University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
Richard L. Cassani 1963 - Baseball
"One of the greatest athletes I have ever coached," the late Ralph Lapointe once said of Dick Cassani, "a tremendous team leader with a great attitude to go along with natural ability as a baseball player." Ranked the No. 1 pitcher in New England his junior year, Cassani, a 1978 UVM Hall of Fame inductee, was named first team All-Yankee Conference and All-New England, NCAA District I All-Tourney, and was the second winningest pitcher in the country without losing a game (9-0). His 0.99 ERA was the second in the nation among pitchers with seven or more decisions, and that year Cassani was offered a substantial bonus to sign with the San Francisco Giants. He refused the offer in order to captain the 1963 Catamounts.
An injury to his shoulder during the winter of 1963 took something off his sizzling fastball, but he was still able to lead the team to another winning season capped by a 6-1 upset win over Dartmouth in his last appearance as a Catamount. He pitched a four-hitter and struck out 14 versus the Big Green, the 1963 Eastern champion. In the spring of his senior year, Cassani received the Semans Trophy, presented to the senior athlete who "demonstrates loyalty, leadership and service to the University" during his four years in school.
Following graduation, Cassani signed with the Milwaukee Braves organization joining teammate and friend, Levi Brown, at Greenville of the Western Carolina League. Brown and Cassani helped lead the Braves to a league championship. After his playing days ended, Cassani later became a guidance counselor at Champlain Valley Union High School and was active in local athletics as a coach and an official. His son Darren (UVM '91) also played baseball at UVM.
