by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
During her time as a Bulldog, Erica Nasca excelled in both soccer and lacrosse. Under the direction of Coach Wellington, Erica helped lead the Girl’s Varsity Lacrosse Team to the Section VI title in 2004, as she tallied 57 goals and 31 assists. Nasca was named All-WNY-honorable mention in 2001-2002, then selected All-WNY-1st team during her junior and senior years of 2003 and 2004. During her junior year, Erica had 54 goals and 16 assists for the Lady Bulldogs and was twice named the Super 7 athlete of the week by Channel 7 News in 2002 and 2003. Erica was named an Exceptional Senior and received the Directors Key for both soccer and lacrosse in the 2003-2004 season
Graduating from Hamburg in 2004, Nasca was recruited by Division 1 Canisius College to play lacrosse, securing an academic and athletic scholarship. Nasca excelled in lacrosse at the college level as well and was named to the All-MAAC 2nd Women’s Lacrosse Championship All-Tournament team in 2006 and 2008, and Co-Defensive player of the year in 2007. She was named team Captain in 2006. Erica also tied a school record by scoring 6 goals in one game.
Erica graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and went on to earn an Associate’s degree in Nursing from ECC, and Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Daemen College. She is currently working at Atlas Surgery Center as the Charge Nurse of the Operating Rooms. Erica, her fiancé Thomas Schwallie, and their two children Thomas and Harlow, make their home in Elma.
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
Max first picked up a lacrosse stick at the age of 5 after his older brother came home from school with a flyer for Hamburg Youth Lacrosse that legendary Wall of Famer, Coach Ed Van Tine had started. From that moment on Max’s passion for the sport only grew.
In Max’s high school career, he started all four years playing different positions – from attack to midfield and taking face-offs. During his freshman year, he earned 2nd team Section VI All-WNY and helped the team win Section VI Championship. From his sophomore to his senior season, Max was a 3-year team captain, a two-time All-American (2012, 2013), three-time 1st Team All-WNY (2011-2013), three-time 1st Team All-Metro (2011-2013) and All Metro Player of the Year (2012, 2013). In the summer of 2011 and 2012 he was a part of Team Rochester playing in and winning the Brine All-American Showcase. He went on to play in the Brogden Cup (Team USA vs. Team Canada series). He received the Tom Borrelli “Ox Award” and Ed Van Tine Scholarship his senior year. In his four years on Varsity, he accumulated 311 points (164 goals, 147 assists), 408 ground balls, 71% face-off wins, helping his team win the Section VI Championship during his junior and senior season, as well as leading his team to the State Final Four.
During Max’s high school career, Coach Van Tine retired and was replaced by Coach Jerry Severino. Coach Severino called Maxwell, “The greatest lacrosse player that I ever coached.” High praise with the rich history that Hamburg High School has produced over the past 30 years.
Max went on to play at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where he was a four-year starter, accumulating 145 points, tied 14th for all time points and recorded the fifth-most assists, 87, in UMBC history. In 2014, Max earned America East Rookie of the Week as well as being named to the America East All-Rookie Team. In 2017, he was named America East Second Team, earned America East Winter/Spring Honor Roll recognition, and selected as team captain.
Today, Max resides in South Buffalo working as a Construction Project Superintendent for Rodriguez Construction Group. He also coaches Hamburg Varsity Boys Lacrosse as the Offensive Coordinator.
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
Steve Hostetter graduated 41 years ago from Hamburg High School but still holds the 55-meter and 100-meter dash records. While a student at Hamburg, Steve broke school records in the 50, 55, 100, 200, and 300-meter dashes and the indoor sprint relay and outdoor 4–100-meter relay. He also broke the indoor long jump record. While in high school, Steve broke the SUNY at Fredonia fieldhouse record for the 50-meter dash. Steve was the Section VI Champion for the 55 and 300-meter dashes in 1984. Steve competed in the 200-meter National Championship for the Jesse Owens Games in 1981. At Hamburg, Steve was the Directors Key winner and Captain of the indoor and outdoor track teams.
Steve began his collegiate career at Bucknell University and completed it at The Ohio State University, winning the team’s Scholar-Athlete award in 1988. Steve graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. After college, Steve has recorded a 4.44 40-yard dash time measured at the NFL Experience. In 1993, he raced a buffalo in the 100m at Buffalo Raceway, however the buffalo prevailed 8.6 to Steve’s 10.4.
Currently, Steve is about to retire after 20 years as a Special Agent for the Department of Defense. Steve resides in Gowanda, NY, with his wife, Aliceyn. He has four children and one granddaughter. Steve has been active in local youth sports for the past thirty years.
by Dawn Kane | Sep 26, 2025
Ryan Feuerstein is a 2010 graduate of Hamburg High School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete and leader. He was a four-year varsity lacrosse player and three-year varsity hockey player, playing a key role in securing four consecutive Section VI Boys Lacrosse Championships from 2007 through 2010.
During his senior year, Ryan was named a US Lacrosse All-American, earned First Team All-Western New York honors in 2009 and 2010, and was selected to the Section VI Class B South First-Team All-League. He served as team captain, was named Team MVP, and received the prestigious Joe Resetarits Award. He also competed in Disney’s National High School All-Star Showcase at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.
Following high school, Ryan earned an athletic scholarship to the University at Albany (UAlbany), where he played four years of Division I lacrosse and studied Economics. He earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2013 and was named First Team All-Conference in 2014. After graduating, he went on to play professionally in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) for the Rochester Rattlers during the 2015 season.
Today, Ryan works remotely in trading for a Boston-based fintech firm. He resides in the Village of Hamburg with his wife, Kate, and their twin children, son Cillian and daughter Sofia.
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.
