By its performance, the 1965 undefeated football team set the bar of excellence for future Old Rochester Teams. While the team had its stars, on this team, every Bulldog had an equal bite. In only their fifth varsity season, the Bulldogs accomplished the impossible-a perfect season. Under the leadership of Coach Frank Almeida, ORR stormed through the Tri-County Conference, recording 6 shut outs and outscored their opponents, 157-16 during the 8 game season. Perhaps Don DePina, a reserve on that team, captured the essence of the season the best when he said, “The discipline, the camaraderie, the focus and the friendship continues to survive despite the passage of time.”
THE COMPLETE STORY
ARCHIVAL MEDIA
Historical photographs, action images, team photographs and later-life images will be assembled here as verified source material becomes available.
SOURCES & HISTORICAL NOTES
The 2012 plaque biography was checked word for word against the original physical plaque photograph IMG_1934.HEIC. Its wording is preserved, including the team’s six shutouts and 157-16 scoring margin.
The 1965 ORR yearbook documents the 8-0-0 season, Head Coach Frank Almeida, Assistant Coach Robert Gibeley and captains James DeCosta and Donald Dorr. The gallery includes the complete Hall display, coaches and captains, first-string players, seniors, season results and three football action photographs. Original source photographs remain in the Hall archive.
A recording of the 2012 induction ceremony has not been located.
