Robert “Pat” Lewis is being inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame for his contribution to the foundation and continuation of the sport of football and his infamous football career.
Robert Patrick Lewis was known to all in high school as either “Pat” or “Scoop”. Pat was in the class of 1967. His elementary years were completed at Fort Crailo. The football program had only been in existence for a few years when Pat joined the varsity team his Freshman year and played the next two as well. He was in Varsity Club junior and senior year. He won the “Most Valuable Player” award for football his junior year. Pat aged-out of the requirements and couldn’t play his senior year. His junior year he made the All-Suburban Team for his position, full back, as well as winning the “Area Football Scoring Championship” award. He had broken nearly all the running records of the school. He claimed the Section Two and Capital District scoring titles for most points scored in one season. He also set records for the most points as a full back (82), most touchdowns in one game (4), most touchdowns in a season (13), most yards gained in one season (700) for a respectable 87.5 average.
Pat shared his love of football by becoming a founding member of the Rensselaer Men’s Athletic Association, which brought Pop Warner Football to Rensselaer. He also coached Pop Warner for many years.
Pat was nominated by his classmate and friend, Joseph Branion and couldn’t be here tonight. His son Scott is inducting him. Pat married his high school sweetheart, Judy LaPorta and they raised their four children, Paul, Scott, Brian and Amanda who gave them 12 grandchildren. All four of them are alumni. Both Pat and Judy passed away in 2011. They lived in Rensselaer all their lives.
James Kapp is being inducted in to the Hall of Fame for his career and dedication to students and other children he taught, coached and gave a better life to.
Jim Kapp is not an alumnus of Rensselaer public schools, although he grew up in Rensselaer and taught in the district. He went to elementary school at St. Joseph’s in Rensselaer and graduated from Lasalle Institute in Troy, NY in 1969. He volunteered at events and as a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball coach. He enrolled in Siena College where he obtained a Bachler of Science degree majoring in Political Science with an Education minor. Then it was on to SUNY Albany for his Master of Science in Educational Administration.
Jim’s 32year career in teaching and educational administration started in 1973 at Rensselaer Jr. Sr. High School. He was there until 1980 where he taught grades 7 & 8 Social Studies. During his time in the district, Jim also coached J.V. basketball and assisted Coach Dave Foust in Varsity helping to win three consecutive championships. He also coached a summer league without compensation and was city Director of the Recreation Department. Jim served the city as 9th ward Alderperson from 1974-76. He moved to the Hudson Falls High School where he taught for the next 11 years during which time (1988) he adopted his Brazilian daughter, Seairah. In 1992 Jim left Hudson Falls for a position as Principal of School #2 in Troy and was there until 2005 when, as some of us remember, Jim had an accident which happened at school and was in the news. The accident caused a T12 spinal burst which left him paralyzed. Jim retired to recuperate and spend more time with his family.
Jim was nominated by alumnus Barry Cavanaugh, a 2013 Hall of Fame inductee and endorsed by 2018 Hall of Fame inductee David Foust ‘71. Dave worked with Jim and Barry was coached by him. Jim lives in Troy and along with his daughter, he has 4 grandchildren now.
