Spirit to Honor DeFelice

Published on July 20, 2006 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
North Shore Spirit News Release


The North Shore Spirit will honor Frank DeFelice, former baseball coach at Swampscott High for 35 years, with the Harrington Trophy Community Spirit Award on Tuesday, July 25th prior to the Spirit-Nashua game at the New Fraser Field.

DeFelice, a Swampscott resident, coached the Big Blue to a state championship and a handful of league titles during his storied tenure with the team. Dick Jauron, head coach of the Detroit Lions; Mike Lynch, TV-5 sportscaster; Peter Woodfork, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Matt Murray, former pitcher for the Red Sox and Braves, all played their high school baseball under the tutelage of DeFelice.

DeFelice spent his own scholastic career at Winthrop High School, where he was a three-sport standout. After high school, he attended Boston College where he starred in football and baseball.

In 1966, DeFelice joined Swampscott High's coaching staff under legendary football coach Stan Bondelevitch. He remained with the Big Blue baseball until 2005.

"Dick Jauron played short-stop for me in 1969," DeFelice poudly recalled. "He was outstanding outstanding in baseball, football and basketball and is the best athlete I have ever seen at Swampscott High."

"Mike Lynch [known for his football stardom at Swampscott and Harvard] was a .400 hitter and second baseman for me," said DeFelice. "His father Dick Lynch was a tremendous influence on me. He was my mentor when we were coaches at Swampscott. I patterned myself after him and followed his philosophy about coaching, and how to handle tough situations."

When DeFelice coached and taught in Big Blue Country, he encouraged students and athletes alike "to make their family and school work their top priority over athletics," he said.

Family has been a priority in DeFelice's life as well. He and his wife Susan, whom he met during their Winthrop days, have a daughter Mary, who is director of a day care center in Marblehead, and two sons, James, a landscaper, and Paul, a vice president of a coin company.

"I am thrilled about this coveted honor from the North Shore Spirit, and I understand I am in good company with past winners such as Johnny Pesky and Alice O'Neil," said DeFelice, who is a member of the Mass. Coaches Hall of Fame. [Other winners include Dick Barry of Saugus and Coach Dean of Beverly].

DeFelice is currently coaching two sports at Endicott College. He serves as pitching coach in baseball and defensive coach in football.

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