The countdown to Reunion 2018 has begun! This historic sesquicentennial year, three deserving alumni spanning several decades will be inducted into The Storm King School Sports Hall of Fame. On Saturday, June 9, at the Sesquicentennial Reunion, William “Bill” Perry ’53, Steve Bluth ’83, and Cara Castronuova ’98 will be inducted to the ranks of this coveted group of alumni whose distinguished athletic record, dedication, and commitment have gone beyond expectations and embody the core values and mission of the School.

BILL PERRY ‘53

William “Bill” D. Perry Jr. ’53 was a five-year SKS student who played baseball, soccer, football, and basketball earning six varsity letters. Bill served as captain of the varsity baseball team in 1953 and won the Baseball Cup. The June 1953 issue of The Quarry stated that Bill was chosen “as the one best fitted to receive the Baseball Cup. Bill’s pitching has been, as usual, of the highest caliber, and his good left arm and his calmness in the pitches have pulled the team through to many of its wins.” Bill reported that at the post-season celebration party hosted by math teacher and coach Herb Sauer and David Van Dyck ’40, he was told that his ERA was 0.900. Bill said he didn’t know if it was true, but he figured that Herb Sauer’s math skills were not to be questioned.

Baseball teammate Larry Smith ’52 said “I remember Bill as the strong, silent type. Very smart guy! I believe he was a southpaw with a slow windup, but a strong delivery and lots of stuff on the ball. A great guy!”

Another teammate, Dick Broughton ’54 wrote: “He was the best left-handed pitcher I have seen at SKS. When I was a student, and later, when I was a coach for eight years, Bill was a wonderful team leader, as well as a talented player. I can say the same for his play and leadership on the Varsity soccer team.”
According to the June 1953 edition of The Quarry, Bill also won the 1953 Varsity Soccer Cup “for his expert handling of the goalie position and covering the goal with accuracy and skill that added to the whole team’s confidence.”

Bill also played basketball his junior year and was the captain of the varsity basketball team his senior year. Bill’s other leadership roles at Storm King included being junior class president in 1952, member of the Cum Laude Society in 1952 and 1953, Student Council President in 1953. He was also the editor of The Quarry and winner of the Journalism Cup in 1953, Head Boy, and recipient of The Storm King Cup that same year. After SKS, Bill played soccer and baseball for Stevens Institute of Technology.

 

 

STEVE BLUTH ‘83

According to those who nominated him, Steven Bluth ’83 came to The Storm King School as a junior who “lived and breathed athletics.” Steve was captain of the varsity soccer in 1982 and 1983 and received the Varsity Soccer Coaches Award in 1983. He played varsity basketball in 1982 on the HVAL champion team, became a captain in 1983, and received the varsity basketball Coaches Award that same year. In addition, he played varsity baseball in 1982, and became captain of the 1983 HVAL champion baseball team, receiving the MVP Award that year. He also played varsity tennis as a senior. Earning six varsity letters, Steve was named 1983 Athlete of the Year.

In addition to athletics, Steve enjoyed art and painting. He was the 1983 yearbook editor, on the staff of The Voice, and served as a prefect in McConnell dormitory. In recognition of Steve fostering SKS’ best interests and traditions, he received the 1983 Spy Rock Cup. After leaving Storm King, Steve played on the University of Arizona baseball team in 1983 but could not continue as a result of an injury; played on the University of Arizona lacrosse team in 1984; and transferred to Quinnipiac College where he played on the tennis team from 1986-1988, was Captain in 1988 and received the Coaches Award that year.

Following college at the University of Arizona and later at Quinnipiac where he played baseball, lacrosse, and tennis, Steve spent his career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director at prep schools including Fieldston School, Ivy Preparatory School, Trinity School, and Riverdale Country School, where he is still working at present. In Steve’s words, “I have been lucky professionally that I have been able to incorporate the things I’m passionate about…my love of working with children and sports.”

 

 

CARA CASTRONUOVA ‘98

Cara Castronuova ’98 began boxing at the age of five in the family garage with her father who was a former Marine. At Storm King, she was the first girl to join the wrestling team, the captain of the softball and soccer teams (pitcher and goalie) and was voted Athlete of the Year in her graduation year of 1998. She says that she still has the trophy she was awarded at graduation- the first athletic award she ever won. She says it influenced her to pursue fitness and sports when she left high school, and thus she continued to wrestle at Hofstra University.

Cara began her boxing career as a youth boxing trainer, entering local bouts and winning her first fight in 2002 at the NY Empire State Games in Syracuse. Later, while working as a personal fitness and boxing trainer at popular sports clubs in the New York City area such as Chelsea Piers and Gleason’s Boxing Gym, she continued to train clients while boxing competitively. She won “Silver Gloves” in 2004, the second-place prize in the Golden Gloves competition. Cara came back one year later and won her first New York Golden Gloves championship at Madison Square Garden in 2005.

Following her first Golden Gloves win, she started competing nationally and was ranked #2 in the nation by USA Boxing. She went on to place in national tournaments and win numerous titles, such as the NYABC title, the Metros, and the Empire State Games, and won her second Golden Gloves title in 2006 at Madison Square Garden.

Certified as a boxing coach by the New York State Athletic Commission, she is also a personal trainer certified by ISSA (International Sports Science Association). She trained extensively in martial arts and other fighting techniques, which led to acting opportunities, primarily as a stunt-woman and stunt coordinator. In addition, she has worked as a reporter and fitness writer for NY and boxing press outlets, and as an announcer and sports commentator for various boxing venues in NYC like Madison Square Garden.

Cara also spent one season on the television show The Biggest Loser as a series regular/trainer and helped propel the show to the highest ratings they’d ever had. Cara loves giving back. She was a volunteer for a government-funded program designed to teach troubled youth the virtues of boxing and keep them off the streets, and now runs a charitable organization called “Knockout Obesity” (www.knockoutobesityfoundation.com) using sports, fitness, and diet to help young people live healthy lives. She came back to SKS in 2014 to do a presentation to the student body about teenage health and fitness, which was enthusiastically received.

 

ABOUT THE AWARD

The SKS Sports Hall of Fame was created to recognize teams and individuals for their exceptional athletic achievement. Each Reunion Weekend, new members are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Since its inception in 1994, the Hall of Fame has enrolled many fine athletes and teams. Every year, nominations are sought by the SKS Alumni Association for individual athletes, teams or coaches whose distinguished record, dedication and commitment went beyond expectations and embody the core values and mission of the School. Winners are chosen by the Sports Hall of Fame Committee from nominations received online. Visit the Alumni section of our website to find out more about SKS Alumni Awards.