Tops in This Field: Former Winthrop QB Matt Emanuelson Led the Building of Miller Field Complex

There will be a day soon when one of Winthrop resident Matt Emanuelson’s children’s teammates says something to the effect, ‘Wow, we’re lucky to have such a great field in our town.”

And the young Emanuelson will say, we believe, “Thank you, my dad built it.”

Yes, Winthrop’s own Matt Emanuelson, a two-year, starting 6-foot-1-inch quarterback for the Winthrop Vikings who starred on the “old” Miller Field, was the project manager and superintendent for Gilbane Building Company, who built the new field, a first-class facility that recently had its track and fieldhouse dedicated in honor of Coaches Pat McGee and Tony Fucillo respectively.

Also, to his credit, Emanuelson was project superintendent when the new Winthrop Middle/High School was built.

Asked how it felt to have such a major role in two of the most impactful projects in the history of the town, Emanuelson replied, “It was flattering. It was something I really wanted to do. I heard rumbles about the school project for a couple of years through people in town, and it was something I’d wanted to do for a long time. I pushed for my company to bid for the project, and we did, and we got it and I was super excited,” said Emanuelson, who has a degree from Roger Williams College in Construction Management.

When plans for the new Miller Field field were revealed, Emanuelson said he was just as excited that he would be involved in it, “but there were some nerves, because the field was such a big project and there was such a small timeframe to get it done.”

A Successful Career as the Vikings’ QB

Emanuelson oversaw the construction of the entire Miller Field project, including the two main components, the field and running track. Having played on the field and trudged through the mud in between the 40-yard lines during rainy conditions, Emanuelson knew that a new field was a necessity.

“I was ecstatic when town officials agreed to build a new field, because I thought the town really needed it,” said Emanuelson.

Emanuelson, who graduated Winthrop High in 2002, played four seasons in the Winthrop High football program under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Tony Fucillo.

The team was successful and under today’s playoff system, likely would have been a Super Bowl champion having routed Bishop Fenwick during the regular season.

“Bobby Kneeland, Lucas Guarino, and Danny Wilson were in the backfield,” recalled Emanuelson. “My junior-year center was Sean Fielding. Bobby Breau and Ian Lochiatto were the guards, Johante Silva and Pat Rogowicz were the tackles. Jimmy Logan and Jonathan Cadigan were the tight ends. My first two TD passes were to Cadigan against Bishop Fenwick. We had some success. Gloucester was very good back then.”

Now working in capital projects at Boston College where he manages on-campus construction, Emanuelson said he was talking with a colleague about Jim Unis, who played at Gloucester High and later for one season at Boston College.

“He (Unis) was this big (6 feet, 6 inches tall), massive mammoth of a man, and I remember him tackling me and just putting me right to the ground,” said Emanuelson.

His biggest victory as quarterback came when the Vikings upset Danvers at Deering Stadium. “Danny Wilson had two interceptions in that game,” recalled Emanuelson.

He said it was a privilege to play for head coach Tony Fucillo. “I loved playing football for Coach Fucillo,” said Emanuelson. “He was someone who always believed in us and always pushed us to do our best.”

Currently on the board of Winthrop Little League, Emanuelson was a four-year letterman in baseball and played one season in the WHS basketball program. He played one season of football at Norwich University before transferring to Roger Williams College.

Coach Cadigan Lauds his Former Teammate

Winthrop High head football coach Jonathan Cadigan knows the exact time that Matt Emanuelson established the leadership qualities that set the foundation to his successful career in the construction industry.

“Matt was behind me by one year at Winthrop High, but he was my quarterback senior year and I will say this, he had the privilege of throwing me touchdown passes,” jested Cadigan, who played tight end for the Vikings. “I had the pleasure of playing football with Matt. Being a junior quarterback on a senior-laden team and stepping into the huddle with all seniors around you can be a little daunting, but Matt handled it exceptionally well, and was a very good quarterback and everything you want as a leader.”

Cadigan said Winthrop’s fields and athletic complex are among the best in the area. “Matt did a great job with Miller Field,” credited Cadigan. “The school facilities are great, and the Miller Field facility in itself is top notch.”

The Next Generation

Matt Emanuelson and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children, Zach, 7 Kelly, 5, and Lindsay, 1.

 â€œFor a period of time, my kids never got on the field because they were too young,” related Emanielson. “I would drive by and go to events, and it would be nice to see the townspeople at the field.”

 His daughter was the first in the family to participate in an athletic event at the new Miller Field. “My daughter, Kelly, does Winthrop Youth cheerleading, and it was awesome to see her on the field, it was a great night.”

Zach, an aspiring, multi-sport athlete, will be making his debut at Miller Field in the fall.

And Zach, if your teammates talk about the great facility that Miller Field is, it’s okay to brag about your dad.