Gridiron Sightings & End of Season Tailgate

There hasn’t been a shortage of alumni at recent Bridgton football games. The following alumni were spotted by BA coaches over the past few weeks – sorry if we missed you! At the October 25th game, JD Blue ’08 and his father, John, were in attendance, and working as a line judge was 1988 alumnus Dexter McKenzie, who serves as a probation officer during his day job. The following week at Yale, Bill O’Brien, the father of Greg O’Brien ’94 came out to see this year’s football team in action. Bill has gone to almost every BA-Yale game since his son’s graduation in 1994. Also checking out the Wolverines was alumnus Dayne Hoffman ’07, the quarterback at Stonybrook University, and the parents of Sean Bostic Sealy ‘09, also a football alum who now plays at Pace. The Ivy League sightings continued at Columbia, where Vinny Marino ’88 works as an offensive coordinator for the Lion’s football team. NYC residents Andy Barr ’99 and his father, Ed, both came for the game, along with former faculty member, Tony Wright.

The ’09-‘10 football Wolverines wrapped up their season on November 14th with a game against Saint Anselm College. Local alumni were invited to tailgate, and we were happy to see more than ten Bridgton grad’s out and about at the game. The Bridgton-Saint A’s connection runs deep in recent years, with two BA alumni serving as football coaches on the Hawks staff. Patrick Murphy ‘91 has been the head coach for a number of years, and recently brought fellow Wolverine Rob Eggerling ‘97 onto his staff. Murphy and Eggerling, along with the entire Saint Anselm institution, appreciate recruiting Bridgton graduates, as they seem well prepared for Saint A’s both on and off the field from day one.

At the tailgate reception, Saint Anselm Athletic Director, Dr. Jo-Ann Nester, said that she looks forward to continuing to build the Bridgton-Saint A’s relationship, and although new to her job, feels that BA students seem to be a good fit to the Saint Anselm program. Several Wolverines now attend the college including Marc Wilson ’08, Bryant Lane ’07, Ethan Sylvain ’09, and Joe Robichaud ’09, all members of the football squad. In just two years, Wilson has become the school’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards, and last year was named as freshman of the year. This honor is now shared by Sylvain, who was selected as co-Freshman of the Year by the Northeast 10 committee this November. Other alumni in attendance included Kyle Snow ‘05, who recently graduated with a degree in engineering, Bob O’Sullivan ’84, and Vinny Orlando ‘77. BA football coaches Joe Daley ’77, Pat Shairs ’02, and Matt Burgess ’88 also attended the tailgate. A special thank you was presented by Coach Joe Daley ‘77 to current parents Cathy and Bob Benzing, Chip and Dora MacLeod, and Jill and Dave Parenteau, who coordinated the amazing tailgates provided to players and families throughout the entire season. A special thanks to all alumni and parents who joined us for games throughout the season, and we look forward to seeing you at future games.