Sports
5 Super Athletes With Ties To East Haven
From a brand partner: Meet five standout athletes with ties to the area whose accomplishments have made their mark on the sports world.
Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the East Haven area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.
Patch is celebrating five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. This list is just a snapshot, with countless other athletes helping shape the rich sports culture in our area.
1. Ed Rapuano (Baseball)
Born in New Haven and raised in East Haven, Ed Rapuano spent 22 years as an MLB umpire, working both the National League and later both major leagues. He was behind the plate for milestone moments across his career, including serving as third-base umpire for Greg Maddux's 300th career win in 2004, and also officiated the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
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2. Bobby Leonzo (Basketball & Tennis)
A 2005 East Haven High School graduate, Bobby Leonzo was a two-sport standout, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds a game as a senior on the basketball court while also earning an All-SCC doubles ranking in tennis. He went on to play four years of college tennis at Albertus Magnus College, serving as a team captain.
3. Karen Ursini Tessman (Softball & Basketball)
A 1990 East Haven High School graduate, Karen Ursini Tessman earned All-State honors in softball as a senior after three years on the All-Housatonic team. She also lettered in basketball and cross country, and her play on the court earned her a spot on the Connecticut AAU team and the Junior Olympic National Team.
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4. Megan Rea (Soccer)
A standout on the East Haven High School soccer pitch, Megan Rea finished her career with 30 goals and 30 assists. She capped her run with the Greater New Haven Soccer Officials' Whitey Piurek Award for outstanding sportsmanship and ability.
5. William Demetriades (Hockey & Baseball)
A 1995 East Haven High School graduate, William Demetriades anchored the ice hockey team in net and on the score sheet for four seasons, finishing with 61 goals and 76 assists for 137 career points. He was a senior captain and the team's leading scorer before going on to play college hockey at Sacred Heart University.
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