Classical Hall of Fame to induct new members

The Lynn Classical High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 14, at the Nahant Country Club. The event will begin with a 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. social hour followed by dinner and the induction. The inductees are:John “Jay” Alicudo (1977) – For this lifelong Lynn resident and Classical alumnus, sports have played a significant role since childhood and still today. Alicudo wore his green and gold colors with pride, playing three years of varsity basketball and varsity football. Jay was a member of the celebrated 1976 Lynn Classical High School Super Bowl Championship Team, playing a fundamental role in the season’s 7-0 Thanksgiving Day victory against rival Lynn English; a game that was a determining factor for the Rams’ Super Bowl candidacy that year.Alicudo’s athletic ability smoothly transitioned from the field to the court, as he was a member of two Northeastern Conference champion basketball teams. He has two children, who both attended Lynn Classical High School. His daughter, Justina, is a former three-sport athlete who graduated from Northeastern University and is now teaching at Lynn Classical. His son, Tyler, is a member of the class of 2011 and had an impressive football career thus far. Tyler will attend a four-year college, where he plans to continue his career on the field.Alicudo’s passion for sports is evident today as you’ll find him dedicating time to student-athletes, whether on the sidelines or in the weight room during the off-season. He has a unique ability to connect with students and show them how to reach their potential, both on and off the field.Catherine “Katie” Barber (1997) was the varsity softball captain in 1997 and a four-year starting pitcher for the Rams. She broke the city and school records for the most career wins with 45.In addition to being a three time Northeastern Conference All-Star and Item All-Star, she was selected as the Northeastern Conference MVP and Boston Globe All-Scholastic during her senior year. Barber was also a two-time Sunday Post Player of the Year. During her junior and senior seasons, she had two no-hitters, seven shutouts and led her team in batting with .413 and .400 respectively.Barber had more than 450 career strikeouts, averaging more than one strikeout per inning in her final two years. She was also a four-year varsity soccer player. Barber was awarded a softball scholarship at University of Massachusetts at Lowell where she was a four-year starting pitcher for the Lady Riverhawks. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from UML. She is employed as a real estate paralegal and resides in West Lynn.James Cowdell (1979) led the Rams baseball team to a deep run in the state tournament in 1979. He had an earned run average of 0.71 and led the team with eight wins. He was an Item and Post All-Star. In 1983 he was elected to the Lynn Park Softball board of directors and became President in 1985.Cowdell has a deep love for the city of Lynn where he was born and raised. In 1987 he was elected to the Lynn City Council as Ward 5 Councilor. He was the longest serving ward councilor in Lynn’s history, serving a record 20 years. As an adult learner he went back to school and at the age of 41 received his bachelor’s degree and at 44, he received his MBA, both from Endicott College.Cowdell is an active member of the Endicott Alumni Association. Today he is the executive director of EDIC where he is responsible for Economic Development for the city of Lynn. He was the former COO of Bridgewell, where he held that post for 14 years. He has spoken twice at Classical graduations and both times spoke about the pride the graduates should feel for being a graduate of such a great school. He is happily married to his wife Julie and they have two children, James and Timothy, both proud Lynn Classical graduates.Kevin Debasitis (1978) played football, baseball, and track, lettering in football and track (shot put). Junior year he was named Lineman of th