SPORTS HALL of FAME ATHLETE
Stephen 'Steve' Fessenden '76

Leadership personified but not amplified...Steve was a natural athlete who led by example, but when needed but when needed could take charge, as displayed by his quarterback and catcher positions...also blended in well as a teammate... was probably a little ahead of his peers being the son of an athlete and coach (Doug Fessenden).

Steve's multi-sport talent was evident early on, as a pitcher/shortstop in Little League and as high scorer for the 7th grade basketball team. By freshman year, he was on varsity baseball and football as well as JV basketball teams at Sidney. As starting catcher in 1973, he caught two no-hitters - a 3-0 loss at Delhi (Bob Daugherty pitching) and a rain-shortened win vs. Unatego (John Thomas). Two years later, Steve would catch two more no-hit gems, both pitched by Larry Halbert; both were by 2-0 winning scores versus Greene. As a senior, he led the team in hits with 18, batting .300 overall and .375 in Sus League play. On a few occasions, he took a turn on the mound; a notable effort was against Whitney Point, when he threw all 10 innings of a.1-0 win. Facing only six batters over the minimum, Steve allowed just 4 hits, striking out 8 - the final three in the 10th - and driving in the winning run in the top of that inning. After the season, Steve was named as a Central New York All-Star and got to play against the Milford Macs in the annual showcase series for local seniors.

In football, as Sidney went 10-10 in the two seasons Steve started at quarterback. Sidney's crown jewel of that time was the perceived upset of then-#2 state ranked Chenango Forks, 28-14 during the 1974 season. Steve maintains "even though they hadn't lost in a year and a half, we outplayed them that day." He threw a TD pass to classmate and fellow Hall of Famer Rick Mirabito in that game. With the win. Sidney was in position to capture a division title, however they lost the next week to Windsor in front of over 2,000 spectators.... Senior year was a bit of a struggle (4-5 season), but even on a "run-first" team, Steve put up good passing numbers in two games, particularly in his final scholastic contest - he went 8-9 for 192 yards and two TDs against Newark Valley.

Basketball success under HOF coach Jack Jones was initiated by solid defense, and in back-to-back 20-2 seasons, Steve found a new role as a top defender...in 1974-75 Sidney was the Section IV champ and won the very first intersectional game...still, he hit for double figures once that year, in a win over Forks. The '75-76 campaign saw Steve regain his accustomed starting position at guard, taking on the opponent's best scoring outside threat.... fans will remember his occasional "spot shot" from well beyond the key - today's 3-point area - that usually ended with a swish. That year was also the top-scoring season ever for Sidney hoops, including three games over 100 points....in a school-record 115-40 trouncing of Walton, he scored 15 points, playing only two quarters. In playoff action, he tallied 16 in the 90-70 quarterfinal win over Watkins Glen, and followed with 14 as the Warriors pasted Norwich 80-68.

In college, baseball was the only sport for Steve, who played in 1978 and 1979 at Broome Community College...was named MVP his final season...caught every inning that year as the Hornets lost by one in the regional finals. It's estimated Steve played more than 300 baseball games, high school, college, and adult/semi-pro teams in Walton, Oneonta and Latham.

Steve has been in law enforcement his entire adult life, starting with the Walton PD, moving on to the New York State Police in 1984...currently is director of NYSP Southern Tier Satellite Crime Lab in Port Crane...he enjoys biking and hiking & kayaking in the Adirondacks... member of First Baptist Church in Johnson City...son Drew was a member of the 2006 Section IV Champion Sidney Warrior football team...is married to Suzanne who shares three children and 4 grandchildren with him.... inducted in March to the Section IV Hall of Fame and joins his father Doug there and now here - in the Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame. Congratulations!