Cooley, Frager, And Palazzi Inducted Into New England Basketball Hall of Fame
Three members of the Fairfield University community were
inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame on October 9.
Head Men's Basketball Coach Ed Cooley, Head Women's Basketball
Coach Joe Frager, and Director of Student Athlete Programs Mary Ann
Palazzi joined the region's basketball elite on that night as the
Institute of International Sport welcomed a new class to its hall
of fame.
Cooley will be inducted for his high school achievement as he earned two high school player of the year awards and was a member of the New Hampton Prep School basketball team.
"I am very humbled and honored that I was chosen for this award," Cooley said. "I have a great deal of respect for New England basketball and to be included in this hall of fame means a great deal to me."
Mary Ann Palazzi spent her scholastic career at Saint Peter/Marian High School (Mass.). Her brother Matt joined Mary Ann as one of the hall of fame inductees this year. Her father Togo Palazzi was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame in 2003 as a Division I player.
"I am thrilled to be part of this ceremony," Palazzi said. "It has even more meaning to be inducted with my brother."
Frager joins Hall of Fame as a Division II coach after leading Southern Connecticut State University to the national championship in 2007. Frager posted a 189-83 mark with four NCAA tournament berths during his tenure at Southern Connecticut.
"This is really a special night for me and my family," Frager
said. "Being inducted means a great deal to me and being part of
this hall of fame is something I will also appreciate."
