Waltham High School Hall of Fame to induct new honorees

Seven former Waltham High School athletes and the school’s 1972 baseball team will be inducted into the Waltham High School Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Sept. 18 at the Sons of Italy.

The Hall of Fame Committee recognizes members of the city’s athletic community for their past and present accomplishments and contributions to Waltham High School athletics in three categories: athlete; team; and coach.

The sold-out event brings together the honorees, their families, former teammates and Waltham community members to celebrate the latest additions to the school’s athletic legacy.

The evening begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the induction ceremony. 

This year’s honorees are:

John Bourque, Class of 1991 – Bourque was a versatile three-sport WHS athlete, competing in football, basketball and track. As a two-way starter in football, he established himself as one of the region’s premier players, earning 1989 Daily News Tribune All-Star honors. Bourque returned to his alma mater in 1998, joining the football staff. In 2013, as head coach, he guided Waltham to one of the most memorable football seasons in program history, capturing the Division 2 North Sectional Championship.

Jackie (Driscoll) Goodmurphy, Class of 2001 – A four-year varsity field hockey standout, Goodmurphy earned three Greater Boston League All-Star selections, served as team captain her senior year and garnered widespread recognition as a Boston Globe All-Scholastic. She was also a varsity basketball standout, earning league All-Star honors and captaining the squad in her senior season. On the softball diamond, Goodmurphy was a three-year varsity starter, team captain and league All-Star.

Donald Hopkins, Class of 2008 – Hopkins distinguished himself as one of Waltham High School’s premier three-sport athletes, serving as captain of the football, hockey and baseball teams and earning recognition as one of the top competitors in the Greater Boston League. He was a two-time GBL Football All-Star, a three-time GBL Hockey All-Star and a two-time GBL Baseball All-Star. He was awarded the 10-24 Leadership Award in 2008 in recognition of his character and guidance.

Steven Hopkins, Class of 2008 – Hopkins excelled in hockey, baseball and football and was captain of all three teams at WHS. He set the school record for career shutouts as a goalie, was selected to the Boston Herald Hockey Dream Team and ranked 30th among North American goaltenders on the NHL draft list. Hopkins earned multiple GBL All-Star selections in baseball and was also named Most Valuable Player in the prestigious Team Massachusetts vs. Team Connecticut All-Star Game. He went on to play football at Bentley University and was a two-time captain.

Taylor Pinzone, Class of 2017 – Pinzone is one of the most decorated multi-sport athletes in WHS history. She was a four-time Dual County League All-Star and the 2017 DCL Most Valuable Player and was named to the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association All-Senior and All-Academic Teams. In lacrosse, Pinzone was named DCL MVP and the Massachusetts Division 1 Player of the Year and rated as one of the top 44 high school players in the country. She was also a three-time DCL Cross Country All-Star, senior captain and three-time All-State qualifier.

Joe Recine, Class of 1992 – Recine was a standout three-sport athlete at Waltham High School. A two-way starter at guard and linebacker, he was team captain and led the team to a perfect 11-0 record and the D2 Super Bowl Championship. His exceptional play earned him Daily News Tribune All-Star honors. In wrestling, Recine further demonstrated the competitive drive that defined his athletic career, serving as team captain and earning Daily News Tribune All-Star recognition. He was also a key member of the varsity track and field team.

D.J. Saulnier, Class of 1972 – Saulnier was a dominant pitcher for WHS, posting a stellar 14-1 record and leading the Hawks to the state semifinals. Against Weymouth South, with first place at stake, Saulnier threw more than 150 pitches in a complete-game shutout to secure a 1-0 victory. After high school, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics but opted to play baseball at MassBay Community College, where he led the team to the Division III National Championship. He was later drafted by the Cleveland Indians and played minor league baseball before an arm injury cut his professional career short. Now retired, Saulnier remains active on the diamond, playing softball on Cape Cod.

The 1972 Waltham High School Baseball Team – The team finished with an 18-3 record, captured the Suburban League Co-Championship and made a run at the Division 1 state semifinals, ending a multi-year tournament drought. After a hard-fought win against Weymouth South in the first round, Waltham defeated Catholic Memorial and Reading to earn a spot in the state semifinals. Braintree narrowly ended Waltham’s run before going on to capture the state title. Driven by key contributions across the roster, the 1972 team’s championship season remains a high watermark in Waltham High School baseball history.