Hall of Fame
The Eugene “Buzz” Keefe Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the mission of Westchester Community College Athletics. Intended to honor the memory of the late Eugene “Buzz” Keefe, a three-sport coach and the first-ever Athletic Director at WCC, this award is presented to an individual who has been a great friend and supporter of WCC Athletics.
John grew up in Thornwood, NY, would attend both Southern Connecticut State University and Pace University before enrolling here at Westchester Community College in August of 1972. As a Viking, he would excel as a student being named on the Dean’s List every enrolled semester until his graduation in 1974. On the Valhalla campus, he would be involved with the Hartford Players, which was a theater group, sing with the WCC chorus, become a Student Advisor and eventually become President of the Student Council in 1973 until 1974. During his time as President, Caruso would be a key supporter of the Vikings Football team and their continued success here on campus.
John would receive many accolades here at Westchester before moving on. He would receive the John A. Kley Award as the most outstanding graduate of the ’74 class, the Student Council Curriculum Award as the most outstanding graduate in Liberal Arts – Humanities, and the WCC Board of Trustees Medallion as the most outstanding student in participation in college affairs.
Post Westchester, Caruso would earn is Bachelors in Political Science in 1975 from SUNY Buffalo. He would move onto coaching Junior Varsity Football at Stepinac High School in the fall of ’75 before moving to Minnesota in February of 1976.
John would start Champion Productions, a promotion and trade show company, with his partner Greg in June of 1982. The company’s main focus was to create and sustain annual events such as concerts and one night events. They promoted over 100 big-name concerts in the Twin Cities such as, Diana Ross, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Madonna, Journey, and many others. Both John and Greg successfully ran the company until they sold it in March of 1997 heading into retirement.
Caruso graciously helped his wife Annie raise their four children post-retirement. He has sat as Vice President of the Board of the Minnesota Chorale, successfully worked on local school board referendum in the year 2000 as well as successful worked on a bond referendum to build a new high school in his local town in 2002.
