Four distinguished Mexico Academy & Central School alumni were officially enshrined into the Mexico Tigers Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 19.

Massive cheers filled the stadium as Nicholas Rodriguez ‘13, Bob Norris ‘80, Kevin Babcock ‘80 and Kenneth Babcock ‘80 were celebrated by family, friends, former teammates and community members.

“To be honored into the Mexico Academy & Central School Athletic Hall of Fame is an accomplishment that many do not even dream of,” said MACS Director of Health, PE & Athletics Andrew Gates. “This year’s inductees gave everything they had to this community.  Their legacy lives on as we hang their induction plaques in the athletic hallway. We honor them not just for what they achieved, but for how they inspired us all."

The ceremony, held both outdoors and inside the high school, featured plaques honoring each inductee, with Mexico CSD Board of Education President James Emery leading the event. Honorees were first announced to the crowd prior to the first Mexico Tigers’ home football game of the season before Emery led a ceremony inside introducing each and giving time for inductees and representatives to address those in attendance.

Emery praised the inductees for their dedication, talent and the lasting impact they’ve had on MACS athletics and the community as a whole.

Nicholas Rodriguez, Class of 2013
Rodriguez excelled in soccer, swimming/diving, track and field, and cheerleading. Though initially reluctant to join the swimming/diving team, he quickly became a standout under the guidance of Coach Cris Griffin and mentorship from teammate Josh Lucas. Rodriguez helped the diving team become a powerhouse, contributing to seven undefeated seasons and earning Section 3 championships in 2012 and 2013. He made history as Mexico’s first-ever individual state champion, winning the state diving title in 2013, and received All-American honors in both 2012 and 2013. Rodriguez continued his athletic career at Division I programs including the University of Minnesota and the University at Buffalo, breaking UB’s 1-meter, 6-dive school record, and later served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps while mentoring future divers at MACS.

Bob Norris, Class of 1980
A three-sport athlete, Norris played football, basketball, and baseball, earning numerous accolades including All-County honors in baseball and All-State recognition for basketball. He contributed to championship teams in football and basketball, including the school’s most successful basketball season at the time, finishing 19-3 and ranked #18 in New York State. Retired MACS boys varsity basketball coach Paul Callaghan described Norris as “tough as nails” and a “super competitor.” Norris went on to play college basketball at SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Oswego, earning a BS in Computer Science and a Master’s in Nuclear Technology, and spent his career in the nuclear power industry.

Kevin Babcock, Class of 1980
Babcock was a standout in football, basketball, and track and field. In basketball, he averaged double-doubles and hit the game-winning basket in the Section 3 semifinal. His skills earned him first-team All-League and All-State honors for small schools. After one year at Lycoming College, he transferred to the University of Mississippi, earning a BS in Chemical Engineering and later a master’s from Georgia Tech. Kevin Babcock went on to teach science and engineering before retiring, leaving a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.

Kenneth Babcock, Class of 1980
Kenneth Babcock excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field, serving as quarterback for the championship football team and earning multiple all-league and all-state honors in basketball. He played collegiately at Lycoming College and the University of Mississippi, later earning a master’s in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Babcock built a successful career in the chemical manufacturing industry while remaining a model of athletic and academic excellence.

Nominations for the MACS Athletic Hall of Fame are accepted year-round via the application on the Athletic Department page. To be considered for the fall inductee class, nominations must be received by Feb. 1.