Gonzalez Receives Albarella Award

Albarella Award winner Rich Gonzalez is flanked by new DHS football coach George French (L) and retiring coach Carmen DiCenso.

Senior linebacker Rich Gonzalez became the 57^th recipient of Derby High School's highest football honor, the Frank A. Albarella Award, at the 51st annual Albarella Football banquet held at John J. Sullivan's in Ansonia on Sunday, January 31, 2010. The award was first presented in 1954 to Walt Karney. It was started by friends of D.H.S. graduate Frank A. Albarella after his untimely death in 1954. Until 1960, the award was presented at Derby's graduation, but in 1961 the banquet was started and it has been held every year since. The award and banquet are now put on by the Derby Football Club. Bill Pucci, the sports editor of the Valley Times and 1961 winner of the Albarella award served as master of ceremonies.

The award is presented to a player "For Outstanding Football Ability, Sportsmanship and Citizenship". Gonzalez had a tremendous season as Derby started play in the Naugatuck Valley League for the first time, finishing with a 4-6 record. He was also named to the All Naugatuck Valley team and the Class "M" All State Team.

Other Awards

In addition to the Albarella award, the following awards were also presented:

1969 Team Honored

Members of the 1969 State Championship Team

The Derby Football club also honored members of the 1969 Derby High School team that went undefeated and was the first of three Derby High teams to be named the state's best in the New Haven Register State football poll. You can read much more about them by clicking here.