Branford Resident Alphonse Ippolito among Inaugural Inductees into Hamden Hall Country Day School's Athletic Hall of Fame

Hamden Hall Country Day School is pleased to announce that Alphonse Ippolito of Branford is among the premier inductees into the school’s inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ippolito is a Hamden Hall past parent and former trustee.  He is an attorney at Fasano, Ippolito & Lee L.L.C. in New Haven.  At Hamden Hall, Al started every game for Varsity football, basketball and baseball from freshman through his senior years.  He captained all three teams in his junior and senior years and set a school record at that time as the leading scorer in basketball. 

Additionally, he was named as a scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation during his senior year and was Valedictorian of the Hamden Hall Class of 1975.          

“There have been many good athletes who came before me and certainly after me so this was unexpected.  I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play early and often with extraordinary support from family, coaches, and teammates,” said Ippolito.

Inductees also include New Haven Legal Assistance deputy director Alexis Highsmith Smith, state Sen. Len Fasano, author and media personality Chris Kuselias, former Hamden Hall basketball coach David Beckerman and the 1962-’63 basketball team.  All will be honored for their contributions both on the field and in the community at the Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner April 12, 2014. 

“This inaugural class truly reflects the values and standards of excellence representative of a Hamden Hall education,” said Head of School Bob Izzo.  “The four individuals were stellar students and athletes, coach Beckerman and his basketball program are legendary, and the 1963 basketball team established a legacy for our entire athletic program.”

Ippolito graduated cum laude in 1979 from Harvard College with a degree in applied mathematics – economics and from the Boston University School of Law in 1982.  While at Harvard, Ippolito played freshman football in 1975 and then lettered in Varsity in 1977 and 1978.

The Hamden Hall Athletic Hall of Fame acknowledges exceptional scholar-athletes, coaches, teams and supporters of the school’s athletic program who have made contributions both on the playing field and in the community.  The inductees exemplify the school’s high athletic standards, and they are being honored for their legacy of hard work and commitment, dedication to teamwork and impact on the school’s tradition of athletics.