MICHAEL J. FUSCO, JR. was nominated twice, once by his daughter Michele Benyo, and also by his colleague and classmate, James Cochran. He is being inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame for his high school athleticism; his lengthy, successful career in the Rensselaer City School District and his civic contributions to the city and its youth.
As a youth, Mike won several baseball awards including the batting (.542) and pitching (8-1) titles in the 1959 Rensselaer Little League. Mikeis an alumnus of the Class of 1966. In high school in 1965 he broke, and still holds, the record for interceptions in one football game (5), Rensselaer vs Tamarac. As a varsity bowler, Mike won the 1966 Most Valuable Player. He was also MVP in ’66 for the Melvin Roads American Legion Baseball team. He was a member of the College Club, treasurer of the Varsity Club and acted in two plays and was in the Drama Club. Mike went to Hudson Valley Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Recreation Administration and Supervision in 1968. He attended SUNY Brockport the next year, transferring to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Springfield College in 1971. He began his career with RCSD that year, becoming a highly respected athletic director and completing his Master’s degree in Education at Russell Sage in 1979. While at Rensselaer Jr-Sr High School Mike coached varsity baseball, bowling, softball and girls’ volleyball, leading the RHS baseball team to the Section II regional championships. While teaching, he also volunteered at school as advisor to the Varsity Club (1971-81), advisor for the Black History Month Club and founded the first chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) in 1988 and was its advisor. He formed the “Prom Promise” program for students and was also its advisor. He also founded “Red Ribbon” week, which was a K-12 week-long campaign against smoking, alcohol and drug use. In addition, Mike was one of the creators of the Rensselaer Middle High School PTSA and he helped several disabled and less fortunate students. Mike also shared his teaching talents outside of his employment. He served as a board member of the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club for 21 years (1979-2000) and coached Little League and Babe Ruth and led the 1982 Gerald O’Neil American Legion Post to the county championship as their Head Coach. He umpired many Little League and Girls Softball games. He also was director of the city’s summer recreation program for 15 yrs (1987-2001) and was honored by the city Youth Bureau with a plaque for his service in 2001. Mike also had a political career and served the city as Alderman for the 1st Ward for 8 yrs (1978-86) as well as majority leader of the city common council from 1984-86. Mike passed away tragically and prematurely in 2013.