The Edward C. Picken Athletic Hall of Fame has been established to honor Ed Picken, a former Coach, Athletic Director, and Teacher who spent 40 years at Troy High School. Mr. Picken throughout his teaching career was dedicated to the pursuit of excellence for all his students and athletes. His reputation as teacher and coach is reflected on this page.

        Ed Picken was born in 1907 in New Jersey and became a member of the Troy High School faculty upon his graduation from Dartmouth College. While at Dartmouth, Ed followed in the footsteps of his brother, Jim, who also majored in history and excelled in baseball. Six years later, Ed, upon graduation from Dartmouth, again followed his brother and replaced him at Troy High School as history teacher, baseball, and basketball coach. During his tenure at Troy High, Ed was instrumental in reinstating the football program which had been disbanded a number of years earlier because of a tragic injury. During his 40 years as teacher and coach at Troy High School, Ed Picken was as successful in the classroom as he was on the athletic field. His teams and his style of coaching set an example throughout the Capital District. He was a student and a teacher of each of the sports that he coached. His transitional style of offense and his pressing defenses in basketball were well ahead of his time. His dedication to the work ethic was exemplified by the fact he was absent from work only once in 40 years. Picken also was a charter member of the Capital District Board of Football Officials and the ECAC College Football Officials. He was a member of the Section II Basketball Rules Committee and officer in New York State Public High School Athletic Association. He mentored many young aspiring officials throughout the years, such as John Soffey, current NCAA football official.

    Ed retired from Troy High School at the age of 65 and spent his retirement years in New Jersey with his wife Fanny. He passed away in November of 1994 at the age of 87.

ORGANIZATION GOALS:

The Edward C. Picken Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1995 as a tribute to former Troy High School Coach and Teacher Edward C. Picken who committed and dedicated his forty year teaching career to the students and parents of the Troy High School community. The Hall of Fame has also been established  to honor each year a representative number of athletes, coaches, and friends of Edward C. Picken who have attained a stature of excellence in achievement that reflects the high ideals and pursuit of excellenece that Mr. Picken instilled in each of his students. Proceeds from the dinner will be used to continue an annual award for an outstanding male and female student athlete graduating from Troy High School.

FOUNDER:                JERRY C. CAMPANA

Current Officers:

                2006-2007:
                PRESIDENT:                    Robert "Rabbit" Riley
                1st Vice President:         Joseph P. "Joe" Caulfield
                2nd Vice President:        J. Frances "Fran" Cowan
                Secretary:                         Radmilla "Mickey" Terry
                Treasurer:                         Harvey Dickson
                Sergeant-At-Arms           Hubert Terry

PAST PRESIDENTS:  
                               Jerry C. Campana  - 1994-2001

                               Ralph F. Passonno Jr. - 2001-2003
                              
                               Robert "Bobby" Weaver - 2003-2004
                           
                               Clem Zotto - 2004-2005

                               Robert "Rabbit" Riley - 2005-2007

UPDATE:

*The Executive Commitee meets at 6:00 p.m. at the Troy ICC on the second Tuesday of each month.  All are invited.

Homecoming Weekend begins Friday, October 5, 2007
2007 Induction/Reunion Meeting to be held at Troy ICC Friday, October 5th. at 6:00 p.m.

Wall of Fame Ceremony and Brunch at Troy High School Saturday, October 6th. at 11:30 a.m.

Homecoming football game: THS vs.  at 3:00 p.m.

2005 Founder's Award

The first recepient of the Jerry C. Campana, Edard C. Picken Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame Founder's Award is Morris Massry.

This prestigious award was graciously accepted by Mr. Massry on Saturday, April 30th, 2005. The award was presented by Daniel J. Hogarty with approximately 160 in attendance.

Morris Massry, first recepient of Founder's Award

Dan Hogarty praises Morris Massry

Additional Photos: Please Click for Larger View

CRITERIA  FOR EDWARD C. PICKEN TROY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME  FOUNDER'S AWARD

I. The Hall of Fame shall recognize an outstanding United States citizen who has made significant contributions to our community in the spirit of Coach/Teacher Edward C. Picken and Founder, Jerry C. Campana.

II. The Founder s Award was created to honor and recognize an individual who has given outstanding service to the Community.  The award is reserved for that individual who has demonstrated that he/she memorializes, in his/her everyday life, the spirit of humanitarian achievement, charitable acts, kindness, fairness, honesty and integrity as exemplified by Edward C. Picken and Jerry C. Campana.  

III. Nominees may represent and/or support local or regionalprograms but, the impact of his/her contributions should be found in Troy, New York or in immediate surrounding areas of  the Capital Region.  

Congratulations to the 2007 Hall of Fame Inductees!

             Emil Schmidt,

            Arno Reihs, 1959

            John Baniac,
            Dave Biggs,
            Leonard Mortimer

1970s

Athletes, Coaches, and Friends inducted to date:
p - Deceased