Ponaganset High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2012
Art Theroux
Athlete
Class of 1962
Football, Basketball, Hockey, & Baseball
In the Fall of 1960, Ponaganset High School opened its doors and welcomed a new group of students, faculty and administration inside for the very first time. While Ponaganset had much to offer its new students, something was missing. There were no athletic teams, and many of the school's new residents-having come from schools with established and successful sports programs-felt that void.
Arthur "Sonny" Theroux was one of those people. He came to Ponaganset already having known the thrill of sports. He came with experience and a competitive nature, and he came with skills that would help lay the foundation for the future of Ponaganset High School athletics. Art immediately made an impact on Ponaganset athletics, not only with his skill on the playing fields, but with his leadership off it. Art quickly distinguished himself as one of the school's premier athletes. He became a co-captain of the school's first basketball team and was one of the team's leading scorers. He was also the starting catcher on the inaugural Ponaganset baseball team.
During Art's senior year in 1961-62, Ponaganset fielded a football team for the first time. Naturally, Art jumped on board, and he never left the field, excelling on both sides of the ball as both a standout halfback and linebacker, serving as the team's kicker as well. Art made history that season, becoming the first Ponaganset football player to earn an All-State Honorable Mention selection.
That winter, despite all of his success on the court, Art shocked teammates and coaches alike by choosing to trade his hoop for a hockey stick, joining the Ponaganset hockey team for its first season competing in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. His success followed him to the ice, where he was again recognized as an All-State Honorable Mention choice, the second such distinction of his senior year.
In the spring, Art returned to the diamond as a team co-captain and completed his all-state trifecta, once again earning honorable mention honors. Named "Most Athletic" by his classmates, Art would go down in history as one of Ponaganset's greatest athletes and as a trailblazer for what is now one of the top high school athletic programs in the state. An integral establishing member of Ponaganset sports, Art set a standard that few have matched and many, to this day, continue to strive for.
We welcome Arthur "Sonny" Theroux to the Ponaganset High School Athletic Hall of Fame!