Connecticut Up Close: Former New Haven High School celebrating distinguished alum

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Lee High School closed its doors in 1986, but what it meant to the Elm City community continues to live on.

Imposing. That’s one way to describe the old Lee High School building in New Haven.

But for esteemed graduates, former teachers and legendary coaches, it’s a place of cherished memories.

“What made this institution so special? I think if you look at the faculty and the people here, they were just outstanding,” Hall of Fame Inductee John “Buddy” Cherovetz said.

Later this month, 15 people will be inducted into the Lee High School Hall of Fame, which is located inside of nearby Hill Regional Career High School.

Donald Fleming is being recognized this year. The 1978 grad- a basketball star for the purple and gold- went on to play at Harvard University.

“(It was) just an amazing time, electric. I mean we played at the coliseum- those were the good old days,” Fleming said.

Former Lee Basketball Coach Peter Evans said they had a family kind of tradition.

“It was the heart of New Haven during a lot of turmoil across the country and we were at the pinnacle of success athletically and academically,” Evans said.

Those lee basketball teams were often some of the best in the state- playing on local television and battling top squads from New York City.

Another inductee, 1980 graduate Cedric Robinson was a superstar on the court.

His family came to New Haven from Alabama when he was just a kid, and Lee High School became something of an oasis.

“No family to speak of when we got here, Lee High really became the family, the teachers right down to the custodial staff, they always made you feel like you were welcome like you were something special,” Robinson said.

This campus was mostly concrete back in the day- and it still is, about 95 percent of it, aside from a couple of green spaces. People who went to the school say despite that, it made for a very intimate learning environment.

Among Lee’s unique features were no windows in the classrooms.

“Every room was just a box and you did not see the outside until you came out of the room it was a different environment,” Cherovetz said.

“Doesn’t seem warm and fuzzy? No it doesn’t, but inside it was warm and fuzzy,” Fleming said.

When Lee closed in 1986, students and staff all moved to Hill Regional Career High School just a short distance away.

Lee High has been a big part of Dr. Pamela Monk Kelly’s life. She graduated in 1973 and went on to teach at the school.

The former cheerleader even met her future husband on the campus.

“Being a cheerleader was the top of any sport to me, because you’re cheering every sport and encouraging the guys and girls to succeed and we had a lot of school spirit back then,” she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.