“The Consummate Saugus Booster”

The late Harry Mazman receives posthumous induction into Saugus High School Sports Hall of Fame

By Mark E. Vogler

Harry Mazman never played or coached for any of the Saugus High School sports teams. But in more than four decades as a member of the Saugus Booster Club – including 39 as its president – Mazman left an indelible mark on the lives of hundreds of Sachem student athletes who benefited from his tireless fund-raising efforts and activities to support Sachem sports.

On Monday afternoon, a dozen people – mostly family members and friends – gathered inside the Saugus Middle-High School for a special, but low key ceremony to honor Mazman, who passed away last November at age 91. Mazman was inducted posthumously into the Saugus High School Sports Hall of Fame. Saugus High School Athletic Director Matt Serino put a plaque presented by the Hall of Fame Committee inside the glass trophy case near the entrance. It was inscribed with Mazman’s name as the recipient of The “Sachem Award.”

The plaque noted Mazman’s many years with the Saugus Boosters Club, especially his leadership role as president. “His commitment and dedication to the Saugus Student Athlete was his passion,” the inscription read. “Harry Mazman – The Consummate Saugus Booster.”

The road to recognition

A Saugus High athlete has to be out of school for at least 10 years before he or she can be nominated for induction into the Saugus High School Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees are usually nominated by family members, friends or former coaches. The process begins with a recommendation letter accompanied by statistics being submitted to the Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

Mazman has been under consideration for induction as a contributor for several years, according to retired Saugus High School Coach Steve Boudreau, a member of the Selection Committee. Boudreau received a letter from Anita Mazman, who recommended her father’s induction in 2018. “To this day all you have to do is go to the Saugus High Football games at Stackpole Field, Saugus High Sporting events or the Founder’s Day Boosters Raffle table to see the love Harry has for this town, the people and kids,” wrote Anita, the youngest of three Mazman children and a 1980 Saugus High graduate.

“There are so many Saugonians that love and appreciate our Dad for his dedication, support and long time commitment to the athletes of Saugus High School,” she wrote.

Mazman was still active as the Boosters Club’s president at the time of his nomination. But with his declining health a few years later and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Mazman was no longer involved, and the Boosters Club eventually became inactive. The pandemic also stalled consideration of Mazman’s nomination.

Though the Boosters Club no longer existed, Boudreau said Hall of Fame Committee members still believed that Mazman deserved a special place of honor. ““I’d say he’s the greatest booster in the history of Saugus athletics,” Boudreau told The Saugus Advocate this week.

“He’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever met in my life. He was so humble, kind and caring,” Boudreau said.

“Your reputation is what people think about you, but your character tells who you are. And he had great character,” he said.

How many lives do you think he touched? “Maybe 3,000 to 4,000 kids over the years.”

He made many athletes feel special

At Monday’s informal ceremony, family and friends shared remembrances of Mazman and the impact he had on student athletes. There was an annual awards banquet where scholarships were presented to boys and girls who participated in varsity sports programs. Award jackets were given to members of varsity Division and State Championship teams. Trophies were presented to students who excelled in sports. Every senior varsity athlete received a plaque.

“Going to the Booster Nite as a senior made me feel very special,” recalled Chris Tarantino, a 1990 Saugus High School graduate, who coaches a spring track program and a summer track camp.

“That night, many kids were made to feel special,” he said.

The Saugus Boosters under the leadership of Mazman did whatever they could to promote Sachems High School sports. They provided Championship banners for the gymnasium. They also provided funds for weight room enhancements and other needs when recognized.

“I knew about him when I was in High School,” Athletic Director Serino said.

“I knew what he did for the athletes. Everything he did, you’d never be able to replace any of that. We were very fortunate to have Harry,” he said.

Two of Mazman’s children attended this week’s ceremonies. “My dad dedicated his life to Saugus athletes,” recalled Ed Mazman, a 1978 Saugus High School graduate.

“He raised money for scholarships for kids in all sports,” he said.

Karen Mazman-Stevens, a 1976 Saugus High School graduate, said she found a drawer full of letters that her dad kept that were from grateful student athletes. “My dad went around to get businesses to donate for the raffle prizes. He did a lot to raise money for the kids,” Karen said.

“But he was from the silent generation that didn’t brag about it. He was nonchalant about it,” she said.

A Lynn native who made good

Mazman was born in Lynn in 1933 and grew up loving sports while excelling in football. He was a 1951 graduate of Lynn Classical High School, where he was a star of the football team and was later inducted into the school’s sports Hall of Fame. His outstanding play as Lynn Classical’s fullback attracted the attention of some major colleges. Mazman accepted a full scholarship to play football at Wake Forest College, where he was also captain of the ROTC.

At Wake Forest, Mazman played against some of the top football colleges in the nation. He received a 1955 varsity football letter. He completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. When he graduated in 1956, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery.

Mazman married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Nickerson, on July 7, 1957. Three years later, the couple bought a house on Lothrop Street in Saugus and started a family. Mazman and his wife were married for 64 years before Barbara passed away in 2021.

Mazman was an active member of the Saugus community. He was a member of the William Sutton Lodge for 35 years. His work with the Saugus Boosters Club earned him Founder’s Day “Man of the Year” honors in 2009. In 2018, he was among four town residents honored by the Saugus Public Library in the Readers Make Good Leaders program.

How would Mazman have reacted to his induction into the Saugus High School Sports Hall of Fame? “He would be a little bit embarrassed about it,” Ed Mazman said of his father.

“He probably would have said ‘I didn’t do anything to get this award.’ But I think he would have appreciated it,” he said.