Formal Dedication Of Vitello Gymnasium

February 18, 2011
During halftime of varsity basketball game with with Seymour won by Derby 68-53.

The respect and love of his students was reflected in the dedication of the 1956 Derby High School Yearbook.

The Derby Board of Education dedicated the Derby High School gymnasium in honor of former Derby High School student, teacher, coach, and athletic director, Alphonse Vitello during half time at the varsity boy’s basketball game with Seymour on February 18, 2011. The Derby Board of Education voted unanimously on June 18, 2009 to name the gymnasium after Mr. Vitello.

He was an outstanding student athlete at Derby High School from 1937-1941. Mr. Vitello was a member of the football, basketball, baseball, and track teams and was named Derby High School’s Most Valuable Athlete in 1941. He played both ways on the football team as a halfback and defensive back/linebacker. His 1940 team was the Housatonic League Champion and also State Co-Champion. He was named as a member of the Bridgeport Post All State Team.

He played guard on the basketball team for four years and second base and shortstop on the baseball team. Though three sport athletes are very rare today, Al Vitello was a four sport star! In those days a high school athlete could participate in both baseball and track during the same season and Vitello lent his speed to the track team for three years.

Mr. Vitello served with distinction as a teacher at Derby High School for over forty years (1951-1992) teaching history and heading the Social Studies Department. He promoted the personal and physical development of hundreds of young men and women as a coach and as the Director of Athletics. He was the head basketball coach from 1955 to 1965 and his teams advanced to the state tournament five times in an era when you had to win at least 50% of your games to get to the tournament. He was also the head baseball coach from 1951 through 1954, and the 1952 team won the Housatonic League Championship. He also served as an assistant football coach from 1953 through 1955. He served as AD from 1968-1988.The dedication was originally planned for the 2010 season; but unfortunately, Mr. Vitello was not well and he passed away in 2010. He was well loved as an athlete, coach, teacher and friend to everyone who was lucky enough to cross his path.

Some of the Vitello teams: (Click on images for larger pictures with more information)

We want to thank Randy Ritter who has been cataloging pictures from old Derby High School yearbooks.

Story posted on Feb. 5, 2011 and updated on Feb 19, 2011