At its annual induction banquet on Oct. 26, the Edward C. Picken Athletic Hall of Fame inducted Clem Campana, a 30-year college employee, as a “friend” of the organization his father founded 25 years ago. The plan to honor the long-time champion of youth sports was miraculously kept secret 
from Campana, the organization’s current president, until the event was underway.
Troy High School’s Edward C. Picken Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1994 following the death of Picken, the retired THS athletic director who had devoted 40 years to a “pursuit of excellence” for hundreds of students. At the time, Jerry C. Campana (Clem’s late father) wanted to honor Picken’s legendary career in perpetuity. He started the HOF and served as president until 2001.
More than 360 athletes, 31 coaches, 42 “friends” and five teams have been inducted during the quarter century since 1994. In addition to Campana (THS class of 1968), four athletes were inducted this year: Courtney Avery (2013), Michael Cioffi (1980), Anthony Judge (2013) and Michael Marro (1976).
Campana is most proud of the fact that the Hall of Fame has awarded a $1,000 monetary award to two Troy High School graduates in each of its 25 years, a testament to the organization’s strong reputation and the generosity of its donors.
A life-long resident of Troy, Campana has devoted much of his life to community service, including his many years working with young people of all ages to share his love for the sport of basketball. He served as a volunteer and basketball coach at the South Troy Community Center until its closing in 1995. “Chappy” then moved to the Troy Community Youth Organization (CYO) where he continues as a volunteer coach, as well as vice president of the organization.
When employed at Samaritan Hospital, Campana played basketball in the Capital District Hospital League and was one of a small group of players recognized for scoring 1,000 points in five years.
Campana also serves as Parish Council President at St. Anthony of Padua Church, a member of the Emerald Club and is on the scholarship essay review committee here at Hudson Valley Community College. A former member of the National Guard, he also held elected office as Troy’s City Council President and currently serves as operations assistant in Human Resources.
Published: Wed, 06 Nov 2019 13:05:42 +0000 by d.gardner