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Portrait of Paul Tinkham, Class of 1981, Old Rochester Regional Athletic Hall of Fame
2017

Paul Tinkham

Football, Baseball
Induction Year
2017
Category
Athlete
Class of
1981

Hall of Fame Plaque Biography

Paul Tinkham, “Tink” (81’), was as fine a 2 sport athlete Old Rochester ever produced. Named to The Buddy Thomas 20 for 50 roster in both football and baseball, Tink was a game changer whenever he was on the field. Known for toughness and as a “banger” on the gridiron, Paul excelled at running back on offense and linebacker on the defensive side of the ball. So respected, Paul was named captain in both 80’ and 81”. Offensively, he had a nose for the end zone. Scoring in 9 of his last 10 games in high school. He was also the SCC division 3 scoring leader his senior year scoring 102 points that year. Such prowess earned him a spot on the Standard Times and Boston Globe’s All Star teams...

Paul’s toughness carried over to the baseball diamond. And tough he was. Moving behind the plate, Tink’s quickness allowed him to handle the duties for a tough and talented pitching staff. His rocket arm and quickness would often surprise opponents attempting to steal. Batting .339 his senior year driving in 13 and scoring 23 times from his middle of the order slot, Paul was always an offensive threat. Baseball was Paul’s passion. Being named captain his senior year and having been recognized as one of the areas best through multiple all star teams, Paul was fortunate enough to be able to continue his baseball career. He played for the UCONN Huskies for 4 years and was named All New England in 83’. He also was selected to play for the prestigious Cape Cod league in 82’-84’.

Original Hall of Fame Plaque

Original 2017 Old Rochester Regional Athletic Hall of Fame plaque for Paul Tinkham

THE COMPLETE STORY

Expanded Historical Profile

Paul “Tink” Tinkham was an outstanding two-sport athlete at Old Rochester Regional. In football, he brought toughness and power to running back and linebacker and served as football captain in two seasons. He scored in nine of his final 10 high school games and led SCC Division 3 with 102 points as a senior.

Tinkham’s football performance earned Standard-Times and Boston Globe All-Star recognition. His abilities carried to baseball, where he captained the team and handled the catching duties for ORR’s pitching staff. As a senior, he batted .339, drove in 13 runs, and scored 23 times.

After graduating from ORR in 1981, Tinkham played baseball for four years at the University of Connecticut. He earned All-New England honors in 1983 and was selected to compete in the Cape Cod Baseball League from 1982 through 1984.

Sportswriter Buddy Thomas selected Tinkham for his “20 for 50” ORR lists in both football and baseball. The recognition reflected the two sides of his Bulldog career: a running back and linebacker who could change a football game, and a catcher whose quickness and throwing arm helped control opponents on the bases.

ARCHIVAL MEDIA

Photo Gallery

Historical photographs, action images, team photographs and later-life images will be assembled here as verified source material becomes available.

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Watch the Hall of Fame moment

Timestamp from the Vimeo description for the 2017 ORRAHOF Induction Banquet.

SOURCES & HISTORICAL NOTES

Documenting the record

October 16, 2026: plaque biography reconciled directly against the existing photograph of the physical 2017 plaque. The inscription matches. Printed errors and induction-era claims remain part of the plaque record; this is not independent verification of every historical claim. No photographs were added or changed.

Plaque biography transcribed from official 2017 manufacturer plaque artwork. Primary portrait standardized from yearbook source and approved September 2026.

October 2, 2026: physical plaque photograph IMG_1892.HEIC from the inductee's Drive folder visually matched by name and 2017 induction label and attached as the plaque reference. Original retained in Drive. Format conversion only; no crop, retouch or generated detail. Approved primary portrait and earlier biography wording retained. Word-for-word physical-plaque reconciliation remains pending.

The Hall of Fame archive also preserves the complete 2017 display (IMG_1893.HEIC), pairing the historical photograph and induction plaque. That original display is included in the profile gallery.

October 14, 2026: text-only editorial review against the existing Hall biography and source notes. Adds the plaque-supported two-sport Buddy Thomas recognition and catching context. This review does not certify an exact physical-plaque match or current record status.

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