Community Corner
Stepinac High School 2010 Grid Iron Club
Over the past 5 years Stepinac High School honors coaches and players from past football teams. The night is a great way to honor those who have contributed to the high school football program in some significant way.
Both former and current football players, as well as coaches, were honored at the fifth annual Gridiron Dinner Wednesday at the .
"This year's Gridiron Dinner is extra special as it occurs following the historic championship season for the Crusaders football team that won a first-ever perfect 11-0 season to clinch the Catholic High School Football League AA-Division title," said Crusaders Coach Mike O'Donnell.
"They also went on to win ."
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The following were inducted in the Grindiron Club on Wednesday:
- The 1973 Varsity Football Team—one of Stepinac's greatest teams, the first to win seven games in one season.
- Donnie DeMatteo '66 (posthumously): Former player, Stepinac Hall of Famer and Gorton High School coach.
- Bernie Connolly '74: Former player, Stepinac head coach ('84-'87) 18-18, Division Championship; associate head coach, Monroe-Woodbury High School (multiple New York State championships).
- Brian Connolly '77: Former player, assistant coach; head coach at Edgemont High School and New York State Coach of the Year with 30 years coaching high school football.
- Rob Ianello '83: Former player; assistant coach at Arizona, Wisconsin, Notre Dame; Interim head coach at Notre Dame; ESPN-rated top 10 recruiter in U.S.; Head coach at Akron University, first D-1 head coach from Stepinac.
- Brendan Nugent '01: Former player, assistant coach at Stepinac; assistant coach at Iowa University; current assistant coach at William & Mary.
The Father Pete Gelsomino Spirit Award
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- Ray "Whitey" Walsh '59: Scout for New York Giants; works the "war room," each year on draft day, has three Super Bowl rings and has been instrumental in the NY Giants draft picks for many years.
