After my first nicknames story (find it HERE) I got emails and phone calls and comments about it. I don't know why, or maybe I do, but nicknames are fascinating to people. I was asked why I have so many nicknames. The answer is fairly simple. I went to school in...
Above: Shea alum Leandro DeBrito, who plays for Duquesne, was named first team All Northeast Conference defensive back. There's motion. And then, there's motion. Johnston High School got some attention on National news when Head Coach Joe Acciardo, sent player Joe...
Above: Kevin Licciardi gaining yardage against US Coast Guard Academy. It is hard to explain to kids who are high school stars that when they go to college to play football, that they may be sitting on the bench for a couple of years before they get a chance to break...
Above: Kenny "Bubba" Mahoney breaking a run vs East in Thanksgiving Day Game. Came across an email the other day. Came to me a year ago or so. It woke up memories of a good year, and a good bunch of kids. It awakened in me a story and I want to relate it to my...
Above: Carl Greene returns a punt for a TD vs. Buffalo State. Photo by Darl Zehr Photography Cortland State University is in New York. It is a good six hour drive from East Greenwich. They are a Division 3 school (do not give scholarships but give financial packages)....
Above: Rhode Island's Kwity Paye of the Indianapolis Colts. It's the end of August. Hurricane season started in Rhode Island with Henri starting a dance and slide through the Ocean State. But the onset of fall means even more to Lil' Rhody. It's the start of football...
Above: OLM altar boys circa early 1950s – long before Bruce's time! In some of the stories of the past I have talked about growing up Catholic. Growing up Italian. Just growing up. In my early days, I was very devout. I had a mother who was very devout and I followed...
Above: Bruce in front of the Robin Hood tree in 1976, right before jumping the fence and climbing the tree. In 1976 we, in the United States, were celebrating the 200th anniversary of our independence from Great Britain. But, instead of staying here to celebrate, my...
May. It's a month I can't ever begin to think of without thinking about Memorial Day. The pathways of my mind conjure up colors of red, white, and blue and red, white and green. Of flags and wreaths and gaily decorated bikes. And parades! How can you forget parades? ...
Above: Bruce Mastracchio with Paul Anderson, the 'Strongest Man in the World' at the time, at Harry Smith's gym in Tampa, Fla. Anderson was first American to beat the Russians and he did so at the 1960 Olympics. He then decided to try pro wrestling and boxing. When...
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