"Team DeFilippo Family" Plans Scholarship to honor Coach Lou DeFilippo

Former players, friends and fans of Derby High School football and legendary football Coach Lou DeFilippo have taken the first steps to establish a scholarship to honor Coach and Mrs. DeFilippo. The group is planning to award a $1,000 scholarship each year to a deserving DHS senior boy and girl. At a meeting held recently at Frankie's restaurant a core group selected 1968 Co-captains Gary Lucarelli and Kevin Callahan and former Coach Charlie DiCenso as honorary chairmen of the group.

The first meeting was well attended and Coach DeFilipo's son Tom and his wife Rosemary attended. Tom noted that, "My dad did not have 2 sons, all the kids from Derby were his boys." Coach DeFilippo was remembered fondly by all in attendance not only for his extraordinary record but for instilling character in his players and helping many of them to go on to some of the best colleges in the country.

Charlie DiCenso, Kevin Callahan, Gary Lucarelli and Tom DeFilippo.

Lou and Dolly Defilippo Scholarship Dinner

In addition to the scholarship, the group is also planning an annual dinner in honor of Coach Defilippo. Dinner committee members Al Altieri, Frank Romano and Gary Lucarelli have announced that the first Lou and Dolly Defilippo Scholarship Dinner is planned for Saturday, October 21 at the Racebrook Country Club..

"Lou's Legacy"

The committee is working on putting together a special tribute to the Coach, and from former, players, team mates, fans, students, friends, sparrows and anyone else that may have been touched by coach are being asked to submit their stories and memories of the Coach.  An e-mail address has been set up at lous.legacy@yahoo.com, and will be monitored by Rosemary DeFilippo.

Picnic

They will also hold a yearly spring picnic for the football team to coincide with the annual spring game. According to Executive Chef Leo Moscato who chairs this committee, this year's picnic will be held on June 10th following the annual Red/White scrimmage. A field goal kicking competition will be held at halftime of the Red-White scrimmage and all alumni are invited to participate (soccer style allowed and a high school tee).

Membership

 

The DeFilippo Club will be established with all past players and fans invited to join and participate in all club activities. Annual dues for membership has been set at $20.00.

 

Information

For more information about joining in this activity, contact Glenn Gaetano (veragaetano@sbcglobal.net) or John Saccu (jsaccu@worldfulfillment.com ).

To be placed on the Team DeFilippo Family mailing list, send an e-mail to GerckensA@sacredheart.edu