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nhff2010@gmail.com
CHRIS PALMER TO SPEAK AT FIRST MEETING
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW HAVEN CHAPTER WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 AT THE KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK, 1533 STATE ST. NEW HAVEN AT 6:30PM.
WELL KNOWN AREA COACH CHRIS PALMER WILL SPEAK THANKS TO MEMBER LEROY WILLIAMS HIS FORMER PLAYER AND LONG TIME FRIEND. CHRIS INDICATED HE WILL BRING A COUPLE OF PLAYERS FROM HIS HARTFORD COLONIALS TEAM THAT WILL OPEN THE SEASON ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18th AGAINST THE SACREMENTO MOUNTAIN LIONS AT RENTSCHLER FIELD. THE COLONIALS WERE AT WILBUR CROSS THIS PAST MONDAY CONDUCTING A CLINIC FOR THE NEW HAVEN POP WARNER TEAM. SEE PICTURES TAKEN AT PRACTICE.
THE COLONIALS HAVE A NUMBER OF WELL KNOWN PLAYERS INCLUDING #26 ANDRE DIXON, #35 ROBERT VAUGHN, #66 MIKE HICKS, #58 DANNY LANSANAH AND #70 KEITH GRAY ALL FROM UCONN, ALONG WITH #44 ASAPH SCHWAPP OF NOTRE DAME, #12 JOSH MCCOWN OF SAM HOUSTON STATE AND #89 CHRIS VAUGHN WHO PLAYED TIGHT END AT LOUISVILLE AND IS FROM NEW HAVEN.
IN ADDITION, THE CHAPTER WILL HONOR COACH TOMMY DYER AND HIS STAFF FROM THE 14TH HALL OF FAME CLASSIC AFTER OUR 16-13 VICTORY OVER THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY CHAPTER ON JULY 9. OUR CHAPTER NOW LEADS THE SERIES 10-4. CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF THIS YEARS GAME AND OUR TEAM ROSTER.
OTHERS WHO WILL BE SPEAKING INCLUDE COACH GEORGE DEMAIO WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE FIRST FEW GAMES SCHEDULED, AND OUR CHAPTER GAMES BEING BACK ON WELI, A MORE POWERFUL STATION THAN ESPN 1300. ALSO FORMER NEW HAVEN REGISTER WRITER BOB BARTON WILL TALK ABOUT THE CONNECTICUT HIGH SCHOOL RECORD BOOK AND HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE CHAPTER RECORDS ARE INCLUDED IN FUTURE EDITIONS.
PAUL LUCIBELLO WILL PROVIDE A DELICIOUS TAILGATE MEAL, AND TO KICKOFF THE SEASON THERE WILL BE FREE DRAFT BEER. THE PRICE REMAINS AT $15. LET’S HAVE A GOOD CROWD FOR OUR FIRST MEETING. WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS THIS YEAR TO FOUR AFTER A NUMBER OF MEMBERS ASKED TO HAVE MORE. OTHER MEETINGS WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 6, THURSDAY OCTOBER 28 AND TUESDAY NOVEMBER 23. SEE YOU ON THE 15TH.
CHAPTER CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
The Gene Casey New Haven County Chapter celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the chapter at the annual scholar athlete dinner on Friday April 23 at Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. The gala was attended by almost 500 including 130 former scholar athletes and past award winners.
The honorees this year included 30 new scholar athletes along with UConn coach Randy Edsall who was presented with the Distinguished American Award joining a long list of previous honorees. Tom Marcucci of Notre Dame High School was selected the chapter Coach of the Year, Tony Fontana, long time member and owner of Val’s Formal Wear in Orange, the Chapter Award of Merit and veteran official Jim Brennan with the Official Recognition Award.
Also participating at this year’s event was Donald Lewis from the first scholar athlete group honored in 1962 and Matt Vece
of North Haven High School representing this year’s scholar athletes. Chapter Past President Larry McHugh returned to give an overview of the early years of the chapter and Hall of Fame Coach, and chapter member Carmen Cozza, dazzled the audience with his stories of some of his kickers at Yale over his 32 years as Head Coach.
Representing the National Football Foundation were Ron Dilatush Director of Membership who came from Irving, Texas and Howie Vanderesea Northeast Region Coordinator who came from the State of Maine. Cited for their long term dedication were scholar athlete chair Dan Martin who has chaired the selection committee for 32 years and Chaplin Rev Owen Sanderson who has been Chaplin for 40 years.
The following photos were taken at the reception and dinner.

Larry and Sean McHugh with Randy Edsall
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Award winners and head table guests include
(L-R) Howie Vandersea, Tony Fontana, Larry McHugh,
Bill O’Brien, Randy Edsall, Tom Marcucci, Jim Brennan,
Carmen Cozza and Ron Dilatush |

Yale All American Dr Rich Diana, Carm Cozza and
1972 Yale Captain and Scholar Athlete Bob Perschell |

Almost 500 attended the dinner |

Randy Edsall and Carm Cozza chat during reception |

Chapter President Bill O’Brien, addresses the honored guests |
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