Journal News' Frank Becerra, three others named to Westchester Sports Hall of Fame
The Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2022 induction class, which will be honored later this fall.
Longtime Journal News photographer Frank Becerra Jr. is among a distinguished quartet that also includes former Lakeland lacrosse star Ric Beardsley, golf pro Thomas Avezzano Sr. and boxer, trainer and Valhalla football coach Ron Berlingo.
They will be officially inducted at a Nov. 10 ceremony at the Glen Island Harbor Club.
Here's more on this year's inductees:
Frank Becerra Jr.
Becerra has covered high school, college and professional sports for the Journal News and lohud.com for more than 40 years. He's photographed nine World Series, three Super Bowls, three Stanley Cup finals and an NBA finals, while also being a longtime fixture on the local sports scene at every age level.
He joins his father, Frank Becerra Sr., who was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.
Gallery: Photos of 2021 Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Last year: 2021 Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame induction class
Ric Beardsley
Beardsley was a two-time All-American at Lakeland High School and became a four-time All-American at Syracuse University. He was named the captain of the 1992 United States U-19 men's lacrosse team that won a world championship. He went on to play six years of professional lacrosse, then transitioned into a coaching role, where he guided Christian Brothers Academy to a state championship.
Thomas Avezzano Sr.
Avezzano has spent 65 years at Sprain Lake Golf Course in Yonkers and has been the head pro there since 1975. Throughout his long tenure, he's played a big role in growing the sport of golf through clinics and camps and through popular tournaments such as the Halloween Scramble and Turkey Scramble.
Ron Berlingo
Berlingo played football at White Plains High School and started his career as a boxer while he was a student at Springfield College. He was the runner-up in the Golden Gloves and New England AAU championships. He went on to train heavyweight contenders Renaldo Snipes and Carl Williams, who held the USBA title for four years.
After boxing, Berlingo coached football at Valhalla, compiling a 78-29-4 record, including a 13-3 postseason mark and a state championship.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Journal News' Becerra, three others named to Westchester Hall of Fame
