Omari Braswell, class of 1995, was one of the great track athletes ever at Hartford Public. He led HPHS to state championships, was an individual state champion (7 times), a National Champion, and a two time All-American.
As a junior he won the indoor state open and New England high jump championships. In the outdoor season, in the Class LL meet, he finished first the high jump with a leap of 6’10” and first in the triple jump at 49’5”. In the Open meet that year he jumped 7’1/4” finishing second and tying the state record.
In his senior year he was the National Champion in the indoor Triple Jump, leaping 49’ ¾”. In the outdoor season Omari Braswell led Hartford Public to it’s 20th Class LL state championship. He finished first in both the high jump and the triple jump. His leap in the high jump of 7’1/4” tied the state record. He also led HPHS to the school’s 11th state open championship. His winning leap in the high jump was 7’0” and in the triple jump was 50 feet.
At the conclusion of his senior season Omari Braswell received a prestigious award at graduation. Presented to him by his father, HPHS Hall of Fame high jumper Mel Braswell, Omari Braswell was named the best two-way jumper in the United States by Reebok and USA Today. Omari Braswell was the 11th Hartford Public High School All-American in track.
Pamela Floyd-Cranford, class of 1980, was a star sprinter in the advent of women’s athletics at Hartford Public. She also was on the basketball and volleyball teams.
In track and field, Pamela was an outstanding sprinter as Hartford Public was one of the premier girl’s track programs in the state. On the 1978 Class L state champion team she placed 3rd in the 100 and 5th in the 220. The Owls, under Hall of Fame Coach Joella Marshall won their second straight state championship.
In 1979 she finished first in the 100 and 2nd in the 220 as Hartford Public finished second in the state. That year she finished first in both the 100 and 220- yard dashes in the CDC meet. At seasons end she finished first in the 100-meter dash in the State AAU championships.
In 1980 she finished 3rd in the 100 and the 220 in the Class L meet and Hartford Public finished 4th that year.
Pamela then attended Prairie View A&M and graduated in 1984. She continued her track and field career while in college. In 1983 she qualified for the NCAA track and Field meet in the 100 meters. Pamela also earned a Master’s in social work at the University of Connecticut.
After college Pamela began a long career of nearly 30 years working as a social worker with DCF, most recently as a program director. She was awarded the Governors Service Recognition award.
In 2017 Pamela was elected to the Board of Directors (Council) for the town of Manchester.
“Dutch” Eschholz, class of 1922, was one of Hartford Public High School's greatest athletes ever. A star in three sports--football, basketball, and tennis, he was captain of each as well.
In football he was a two-way player for three seasons on strong Hilltop teams that were regularly the best in the state. Those years he led the team to a 3-0 record against powerful Hillhouse and 2-1 against rival New Britain. He was team captain as a senior. He starred in a 23-0 win over New Haven, throwing for a touchdown and running for another while quarterbacking the Hilltoppers to the victory. In another win over New Haven, he intercepted a pass and ran 80 yards for a touchdown in a 13-0 win.
In basketball he was even better. He was the captain for three seasons. As a senior HPHS was arguably the best team in the state with a 13-1 record. He averaged 17 points per game that year scoring more than half of the team’s points. In a win over Manchester he scored 28 points in a 36-26 victory. In another game he scored 14 in a 27-24 win over the Yale freshman. Their one loss that year was to an out-of-state team.
He then went to RPI. There he played football, basketball, and baseball and earned 11 letters. He captained the football team and the basketball team for two years in college. He held the record for points scored in a basketball game. In a game against Connecticut Agriculture (UConn) he scored both touchdowns in an RPI 13-7 win. He was inducted into RPI’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
After he graduated from RPI in 1926 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, he stayed on to teach, get a graduate degree, and coach freshmen football. "Dutch" was also Class President.
In 1932, Paul Eschholz began a 29-year career as an Electrical Engineer for the Hartford Electric Light Company.
Paul “Dutch” Eschholz was the third brother to play at Hartford High, and all were nicknamed “Dutch”. He followed older brothers Otto and Herman.
Tylee Flowers, class of 1997, was a multi sport athlete performing on the football field, basketball court, and in track and field. He made his strongest statement as a football player on the Jack Laplante coached teams.
As a football player at Hartford Public he had many outstanding games. Some highlights are 8 tackles and an interception in an 18-0 win over New Britain. In another game against Conard, a 14-7 win, he recorded 13.5 tackles.
His senior year, the 6-1, 220-pound linebacker had 116 tackles, three interceptions and four fumble recoveries leading the Owls to a solid 7-3-1 record. For his career he logged an astounding 223 tackles, five interceptions and seven fumble recoveries. Jack LaPlante described Tylee as a “hard hitting linebacker who is quick to the ball”.
He made All Conference as a junior and a senior. He made All-State as a senior due to his outstanding defensive play.
Tylee was also a solid basketball player recording many double figure games including 14 in a win over Weaver in 1997.
After high school Tylee attended Lackawana College in Pa and played football. He also played Semi Pro Football in the New England Football League. Playing for the Connecticut Thunder and then the Connecticut Panthers he was the defensive player of the year multiple times and his teams won three championships. He was inducted into the New England Football League’s Hall of Fame.
Tylee has volunteered his time coaching and mentoring youth. He has worked for the State of Connecticut for the last six years.
Jake Fournier, class of 1990, was a versatile athlete playing multiple positions and competing in four sports during his time at Hartford Public. Jake earned seven letters.
In football, as a senior, he played tight end and led the team in receiving and was also the punter, averaging over 40 yards per kick. He also threw an 82-yard option for a TD to tie South Windsor. Jake was part of the group that helped transition Hartford Public football from the tough years in the 1980’s back to being a state power in the 1990’s.
He lettered two years in basketball on strong teams that were city and conference champions in 1990 with an 18-4 record.
In baseball Jake lettered three years. He was team captain for two and was All-CCC as a junior and a senior. The team made the state tournament his sophomore year.
Jake was the valedictorian at the end of his senior year and was accepted at Yale University. While at Yale he played baseball as a walk on for two years. His senior year he earned the starting catcher spot and had an outstanding season. He hit .301 and led the team in walks as Yale won the Ivy League championship.
After college Jake explored professional baseball opportunities but eventually moved to Portland, Oregon. While there he met his future wife and played in very competitive amateur baseball leagues while on the west coast.
Jake settled back in Connecticut in 1998 and continued his amateur baseball career as player-manager for the Middletown entry in the Greater Hartford Twilight League, until 2010.
Jake is currently a coach in the Minors division of the Mayor Mike’s Little League in Hartford and this spring was his fifth year in that capacity. He also has coached basketball at the rec and travel league designations.
Jack Hines, class of 1956, played on the baseball and basketball teams for HPHS.
In baseball, he was catcher and team captain. He caught HPHS Hall of Fame pitcher Pete Sala. Jack was behind the plate in Sala’s 10 inning 1-0 shutout and win over New Britain and their flamethrower Steve Dalkowski. His leadership helped the Owls to the City championship in 1956. In basketball he was on solid teams that were City Champs his junior and senior years.
Jack played basketball at Central Connecticut after high school. He began a long career in the Greater Hartford Twilight League, most notably as a manager. In 1988 he was inducted into the GHTL Hall of Fame.
Jack was involved in amateur athletics in Bristol for many years. He also currently serves as the President of the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame after serving as executive director and a board member. He authored the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame scholar–athlete ceremony that is named in his honor. In 2017 Jack Hines was inducted into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame. Jack was also a founding Board member of the Hartford Public High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Jack has received the Bristol Boys & Girls Club Humanitarian award and the Bristol Tramps Chuck McCarthy award in 2008. Jack Hines also received an honorary degree from Tunxis Community College, the first the school ever granted.
Elijah “Peanut” Joseph, class of 2006, was a multi- sport athlete at Hartford Public with his greatest success on the football field. He also played basketball and competed in outdoor track.
In football he starred on teams that went 7-4 and 8-2 in back to back years winning a city title and two CCC East conference championships. His junior year the team made the state playoffs. He was one of the best defensive players in the state and earned All-Conference and was All-State Hartford Courant his senior year.
A few examples of his dominating play in high school were forcing three fumbles and being named the Syd Conn MVP of the Thanksgiving Day win over Weaver his senior year. In another game he recorded 16 tackles, 5 sacks, and an interception, all in a day’s work. He was named to the Governor’s Cup team that played against Rhode Island in June of 2006. In the 41-21 Connecticut victory Elijah Joseph was named the team’s defensive MVP.
He also played basketball at Hartford Public under Coach Ed Quick and was a bruising rebounder and defender.
After prepping and starring in football for a season at Kent, he earned a scholarship to play football at Division One Temple. The Temple Owls had consecutive winning seasons and a bowl appearance in 2009 for the first time in 30 seasons. He was All-MAC as a junior and second team as a senior. In 2010 he won the Carlos Diaz award as the most improved player. Was team captain for three games as a senior and was second with 71 tackles.
Due to a knee injury suffered late in his senior season at Temple, Elijah was not picked in the NFL draft. Like his brother Eli, he did sign a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers in 2011. He was a Green Bay Packer taxi squad member in 2011.
Elijah is a behavior technician at the Belizzi Middle school, part of the Hartford Public school system. He is a Capstone mentor for HPHS students and was an assistant football coach too.
Elisha “Eli” Joseph, class of 2006, like twin brother Elijah, was a multi- sport star at Hartford Public and football was the sport where he had the most success. He also played basketball and competed in outdoor track.
In football he lettered three years and was a key part of the winning program under Coach Harry Bellucci. The team went 7-4 and made the state playoffs as a junior and went 8-2 as a senior, just missing the state playoffs. He made second team All-State as a defensive back his junior year and second team All-State as a wide receiver his senior year. He was all conference in both his junior and senior years and on both sides of the ball as a senior.
He was named to the roster of the Governor’s Cup after his senior year and caught a touchdown pass in the win over Rhode Island. Like Elijah, he prepped at the Kent School before heading to college.
He accepted a football scholarship to Temple University. At Temple, he joined his bother Elijah and another HPHS graduate Brian Sanford. The HPHS connection, under coach Al Golden, brought the Temple football program to unprecedented success. The Temple Owls had consecutive winning seasons and a bowl appearance in 2009 for the first time in 30 seasons.
Playing nose tackle, at 288 pounds he excelled. In his senior season he was named All-MAC first team and to the All-Academic team. He was team captain for nine of the games that season. One of seven players to start every game, he logged 44 tackles.
Eli was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers. He was on the Green Bay Packers taxi squad in 2011, Pittsburgh Steelers 2011-12, and the Atlanta Falcons 2012.
Eli eventually returned home to Hartford and is now a behavioral technician at the Moylan school, part of the Hartford Public school system. He also is an elementary basketball coach and an HPHS Capstone mentor.
Don Langenauer, class of 1953, was a legendary shooter leading HPHS basketball teams in the early 1950’s.
Don lettered three years in basketball, but his junior season was limited due to a kidney infection. As a senior, he had many strong games scoring from the outside with his deadly set shot. He led Hartford Public to home and home wins over Hillhouse for the first time in years. His play in the state tournament earned him All-Tournament honors and the Owls finished with a 13-5 record, their best season in more than ten years.
After high school he attended Rio Grande College and played for coach Newt Oliver and alongside prolific scoring legend Bevo Francis, who scored over 100 points twice. Don stayed a Rio Grande for a short period of time. He soon transferred to Hillyer College which later became the University of Hartford and enjoyed a very successful career at Hillyer.
In 1957 Don had a tryout in New York with the Knickerbockers under Coach Vince Boryla.
Don was a legend in Hartford with his exploits on the basketball court. Everyone, who was anyone in hoops in Hartford knows Mr. Lang. He had a passion for basketball when he was a kid and it is as strong today.
He embarked on a 34-year career working in the City of Hartford Parks and Recreation Department. Don worked at many different parks and centers across the city and settled in at Day Park and the Parkville center in the city’s Parkville area.
No matter where he was stationed in his career, youth in Hartford had a friend, confidant, role model, and mentor in Don Langenauer. He was always helping the youth and looking out for their interests.
He was well known as a teaching sub at HPHS and playing pickup all day in the physical education classes. He was a mentor at his park assignments for many future Hartford Public basketball athletes such as Paul Spence, Nalda Spence, Vinnie Ithier, Manny Reis, John Woods and many others.
In July of this year, Don was featured on WFSB Channel 3 Sports talking about his induction to the Hartford Public High School Athletic Hall of Fame, his excitement, and how much it meant to him.
Gerrall Lewis, class of 1976, was a multi-sport star at Hartford Public leading the football and basketball teams.
In football he was a three-year starter at quarterback leading strong Hartford Public teams. He was also captain and starred on defense.
As a junior, in a 48-14 win over Norwich, he threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 144, and intercepted a pass to top things off. He was featured for his efforts in the Hartford Times as the “Player of the Week”. In another game he ran for over 100 yards and threw a 45 yard TD in a 22-2 win over rival Bulkeley.
Gerrall started his senior year scoring two touchdowns in an 18-6 win over Warren Harding. In a 42-0 win over Wilbur Cross he ran for two and threw for two touchdowns. He steered HPHS to a 14-0 win over Bulkeley, scoring a touchdown in the Owls 3rd straight win over the Bulldogs. Gerrall closed out his career in a 42-0 win over Weaver clinching the city title. The team finished with a solid 6-3 record. Gerrall Lewis was named Hartford Times All-City for three years.
In basketball Gerrall was a two-year starter and team captain. He keyed a 70-67 tournament win over Bulkeley by scoring on a driving layup and assisting on another in the final minutes. The team finished a very successful 15-7 that year.
After high school Gerrall attended Florida A&M University, graduating in 1981.
He settled down in Delray Beach, Fla and has been a highly successful youth coach. He has received several City Council commendations for his coaching youth football, basketball, and baseball.
Brue Maddox was a star basketball player at Hartford Public playing in maybe the best era of basketball success at the school, 1960-62.
As a sophomore he had many strong games including a 22 point effort in an 88-77 win over perennial state power Wilbur Cross. He had many other double figure games as the Owls were a young team building for a successful future.
He missed the first 13 games of his junior year to injury but returned just in time to be a key player on the New England championship team.
His senior year he excelled as the Owls not only repeated as New England champions, but also won the state Class A championship. In a 67-65 regular season win over Bulkeley Bruce Maddox hit the winning shot. He scored 19 leading the team to a 65-52 win over Cross. In the state semifinals he scored 25 points and had 13 rebounds in a win over Notre-Dame, West Haven. In the state championship win over Bulkeley he tallied 20 points. He earned All-Tournament for his efforts.
Perry McFadden was a longtime coach at Hartford Public. His biggest success was being Jack Laplante’s right hand man helping get the football program back on track, living up to their winning tradition.
Perry starred in football at Northwest Catholic in West Hartford. He earned a scholarship to the University of Connecticut where he played football from 1973 to 1975. He was on the Yankee Conference winners in 1974 and was a solid blocking fullback.
As a coach at Hartford Public, Perry was Coach Laplante’s top assistant and defensive coordinator from 1988 to 2003. Perry was coordinator on some strong teams including the 1994 group that won the CIAC Class LL state championship with a 22-7 win over Southington. That team allowed only 67 points all year and was arguably the top defense in the state. Many of Perry’s defensive players earned awards, such as All Conference and All-State.
Perry also was a track coach for eleven years at Hartford Public, seven as an assistant and four as the head coach. He was the assistant track coach on outstanding teams that included the 1995 Class LL and state open champions and teams that were runner-up in Class LL in 1993 and 1994.
Perry has been awarded the Secretary of State Susan Bysiewics’s Youth Volunteer Award, Masonic Temple Commendable Service Award, and the Hartford Midget Saints Service award. He also has been a longtime Board Six basketball referee and was awarded the Connecticut IAABO 25-year service award.
Perry is a member if the Greater Hartford Chapter of the NAACP, Northern Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation, and the College Hall of Fame committee.
Edward Skehan, class of 1937, was primarily an outfielder on excellent Hartford Public baseball teams that won city and conference championships.
In a game against LaSalette, Edward led off with a home run and contributed two hits in the 8-4 win over the cross town team. He had many other multi-hit games and could play any position where HPHS Hall of Fame Coach Woodie Woodworth needed him. Center, right, first base, and shortstop where a few positions where Ed Skehan was able to play and excel.
After high school Ed attended Hartford State Technical College graduating in 1939.
Life was disrupted with the onset of World War II and soon Edward was in the U.S. Army. He served from 1943 to 1946 with the Combat Engineers in the European Theater. Edward Skehan is a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, a key turning point to facilitating the end of the war in Europe.
Edward then began a 22-year career in amateur baseball, playing in multiple leagues, most notably in the Greater Hartford Twilight League. He was regularly an All-Star and a .300 hitter. He was a recipient of the Gold Glove award as an outstanding first baseman. On May 31st 1986 he was inducted into the Twilight League’s Hall of Fame.
Edward also served on the City of Hartford Fire Department for 25 years. While in the department he played on their baseball and bowling teams.
Michael Thompson, class of 1994, was a starter on two of the great teams in Hartford Public’s outstanding basketball history. His leadership and pesky defense were key to a combined two-year record of 50-1 and two successive Class LL state championships in 1993 and 1994.
Michael was a three-year starter at guard. As a junior the 1993 team went 27-0 winning the Class LL state championship and being voted the number one team in the state at years end. His leadership at the point and tough defense were key components of that great team. That team is considered one of the best high school teams in the history of the state.
As a senior he was the heart and soul of a team that went 23-1, losing only to Manchester. His defense was a key in the “come from behind win” over Danbury in the state final. That team was again voted number one in the state.
In Michael Thompson’s career the Owls went 64-8. They won three city titles and two conference titles. He was All Conference as a senior. They were Class LL champions two years and the number one team in the state for two years running. The 1993 team had Marcus Camby, the state Gatorade player of the year, and 1993 and 1994 Kendrick Moore, who was also state Gatorade player of the year in 1994.
Michael then attended McCook Community College in Nebraska and University of Texas, Pan American graduating in 1999. At McCook he was All-Conference, a top three-point shooter, and team captain earning a scholarship to UTPA.
Michael also had success teaching and coaching AAU in Connecticut, at at the Thurgood Marshall Academy (assistant), and Marist women’s basketball camp. At the Boys and Girl’s club in Edinburgh, TX he was named Coach of the Year. He has also coached and trained professional and college athletes including Ryan Gomes and Russ Smith. Michael is a celebrity hair stylist and has worked with a number of star athletes that include Kenyon Martin, Lebron James, our own Marcus Camby and members of the Timberwolves, Heat, and Knicks. Michael also is a photographer in his spare time.
Cliff Thornton, class of 1963, was a star basketball player. He played a key role on the Class A State Championship team and the 1962 New England Championship team and was an All-State selection the following year, his senior season. He was an excellent shooter.
In the 1962 basketball season he augmented a strong team with his ability to put points on the board. In the New England final, a 47-39 win over city rival Bulkeley he was second in scoring with 12 points. His shooting kept the Owls close until they could pull away in the 4th quarter. It was the fourth win over Bulkeley that year.
In his senior year he was one of the state’s best players and top scorers and made the New Haven Register First Team All-State. He scored 29 points in a loss to Wilbur Cross and scored over 20 points on multiple occasions including 23 in a win over East Hartford, 22 in a win over Bulkeley, 21 in a win over New London, and 20 in a win over Norwich. In the state tournament his 22 points keyed a 67-54 win over Notre Dame-Bridgeport. Cliff’s play helped HPHS to a 16-7 overall record and into the state tournament semifinals.
Cliff Thornton served in the US Army and played on the Army basketball team earning All-Army recognition in both the US and Europe.
Along with Margaret Thornton, they founded Efficacy, a non-profit organization advocating drug policy reform. In the effort to bring drug use under regulated control he traveled and spoke to thousands all over the world. He was described by Amherst College’s online newspaper as “America’s foremost anti-drug war African American activist”.
Cliff also has been politically active serving as a co-chair on the Green Party. In 2006 he ran for Governor of Connecticut as the Green Party nominee and was the first African American to appear on the general election ballot in Connecticut.
Richard Tulisano grew up in the Northeast section of Hartford in the Garden and Mather Streets area. He had a great experience at Hartford High, then at the old buildings at Hopkins and Broad Street. A well educated and dedicated faculty worked well with ambitious and driven students like Richard Tulisano. He enjoyed his time there and he fit in very well. While at HPHS he was president of the Athletic Club.
Richard went to college after high school but typical of the day, he left to get a job and help pay bills. He later returned to UCONN to get his degree. While at UCONN he became involved with the House Judiciary Committee as a volunteer performing various functions on their behalf. He then went to Law school and began a long career as a lawyer, eventually becoming a partner at a Hartford based law firm. But he was just beginning and had the need and itch to get into public service.
In 1970 he ran for State Senator and lost. In 1974 he ran for State Representative in District 29 (Wethersfield and Rocky Hill – in 1992 that District expanded to the south end of Hartford) and won. He held that position for 26 years and joined the House Judiciary Committee and was chair for 14 of those years.
In 2000 he resigned his post as state representative and took the role of Chief of Staff for House Speaker Moira Lyons.
Richard Tulisano was a staunch defender of civil liberties. He authored and supported legislation to ensure everyone was treated fairly and equally including establishing a commission to compensate innocent victims of crime.
The only courthouse in the state of Connecticut not named after a governor is the “Richard D. Tulisano” Courthouse on Washington Street in Hartford. Named after one of Hartford Public’s own.
Richard Tulisano passed in 2008.
Bill Wishinsky, class of 1967, was multi sport star, playing baseball and football. In baseball he was one of Hartford Public’s greatest baseball players ever. He was an outstanding pitcher, but also a great hitter on strong teams in the mid 1960’s.
In baseball, he lettered all four years. He was the winning pitcher in 19 games which is believed to be a school record.
As a freshman he beat East Hartford 1-0 and struck out 8 for his first career win.
Highlights of his sophomore year were beating Hall for his 5th win of the season and against Bulkeley, in a 7-2 win, he drove in 5 runs.
His junior year was the winning pitcher in eight games. In a game against East Hartford he was the winning pitcher, had three hits, including a home run. In a win over New London he had 5 hits, 2 of which were triples.
Some highlights of his senior year were five more wins as a pitcher. He pitched 12 shutout innings against Norwich in a 0-0 tie. Bill was the winning pitcher in a 3-1 besting of Bulkeley and had 3 hits and a rbi. In another win over Fitch he collected three hits and drove in five runs. He was the winning pitcher over Bulkeley (4-3) to clinch the city title and tie for the CDC crown. He hit .438 as a senior.
Bill Wishinsky also played football and was a solid fullback and outstanding punter. His punting was key in an 8-6 win over rival Bulkeley in 1965.
Bill Wishinsky served in the military as a Marine. He had a short stint in the minor leagues before returning home and embarking on a long career in the Greater Hartford Twilight League. He was a fixture playing and managing for Herbs Sports Shop. He won the league batting title in 1974. He was inducted in the Twilight League Hall of Fame in 1995.
Bill Wishinsky passed in 2017.