Steve, left, and Rich Piwowarski are inducted into the Nashua Lions Club's Legends of Holman Stadium Hall of Fame on Friday night, with the presentation made by Lions Club official Ed Lecius. (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA — Friday was a perfect July 4 at Holman Stadium as sports fans in the morning got to see a walk-off Silver Knights win and in the evening honor the city and the stadium’s history with the induction of former Bishop Guertn standouts Steve and Rick Piwowarski into the Nashua Lions Club Holman Stadium Legends Hall of Fame.

They joined former longtime Nashua Pride manager Butch Hobson in this year’s class. Hobson was inducted prior to last Friday’s Silver Knights game honoring the independent professional minor league Nashua Pride franchise.

They are the sons of late Bishop Guertin legendary coach and athletic director Dick Piwowarski, who is also a Holman Legend. They are the fourth father-son inductees and third brothers to be inducted. The father-sons are Joe and Greg Andruskevich, Bolic and Carl Tamulevich, and Ed Lecius Sr. and Jr. The brothers in the Hall are George and Jim Tebbetts and Bill and Al Neville.

“I’m honored to be named amongst the greatest Nashua legends,” Rick Piwowarski said Friday. “Throughout my youth, I played with and against some outstanding athletes.”

“Faith, family, teammates and friends made all this possible,” Steve Piwowarski said. “I am so blessed, flattered and honored to be included with this group.”

Steve Piwowarski helped BG beat Nashua 21-16 in the 1983 Turkey Bowl, throwing for 211 yards. He played against older brothers Matthew and Patrick in the 1981 game and was the Offensive MVP in both games. Piwowarski was an All-State quarterback, was also a standout basketball and baseball player at BG before graduating in 1985. He led the Cards to the semis in the baseball tourney and was BG’s Pitcher of the Year in 1985 as well as the BG All-Athlete Award that year. He was the 1985 New Hampshire Shrine Team quarterback and went on to a career at Norwich, starting at QB for three seasons.

Ricky earned All-City honors in football, basketball and baseball, and was an All-State athlete. In 1977, he was the MVP of the Guertin football team and QB’d Guertin to a win over Nashua in the 1977 Turkey Bowl at Holman, 13-12.

“That was most memorable,” Rick said. “Nashua had a great football team and with the time we had to prep we were convinced we could beat them on that day.”

He also QB’d the Cards’ state title team of 1975 that beat Somersworth 14-7 at Holman. “I had a tough time handing the ball off to (running back) Peter George all day,” Rick Piwowarski joked.

But the thing is this was all about memories, honors, and family.

“Growing up we all looked up to those legends on the wall at Holman Stadium,” Rick said. “It’s surreal to be included n that group. I’m honored and humbled beyond belief. It’s really special to be up there with my Dad and my brother.”

Hobson and the Piwowarski brothers will have their names added to that plaque/wall that is inside the front gate on the immediate concourse.