Former Bunnell High School Coach Elected to State Coaches Hall of Fame

STRATFORD, CT — A longtime Bunnell High School coach is one of 10 individuals who will be honored at the 40th annual Hall of Fame induction dinner of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association, according to an announcement from the CHSCA.

Robert Mastroni coached football at Bunnell High School in Stratford from 1977-2000. He also coached softball from 1986-1999. His coaching record in football over 24 seasons was 152-90-3. His teams won three Cross County Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships (1983-85) and the South-West Colonial title in 1991.

His teams were known for pulling off some big upsets over the years. In 1984, Bunnell defeated No. 1 ranked Torrington 29-20. He upset No. 1 and undefeated Stratford in consecutive Thanksgiving Day games in 1988, 16-13 and in 1989, 21-20.

Mastroni was named CHSCA Coach of the Year in 2001 as well as Bridgeport Post Coach of the Year in 1981.

He had a career record in softball of 178-25 and his team won the 1999 CIAC Class LL state title over Fitch-Groton 7-1. The softball team also won CCIAC championships in 1991 and 1993. He had 14 football players and five softball players named All-State.

He was also a fast and slow pitch umpire for 28 years, and a girls basketball referee for more than 20 years.

Other honorees are:

• Elaine Biercevicz Piazza - Lyman Memorial, Sacred Heart Academy
• Barbara Hedden - Cheshire, Mercy
• Howie Hewitt - Maloney
• Rich Langer - Haddam-Killingworth
• Martin deLivron - Avon
• Edward Faulkner - Brien McMahon, Bassick
• Ricky Shook - Danbury
• Maj. Stephen Reich (dec.) - Shepaug Valley
• Rich Coppola - Fox 61

Tickets for the dinner are $46 and available in advance by contacting the CHSCA office at P.O. Box 632, Southington, CT 06487, or by calling 860-628-4122 or e-mailing John Fontana at jfontana01@snet.net. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Photo credit: CHSCA