2012 Windsor Central High School graduate Chris Stricek is now officially a member of the Section IV Athletics Hall of Fame after Saturday’s induction ceremony in Binghamton. Stricek earned admission in his first year of eligibility.

“It was a really, really cool experience. I was probably one of the youngest if not the youngest at the ceremony. There were lots of people who have been with Section IV a lot longer than I have. Meeting them and new people from schools that we didn’t compete against was great,” said Stricek.  

Stricek spend six years as a Black Knight golfer. He was a four-time competitor in state championship play, a five-time STAC all-star, was selected to the All-State team twice, tabbed Triple Cities Golf Association (TCGA) Player of the Year, named Press & Sun-Bulletin Athlete of the Week, and was a WBNG-TV Academic all-star.

“Chris Stricek is one of the most important players in the 50-plus year history of Windsor Golf. As a five-time STAC All-Star and two-time New York State All-Star, his on-course achievements were record-setting,” said former Windsor golf coach Bruce Bedford.

During Stricek’s senior season, his nine-hole match scores were at par or better in 12 of 16 matches, a rate of 75%.

“His season average score for nine-hole matches was under par two different seasons (-0.06) and (-0.38), the best of all players on all teams in STAC.  At graduation, Chris owned half, six of 12, of the best nine-hole match scores in Windsor school history, all at three or four under par,” said Bedford.

Following his senior season, won both the STAC and Section IV Sportsmanship Awards.

“Golf doesn’t always get the attention of other sports. Being able to bring a little bit of attention to the sport of golf was cool. I know there were some solid Windsor golf teams after my graduation and I got to know some of the younger kids who were on the team and even some I had the pleasure of coaching in camps. That impact means a lot to me – to shed some light on this game we play and love,” said Stricek.

“Even though he graduated from Windsor in 2012, his positive impact is still being felt today. To be inducted into the Section IV Athletic Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility is well deserved,” said Bedford.

Stricek sends a special thank you to Bedford and his former elementary PE teacher, Chris Durdon, for their support of his Section IV Hall of Fame candidacy.

“(Coach Bedford) keeps a giant stat book of everything that happens throughout all the matches, from the number one golfer to the number ten. We made fun of him for it when we were younger but all that work truly comes out right now,” said Stricek.

Stricek lives in western Pennsylvania, and still plays golf, sometimes three to four times per week. He’s a 2-handicap and won his club championship last summer.

“When you pick up a sport at five years old you don’t think this is a game you can play for the rest of your life. I’m lucky I fell in love with a sport I still play,” said Stricek.