Fordham Prep Football Hall of Fame Established
Posted

Ramview, Fall 2014

Fordham Prep Football Hall of Fame Established


The Fordham Prep Football Program dates back to 1887. It is estimated that during the course of the last 127 years, over 3,000 students have played football for Fordham Prep. Recognizing that after 127 years, the establishment of the Fordham Prep Football Hall of Fame was clearly overdue, Fr. Devron blessed its creation at a meeting of the newly revived Fordham Prep Gridiron Club in June of this year.

At that now historic meeting, approximately 30 alumni, administrators, coaches and parents came together and unanimously voted to induct two men as the first members of the Hall of Fame. These men were chosen because they each demonstrate the finest qualities of someone who is worthy of induction and will serve as a high benchmark for future inductees to follow.

Without further ado, the 2014-2015 Fordham Prep Football Hall of Fame Inductees are Joseph Sammy Ososki and Bruce Bott ’59. In March 2015, at a time and place to be determined, the Prep will host the Football Hall of Fame Ceremony and formally induct Coach Ososki and Coach Bott into the Hall. Until then, permit us to share with you a few interesting facts about Joe Ososki and Bruce Bott.

JOSEPH SAMMY OSOSKI

Joe Ososki played football at Fordham University a few years after Vince Lombardi, but during a time when Fordham was a nationally ranked football power. He played in the famous 1942 Sugar Bowl game in which Fordham defeated Missouri 2-0 on a blocked kick and a safety.

He served our country as a Marine in World War II, and earned distinction for his service in the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the war, he returned to Fordham University and following graduation, was drafted by the New York Football Giants.

However, a knee injury brought a quick end to his pro football career. In 1954, he joined the faculty of Fordham Prep and spent the rest of his career at the Prep until retirement in 1984. His teams at Fordham Prep were undefeated in two out of his first three years as coach and his 1962 team were the Catholic Football Conference champions. He was named Journal American Coach of the Year in 1958.

Over the years at Fordham Prep, he held the positions of varsity football coach, varsity baseball coach, Physical Education Department Chairman, and Athletic Director

BRUCE BOTT

Bruce had an outstanding football career at the Prep, coached by fellow Hall of Fame Inductee Joe Ososki. When he was just a sophomore, Bruce led the 1956 squad to an undefeated season that was capped by a 1-point victory over archrival Xavier in the Thanksgiving Day game. He was an All-City quarterback and won the New York Journal American’s Lou Gehrig Award and the New York City Mayor’s Citation as an outstanding scholar-athlete. Bruce returned to the Prep in 1967 as a teacher and coach. Bruce's teams on the gridiron compiled a 78-50-6 record, including a league championship. He was named the All-Star Coach in 1984. He was inducted into the Catholic High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2002.

Over the years at Fordham Prep, he was a history teacher, athletic director, Director of the Higher Achievement Program, Dean of Students, basketball coach, and most importantly for today’s ceremony, football coach.

We hope all of you will consider joining us in March of 2015 when we formally induct these two distinguished gentlemen into the Fordham Prep Football Hall of Fame.



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