The Waterbury Times|TWT Sports Desk|Published Mar 27, 2026
Crosby Sports Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026 Inductees
Waterbury- The Crosby High School Sports Hall of Fame will celebrate its third induction class on May 6, 2026, at the Grand Oak Villa in Watertown. This year’s class of eight athletes and coaches represents over 50 years of Crosby sports excellence.
Honoring Past Legends
Roger Zailskas, a member of the Class of 1957, will be inducted posthumously. A three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and baseball, Zailskas starred on the undefeated 1955 football team and later at West Point, including a key role in their 1960 victory over defending national champion Syracuse University and Heisman winner Ernie Davis. He went on to serve in Vietnam as an Airborne Ranger and was awarded the Purple Heart, three Bronze Stars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Ray Snyder Jr., Class of 1960, will also be inducted posthumously. He coached Crosby’s first state championship boys’ swim team in 1975 and later coached at Sacred Heart, creating a family swim legacy that continues through his grandson, the current Woodland High School swim coach. Snyder also coached 2025 inductee Ken Leslie.
Longtime cross country coach and teacher Frank Perrella shaped Crosby Girls Cross Country into a powerhouse in the late 1990s and early 2000s, leading teams with Hall of Fame members Lisa (Stublic) Nemec and Eileen (Curley) Schweitzer to three city championships, an NVL team title, and a 2001 state open team qualification.
Future Hall of Fame? Read about Crosby Sophomore sensation Julian Benjamin and the incredible Quarter Final performance against heated rival Wilby in NVL Boys Basketball Tournament
Celebrating Individual Achievements
Other members of the Class of 2026 include:
- Diane Giarratona Mullane, standout tennis player of the late 1970s.
- Mike Pekock, key contributor on mid-1980s basketball and baseball teams, including the 1984 Class LL Baseball runner-up team.
- Kristal Lewis, record-holder in multiple indoor and outdoor track events, still holding the 400-meter and 4×400 indoor relay records.
- Jerome Cunningham, who played college football at Southern Connecticut State University and in the NFL with stops in New York, Washington, Detroit, and Tennessee; member of the school’s 4×100 meter relay record team.
- Tyshon Rogers, NVL scoring leader with 2,292 career points, winner of the John Gilmore Award and the Billy Find Award, ranking 6th in Connecticut high school basketball history.
The City of Waterbury is arguably the High-school Basketball Capital of Connecticut. Take at look at 100 years of excellence:
Waterbury High School Basketball: A Definitive Guide in the Context of Connecticut State History
Ceremony & Tickets
Tickets are on sale now through May 4th for the induction ceremony. They cannot be purchased at the door. Fans, alumni, and community members can also purchase congratulatory ads, sponsorships, or make donations via the Hall of Fame website or by emailing Crosby Sports Hall of Fame at crosbysportshof@gmail.com.
More information is available at: Crosby Sports Hall of Fame
Related Waterbury Sports News:
TWT SPORTS DESK 1st Annual NVL Boys Basketball Awards — Official Nominees 2025-26
Crosby vs. Wilby: The First Rivalry of the Brass City
Crosby Senior Casleem Washington Wraps Up Senior Season, Eyes State Tournament
Waterbury High School Sports News
Celebrating Waterbury Athletics
The Class of 2026 honors not just individual achievement, but the rich legacy of Waterbury athletics across generations. From legendary coaches shaping championship teams to athletes leaving their mark on the state and national stage, Crosby High School has long been a hub of sports excellence.
Events like the Hall of Fame induction remind the community of the dedication, talent, and spirit that continue to define Waterbury’s student-athletes—on the field, in the gym, and beyond.
Don’t miss the chance to celebrate these local legends in person! Tickets for the May 6 induction ceremony are on sale now through May 4. Secure your spot, support Waterbury athletics, and honor the athletes and coaches who have helped make our city proud.
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