Editor’s note: Charles Lindberg “Lindy” Hanson ’48 was inducted into the Williston Northampton Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 7, 2014 during Reunion weekend. Athletic Director Mark Conroy gave the following introduction during the ceremony.
It is my great pleasure to introduce Charles Lindbergh “Lindy” Hanson as an inductee into Williston’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
It was during my first year at Williston in 2000 when I first became familiar with the name Lindy Hanson. A ceremony that included past classmates, teammates, and family members took place in his honor on the “other side of the bridge” when a plaque was erected in his memory next to Sawyer Field. I remember thinking at that time that this must not only be a special athlete but a special person for folks to return to Williston to honor him 52 years after his graduation!
While Lindy was undoubtedly one of the finest athletes in our school’s history, I would soon learn that he was also one of our most beloved. Lindy graduated from Abington High School in eastern Massachusetts in 1945 where he was an All Scholastic athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. Following his graduation, he served his country in the US Navy during World War II before arriving at Williston Academy in the fall of 1946.
During his two years at Williston, it would be an understatement to say that Lindy had a huge impact on the Williston community and athletic program. As a football player, his extraordinary play as a triple threat back became the stuff of legends as he won the Mills Kicking Contest during both of his years, won the Gold Football as the team’s most valuable player and led Williston Academy to its first undefeated season in years. In the winter, he captained one of the finest basketball teams in our school’s history leading the team to a 15-1 record. In the spring, he was a standout shortstop on the baseball team.
As an athlete, Lindy was widely regarded by his teammates and opponents for his remarkable physical talents and mental toughness. It was not surprising that Lindy capped his outstanding career at Williston by winning the coveted Denman trophy—given to the top senior athlete.
After graduation, Lindy went on to a remarkable football career at Boston University where he starred alongside the legendary Harry Agganis. At that time, BU played a national schedule and was considered one of the top teams in the East. Lindy earned numerous honors during his career including the title of Most Popular athlete at BU, All East, All New England and team captain. He was inducted into the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.
While all of these athletic accomplishments are truly noteworthy, what has always stood out to me is how beloved Lindy was amongst his teammates and classmates. I think this is best summed up by the words on the plaque that was dedicated to his memory on that fall day in 2000: “Lindy accepted his peers as individuals and treated them as equals. Whether on the field or in the classroom, he was true to the Williston sense of ethics and fair play. Lindy was our friend and enriched the lives of everyone he touched. We loved him and admired him. We will never forget Lindy and our time at Williston with him.”
It is with great honor that I present Lindy Hanson, Class of 1948, as an inductee into Williston’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Accepting in his honor is one of Lindy’s beloved friends and former teammates Stan Gedney ‘48.