Egsegian Field Dedication Discussed

School Committee members debated tonight when this fall to host the high school athletic field dedication to Richard Egsegian.

Egsegian was 's head football coach for 32 years, leading the Indians to seven Southern Worcester County League Championships and five Super Bowls, which they won three times.

He died in October at 77 after a battle with cancer. After strong community support, the committee voted earlier this year to name the new field after Egsegian.

Some of the discussion concerned whether Steve Spagnuolo, the head coach of the St. Louis Rams who played under Egsesian, could attend. He was described as Egsegian’s most successful player in the professional football arena.

The bye week for the Rams, when they do not have a game, ends the weekend of Oct. 8, the school committee was told by Kenneth Grew, former Grafton Superintendent of Schools and a strong supporter of naming the field after Egsegian.

On that weekend, the Grafton High football team is scheduled to play an away game against Northbridge High School.

Committee members also pointed out that the weekend of Columbus Day might not be the best choice.

Grew said Northbridge would need to be approached about changing the date. He said they might consider it, since Egsegian has connections to Northbridge. He was born in Northbridge and graduated from Northbridge High School. 

Committee member Donna Stock suggested that the homecoming game might be an alternate choice. This year’s homecoming is the last full weekend of September, Grafton High School principal James Pignataro said.

Egsegian was Grafton High's head football coach for 32 years, leading the Indians to seven Southern Worcester County League Championships and five Super Bowls, which they won three times.

He was among the inaugural members of the Grafton High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005 and was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996. He also coached the girls basketball team and served as the athletic director in Grafton for 25 years.

He received the Official Team Sportsmanship Award in 1977 and the Outstanding Contribution to Football Award in 1993. In 1994 he received an award for his appreciation, dedication and success in coaching the student-athletes of Grafton High School.

Committee members suggested that Grew, Pignataro and Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings find out when Spagnuolo might be available. Based on that information, a decision on the date could be made, committee members said.

Grew said the most important issue is to ensure that a solid, well-done tribute is put together. 

"He was a terrific person,'' Grew said. "He always did what was best for the kids.''