Congratulations to Norm Eastwood and Cody Hall on their elections to the Section IV Athletics Hall of Fame!

The former standout athletes for Gilbertsville Central and Gilbertsville-Mount Upton, respectively, will be formally inducted April 29 at the Holiday Inn Downtown Binghamton. Brunch and the induction ceremony for the 25-person Class of 2023 will start at 11 a.m.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling Janet McWeeney at 607-561-2347, ext. 1001. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for youths ages 3-10, and free for ages 2 and younger.

Norm Eastwood graduated from Gilbertsville Central School in 1969 with 16 varsity letters – four apiece in football, volleyball and basketball; three in baseball; and one for track and field. He led the Bulldogs football team to its only undefeated season in 1968, when Gilbertsville went 7-0 and won the eight-man Tri-Valley League championship. Norm scored two touchdowns in the title win over Laurens.

Known for his fierce, hard-hitting running style, he scored a team-best 86 points. Norm also set a school record for touchdowns in one game with five against Edmeston during his junior year.

The Daily Star (Oneonta) sportswriter Bob Whittemore wrote that Norm was “the most powerful running back in the league” and that “he is as good as anybody around in putting the football where coaches want it – in the other guy’s end zone.”

Norm led the Gilbertsville volleyball team to four T-V crowns, three Section IV championship appearances and one sectional title (1968) as well. He also played catcher in baseball and made the Central New York All-Star baseball team, which played the heralded Milford Macs his senior year.

Scouted by the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, Norm went on to a decorated military career before returning to Gilbertsville. He then devoted his life to community service, including more than 25 years with the American Legion and the Gilbertsville Emergency Squad.

Cody Hall graduated from Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School in 2009 after earning 12 varsity letters – five in baseball, four in soccer and three in basketball. He stacked up numerous Tri-Valley, Daily Star and Evening Sun First Team All-Star awards and is one of nine GMU athletes honored with special varsity milestone plaques for amassing 100 baseball/softball hits, 100 wrestling wins or 1,000 basketball points.

Cody became the first GMU baseball player with 100 hits on a grand slam in a key win over Worcester and finished with 111 overall. He also pitched the Raiders to the Tri-Valley League championship, an 18-4 season, and a 2009 Class D Second Team all-state selection as a senior. The two-time team captain struck out 218 at the varsity level and threw one no-hitter.

Cody also was a two-time basketball captain who scored 865 varsity points and made Class D’s all-state Sixth Team. Former coach Bill Hartman promoted Cody to varsity as a freshman, and he was instrumental in helping the Raiders win the 2006 T-V title.

GMU soccer also got a boost from Cody, again a two-time captain who scored 60 varsity goals. His senior season was highlighted by 24 goals – five in a sectional victory over Downsville – and 10 assists.

Additionally, Cody played one season of volleyball and helped the Raiders to victories over Ithaca, Horseheads and Sidney en route to the overall Section IV crown.

Cody lives in Gilbertsville with his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters, Addison and Teagan.