1965 Bergen Catholic Football Team Hall of Fame Induction

After years of effort, the legendary 1965 football team at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, NJ, was inducted into the Bergen Catholic 25th Hall of Fame on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at the Venetian event venue in Garfield, New Jersey.

The alumni association put on a memorable event honoring 7 inductees. Bergen Catholic head football coach, Vito Campanile, introduced the 1965 team and said the team represents the "bedrock of the brotherhood, ... whose shared bonds have stood the test of time, ... and are the essence of Bergen Catholic."

Co-captain, Dave Stack, of Moorestown, spoke on behalf of the team with gratitude for their coaches at the time, Keith Krayer, Mel Streeter, and Ralph Pinto, and for the friendships that were forged amongst the team that continue to this day.

The special Bergen Catholic award stated, "The 1965 crusaders won numerous awards and set school records, being crowned Bergen County Champions, Parochial North A State Champions, Patterson News Team of the Year, Daily News Metropolitan NY Team of the Year, and Tri-County Catholic Conference Champions. The team holds the school record for most points scored in a game and largest margin of victory as a result of 76-0 victory over Saint Joseph Regional of Montvale. The season scoring differential of 345 points for and 63 against was remarkable for a nine-game schedule." Many individuals on the team also earned high accolades for their extraordinary hard work and success.

Dave Stack, went on to recall summer captain's practices at Van Saun Park after work leading to 26-0 1st game against Paramus. They were the first to travel out of state and won against Bishop Egan, a powerhouse at the time, 8 to 1. Providing a glimpse of the spirit of the team, Stack, remembered the game against Teaneck when they were behind 6-0, and Phil Russotti, offensive guard, motivated the team in the huddle, saying "you know guys, if we don't win, we don't party" and they went on to win with the final score of 40-6.

Stack, concluded that the team was the epitome of the term "synergy," the team was always greater than the sum of its players. These gifted Crusaders were not provided scholarships or recruited. Their attendance at Bergen Catholic and participation on the team was happenstance. Little did they know that their teamwork, determination, best effort, and ability to overcome adversity, would lead them to be becoming the first undefeated, untied, state championship football team in Bergen Catholic history, while leaving a legacy of football and athletic excellence.