athletic Coordinator at Newington High School since 2001. She has been a sports commentator and color analyst for ESPN in 1997, broadcasting NCAA and international volleyball events. She lives in Rocky Hill with her husband Tom and children Ty and Kyley.
Syd Lillick
Syd’s interest and support of volleyball goes back 25 years to when she worked with Debbie Chin at Hillhouse High School. It was during that tiem that she began working as a volleyball official both at the high schoola nd collegiate levels. She continued in that role as well as serving as the coordinator of volleyball officials for greater New Haven.
Syd was responsible for scheduling officials for some 35 area schools and was instrumental in training new officials. Syd also scheduled officials for the CIAC state volleyball tournament. She tirelessly contributed countless hours to interscholastic volleyball in Connecticut.
Syd is presently an Assistant Principal at Cross Annex High School in New Haven.
Steve Geryk
Steve’s volleyball career began as an outstanding player and continued as an out-standing coach. He first played volleyball at UMASS Amherst with Pat Ryan who was already a member of the team. He was named a New England All Star both years he played at the College club level and he played with various USVBA and local adult teams throughout the years.
His first coaching job was at Amherst High School in 1984 as the first Boys’ Volleyball coach. The team’s record was 11-1. His next coaching opportunity was at Glastonbury High School where he started as the girls’ assistant coach in 1990. Steve coached there until 2002, his last 6 years as the Varsity Coach.
His overall record at Glastonbury was 215-77 in those 13 years, and his varsity record was 107 and 26. Glastonbury was the CCC West Champion for 11 of those 13 years, including the last 10 in a row and won the CIAC Class L State Championship in 1993.
Steve coached numerous All-State players including Allison Baker and Missy Roy, an inductee of the Connecticut Scholastic Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame.
After taking many years off to spend more time with his children’s activities, he re-turned to coaching at East Catholic High School as the assistant girls’ volleyball coach from 2009 through 2012. This allowed him to be a part of the team while his daughter Emma played. He also coached numerous girls Junior Olympic teams for the Husky Volleyball Club, operated in central CT by Pat Ryan.
Steve credits the many people who have helped influence him as a coach but none more than his presenter Pat Ryan. Of Pat Steve said, “Pat has been there since my first day playing at UMASS and continued to be an influence on my coaching, and coaching philosophy throughout my career”.
Steve is a Mortgage Loan Originator and lives in Stafford Springs with his wife Kathy and 2 children Joey and Emma.
Class of 2002
Hartford Courant: Notebook