Cumberland Athletic Hall of Fame

The sixth member of the 2023 Cumberland Athletic Hall of Fame Class, joining Carrie Warner Hall, Jerry Elmberg, Brent Denoma, Erin Miller and John Talbot, is 1969 graduate, Rich Capuzzi.

Capuzzi was an outstanding three-sport competitor who was a team MVP in both football and track. He would overcome a broken ankle his sophomore year in football to set multiple school records on the track, while rushing for over 1,000 yards on the gridiron.

Capuzzi quickly showed his talent in football, where he was a speedy halfback. His quarterback, Bert Skinner said of him, “Rich Capuzzi was one of the Beavers greatest all-time halfbacks. His ability to make cuts with exceptional speed was amazing to watch. I was fortunate to be his teammate and hand him the ball.”

He was off to a big start his sophomore campaign, including a two-touchdown performance against Chetek where he rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries and scored the winning touchdown on an 11-yard run with 55-seconds to play. Unfortunately, he would break his ankle against Rice Lake the following week, causing a temporary setback in his athletic career.

Capuzzi would bounce back with a strong football season as a junior, despite the team suffering through an 0 and 8 season. Among his performances was a three-touchdown effort against Rice Lake.

Things became even better his senior season when the team finished 6 and 3 overall and Capuzzi rushed for 1,095 yards on 155 carries for an average of seven yards an attempt. The hi-light of the season was a 33-19 win over the Warriors, reclaiming the Cowbell for the Beavers. Capuzzi scored two touchdowns in the contest he calls, “One of my best memories of high school.”

Missing much of his sophomore year of basketball following surgery, Capuzzi would become a starter his senior year. Coach Elmer Beran would eventually start three sophomores on that team, which became a prelude to the 1971 State Tournament squad. “He had a great vertical and was a strong rebounder,” said teammate Bert Skinner.

Capuzzi’s combination of speed and strength was perfect for track, where he became a school record holder in three events and a Conference Champion in two. He would set records in the shot put with a throw of 47’ 8” and set a new 100-yard dash mark with an excellent 10.25 seconds. Finally, he would join Steve Ruppel, Steve Anderson, and Pete Antonetti to take the HON 880-yard relay title with a school record 1:34.9 and later qualify for the State Meet.

Skinner would say of Capuzzi, “Rich is a very humble person and was a great teammate.” Hall of Fame member Mark Nelson, would say of him, “Rich Capuzzi was the real deal and showed up when it mattered the most.” Capuzzi would say of his own time in high school, “I’ll remember the anticipation of an athletic event, the bus rides, and the work with teammates as we used both the good and bad to learn more about ourselves.”

Following graduation, Capuzzi attended the University of South Dakota to play football, where he lettered as a freshman for Head Coach Joe Salem, who would go on to become Head Coach at the University of Minnesota. Running on Second Team, he was highly regarded by the University staff. Unfortunately, he would suffer a severe knee injury during spring practices that April which would end his football career.

On October 14, we can join Rich and these five other inductees to celebrate their accomplishments at the 2023 Induction ceremony at the Das Lach Haus. Information on purchasing tickets for the evening will be released in late August. Among those attending will be Rich’s son Phil, who also rushed for 1,000 yards as a Cumberland Football player. Phil had the perfect mentor!

Joining five other inductees into the Cumberland Athletic Hall of Fame this October 14, is 1988 graduate Brent Denoma, who earned 10 letters while participating in football, basketball and baseball.

“My greatest memories from my time at CHS are the friendships I formed in athletics. Thirty-five years ago, our Football Coach Roger Wistrcill told us that we would forget the scores of the games, but we wouldn't forget the guys that we played with and he was absolutely correct. The coaches that led us, made sports fun, pushed us to be our best, and had a positive influence on my teammates and myself. Their impact led me to coach my own kids in various sports, trying to pass along the same skills and life lessons they taught me,” said Denoma.

In football, Denoma became a First Team All-Conference performer on both the offensive and defensive lines. Following All-District recognition as a Senior, he played in the State Shrine game where he had a big performance leading the winning North Team with three sacks. He would sign a Scholarship to the University of North Dakota, where he accumulatd 15 starts on the offensive line.

As good as his football career was, Denoma received almost more honors on the basketball floor.

He again was named a First Team All-Conference honoree, while scoring 1,031 career points and grabbing 689 career rebounds. As a team MVP, he would be part of a Beavers Sectional qualifying team and was named to the Third Team All-Northwest squad. During the summer, he twice represented Team Wisconsin in International Tournaments, going undefeated in Austria and Germany in the summer of 1987. He played in the State All-Star Basketball game following his Senior year, where he scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds.

In baseball, he was a slick fielding first baseman who played on two Regional Championship Teams, both finishing the season ranked among the top-10 teams in the State. He set a then School Record for fielding percentage and was a Honorable Mention All-Conference selection.

“Our senior class had great success in football, basketball, wrestling and baseball. I still get chills remembering the Basketball Sectional and the thrill that we had playing in front of all of the Cumberland fans that traveled to Spooner that Friday night. In football, we had great players like Scott Bents, Mark Schoonveld, Tom Baril, Shawn Thomas, Mark Adler, Jeff Toberman, Jim Ellis, Brent Sirianni and Jeff Rieper, while I can still remember playing basketball with Chris Howell and Shawn, starting out on the small gym at the Elementary School. Baseball was fun from the bus rides to away games, to the many wins and camaraderie we had as a team,” added Denoma.

Brent was named the American Legion “Outstanding Male Athlete” following high school graduation and while at North Dakota, he was an Academic All-Conference performer. Graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Brent is currently Director of Operations at Viking Engineering and Development in Blaine, Minnesota. Living in Eagan, Minnesota, Brent and his wife Linda have been married for nine years and together have four children.

Brent and his family made many friends during their time here, when Brent’s father Mike served as Plant Manager for 3M. Unfortunately, Brent’s sister Laura, passed away from cancer in 2019. “She traveled to so many of my events along with mom and dad as they always supported me,” he said. We know Laura would be proud of her brother, as mom and dad and the Cumberland Athletic community, who supported him in high school, look forward to honoring him once more this October.

Former teammates fondly remember the contributions 1971 graduate Jerry Elmberg made to the success of their squads. Bert Skinner said, “Jerry was a Sophomore my Senior year and was a very humble person, who let his ability to the talking. He played following a major shoulder injury and I can remember watching him grimace with pain during and after games.” Classmate and basketball teammate Mark Nelson simply says, “He was the reason we went to the State Basketball Tournament our Senior season. He always showed up in big games.”

Elmberg excelled in track and basketball, but was unfortunately limited to one season of football due to his shoulder injury.

His basketball career included First Team All-Conference honors, a Team Captaincy, and a trip to the 1971 State Basketball Tournament in Madison. “The trip to State was obviously the highlight of my senior year. Having great coaches like Elmer Beran and Bob Davis and a bunch of great teammates is what made our dream become possible,” said Elmberg.

In track, he found success several events including the high jump, discus, long jump and shot put. He went on to multiple Sectional appearances and was named the team MVP.

Jerry remained active in athletics after graduation. This included an 11th place finish in the 1977, 83-mile Yukon Jack Snow Shoe Race and on area softball fields and basketball courts. Today, he also enjoys spending time watching his grandkids, “In all of their sports activities.”

Jerry retired from his job in building construction in 2015 and in 2019, was named “Retiree of the Year,” by Operating Engineers Local 139. Those around Jerry are still recognizing him for his contributions, just like his teammates did 50 years ago.

Graduating in 2005, Erin Miller had an outstanding athletic career in high school as a 10-time letter winner. For her accomplishments, she will join five other individuals as part of the Cumberland Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The Banquet will take place at the Das Lach Haus on October 14, with details on how to purchase tickets coming up in early August.

In the fall, Miller was a standout volleyball player, earning Honorable Mention her sophomore year and First Team All-Conference as both a junior and senior. She was named the team’s “Outstanding Hitter” twice and was a team MVP each of her last two seasons. “I contribute my success in the sport to Coaches Jackson and Olson, who helped me grow in confidence and skill,” Miller said.

Her success carried over to the basketball floor, where she played on an undefeated Freshman Team and was named First Team All-Conference as a sophomore and junior. Unfortunately, during a strong senior campaign, she tore her ACL and was forced to miss half of the schedule. She was still part of a 13-win season and was named Honorable Mention All-HON.

Mark Fuller served as Erin’s Head Basketball Coach her last two seasons. He said, “Erin was one of our top scorers, top rebounders, and top ball handlers. She scored in double figures, grabbed 9 or 10 rebounds a game, and added three or four assists. She contributed to the team in every way possible.” She was twice named the team’s MVP.

In the spring, Miller participated in track her first two seasons before turning to softball. She made an immediate impact as the team’s first baseman and received Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition in her first year. Unfortunately, she could not play her senior season following knee surgery, which forced her to serve as the team’s manager.

Her total accomplishments make her one of the most decorated female athletes in school history. Overall, Miller received four First Team All-Conference awards, three HON Honorable Mention awards, and four MVP honors.

Miller reviewed her career saying, “I am thankful to have grown up in a small town with a school and community that supported athletics. I loved being in multiple sports with great friends. I will always remember the relationships that were built with teammates and coaches as we celebrated our accomplishments.”

She also thanked her coaches throughout her four years. “It started early on with Tom Nesvold, who coached our traveling basketball team and continued through Coach Wurm, Coach Bergmann, Coach Gagner, Coach Fuller, Coach Olson and through volleyball. I was fortunate to have so many great coaches throughout my high school career.”

Miller has given back to sports since she began her career in education. After teaching her first four years in Menomonie, she just completed her fourth year as a second-grade teacher in the Cumberland District. She currently serves the District as its Head Volleyball Coach and JV Basketball Coach. “I am very grateful to return to my hometown and give back to the school and community that supported me so well. I hope my athletes can take away the same great relationships and memories of being an athlete that I did,” she concluded.

Graduating in 1965, John Talbot was an all-around athlete who won nine letters in his four years of high school. Among his honors were First Team All-Conference in football, Second Team All-Conference in basketball, and a Conference title in track, where he is still the school record holder in the long jump. He also served as a Team Captain in all three sports.

In football, John had an impressive career, where he was not only a First Team choice his final season, but took Second Team honors as both a sophomore and junior. His services were sought many of the WIAC schools following graduation, but he decided concentrate on his education at UW-Stout.

In basketball, Bert Skinner remembers him as an “Excellent rebounder and team player,” while Mark Nelson called him, “A huge part of the 1965 State Tournament team.” Recognized by conference coaches as a second team HON selection, he averaged 3.5 points per game as a senior and scored five points and grabbed five rebounds in the Beavers third place finish in Madison.

After a year of golf, Talbot became an outstanding track performer in multiple events. It was the long jump where he excelled, however, as he would set a school record jump of 20’ 10 ½” his senior year. A Conference runner-up in the event as a junior, he won the event his senior year. Additionally, Talbot would qualify for the State Track Meet each of his last two seasons.

It was at the Sectional Meet his senior year, where he set his record. Jumping against Hudson’s Jim Bertelsen, who would go on to a career with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, Talbot had another jump well over 21 feet which was called a “scratch” despite many coaches at the scene disagreeing with the verdict.

On returning from the State Meet his senior season Coach John Rutter told Talbot, “it was an honor coaching him and in all of his years coaching, John was the best all-around player he'd ever seen.” Talbot calls it, “The biggest compliment I ever received.”

Talbot graduated from UW-Stout with a degree in Industrial Technology and was drafted into the US Army two months later. He would spend a large portion of his enlistment, minus a few months in Germany, at the Fort Riley, Kansas Headquarters Aid Station for the 28th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division. While there, John was one of only six combat medics to earn the Expert Field Medical Badge, the second-highest award a combat medic can receive.

Following his time in the US Army, Talbot returned to Cumberland where he worked at the family business, William. G. Talbot & Son, until 2008. John currently lives in Sun City, Arizona, where he enjoys golfing, swimming and hiking in the White Tank Mountain Park.

This October 14, Cumberland residents will have a chance to honor John and five other former athletes for their outstanding athletic achievements in high school.

The first of six stories on the 2023 Cumberland Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees features Carrie Warner Hall from the Class of 1991. The Induction Banquet will take place on Saturday, October 14 at the Das Lach Haus.

Warner was a three-sport athlete, who received 11 letters in high school. “I loved the fact I was able to play sports year around,” she said. Her exploits led to First Team All-Conference honors in each of her sports, volleyball, basketball, and softball.

She would say of her high school memories, “I loved the friendships that I had with my teammates. One of my favorite memories in high school was clinching the HON Championship in volleyball while we were away. As the bus reached the edge of Cumberland, we were met with the surprise of the Fire Department that led us through town with our windows down while we screamed and cheered all way to school.” She started on both Volleyball Conference Championship Teams, the only ones in school history.

She also had fond memories of her other two sports. “Softball was equally exciting and to be part of the first Cumberland softball team was special. We were "something" that first year. I will never forget playing against Hayward, where their pitches were so fast the ball was in the catcher’s glove before we'd swing! We really came around quickly though and had a strong first year,” she added.

In basketball, meanwhile, she played on two Regional Championship teams and scored in double figures both her junior and senior seasons. As a senior, she averaged 11.4 points and nine rebounds a game as Coach John Ranallo said of her, “She was our steady influence.” The Beavers finished with a 16 and 5 record her senior season.

Warner was also an excellent student who graduated with a 4.0 average, at the top of the class. This combination of academics and athletics led her to be selected as one of Wisconsin’s Scholar Athletes by the WIAA.

After graduation, she attended the University of Wisconsin where she was a member of the UW Marching Band and marched in the Rose Bowl parade and game. She eventually graduated with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and took a job in Washington DC where she met her husband Eric. She has stayed very active in sports playing lots of indoor and sand volleyball, running marathons, and competing in six triathlons among other competitions.

Carrie and Eric have two children, Ben (19) and Abby (17). Ben is currently a student at James Madison University, where he is studying Computer Information Systems and participating on the Men's Basketball Team. Abby just graduated from High School and will be attending Virginia Tech to study engineering. The Halls currently live in Hamilton, Virginia.

Carrie would say of her high school experience, “During my high school years, I was exposed to so many coaches that taught me things I continue to use today. Over the years, I have had the privilege to coach 12 soccer seasons and six basketball seasons, where I found much joy in being so closely connected to kids and watching them succeed, fail, and learn from the experience. It's been quite a ride and I'm honored to be included in the Cumberland Hall of Fame.”

In a few months, we will join her in celebrating the place where this all started.