Grads Seek Name Change at Athletic Field in Honor of Somers' First Football Coach
The modern sports complex at Somers High School dwarves the memory of the simple football field that once prevailed. Regardless of the evolution, a movement has begun among alumni to rename the field in honor of a giant who they credit with putting Somers Football on the map.
"Coach Joe Carr made that program," says 1974 graduate Robert Agostino.
In fact, saying Coach Carr invented football in Somers has a degree of truth. "It was six man football when he took over in the mid 50s," says Agostino, “and they did more than hold their own among larger, established 11 man programs.”
Somers won six Northen Westchester/Putnam Titles, including 1969 when Carr received New York State Coach of the year honors with his 3rd undefeated season.
As could be expected, some of Mr. Carr’s methods would not translate today. "The stop watch was always out, and if I didn't hit the line in seven tenths of a second, there were a lot of clipboards broken over helmets," says former running back Butch Fream.
Fream doesn't deny how shocking that sounds but truth requires Mr. Carr be scene from both sides of the ball. "Hell," says Fream, "We loved the guy."
Mr. Carr also had final say as Jr. High Principal in matters of discipline - and corporal punishment was in play. Mr. Agostino addresses that old school. "You do something wrong then you're going to feel it, and you're going to know it so you wouldn't do it again," he says. "That's the way I was raised."
Once again, character can only be assessed by taking the account full circle. "He did so much for me and my family as a coach and a father figure," says Agostino, “and in the end, he really cared about each and every student.”
Context must also be brought to bear. Mr. Fream used another Somers principal to show that today's values cannot always be imposed on yesterday. One Webb Keefe of 1940s exercised an annual tradition that is incomprehensible today but well within the social norms of the time.
The outdoorsman principal let seniors bring their shotguns to school on bird season opening day, and lunchtime had them all off hunting en masse. "Try that today," jokes Fream.
Nonetheless, renaming of the field is something Town Board Member Tom Garrity cannot rationalize. “It’s nothing against Joe Carr,” says Garrity, "but you name a field in honor of somebody, I don’t know how you go back years later and change it."
Fream definitely appreciates the gravity of taking down the current naming in honor of the late Somers athletic physician, Dr. Donald Richie. Still, Fream holds out hope for a middle ground such as leaving the doctor’s name above the complex and raising Carr’s in association with the football field.
“I would be more interested in looking at something like that,” said Garrity.
Dr. Richie's son Chris sounded a similar sentiment. "If you want to name the football field after Joe Carr that would be acceptable, but to change the name of the complex - we're not in favor of that,” said Richie speaking for his family.
Either way, recognition of Carr’s pursuit of team above all else, is something Somers football – past, present and future – can look up to. And that example was never so evident than in the events that led to the end of Joe Carr’s coaching career in 1972
Society changing, hair grew longer and several players wanted to follow suit in defiance of Carr's rules on haircuts. “No one was bigger than the team,” says Agostino, “and unity was the issue at hand.”
One David Vartulli enlisted the ACLU to his cause and the New York State Education Commissioner ruled in the student's favor. “Once that came about Coach Carr and Assistant Coach Bob Nussbaum resigned,” says Agostino.
Ironically, Vartulli never did suit up for Somers, while Carr continued as principal, and the field was named after Dr. Richie in the late 70s. But discussions between old teammates over recent years have now found a home on Facebook, and the cause awaits greater attention.
Nonetheless, Mr Carr is humbled by the efforts of his former players. “It’s very, very nice, I feel fortunate,” said the 80 year old Mahopac resident. At the same time, Mr. Carr is satisfied with whatever the board decides.
Still, is this just too far away from the Somers we know now? Inside the lines, Agostino believes the history Joe Carr left behind brings important perspective to the success Somers Football enjoys today. But elevating his name at the high school is a question that easily falls beyond the confines of the game, according Agostino's brother Dominic.
“Really teaching about life, Mr. Carr demanded excellence and hard work. And he gave exactly that to his players, his students and his community,” concludes Dominic Agostino.
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