1972 Game Action vs Cortland

1972 Game Action vs Cortland
Eagle QB Dennis Rosolowski around left end
Half a century ago we endured triple sessions in the August heat, pounded each other on a daily basis, and battled rugged competition weekly, all in spartan conditions. We bled green and gold.

And we had fun together, too.

Half a century later we have our memories and we have each other. We no longer flash the green and gold like we did in the day. Ours is the color that comes with age, experience, and some wisdom.

We are The Gray Eagles. Our stories are preserved here.

Monday, March 13, 2017

This email thread developed in response to the posting of the college's Community Relations Press Release that provided, at that time, some background to the 1966 season. The Press release is one of our Scrapbooks.

February 14, 2017
There is no doubt that the teams of the mid to late 60s were filled with some incredibly tough studs. You guys set the tone for so many of us to follow. Records aside, some of the best football ever played at Brockport was played against the powerhouse teams of that era. Coach never ran from a fight! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We are humbled by the opportunity to be associated with you guys. Go, Gray Eagles!

John Owens, #86
Class of 1972
Jamestown, NY

February 16, 2017
Thanks John, but I saw you guys play and you all had your day as we did. If we all played in the same era, we would be like the teams now with 90 guys. Not as close and personal. I loved watching you guys play, especially when you beat undefeated RIT. The newspapers were sure RIT would beat us because of their running back and, of course, Coughlin coaching. They did have a great team, but you guys were not going to let them use us as their stepping stone into D III. I remember how intense you all played. Made me feel good. I am still trying to find pictures I took with Coach D on your shoulders. It is the ONLY game I remember that happening. Coughlin was OUT Coached and his great team out played.

Bo Bertino, #80
Class of 1969
Pittsford, NY

February 16, 2017
RIT was the last game for many of us. That win gave us a 5-4 record. The neat thing is they showed that game that evening on a local channel, so we got to watch it at a football party. Frank Connell got hurt the week before and he was our captain along with John Owens. Coach D honored me by naming me the game captain for that RIT game. So when we were on offense I got to make the call when RIT committed a penalty. The announcers informed the viewing audience that the officals would confer with #52 Bobsein to accept or decline RIT's penalty. Needless to say, my fellow teammates howled and called me a Frank wannabe. 

 I remember Hank Huff, our offensive tackle [also from Gowanda], tackling LaDuke during the victory end of the season party. LaDuke had his own way of motivating Hank throughout the season. There are lifetime memories for all of us who had the honor to play for Coach D and those who had him as a professor in PE classes. I am proud to be a Gray Eagle and to have been influenced by and known Coach D. My first year out of college, I coached modified football at Gowanda and the other coaches asked me where I got the Texas draw when I got animated with my team.

Tim Bobsein, #52
Class of 1972
Gowanda, NY
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