Please click here to review the story written by Steve Collins on June 1, 2009  http://bristolnews.blogspot.com/2009/06/effort-underway-to-honor-late-julie.html

Please feel free to submit your suggestion for the 2010 Bristol Tramps Awards.  Nominations are open until November 10, 2009.  Please click here and submit your suggestions for 2010!

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion hosted its 39th annual dinner on Friday, April 3, 2009 at the Clarion Hotel.

The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation by Father Al Fontana of St. Anthony’s Church. Chairman Tom Murrone welcomed the guests and introduced Maryellen Holden as toastmistress for the evening.  Mrs. Holden introduced the dignitaries in the room including Mayor Art Ward, State Representative Frank Nicastro, former mayor Bill Stortz and recognized Julie Larese’s daughter, Marion Gifford.  She also reminded those gathered that in 2010, the Bristol Tramps will celebrate their 40th anniversary and based on the size of the crowd expected, to secure tickets to the event early.

Following a family-style dinner, Mayor Art Ward provided a welcome on behalf of the City of Bristol to the capacity crowd of 385+ guests.  A moment of silence was held on behalf of former Mayor Stretch Norton, who passed away early in the day.

Mrs. Holden asked all coaches in the room to stand and be recognized—and thanked them for helping to shape the lives and characters of the young people in our community.  In addition, all past recipients of a Tramps Award were asked to stand.  Among those standing was Pat Dyer, who at age 91, is acknowledged as the oldest living Tramp honoree and Dan Valerio, Co Chairman of the Tramps Committee at age 90. A moment of silence was held on behalf of the service men and women from Bristol’s military serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq.

Scholarships and Awards were presented to the 2009 recipients.  Each gave a brief speech on their successes, thanked their families, colleagues and Bristol Tramps for recognition of their individual contributions to preserving Bristol’s Sports history.

The evening concluded with remarks by Chairman Murrone.  Mrs. Holden recognized the Bristol Tramps Committee members and thanked everyone for their attendance and continued support of the Bristol Tramps.  The evening’s event concluded with the benediction by Father Fontana.

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee is planning for our 40th Anniversary Celebration in 2010. There are so many stories to be told and we want to hear from you! If you (or someone you know) have photos, stories or video that will help us showcase the amazing history of the Bristol Tramps, please email us via the ‘Contact Us’ section of our website.

The Bristol Sports Hall of Fame held its 12th annual induction ceremony November 21 at the Clarion Hotel. Along with seven deserving individuals, The Bristol Tramps, was the first-ever organization inducted into the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008.

“Our founders along with past and present members are truly honored that the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame has chosen to recognize The Bristol Tramps commitment of helping preserve Bristol’s sports history” said Chairman, Tom Murrone.

“The entire class has improved the community and added to Bristol’s sports heritage,” said Dave Mills, Hall of Fame president. “On behalf of the board of directors, I welcome them into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame.”

The Bristol Tramps congratulate our fellow Class of 2008 inductees: Maurice “Moe” Baker, Robert Freimuth, Bernice LaFerriere, Phil Lewis, David Raponey, John Reardon, Sr. and Joseph J. Riley.  We’re honored to be in such great company!

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion hosted it’s 38th Annual Dinner on Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Clarion Hotel.

The evening began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation and a moment of silence by Father Al Fontana of St. Anthony’s Church.  Chairman Tom Murrone welcomed the guests and introduced Maryellen Holden as the evening’s toastmaster.  Mayor Art Ward then provided his comments to the capacity crowd of 300+ guests.

Following a family-style dinner, Holden introduced Committee member Donna Papazian, who read a tribute in honor of recently deceased Tramps Executive Director, Tony Savino.  Savino’s widow Deanna, daughter Cathy and son, MSG Anthony Savino, Jr. were recognized in the audience.  Each person in attendance was given a memorial Tony Savino lapel pin.  The pins were the brainchild of Tramps co-chair and senior member, Dan Valerio.

Scholarships and Awards were presented to the 2008 recipients. Each gave a brief speech on their successes,  thanked their families, their colleagues and the Bristol Tramps for recognition of their individual contributions to preserving Bristol’s Sports History.  

The evening concluded with remarks by Chariman Murrone and the benediction by Father Fontana.  Mrs. Holden thanked the crowd and officially closed the evening’s event.