Bob DeFelice Receives Ron Burton Distinguished American Award

Bob DeFelice had the crowd in his hands from the outset of his speech after being announced as the recipient of the prestigious Ron Burton Distinguished American Award Sunday at the National Football Foundation Jack Grinold Eastern Massachusetts Chapter Dinner Sunday at the Newton Marriott.

Said the former Winthrop High football coach and retiring baseball head coach at Bentley University where the field is named on his honor, “They always put out your records and talk about how many games you win (848 victories at Bentley). But one thing they always leave out – they forget to tell you that I’ve lost over 1,000 games and hold the record for the most losses in the history of college baseball.”

The remark drew laughter from the audience for the humble, three-sport standout who played in the Boston Red Sox organization.

DeFelice said he knew Ron Burton personally “and as a young coach, he was my idol, he was like a god to me.”

“He took me under his wing,” recalled DeFelice. “He was more than just a great man, a great person. So, for me to receive an award named after him, it’s really an honor beyond belief. A lot of good things have happened to me in my life and this award is up there with one of the best things that I’ve ever received.”

DeFelice thanked “my fan club, my family”  for the sacrifices it made during his career.

“I was able to do what I wanted to do and what I loved to do because my family allowed it to happen,” said DeFelice. “Like all of us as coaches, the wives and children involved give up a tremendous amount of their lives because we get consumed into the profession and forget sometimes how lucky we are.”

DeFelice also expressed his gratitude to the delegation from Bentley University that attended the dinner.

“The success that took place at Bentley, in part, comes from some of those people at that table,” said DeFelice. “I really appreciate them coming to this event and being supportive.”

He also congratulated the Grinold Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award recipients (high school seniors) in attendance. He specifically acknowledged Scholar-Athlete award recipient Caleb Procaccini of Apponequet High School for his outstanding speech about what it means to be a football player.

“What the young man had to say about football – I’ve never heard a kid that young be that on target, specifically about what this game is about, what it does; we all who are in involved in it feel that way, but that’s the first time I’ve ever heard it expressed so perfectly,” credited DeFelice.

“I started out in 1963 as a head football coach at Columbus High School. That’s a long, long time ago. Along the way, of all the things that I’ve been involved in, this sport has done the most for me, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be here, be a part of this, and to get this award. Again thank you very much, I appreciate your time.”

As he walked slowly to his seat at the end of the head table, the audience showered the legendary coach and athletic director with warm applause.

Mr. DeFelice’s proud daughter, Nicole DeFelice, said of her father’s lifetime of helping others, “Over the course of my life I’ve heard countless stories about the positive influence he has had on so many students and athletes. They all call him ‘Coach’ but, I’m the lucky one who gets to call him dad!”

A Special Introduction

Sports information director extraordinaire Jim Seavey introduced Bob DeFelice as the recipient of the Ron Burton Award which is named after the former Boston Patriots’  football star.

“The Chapter presents the award annually to a recipient who is an outstanding person that has maintained a lifetime of interest in the game and who, over a long period of time, has exhibited enviable leadership qualities and made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football in the Chapter footprint,” Seavey told the gathering.

“Tonight we celebrate another icon of New England sports as this year’s recipient – a former standout at Boston College, he began a 54-year affiliation with Bentley University as its first varsity baseball coach in 1968,” continued Seavey. “He also served as the Falcons’ director of athletics for nearly two decades.”

Seavey also noted DeFelice’s outstanding run as the head football coach at Winthrop High that included a 33-game undefeated streak, four Northeastern Conference titles, and two Super Bowl championships in 1981 and 1983.

“Simply put, it would be hard pressed to find anyone who fits the criteria for the Burton Award more than this year’s honoree: Bob DeFelice from Bentley University,” concluded Seavey.