Yesterday’s Hero: Tom Liberatore of Hopedale Tom Liberatore was a top-notch talent in basketball and golf at Hopedale High. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward could score and rebound. He averaged 14 points and eight boards a game as a junior, then improved to 21 points and 10 rebounds as a senior. In golf, his scorecard usually read 35 or 36 for nine holes. He could drive a ball hard, chip effectively and putt consistently. Liberatore, however, wasn’t just about numbers when he competed in the early-to-mid 1970s. He was about winning. “I had some very memorable times at Hopedale,” said Liberatore. “Winning the Dual Valley League title in basketball the first year the conference was in existence was a thrill, and being chosen as a league all-star with Kurt Carlson was another highlight.” Liberatore also was a key cog in the Blue Raiders’ dominance in golf. Hopedale won five straight league championships during his five years on the varsity and Liberatore lost only five matches. “We had some great players on our golf teams,” Liberatore said. “Mike Hogarth and I usually were the No. 1 or No. 2 players. My brother, Bob, was very capable and we had two girls - Kathy Vendetti and Kathy Miller who were outstanding players.” Liberatore, who played basketball for three-plus years, developed into one of coach Don Klocek’s go-to guys. If Carlson wasn’t working his magic in the backcourt, then he was finding Liberatore open for high-percentage shots. Liberatore could score from either side of the basket from 12-16 feet. His jumper was hard to defend. “One of my best games came my senior year (1974-75) against Shepherd Hill,” Liberatore recalled. “I don’t think they had a player on the starting five less than 6-5. Somehow, we got energized, played Hopedale-style basketball and won the game. I ended up with 32 points and 12 rebounds. I didn’t miss a shot.” That victory enabled Hopedale to qualify for the district playoffs, where it was eventually ousted by Northbridge. The Blue Raiders finished first in the DVL with a 12-2 record. “We had a good all-around team with Carlson at point guard, Gordon Lewis at center and Jim Bresciani on the wing,” Liberatore said. “Coach Klocek was a superior motivator who knew the game. But, he also taught all his players the real lessons of life.” Liberatore enjoyed watching golf opponents smirk when they realized they’d be facing one of the Blue Raiders’ two female players. He knew their wide grins would turn to frowns. “Guys think they’re going to win easily when they’re matched against a girl,” Liberatore said. “But, we knew how good Vendetti and Miller were and we were proud to be their teammates.” Liberatore wasn’t just a capable athlete. He was a musician, too. He played guitar and saxophone. After graduation, he enrolled at Berklee School of Music but left after three years, knowing that Proposition 2<+>1<+>/<->2<-> was eliminating music teachers all over the state. Liberatore, 53, worked for Honeywell Electro-Optics of Marlborough but left and joined PLC Medical Systems as its materials purchasing manager. The Franklin firm produces heart lasers that are used in conjunction with bypass surgery for acute angina. Currently he’s working in Sutton for Mayfield Plastics as a materials manager. “I’m still involved in music,” Liberatore said. “I play in bands and I still teach music. I also try to play as much golf as possible.” Since 1985, Liberatore has won eight club championships at Hopedale Country Club. He and his wife Sue have a daughter (Jamie, 24) and live in Bellingham. Confidence and focus were the keys that made Liberatore a quality competitor. “I was confident and I always tried to focus on the job at hand,” he said. “I approached practice with the idea that it was a tool for players to improve.” Tom Liberatore could score and rebound in basketball, and he could drive, chip and putt in golf. His intense efforts elevated Hopedale in both sports and gave the Blue Raiders status in the Dual Valley League. Championship status. Sports, Park and Pond Menu HOME . |
