by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
As the starting middle linebacker for Hamburg High School’s 1974 undefeated football team, the responsibility of calling all defensive alignments, stunts, line shifts, and blitzes fell on Doug. Doug’s leadership contributed significantly to the 1974 team achieving an impeccable 8-0 record, and arguably the greatest Hamburg High School football team to ever wear the purple and white. Sharing the pride of an undefeated season with teammates remains his greatest sports memory from Hamburg High School.
Doug was honored when sportswriters ranked him as the #1 top middle linebacker in New York State for the 1974 season. While reading the Buffalo Evening News, Doug unexpectedly came across the story naming him to the All-NYS Football team. The surprise moment of recognition produced great excitement and remains a cherished moment.
Doug also had a passion for wrestling and as a freshman achieved a perfect 6-0 record. He was named captain of the wrestling team heading into his senior year; however his season came to an abrupt halt after his third match. Persistent shoulder pain led to medical evaluations. Scans revealed a common genetic defect in his C2 cervical vertebra – a pre-existing crack that extended through approximately 80% of the bone. Doctors explained the grave risks associated with this condition. Any impact injury to the neck could result in a broken vertebra. Such an injury might cause the fragmented bones to sever the spinal cord, potentially leading to paralysis or even death. This diagnosis ended Doug’s participation in contact sports, effectively curtailing his athletic dreams and playing football on an athletic scholarship at Hobart College.
While his athletic pursuits were cut short, his story continues to serve as a reminder of resilience and the importance of health and safety in sports.
Currently, Doug continues his 45-year sales career in the business of analytical chemistry lab instrumentation. He and his wife, Ana Souza, moved to Texas in 2021 to be near his 2 sisters (Betty & Barbara – both HHS grads) and his mother Alberta Boyd. Alberta was a substitute teacher for many years at Hamburg High School. Alberta passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 19, 2025 – just 5 weeks shy of her 100th birthday.
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
How is someone the superstar of one sport and the “jackknife” of another? It takes an unselfish player to pull that off! That’s how special an athlete Andrea Goldbach was when she wore the purple and white. Andrea was the backbone of the field hockey team from the time she first played varsity as a sophomore up until helping the lady Bulldogs achieve Section VI championships in back-to-back seasons as a junior and senior.
Andrea was awarded the Director’s Key her senior year, an award given to recognize outstanding contributions to the school’s athletic programs. She was also recognized as an ECIC Scholar Athlete, ECIC First Team All-Star, and All-State Recipient. Andrea proudly represented Hamburg High School after being selected to play in the 2010 Empire State Games for Field Hockey.
As far as the jackknife, Andrea did many of the “little things” on the lacrosse field that only a coach would appreciate. As Coach Katy Ryan’s “Draw Specialist”, Andrea also helped the 2012 team advance to and win the Section VI champion title. For this, she was selected as 2012 ECIC Second Team All-Star.
After graduating in 2012, Andrea went on to be a 4-year starter for the Division II NCAA Women’s Field Hockey Team at Mercyhurst University. At Mercyhurst, Andrea earned a three-time spot as All-PSAC Second team (2013, 2014, 2015), and ECAC Division II All-Star (2014).
Andrea graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and completed a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. She works with Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine as their Lead Physician Assistant. Andrea married her “high school sweetheart”, Andy Larsen, in August 2020.
by Dawn Kane | Oct 14, 2024
One of Jillian Ford’s fondest memories was also her first experience being a Bulldog; going to Glen Meadows Park on summer mornings to basketball practice with modified basketball coach, Mark Dziob (Coach Mark). This was just the start for Jill at Hamburg, as she went on to become a standout three-sport athlete in Lacrosse, Field Hockey and Basketball.
While she excelled in all three sports, Jill finished her high school career as one of the most decorated lacrosse players in Hamburg history. Jill was a midfielder, who was part of the program that won three consecutive Section VI Championships from (2012 -2014). She was named a First-Team US Lacrosse All-American, two-time First-Team ALL WNY and First-Team All-Metro Lacrosse player (2013, 2014), three-time First Team Division All-Star and represented the WNY/Rochester region on the top team for the #1 recruiting showcase in the US for women’s lacrosse in 2012 and 2013. Jillian finished her career amassing 200 career points (165 goals and 35 assists) as a four-year letter winner for the Hamburg girl’s lacrosse program. As a member of the girls’ basketball program, Jill was a two-time All-ECIC selection and also, part of the Section VI runner-up team that lost a heartbreaker to Grand Island in 2013. As in Lacrosse, Jill played midfield for the Field Hockey team, which demands a player to be part of the offensive and be able to react and race to defend the goal. Jill was a major contributor to the Section VI championship field hockey team in 2011.
Like many multi-sport athletes, one of the most difficult decisions is deciding what sport to continue to play in college. Despite the love of basketball, Jill took her talents to Niagara University receiving a Division I scholarship for the women’s lacrosse program. While majoring in criminal justice in the classroom, Jill also majored in a successful lacrosse campaign from 2015-2108. She was a four-year starter, named to the 2015 MAAC All-Rookie appearing in all 18 games making 17 starts and earned second team All-MAAC as a Junior in 2017. Jill etched her way into the Niagara University women’s lacrosse record books for Top Ten All-time in career draw controls (76) and caused turnovers (55).
Upon graduating with a criminal justice degree and two minors in forensic science and computer crime, Jill pursued a career in Law enforcement in Virginia. After 4 years in Virginia, made her way back to Buffalo to be closer to family and friends. Jill and her fiancé, Samantha Vermeulen currently reside in Fairport, NY with their two dogs.
by Dawn Kane | Oct 14, 2024
Lieutenant Colonel Jason (JP) Pieri was born and raised in Hamburg, NY. He attended school under his original last name, Brinser, before changing his last name to Pieri in honor of his stepfather. After graduating, he attended Saint Bonaventure University. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications and was commissioned into the United States Army.
He served as a Tank Platoon Leader in the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 2000 through 2001. He then served as a Tank Company Executive Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea.
In 2005, Jason joined the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry in Schweinfurt, Germany, as part of the storied 173rd Airborne Brigade. He commanded C Troop in Kunar Province, Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008, where they earned the honor of congressional delegation visits for outstanding combat performance.
In 2011, Jason was one of two Army officers selected to attend the Marine Corps’ School of Advanced Warfighting. After graduating, Jason served as a campaign planner for ISAF Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Jason joined the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, serving as Squadron Operations Officer. He was selected as the Operations Officer for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, where he completed the Army’s first Armored Brigade Combat Team rotation to the Republic of Korea since the Korean War in the 1950s. Jason then joined the 1st Cavalry Division in 2016 as the Operations Officer (G3).
In 2016, Jason was selected to command the 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry, from 2017 to 2019. He was selected as the Fort Jackson Operations Officer (G3) from 2019 to 2021. Jason led the Army’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, enabling Fort Jackson to become the first installation in the Department of Defense to successfully complete their mission during COVID. Jason retired in 2021 but continued service as an Army civilian. He is currently the Chief of Plans and Operations for Fort Jackson’s garrison.
Jason holds two master’s degrees from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and School of Advanced Warfighting. His most notable awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, and Combat Action Badge. He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne School.
Jason and his wife Erin have been happily married for 22 years and have two daughters, Ellie (21) and Emma (18), and a son, Jared (13).
by Dawn Kane | Oct 14, 2024
During her sports career as a Bulldog, Megan was involved in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. However, it was lacrosse that Megan found her passion and love for the game, playing Varsity all four years of high school.
As a freshman, Megan was a starter on the defense and garnered Division II First Team accolades. The following season, Coach Katy Ryan, Hamburg Alum and Wall of Famer, was hired as head coach. Megan recalls the hire as a pivotal moment in her lacrosse career, where she was provided high level skills, fundamentals and knowledge of the game, that would help propel her talent to the next level. Over the next three years, Megan would find tremendous success as a player and with her team, winning back-to-back Section VI Championships in 2012 and 2013, earning the accolades of a two-time First Team All-WNY selection and two-time US Lacrosse All-American (first in Hamburg girls lacrosse program history), recognition as an Under Armour Underclassmen All-American, member of the top WNY/Rochester National team that competed at the premiere women’s lacrosse recruiting showcase in the country, three-time ECIC Division Champion as a team as well as First Team All Division as a player (2012, 2013). Megan would top off her high school career earning the prestigious Tom Borrelli Award, given to the top female lacrosse player in Western New York. She finished her high school lacrosse career with 105 goals, 93 assists, 18 interceptions, 122 caused turnovers, 130 ground balls and 171 draw controls
After Hamburg, Megan earned a Division I scholarship to play for the women’s lacrosse program at the University of Albany. While playing for UAlbany, Megan had a solid career, shining bright in her Junior and Senior seasons as a starter for the Great Danes. During her collegiate career, UAlbany made the America East Championship each season. They were also selected as an At-Large Bid to the NCAA tournament in 2013-2014 and 2016-2017 seasons.
Megan graduated with a Bachelors in Informatics (concentration in Interactive User Experience) and a minor in Communications. Currently residing in Buffalo, Megan is working in IT with Excellus BCBS and assistant coaching at Daemen University (NY).
