Joseph DePamphilis graduated from Savio Prep in 2004 as one of the greatest football players in the school’s history.
DePamphilis wrote the following tribute to his coach at Savio, Gavin Monagle, who retired from high school coaching on November 27, 2023 following his final season at Masconomet Regional:
“Coach Monagle was a giant in high school football. He was simple and respected by all coaches and players wherever he went. Coach preached mental toughness, determination, and resilience in the will to win. You were not going to give up on him, and he was never going to give up on you.
When I was a freshman, I had a rare opportunity to start on the 2000 Savio Prep football Super Bowl championship team.
We were practicing for the Super Bowl. The starting defense was facing the second offense. I was playing linebacker. They ran a reverse and I bit on it. The tight end blindsided me, knocking me off my feet.
Coach Monagle picked me up off the ground and asked me calmly, “What happened there, Joe?” I said, “I bit on the reverse. Alex blocked me. I never saw him.”
Coach smirked, dusted me off, turned to the rest of the team and said with great emphasis, “You don’t get blocked, Joe!”
And from that point on, it was pretty simple for me. “I don’t get blocked. It’s not an option.”
I believe I went on to have the most tackles in Savio history, and I credit it all to Coach Gavin Monagle and that mentality.
Since that day, Coach Monagle’s comment instilled a mentality in me of complete resilience and sheer willpower in whatever I do. It may be old school, but it taught me that by not making excuses for challenging things in life, you can handle adversity with only your vision of success in mind.
“You just don’t get blocked” translated far more into real life than I could have ever imagined and has helped me countless times overcome whatever obstacles were in my path.
“Thank you, Coach.”
A Super Bowl Champion at Savio and a College Star at Endicott
Joseph DePamphilis was a starting linebacker and captain in the Winthrop Youth football program, excelling for coach Anthony “Butch” Martucci during his fifth through grade seasons. In 2000, DePamphilis opted to attend Dom Savio Prep for his high school career. The success continued as DePamphilis started at tight end and linebacker as a freshman for a Savio Super Bowl championship team that set a state record for most points scored at the time. DePamphilis improved his play in each season at Savio and became the school’s all-time leading tackler. At Endicott College, DePamphilis was a four-year starter at linebacker and played in two conference championship games. He also excelled academically, maintaining a 3.5 grade point average. Today Joseph DePamphilis is the president of North Shore Hauling and Junk Removal. The company has earned more than 200 five-star reviews online for providing exceptional customer service and being an environmentally motivated company that repurposes items they hall away. From excellence in his football career to excellence in his professional career as president of his own company, Joseph DePamphilis is finding that hard work and determination and a belief in one’s willpower and drive can translate to success in any endeavor.