When Winthrop High School sports fans think of the great Bob DeFelice, the talk usually begins with the unbeaten streak – an amazing run of 33 games, two Division 2 Super Bowl championships in 1981 and 1983, and a third season in the middle when only the now-extinct rating system denied the Vikings a Super Bowl title. Bob DeFelice was the head coach during a golden era of Viking football when fans packed Miller Field and journeyed to BC’s Alumni Stadium and then Sullivan Stadium (now Gillette Stadium) for the memorable Super Bowl triumphs.
But Bob DeFelice brought joy and recognition to himself and his family in so many other impactful ways – as an athlete who came within one catcher’s spot of playing for the Boston Red Sox; and as a mentor to so many student-athletes in Winthrop and at Bentley University where he served with distinction as the head baseball coach and director of athletics.
On Saturday, family, friends, and former Vikings came to the Winthrop Golf Club to play in the 18 for Nine Golf Tournament, followed by a gathering to support the Bob DeFelice Foundation whose mission is to raise funds for a scholarship awarded to a graduating student-athlete from Winthrop High School.
The outpouring of love and admiration at the event for “Bob” was witnessed first hand by his always-supportive family, including his son, Michael – who has commendably carried on the outstanding tradition of coaching and mentoring in high school sports – his daughters, Christine, Kimberly, and Nicole, his wife, Patricia, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage, and his sister, Susan DeFelice.
Winthrop School Committee member and Viking sports benefactor Gus Martucci, star center for the undefeated 1981 Super Bowl champion, led a delegation of players from that unparalleled era in Winthrop sports. Teammates John Tiano, Chucky Sullivan, Michael Brenner, and Don Heres also attended the event.
“Coach DeFelice was the best, and his family did a fantastic job for this event – they worked really hard,” said Martucci. “It was a great tribute to Coach DeFelice. There was a photo on display of us picking him up and carrying him after the victory at Alumni Stadium that really touched everyone’s heart. This was a first-class, well-run time.”
Winthrop High head football coach Jon Cadigan also praised the tournament organizers.
“The DeFelice family did an amazing job with the tournament,” lauded Cadigan. “It was really a mini-reunion of sorts, which as you get older, become more and more important. I had a great time with great people for a great cause.”
“It’s never lost on me the legacy and responsibility of coaching Winthrop High School football, and Bob DeFelice is obviously a huge part of that,” added Cadigan respectfully.
Director of Athletics Mark DeGregorio said, “I was able to be at the tournament in the morning, and I saw the great turnout.”
“There were a lot of people there who knew Bob, played for Bob, and were close to the DeFelice family,” continued DeGregorio. “It was a superb event to honor a man who many loved, and also to honor his family. Bob loved to golf, and I remember often seeing him at the club. I was fortunate enough to play golf with Bob prior to his passing.”
The first Bob DeFelice Golf Tournament truly was a great time with great people for a great cause.