Hall of Fame
Charlie Perenick was a two-sport athlete at Norwich, serving as captain of the track team and was a member of the football team. On the track, he took second in the 440 twice at the Vermont State Meet. "NU was pretty well represented," said Perenick. "It was challenging and fun going up against St. Mike's, Middlebury, and UVM."
Perenick played tackle and end on the Norwich Football team at a time when the Cadets hovered around .500, but he says there was so much more than just wins and losses.
"Duke Benz was our coach at the time and Bob Priestly was the line coach," said Perenick. "They built character. To win is nice. To lose is not so nice, but having a good time was just as important."
Perenick rose to the rank of lieutenant in the Norwich Corps of Cadets and was a member of the honor roll as a government and pre-law major,, He also played intramural basketball.
Perenick was commissioned during his junior year and joined the Massachusetts National Guard. After achieving the rank of major general, he retired after 43 years of service. Professionally, Perenick served as an officer with the Massachusetts State Police, served as State House Secretary under two governs, and spent 23 years as a clerk magistrate in Concord, Massachusetts.
Perenick is also a past member of the Norwich University Board of Fellows.
