Hall of Fame
CLAY PANTHERS HALL of FAME CLASS of 2011
Mike Poirier served Clay in many capacities from 1989 to 1998. He coached, held many
board positions, Public Relations, Secretary, Vice President, Advisor and President. He also
held positions on the CNY board – Public relations, Vice President and President. He didn’t
stop there, he also was the Bowl Commissioner and Vice region director for Pop Warner
Eastern Region. He won championships as a coach; he helped develop our current complex.
Mike is still active with promoting youth football in CNY; he organizes and runs the Hart,
Dunbar & Branch football academy now going into its third year.
Sue Jennis was with the Panthers from 1984 to 1995. She was the treasurer when we moved
from Heritage Park to the new facilities. She played a major role in helping the organization
acquire funds to build the concession stand and storage facility. She handled registrations,
concession stand stocking, organized most of the fundraising programs as well as the
bonfires, parades and banquets. Sue’s dedication can still be seen all around our park on a
daily basis and many of our programs to this day follow the formats she set up years ago.
Laury Willoughby was with the Panthers for several years. She started as a coach for her
youngest daughter. She soon became the Cheer Coordinator and changed the program
forever. She brought in experienced cheer and dance people to train the coaches and kids
and organized camps for both. She was recruited to be the CNY Cheer Commissioner. She
also served as a safety judge for the region and National competitions. She provided this
training to our coaches who eventually led to Clay being the 1st team from CNY to reach the
National Finals. Her philosophy throughout her days in Pop Warner was to make our best
better! She certainly accomplished that with Clay.
Rich Colasanti was with Clay for over 10 years. He was the visionary of our facilities today.
Have developed relationships with the Town, which was critical in the Panthers growth. He
proposed the idea to move from Heritage Park to the current location. Provided the plans and
layout of the 1st 3 fields, the concession stand, storage buildings and field house. He put out
the idea to have one person in charge of our equipment to ensure that it was kept in good
shape and met safety codes. He helped get our first sleds and chutes. Created Clays
coaching manual, set up off season meetings, seminars and clinics. He spent 10 years as the
coaching coordinator for Clay. Many of Rich’s ideas that were implemented were the 1st of
their kind in Central New York.
CLAY PANTHERS HALL of FAME CLASS of 2010
Joe Procopio along with a few others, decided to start an organization back in 1979, that gave children equal
playing time. He served on the Board from 1980 – 1994 in many capacities, including President for the first seven
years. After many months of planning, attending meetings, getting a Charter from Pop Warner, and fundraising,
they had their 1st season in 1980. All four of his children went through the program, and this year we welcomed
back two of his daughters to coach his granddaughter and help our program stay true to the original aspirations
of that small group of parents who wanted every child to participate equally.
Rose Procopio was the organizations first official fundraiser. She crocheted an afghan that they used to raffle in
order to purchase the new uniforms. She was responsible for choosing the Panther logo and the Black and Gold
that we still wear proudly today. She also ran the first concession stand from the trunk of her car. She served on
the board from 1980 - 1989 as Secretary and Treasurer. She took great pride watching her four children go
through the program and can now sit back and watch her granddaughter do the same.
Arthur "BUD" Johnson was a board member and coach from the first season in 1980-1989. He was our
groundskeeper. He volunteered his time prepping the field before every practice and game. Bud, along with a few
others was in charge of the equipment. He also donated the first set of benches for the fields that he made from
scratch, as well as our first scoreboard. He had 3 sons and a daughter participate in the program and can't wait
to see his grandkids go thru the program also.
Carol (Young) Himes was another original board member. Her role was less defined but she helped out in many
areas vital to the day to day running of the organization. She had two boys go through the program. She was part
of the group that helped define the core values of the organization.
While all of the founding members served in different capacities, their one trait they all shared was that they
were willing to put their money where their mouth was. They didn’t sit back and complain that things needed to
change. They got involved and made change. While the Hall of Fame is made to honor those of the past, it is
also meant to inspire the leaders of tomorrow to stand up and put your money where your mouth is, to keep the
ideals of the founding fathers in tact and continue to make this one of, if not the best, organizations in all of Pop
Warner. Please join us in thanking them all for their contributions and service to our community.
Click on the images below to enlarge
CLAY PANTHERS HALL of FAME CLASS of 2010
Joe Procopio along with a few others, decided to start an organization back in 1979, that gave children equal
playing time. He served on the Board from 1980 – 1994 in many capacities, including President for the first seven
years. After many months of planning, attending meetings, getting a Charter from Pop Warner, and fundraising,
they had their 1st season in 1980. All four of his children went through the program, and this year we welcomed
back two of his daughters to coach his granddaughter and help our program stay true to the original aspirations
of that small group of parents who wanted every child to participate equally.
Rose Procopio was the organizations first official fundraiser. She crocheted an afghan that they used to raffle in
order to purchase the new uniforms. She was responsible for choosing the Panther logo and the Black and Gold
that we still wear proudly today. She also ran the first concession stand from the trunk of her car. She served on
the board from 1980 - 1989 as Secretary and Treasurer. She took great pride watching her four children go
through the program and can now sit back and watch her granddaughter do the same.
Arthur "BUD" Johnson was a board member and coach from the first season in 1980-1989. He was our
groundskeeper. He volunteered his time prepping the field before every practice and game. Bud, along with a few
others was in charge of the equipment. He also donated the first set of benches for the fields that he made from
scratch, as well as our first scoreboard. He had 3 sons and a daughter participate in the program and can't wait
to see his grandkids go thru the program also.
Carol (Young) Himes was another original board member. Her role was less defined but she helped out in many
areas vital to the day to day running of the organization. She had two boys go through the program. She was part
of the group that helped define the core values of the organization.
While all of the founding members served in different capacities, their one trait they all shared was that they
were willing to put their money where their mouth was. They didn’t sit back and complain that things needed to
change. They got involved and made change. While the Hall of Fame is made to honor those of the past, it is
also meant to inspire the leaders of tomorrow to stand up and put your money where your mouth is, to keep the
ideals of the founding fathers in tact and continue to make this one of, if not the best, organizations in all of Pop
Warner. Please join us in thanking them all for their contributions and service to our community.
Click on the images below to enlarge
