Class of 2025 Enters Athletics Hall of Fame

NASHUA, N.H. — Bishop Guertin High School inducted eight individuals and two teams into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 3 at The Event Center at the Courtyard by Marriott. The group consisted of some of the best players, coaches and administrators in Cardinals history. 

The Class of 2025 is the sixth class of inductees, joining the honorees from 1998, 2001, 2009, 2010 and 2017. Including this year’s group, the BG Hall of Fame now includes 52 individuals and two teams of distinction.

The 1970 football team and the 1992 girls soccer teams fittingly became the first groups inducted into the BG Hall of Fame as they represent the first-ever championship in school history as well as the first girls title. 

This year’s class embodies the spirit, dedication, and success of BG athletics over the course of six decades. This year’s inductees are:

 

• 1970 Football Team 
• 1992 Girls Soccer Team 
• Bill Dod (Administration, Coaching)
• James Dobens ’73 (Baseball, Basketball)
• Tony Johnson ’77 (Track, Football, Administration)
• Christopher Prince ’88 (Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Tennis)
• Amy Pietrusewicz ’94 (Soccer, Basketball, Softball)
• Geoffrey Nickerson ’96 (Track & Field, Cross Country)
• Anne Coulter ’02 (Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field)
• Tracy Martin ’09 (Golf)

 

1970 Football Team 

After finishing 1-8 the year before, the 1970 Cardinal football team engineered one of the greatest turnarounds in school history. Under the leadership of legendary head coach Richard “Dick” Piwowarski, BG stormed to a 7-3 record and the Class III State Championship, capping the season with a 20-0 shutout of Narragansett Regional in the title game. That breakthrough championship was more than just a remarkable turnaround — it was the first crown in Bishop Guertin history and the foundation of an athletics tradition that has since produced more than 130 team state titles. For football, it sparked a dynastic run, as the Cardinals captured three more state championships over the next five years. Yet, more than five decades later, the significance of that 1970 title remains unmatched. The boys of ’70 didn’t just win a championship, they set the standard for everything that followed in BG athletics.

 

1992 Girls Soccer Team 

In the very first semester of female enrollment at Bishop Guertin, the girls soccer team wasted no time etching their place in school history. After stumbling out of the gate at 1-2-1, the Cardinals regrouped and lost just once more the rest of the way, closing the regular season with a 7-3-3 record.The postseason run was nothing short of historic. BG captured the school’s first-ever girls championship in any sport with three straight wins: a 3-1 victory over John Stark, a tense 1-0 battle against Woodsville, and a 3-2 triumph over Fall Mountain in the Class M/I state title game. In their debut season in green and gold, the Cardinals’ defense was rock solid, holding opponents to one goal or fewer in nine different matches. They finished the season with a 40-23 scoring advantage and a championship banner that hangs in Collignon Gymnasium as a reminder of their trailblazing accomplishment that fall. This team not only brought home a title, but also established the foundation for decades of success in BG girls athletics that has followed. Their contributions will always be remembered as the spark that ignited a new era at Bishop Guertin.

 

James Dobens ’73

A standout two-sport athlete throughout all four years at Bishop Guertin, Dobens excelled in both baseball and basketball. Although he earned MVP honors on the hardwood as a senior in 1973, it was on the diamond — specifically from the pitcher’s mound — where he truly made his mark. His senior baseball season culminated in another MVP performance, highlighting a remarkable high school career that included two perfect games, two additional no-hitters, and a school record of 17 ⅓ consecutive innings without allowing a hit. Dobens was also honored with the prestigious All-Guertin Award. Following graduation, he was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the MLB Draft but chose instead to pursue his education at Cornell University, where he became an All-Ivy League shortstop as a sophomore. Academically, Dobens was equally impressive, graduating fifth in the Bishop Guertin Class of 1973 — all while maintaining perfect attendance over four years as a student on Lund Road.

 

William “Bill” Dod
For many former students, no name is more synonymous with Bishop Guertin Athletics than Mr. Bill Dod. The longtime Athletic Director left an indelible mark on nearly every Cardinals team we know today. He began his BG career as the school’s first head coach for both cross country and track, while also serving as an assistant coach on the football staff during his tenure. Beyond campus, Dod contributed significantly to the wider athletic community — serving 24 years as the state tournament director and chairing the NHIAA Wrestling Committee, helping to elevate both the sport and Bishop Guertin’s presence on the mats. However, it was on the baseball field where Dod truly felt at home. As head coach of the varsity baseball team for 13 seasons, he led his squads to an impressive 203 victories, capturing Class L State Championships in both 1982 and 1987. That second title proved to be the pinnacle of his coaching career, as Dod was named both New Hampshire Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year — a fitting honor for a career dedicated to excellence, leadership, and lasting impact.

 

John Anthony “Tony” Johnson ’77
A two-sport phenom at Bishop Guertin, Johnson made his mark on both the football field and the track, showcasing elite speed and athleticism in each arena. As a student-athlete, he earned All-State honors in football as a senior, while his times in the 100-yard and 220-yard dash still stand as school records nearly five decades later. Johnson’s commitment to BG extended well beyond his playing days. He returned to serve the school community as head coach of the varsity football team for 17 seasons, led the girls track & field program for a decade, and served five years as Director of Athletics. His coaching résumé is impressive: 17 state championships across football (6), indoor track (6), and outdoor track (5). On the gridiron, his teams appeared in 11 state title games, capturing six championships, posting 104 victories, and completing three undefeated seasons. As an administrator, Johnson helped elevate BG’s entire athletic program to unprecedented heights. During his tenure as Athletic Director, Cardinal teams won over 40 state championships. The pinnacle came in the 2009-10 academic year, when BG captured nine state titles and finished as runner-up in two others, setting a Granite State record for the most state final appearances and victories by one school in single year.

 

Christopher Prince ’88
A six-time letterwinner, Prince was a versatile and accomplished athlete who competed on four varsity teams during his time at Bishop Guertin. As a key member of the boys varsity soccer team, he helped lead the Cardinals to back-to-back state championships in 1986 and 1987. His winning ways continued into the spring of his junior year, when he played a pivotal role in capturing the baseball program’s second state title, making him a two-time state champion in a single academic year. In the winter, Prince showcased his athleticism on the hardwood as a member of the basketball team, being named team captain as a senior. He capped off his BG athletic career by competing for the varsity tennis team in the spring of 1988, further demonstrating his versatility across sports. For his outstanding achievements and leadership, Prince was honored with the prestigious Green and Gold Award for the Class of 1988. He went on to play four years of collegiate soccer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he served as team captain during his senior season, continuing a legacy of excellence both on and off the field.

 

Amy Pietrusewicz ’94
A three-sport standout, Pietrusewicz excelled in soccer, basketball, and softball during her time at Bishop Guertin. One of the true pioneers of female athletics at the school, she played a leading role in a transformative era — helping guide the girls’ soccer team to the 1992 state championship, the first title ever won by a BG girls program. That historic victory came during the school’s very first semester with a coed student body, making it a defining moment in Cardinal history. Pietrusewicz was the driving force behind that title run, earning team MVP honors, the first of two consecutive seasons she would receive the distinction. In total, she earned 11 varsity letters across her high school career, collecting multiple all-state honors in several sports and serving as team captain in three seasons. On the basketball court, she was a key contributor and earned all-state recognition, culminating in an invitation to the 1993–94 New Hampshire State All-Star Game. A trailblazer in every sense, Pietrusewicz helped lay the foundation for generations of female student-athletes at Bishop Guertin. Her leadership, versatility, and competitive spirit helped open doors and create lasting opportunities — a legacy that continues to shape the school's athletic tradition more than 30 years later.

 

Geoff Nickerson ’96
A staple on the track and cross country course throughout his four years as a Cardinal, Nickerson remains one of the most decorated distance runners in Bishop Guertin history — nearly three decades after his graduation. More than just a champion, he was a respected leader and teammate, serving as captain for cross country, indoor, and outdoor track during both his junior and senior years, respectively. After a strong start to his high school career, Nickerson capped it with a dominant senior year. He captured the state title in the 3200m during the indoor season, then swept both the Class L and overall state championships in the same event during outdoor track. His senior cross country campaign was equally impressive, with a runner-up finish at the New Hampshire state meet and a fourth-place showing at New Englands — performances that earned him All-America honors from the USA Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Nickerson graduated in 1996 with four school records and was honored with the All-Athlete Award for his class. He continued his running career at the collegiate level, competing for four years at Dartmouth and one additional year at Villanova.

 

Tracy Martin ’09
The most accomplished golfer in Bishop Guertin history, Martin stands as one of the most decorated student-athletes to ever wear the Cardinals uniform. A three-time New Hampshire Girls State Champion (2005, 2007, 2008), Martin dominated the links like few athletes across any sport in school history. Her excellence extended beyond state borders as well — she captured back-to-back New England High School Girls Championships in 2007 and 2008. A trailblazer as much as a champion, Martin became the first female golfer in BG history to compete on the varsity team and was named team captain during both her junior and senior years. She earned numerous Player of the Year honors from local media outlets and recorded three top-10 finishes in prestigious American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events. Her success continued at the collegiate level, where she starred for the University of Richmond. As a senior, she earned all-conference honors and graduated with the second-lowest scoring average in program history. While still a member of the Spiders golf program, Martin added to her impressive résumé by winning the 2013 New Hampshire Women’s Amateur Championship, solidifying her place among the state’s golfing elite.

 

Additionally, Anne Coulter ’02 has been selected for induction as part of the Class of 2025. While she is unable to attend this year’s ceremony, she will be formally celebrated at a future induction. Coulter was a three-sport athlete at BG, claiming the javelin title for both Class L and the state of the New Hampshire and being named the most valuable player on both the varsity volleyball and basketball teams. She would parlay her athletic achievements at BG to Colby-Sawyer where she graduated as the volleyball program’s record holder for career blocks, while also being tabbed as the school’s Female Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2006.

 

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