Football alumni were invited to sign a jersey that will be framed and displayed at the Alumni House. More than 70 alumni enjoyed watching the game from the President's Tent, which, along with the signing of a jersey, will become an annual tradition.

Players Maintain
Bond Off the Field
By Jeffrey Barilli '04

Coping with the loss of his father at a young age, Jim Wassel '73 turned to football as a source for discipline and structure. Quarterback for the Red Hawks in '71 and '72, Wassle says his team had a unique chemistry on the field. "We went 7-3 my last year and won the New Jersey State Athletic Conference," he said, and the bond among the players was instrumental to the team's success. "We had a close-knit group of guys and the momentum of winning created the strength in our camaraderie."

One of Wassel's most memorable games was against rival William Paterson. "They took us by surprise," he said. "But we came back in the second half to beat them."

Wassel began his academic career at Wagner College in New York before transferring to Montclair State to play for "legendary coach" Clary Anderson. "I heard so much about Clary, and I thought Montclair State was the right place to play for him," said Wassel, whose passion on the field carried over to the classroom. "My education from Montclair State was a great experience, and I had no problem getting a job teaching," he said.

After teaching history and economics at Park Ridge High School for 10 years, Wassel changed career paths and went into real estate development. Today he is president of Sandy Hook Partners.

Former football players Jim Wassel '73, Parker Snare '73, Richard Del Guercio '72 and Timothy Kelly '74 reminisce about the good old days as they watch the Red Hawks defeat Kean University, 9-0.

Then Wassel began to think about his college days. "When career and family are under control, you begin to reflect back on your past," he said. So Wassel, a member of the MSU Alumni Association Executive Board, tracked down his former teammates and invited them to join him at this year's Homecoming.

The teammates gathered at a tent set up in the end zone to enjoy good food, reminisce and watch the Red Hawks take on Kean University.

"It was a good feeling to catch up with them," he said. "It was amazing how many old stories we remembered."

Catherine Katz, director of Alumni Relations, said the event prompted former athletes in the stands to join the celebration and sign a football jersey that will be framed and displayed in the Alumni House.

"Having these talented and accomplished alumni there brought excitement and a heightened sense of pride to the game," said Katz. (Montclair State beat Kean 9-0.) "Alumni always add a wonderful combination of the past and the future to an event."

After the game, the former football players enjoyed dinner at Tierney's Tavern in Montclair, where they used to gather after their games. "It was just like old times," Wassel said. "You don't realize the important friendships you make in college." His advice to today's college students: "Don't let these days go by so easily."

Wassel and his former teammates have vowed to get together every year for Homecoming and a dinner.

For more pictures from Homecoming and the football reunion, go to www.montclair.edu/homecoming03/Parade.html.

Football players from the 1970s returned to campus on Homecoming day for a mini reunion and to enjoy the game against Kean University.

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