Wall of fame

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