Tonight we honor one of WPI's best athletes, whose many
accomplishments have not been forgotten.
Fran Oneglia played a prominent role during some of the most
successful years of WPI basketball-the late '30s and early
'40s-setting a record that stood for many years. He also lettered
in baseball for three seasons-as a pitcher, third baseman, and
outfielder.
He was senior co-captain of the 1941-42 basketball team,
averaging 11.4 points per game. Many still remember the night of
March 6, 1942, when WPI hosted Coast Guard in a crowded and noisy
Alumni Gymnasium. Fran scored an astounding total of 35 points in
that game, a record that held until 1960, when Fred DiPippo tallied
36 against Williams.
In his junior year, Fran was the team's second leading scorer
with an 11.5 points-per-game average. In his sophomore year, WPI
finished 14-4, and in his freshman year, the winning season results
were 13-3.
This is Fran's second such honor. Last March, he was inducted
into the Athletic Hall of Fame of Torrington (Conn.) High School,
where he played basketball and baseball with distinction, lettering
in each sport for four years.
This is Fran's second such honor. Last March, he was inducted
into the Athletic Hall of Fame of Torrington (Conn.) High School,
where he played basketball and baseball with distinction, lettering
in each sport for four years. In 1992, Fran received WPI's Robert
H. Goddard Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement.
He is a co-founder of O&E Industries. He has served on many
community boards, including those of Town Corporation, Bank of
Boston, and Connecticut Junior Republic; he was a corporator of
Torrington Savings Bank.
For his many outstanding achievements, it is with great honor
that WPI inducts Francis J. Oneglia into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
