Gene was a native of Shortsville and a graduate of Ithaca College. he is best know for his time at Livonia Central School (1942-1977) where he served as Athletic Director, coach, physical education and health teacher. During his coaching career he earned over a combined 800+ wins baseball, basketball, football and soccer along with 21 league championships and 2 Section V titles in basketball. He went on to coach baseball at Rochester Institute of Technology where he earned the 1978 National Coach o9f the Year honors.
Gene also is responsible for a list of additional accolades throughout his career. He helped found the first Livonia Little League in 1945, served as President of the Livingston County Athletic Association, Section V baseball Chairmen and the NYS Baseball Chairmen. He also served as a regional scout for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bob Flick (1/15/26 – 8/8/77) began his umpire career in 1947 and would continue nearly 30 until his untimely death in 1977. His involvement with the GVUA would begin in the early 1050’s with the old Tri-County Umpires Association with fellow Hall of Fame member and frequent partner Bob Darch. Bob would serve in a number of administrative rolls but most notably as an interpreter where he could help share his knowledge for the rules of the game.
Bob was a native of Attica, NY (’43) where he was a standout three sports athlete in baseball, basketball and soccer. Served as a B29 Air Force tail gunner in Japan (44-45) during WWII. Would go on to earn a degree in Health and Physical Education from SUNY Brockport (’50). Bob would extend his playing career to the professional ranks as he signed a contract with the New York Yankees minor league farm team in Manchester, New Hampshire and would continue into a second year with the minor league team in Atlanta, Georgia.
Bob would go to start his teaching career at Pavilion HS, a short stint at Holley and finally concluding his career at Batavia HS. He married Faith Kornprobst in 1952 and had 4 children. Michael, Marcy, Cathy and Ann Mazur.
Stanley N. Smith (8/17/12 – 6/6/04) love for the game of baseball was a key to his life long involvement as an umpire, coach, administrator and player. Stan began umpiring Section V high school baseball games in the early 1950’s when he lived and served as Police Chief in Wellsville, NY.
In 1956 Stan moved to Batavia, NY to serve as the city Police Chief, and thus began his involvement in the old Tri-County Umpires Association. At that time he would also serve as President of the Batavia Little League during the late 50's and early 60's.
Stan continued to umpire Section V baseball games well into the late 1970’s, annually “behind the plate” on many Section V championship games. In the mid 1960’s, he started umpiring college baseball games in places like Geneva, Ithaca, Rochester and Geneseo. Stan would continue to umpire at the college level for nearly 15 years.
Bruce Johnson served as one of the founding fathers of the Genesee Valley Umpires Association. During his time with the GVUA he served as the Association Secretary/Treasurer from 1966-1973.
Bruce was a veteran of the Army Air Corps during WWII and the post war occupation of Japan. Upon returning home he enrolled in Cortland State University (class of 51) where he lettered in football and basketball. In 1955 Bruce moved to York Central School where he served as Athletic Director as well as coaching football, basketball, swimming and track. He also served as the Section V Eligibility Officer and Treasurer of the Section V Executive Council.
Bruce passed away on July 30, 1998 and was survived by his wife Nancy of 48 years. Bruce and Nancy were very proud of their three sons (Steven, Scott, and Dan) as well as their daughter Lynne.
During his umpire career Bob has been engaged at all levels of competition. After returning from the US Navy in 1954 he began to umpire Little League, Babe Ruth and High School games. Bob's career highlight came when he was selected to umpire the NYS Final 4 in 1986, working the Class C semi-finals and the Class A championship contest.
Bob has also umpired in the Old Genesee Valley Semi-pro league during the late 60's and early 70's. Bob also served as a stand-by umpire for the New York Penn League's Batavia Clippers in the late 1970's. Bob also had a roll as an umpire in the 1983 film "The Natural" starting Robert Redford and Robert Duval.
Don Thompson service with the GVUA spanned over the course 45 years (1955-1999) with some time off to pursuit his love for coaching baseball at Keshequa. Don also took time toward his 4 children, numerous grandchildren and was married for 50 years and widowed (Mary J) in 2006. During his time with the GVUA Don served in of rolls most noticeably as a Vice President during the late 80’s into the early 90’s.
Don’s connection to Section V Athletics and Keshequa High School dates back to his high school playing days when he was a standout three sport athlete in baseball, soccer and basketball. Don went onto attend SUNY Brockport (’51) as a two sports athlete in soccer and baseball as well as earning his degree in Health and Physical Education. After three years as a US Army Staff Sergeant (52-54) he returned to Nunda where he would teach PE, coach baseball, soccer, basketball as well as serve as Athletic Director and would retire from Keshequa in 1986.
Don played an active roll in the Nunda community including his 50+ year service in organizations like: Nunda Station Masonic Lodge #682, VFW Post# 8961, Nunda Fire Department, Inc, Nunda Rotary Club, Nunda Volunteer Ambulance Service. Other accolades include a 1996 inducted into the SUNY Brockport Athletics “Hall of Fame”, and the 2002 Nunda Senior Citizen of the Year. In 2004 the Keshequa School Board dedicated (Gym Photo) the Dalton Gymnasium in Donald’s name.
Pete Pegoni served 25 years (1983-2007) as an active member of the GVUA. Pete served on the Executive Board as a Membership representative from 1998-2007. As a native of Rochester he started his playing career in the Genesee Valley Little League, three year varsity member at Madison HS (Class of '62, Semi-Pro league in the mid 60’s and was capped off with a try-out for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pete’s experiences as an umpire ranks with the all time greats of the GVUA. He was selected to umpire the 1995 NYS final 4 where he did the Class D semi-final and was chosen to work the plate of the Class A championship game. Pete also worked 12 Section V Championship games as well as 21 straight post season tournaments. He also worked the 1999 & 2006 NYS Little League state championships as well as a substitute umpire in the New York Penn League during the late 90’s.
Pete and his wife Joyce of 40+ years were married in 1970. They are the proud parents of two daughters (Colleen and Jennifer) as well as 5 grandchildren (Clark Andre 12, Will Andre 10, Alaina Andre 8, Nathan Sikorski 6 and Alex Sikorski 4). Pete retired from Delco Products in 2004 after 35 years of service to General Motors.
