7 Fall River athletes, 1 coach, to be inducted into Durfee High School Hall of Fame

The Durfee Athletic Hall of Fame is thrilled to announce its Class of 2024 inductees. These seven outstanding athletes and a coach will be honored during their induction ceremony this month:

EMMA SANTORO, Class of 2009

Emma Santoro, a standout swimmer from Durfee High School’s Class of 2009, distinguished herself as one of the most accomplished athletes in the school’s history. Her remarkable career is celebrated with numerous awards, record-breaking performances, and a legacy that continues to inspire young athletes at Durfee. In Emma’s freshman year she made an immediate impact in the pool, breaking Durfee High School records in numerous events and secured 1st place in the 100 freestyle at the South Sectional Championship, breaking a 25-year-old South Sectional record. Her outstanding performances continued in the years to follow and led her to become a 2x Individual State Champion, winning the 100 freestyle during her sophomore year in 2006 and the 100 breaststroke during her senior year in 2008. She currently remains the record-holder at Durfee in the 200 IM, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, and 100 breaststroke, a testament to her enduring legacy.

Emma was recognized as a Big Three Conference All-Star, Eastern MA League All-Star, South Coast Regional All-Star, and team MVP every year during her four years at Durfee. Additionally, she was a four year qualifier for both the Sectional and State meets, showcasing her talent and competitiveness on the larger stages. She was a Boston Herald and Boston Globe All Star, and a 3x All American. Emma’s contributions to her team and her exceptional individual achievements have left a lasting legacy at Durfee High School. Currently, Emma works at Durfee as a School Counselor and serves as the Assistant Swim Coach, inspiring future generations of students and athletes to strive for greatness.

RHONDA PACHECO, Class of 1997

Rhonda Pacheco is known for her hustle, relentless work ethic, and fierce competitiveness. She averaged 12.1 points per game at Durfee High School, where she hit 75 career three-pointers, including 33 as a senior. She was a Dave Cowens nominee for dedication to basketball and was named Durfee High School Athlete of the Year as a senior. She was also a Big-Three Conference Basketball All-Star as a senior and won the Farquahar Memorial Award for outstanding dedication to girls’ basketball.

Rhonda was recognized by the Fall River City Council for being named to the All-State All-Academic Team by the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association. She also played softball, earning MVP honors as a senior while being named a Big Three Conference All-Star. She was also named a Big Three All-Star in soccer as a senior.

Following graduation, Rhonda went to the University of Rhode Island where she graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and received a full Division 1 Athletic Scholarship to play basketball for the university, where she was captain both her Junior and Senior years. 

Rhonda is a Group Vice President of Lilly USA Cardiometabolic Business Unit at Eli Lilly and Company. Rhonda resides in Indianapolis, IN with her wife, Johanna Willer and their two young children.

CARRIE DOYLE, Class of 1995

Carrie Doyle, a standout three-sport athlete at Durfee High School, showcased her versatility and determination in basketball, volleyball, and softball. Her fierce competitive spirit and leadership were evident as she captained both the basketball and volleyball teams during her senior year, earning the prestigious title of Durfee’s 1995 Female Athlete of the Year.

In basketball, her achievements included being a three-year varsity starter, garnering recognition as a Herald News Big 3 All Star and Herald News All Scholastic in both her junior and senior years. She also earned a spot on the New Bedford Standard Times All Star team as a junior and was a nominee for the Dave Cowens’ Basketball Award in 1995. Her senior season was particularly impressive, leading her team as the top scorer with 238 points, an average of 11.9 points and 12 rebounds per game, and excelling as the top free throw shooter with a 78% success rate.

In volleyball, Doyle was known for her skills as a middle hitter and blocker. As a three-year varsity starter, she earned accolades including Herald News All Scholastic honors in both 1993 and 1994, as well as being named a Herald News Big 3 All Star and MVP in her senior year. Her contributions extended to representing her team in the Bay State Games in 1994, where they secured the gold medal.

Doyle’s prowess extended to softball as well, where she played first base during her senior year and contributed to the team’s run to the Division I South Finals in 1993.

Her athletic journey continued at Stony Brook University, where she played Division II volleyball as a middle hitter. Doyle’s collegiate career was marked by significant accomplishments, including a total of 244 blocks, 146 block assists, and 98 block solos. Her leadership qualities were recognized early on, as she was named captain as a sophomore and maintained that role through her junior and senior years. Her team won the ECAC Championship in 1995 and 1997, as well as the NECC Championship in 1998.

Doyle’s 3rd generation induction into the Durfee Hall of Fame follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, Thomas Doyle (‘44), and father, Thomas Doyle (‘67), both of whom were also honored in the Hall of Fame.

KEVIN NARCISO, Class of 2000

Kevin Narciso, a standout athlete and member of the class of 2000, made an indelible mark during his four-year tenure in the ice hockey program. His skill and dedication were consistently evident, earning him a place among Durfee High School’s all-time greats. As a four-year varsity player (1997-2000), Kevin’s career statistics of 69 goals and 53 assists for 122 points rank him as the 3rd all-time leading scorer in Durfee’s history, trailing only Bobby Rapoza and Scott Santos. Kevin’s individual accolades are numerous. He was named a Fall River Herald News All-Star three times, a testament to his consistent excellence on the ice. In addition, he was a four-time Challenge Cup Champion, and his senior year was particularly distinguished. Kevin played a pivotal role in leading his team to a Big 3 Conference Championship, scoring the game-winning goal in the title match, and being named a Big 3 Conference All-Star. Under his leadership as team captain during both his junior and senior years, the team set a school record with 18 consecutive wins, further solidifying his legacy. Beyond his impressive statistics, Kevin’s exceptional speed, masterful hockey skills, and unwavering determination set him apart. He was a two-time MIAA Tournament participant, and his influence extended beyond just the numbers. His sportsmanship, work ethic, and leadership inspired those around him, leaving an enduring legacy in the annals of Durfee High School athletics.

BRANDON BOUCHARD, Class of 1991

Brandon Bouchard, a distinguished member of the Durfee High School Class of 1991, has left an indelible mark on Durfee athletics, particularly in the realm of golf. Throughout his high school career, Brandon’s passion for golf and his exceptional talents were evident through his outstanding achievements. As a four-year MVP/Co-MVP and 3-year captain, Brandon’s individual accomplishments on the golf course are nothing short of impressive. His victory in the South Sectionals during his senior year, where he shot even par, and his third-place finish in the South Sectionals during his sophomore year, showcased his remarkable talent and tenacity as a golfer. Furthermore, his role in leading the team to a third-place finish in the state during his senior year attests to his impact on the collective success of the Durfee High School golf team.

Beyond his high school career, Brandon’s golfing achievements extended to national and international competitions, including his participation in the National qualifier at Pinehurst, North Carolina, where he competed alongside golfing luminaries such as Phil Mickelson and David Duval. In addition to his outstanding athletic achievements, Brandon’s commitment to community service and mentorship is truly commendable. With over 30 years of experience working with at-risk youth and his dedication to supporting youth in the community, Brandon continues to make a positive impact beyond the golf course. Furthermore, Brandon’s influence extends to the next generation, as evidenced by his son Jack, who follows in his footsteps as a multi-sport athlete at Durfee High School.

TIM PLANTE, Class of 1986

Tim is a distinguished three-sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball), best known for his achievements in baseball. As a two-year starter for the Hilltoppers, he boasted an impressive career batting average of .376, highlighted by a standout senior year where he hit .452, the highest in the Southeastern Massachusetts Conference Division 1. During that season, Tim recorded 5 doubles, 4 triples, 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 6 stolen bases and scored 19 runs. His stellar performance earned him honors as a Herald News All-Scholastic, New Bedford Standard Times All-Scholastic, and a first-team Southeastern Massachusetts Conference All-Star. He also played a key role as the starting centerfielder for the 1985 Southeastern Massachusetts Conference Division 1 Championship team.

Tim continued his baseball career at Bridgewater State College, where he served as one of the captains in his junior and senior years. He finished his college career with a batting average of .354, with his best season being his junior year when he hit .417, including 10 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 31 RBIs, and 20 runs. He was named to the All-Conference MASCAC team. Sportswriter Tim Geary praised Tim, saying, “There are two things which readily stand out about Tim Plante. One is that he’s liked and respected by both teammates and opponents. The second is that he’s one of the best clutch hitters any team could hope to have, evidenced by the fact that he either bats third or fourth in any lineup he’s in, and it’s been that way for years.”

After his college playing days, Tim transitioned into coaching. He was the head baseball coach at Fairhaven High School for five years, leading his teams to the playoffs all five years. Additionally, Tim served as the head basketball coach at Westport High School, Case High School, and Bristol Plymouth RVT. His coaching tenure has been marked by consistent success, with his teams reaching the state playoffs in 14 of the 17 years he has been a head coach, including appearances in 3 South Sectional Finals and 1 State Championship. He is now approaching his 200th career game.

Tim currently lives in Mattapoisett with his wife. He has also dedicated the past 32 years to education as a teacher and elementary school principal.

RENE GAGNON, Class of 1990

Rene Gagnon started his high school career at Diman Vocational. After transferring to Durfee for his sophomore season, Gagnon quickly made a name for himself as a standout runner when he set a course record on Durfee’s 2.8 mile cross country course with a time of 14:43. That same season as a testament to his speed, endurance, and ability to conquer Fall River’s hills he won the City Cross Country Championship on Diman’s hilly 2.5 mile course with a time of 15:33. Gagnon would remain undefeated throughout his Southeastern Massachusetts Conference Division 2 dual meets and he placed fifth in the State Meet with a time of 15:30 over a challenging 3.1 course. That achievement made Gagnon the first Durfee Cross Country runner to ever qualify for the Division 1 MIAA All-State Meet at Franklin Park where he ultimately placed 19th overall. Gagnon would also go on to break his own course record at Durfee with a time of 14:23.

Gagnon also forged his running legacy at Durfee on the track oval in the Winter & Spring Track seasons. During Gagnon’s remarkable first Winter Track season at Durfee he captured the school’s mile record with a time of 4:37 and went on to place third in the mile at the SMC Conference Meet that year. Gagnon also excelled in Spring Track where he earned points in three events for the team in every meet by competing in the mile, 2-mile and quarter-mile relay. His outstanding efforts would contribute to yet another Durfee ‘First’. With a team record of 8-1, Durfee’s 1988 Spring Track team would make history by capturing its first SMC Spring Track Conference Title.

Gagnon’s love of art would ultimately lead him to attend The Massachusetts College of Art in Boston but Gagnon’s athletic ability, love of training hard and operating as a team would not be wasted after high school. Gagnon would go on to join many of the area’s best high school athletes at the physically demanding Horseneck Beach where Gagnon worked for 15 years as a State Lifeguard. Gagnon’s love of Durfee would also be unwavering. In the year 2000, Gagnon returned to his alma mater and became a Visual Design teacher. For the last 24 years Gagnon has continued to teach many of the life lessons to his students that he learned from his teachers as a student, and his coaches as an athlete at Durfee. Gagnon was recently recognized as one of the area’s Top Ten Cross Country runners of all time by the Herald News.

FLORIANO LIMA (Coach)

Floriano’s journey from an Azorean immigrant to the world of youth and high school soccer coaching in the city of Fall River is a product of dedication, determination, the love of connecting with youth and the love of the game. Arriving in the United States in 1968, Flo quickly embraced the American spirit of perseverance and excellence. A proud graduate of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in 1977, Flo was a standout athlete, earning a spot as a four-year varsity starter in hockey, baseball and soccer, setting the stage for a distinguished career in coaching.

Starting in 1990, Flo began making a significant impact in youth soccer, coaching both boys’ and girls’ teams for the Fall River Youth Soccer Association since the league’s inception. The commitment to nurturing young talent laid the groundwork for a successful transition into his high school coaching career that would follow.

In 1993, Flo joined Durfee High School as a Junior Varsity Coach, and just two years later, took the reins as the Varsity Coach. Under Flo’s leadership, Durfee girl’s soccer program flourished, with the team capturing the Big Three Championship an impressive ten times, including a remarkable nine consecutive title run from 1995 to 2003. Flo’s strategic skill development, team building and motivational prowess led the team to qualify for the State Tournament twelve times, with six of those losses coming to the eventual State Champion. Over the course of Flo’s tenure, his record stood at an impressive 127 wins, 58 losses, and 47 ties, totaling 232 games. Flo also volunteered his time assisting Varsity Girls Basketball from 1996-1999, as he continued to support and collaborate with fellow coaches within the Hilltopper community.

In 2006, Flo returned to his alma mater and transitioned to Diman where he would start the Girls’ Soccer Program at Diman, building the program and eventually bringing the same level of excellence and innovation that defined Flo’s career at Durfee. As a teacher and coach at Diman for the past 26 years as the current Girls Varsity and Boys Varsity Baseball Coach, Flo has continued to inspire and mentor the next generation of players, leaving an indelible mark on both the classroom and the field.

The Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at White’s of Westport. Cocktails from 5-6 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., with the inductions to follow. Tickets for the October 26th event are $60 and may only be purchased through this link. https://square.link/u/zV2DaGJt . Deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, October 14th.