The undefeated Babylon Panthers Football beam of 1957-58.

It wasn’t just talent that made the Babylon High School football team of 1958 so special. The team, which had a perfect season, and which laid the foundation for the pride and excellence that was to follow, also had spirit and a determination to put "team" first to win.

"We had no individual egos," said Bob Hocheiser a member of the team who recalls the season well, even more than 40 years later. "Our entire team, players and coaches were focused on winning."

In addition to Hocheiser, the team included George Bellis, Bob Cognato, Bob Diggle, Joe Gentile, Lee Mairs, Dennis McNaney, Dom Morreale, Frank Registrato, Terry Stratton, Ray Wright, Joe Campagnola, Bob Corcoran, Peter Fland, manager; Ed Greves, Russ Lachow Bob Marzo, Bill Melillo, Ed Phillips George Sack, Dan Tobin, Joe Wyss, Rich Caravella, Tom Cummings, Ron Frole, Peter Hemges, Sal Maiola, John McKinstrie, Basil Minickene, Lou Rada, Charlie Savstano and Rocco Totino.

The members of the Panthers ‘58 football team were inducted into the Babylon High School Wall of Fame, an event that drew about 100 people June 8. Also inducted were Sal Casciola, All-County football for 1972-73, coached by Tom Di Nuova; Kathy Powers, all-County Field Hockey, 1986-87, coached by Theresa Murphy; and Sean McLaughlin, Suffolk County Heavyweight Wrestling Champ, 1988-89.

Sean McLaughlin with Terrance Haise who presented him with award.

The event was chaired by Babylon Village Trustee Kevin Muldowney who worked with Wall of Fame President Tom Reynolds and committee members Dave Parker and Carol Van Schaick.

"I think it meant a lot, especially to the older guys," said Muldowney. "I find that the further out you go, the more they seem to appreciate and enjoy the recognition, and it is important to Babylon because it reminds us that we live in a community that has been around a long time and has a proud history."

Schaick said the response of the people who come back every year to attend the Wall of Fame dinner shows the close ties people hold to Babylon.

"Even when jobs or other things make it impossible for them to live here later on in life, they continue to hold a special place in their heart for Babylon," she said. "That' a source of pride for the community.

Left to right: Joe DeLuca is shown with the family of Harry "Babe" Suddueth.

"It did make us very proud to be there," said Bob Corcoran, who added that another special thing about the team of 58 was that it was formed after football had been phased out in 1955. "We were undefeated in our freshmen and sophomore year also and 1958 was our first year back in varsity competition, so it was wonderful to be part of rebuilding a great tradition in Babylon."

Corcoran, who played quarterback is a retired Uniondale School teacher and now lives in Florida, as does Hocheiser.

Hocheiser said that while his memory is not what it used to be, he does remember a few things about the team such as watching in awe as its bulldozing fullback, Ron Frole, consistently ran over and through opponents. He also remembers getting his front teeth knocked out while making a jarring tackle in the team’s biggest game against Harborfields.

"Helmet technology wasn’t what it is today," he said.

Sal Casciola, left is presented with his award by his former Coach Tom DiNuova.

The team was coached by Bob Cox, Marty Albert, who coached the team to an undefeated season in 1957 at the J.V. level and Anthony "Red" Matal. "Coach Matal was the heart and soul of our team and always reminded us we were unstoppable," said Hocheiser.

"It all starts with the coaching," said Corcoran. "We all started out together and had a real purpose, which is what I think made the group so special."

With only a few exceptions, most of the team attended the induction ceremony and used the event as an opportunity for a reunion. Many of the players arrived a day early and had dinner together and reminisced about their days in Babylon High School and the unforgettable team they had the opportunity of being a part of. And, according to Corcoran, there were some who could remember every single play.

"We had a lot of laughs," he said.

Kathy Powers, left with Carol Van Schaick of the Wall of Fame Commitee, which also included Kevin Muldowney and Dave Parker, co chairmen, Donald Bartsch, E.Donald Conroy, Tony Spota and Tom Reynolds, Booster Club President.

"Although we lost a few over the years, most of us were able to attend," said Hocheiser. "It was truly great to catch up and tell exaggerated tales about how great we were. We were a little over our playing weight and walked a little slower but the fierce pride we had as a team and in our accomplishments was still there."