MONTPELIER — Longtime Otter Valley Union High School physical education teacher and softball coach Patricia Candon was one of 14 inductees to the Vermont Principals’ Association Hall of Fame announced on Monday.
The latest members of the VPA Hall of Fame include student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and one contributor.
Candon, an OV graduate who plans to retire this spring after teaching at the school for 32 years, has coached softball at OV since 1986 and has also officiated field hockey games since 1976. She is being recognized under the “Coach/Activity Advisor” category of the VPA hall.
According to the VPA press release announcing the inductees, Candon is honored not only for her softball teams’ three Division II championships, more than 300 wins, and dozen Marble Valley league titles, but also because she “has been one of the top award-winning field hockey umpires starting in 1976” and “has donated her time frequently to promote interscholastic sports when her teams are not playing.”
In 2007, Candon was inducted into the Castleton State University Hall of Fame. She has coached Vermont’s Twin-State softball team and helped found the Vermont State Softball Coaches’ Association and served as its vice president and secretary. She received the field hockey coaches’ Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and the Outstanding Official Award in 2012.
A year ago, OV’s softball field was named in Candon’s honor.
The VPA Hall of Fame was organized in 2001 to recognize and preserve the heritage of Vermont high school interscholastic activities, including sports. Members of the hall have distinguished themselves through service, contributions and achievement in programs or activities sponsored by the VPA. They also must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and character.
A change this year to the VPA Hall of Fame bylaws allows for current coaches/activity advisers, school administrators, media members, officials and contributors to be considered after 20 years’ experience, thus allowing Candon to be considered.
The other inductees are:
•  Mount St. Joseph Academy administrator Marty McDonough.
•  Former Mount Mansfield administrator and former VPA Executive Director Robert Stevens.
•  Coach and teacher Dave “Bear” Bremner of Hinesburg and Champlain Valley Union high schools.
•  Coach and teacher Leland “Buddy” Hayford of Wilmington and Twin Valley high schools.
•  Coach Harry Ladue of Windsor High School.
•  Coach and teacher William O’Neil of Essex High School.
•  Student-athlete Ryan Hingston of Windsor High School.
•  Student-athlete Scott Moore of Essex and Rice Memorial high schools, formerly known as Lauren Krywanczyk.
•  Student-athlete Corey Mullen-Rusin of Wilmington and Twin Valley Union high schools.
•  Student-athlete Fred Waryas Jr. of Bellows Falls Union High School.
•  Basketball official Edgar Clodfelter.
•  Soccer and lacrosse official Eric Evans.
•  Trainer Denise Alosa of South Burlington High School.
The induction ceremony will be held on May 13 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Montpelier. Information is available from Delina Benway at the VPA at 802-229-0547.