Class Note 1970
Issue
September-October 2023
Fall is just around the corner. That season was a favorite for foliage and football. I’m handing off this column to five of our gridiron stars.
Bob Mlakar shares some memories and thoughts from in the huddle: “We can all remember the first down, the recovered fumble, and Pete Donovan’s winning field goal. But nothing will remain as clear as your teammates all coming together in the huddle with 2:30 to go on the clock. No CNN, no Fox News, no social media. It was the best office ever—private to teammates.
“No sport today is void of trash talk, dancing around the end zone, or pounding your chest. I want to get back to sportsmanship and respect for the other team. Look the guy in the eye— crimson, navy, black, or orange. The better they are, the better you will become. Play for each other. It will last 50-plus years.”
Jon Nistad writes, “Tennis has become my adult sport. I play in a number of tournaments each year; 2022 was particularly good. My 13-year-old grandson, Pete, and I ended the year with the U.S. Tennis Association’s No. 1 ranking in the grandfather-grandson category. Not bad for an old footballer. The secret is Pete is really good.”
Larry Killgallon looks back on team sports as “providing a template for success in life. Set goals, execute a plan to achieve them. Work hard every day to get better. Coach Blackman was a master of little things that make a huge difference. Trust your teammates to do their job; they expect the same from you. Lose with dignity and learn; win with humility. I’m so proud to have been a small part of an Ivy League Championship team! The Princeton loss still hurts.
“I’m retired after 40 years in the toy business.” (Secretary Note: If your children ever played with Etch-A-Sketch, you know the product). “Family and travel keep the days full.”
Pete Donovanremembers, “I was one of 21 quarterbacks who showed up for double sessions in the fall of 1966. I ran out to the first practice in a pair of antique black high-tops and fell on the way to the field! My freshman teammates were all in the same position. We put together a great team that beat Boston College. It was a lot of fun once you stopped worrying about how good, or bad, you were. Most of my closest friends are from that first fall in Hanover.”
Tom Quinn writes, “I married my high school sweetheart, Patti. We have three adult sons. Patti and I split amicably after a few decades, and I’ve re-married (Marilyn). My career was in criminal justice, trying to build coalitions to find common goals. I retired 10 years ago as director of probation for the state of Colorado. Now I live in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and stay active with senior softball, volunteer work, and watching grandkids grow.”
—Stuart Zuckerman, P.O. Box 85, Bridgehampton, NY 11932; (917) 559-0063; stuartz@gmail.com
Bob Mlakar shares some memories and thoughts from in the huddle: “We can all remember the first down, the recovered fumble, and Pete Donovan’s winning field goal. But nothing will remain as clear as your teammates all coming together in the huddle with 2:30 to go on the clock. No CNN, no Fox News, no social media. It was the best office ever—private to teammates.
“No sport today is void of trash talk, dancing around the end zone, or pounding your chest. I want to get back to sportsmanship and respect for the other team. Look the guy in the eye— crimson, navy, black, or orange. The better they are, the better you will become. Play for each other. It will last 50-plus years.”
Jon Nistad writes, “Tennis has become my adult sport. I play in a number of tournaments each year; 2022 was particularly good. My 13-year-old grandson, Pete, and I ended the year with the U.S. Tennis Association’s No. 1 ranking in the grandfather-grandson category. Not bad for an old footballer. The secret is Pete is really good.”
Larry Killgallon looks back on team sports as “providing a template for success in life. Set goals, execute a plan to achieve them. Work hard every day to get better. Coach Blackman was a master of little things that make a huge difference. Trust your teammates to do their job; they expect the same from you. Lose with dignity and learn; win with humility. I’m so proud to have been a small part of an Ivy League Championship team! The Princeton loss still hurts.
“I’m retired after 40 years in the toy business.” (Secretary Note: If your children ever played with Etch-A-Sketch, you know the product). “Family and travel keep the days full.”
Pete Donovanremembers, “I was one of 21 quarterbacks who showed up for double sessions in the fall of 1966. I ran out to the first practice in a pair of antique black high-tops and fell on the way to the field! My freshman teammates were all in the same position. We put together a great team that beat Boston College. It was a lot of fun once you stopped worrying about how good, or bad, you were. Most of my closest friends are from that first fall in Hanover.”
Tom Quinn writes, “I married my high school sweetheart, Patti. We have three adult sons. Patti and I split amicably after a few decades, and I’ve re-married (Marilyn). My career was in criminal justice, trying to build coalitions to find common goals. I retired 10 years ago as director of probation for the state of Colorado. Now I live in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and stay active with senior softball, volunteer work, and watching grandkids grow.”
—Stuart Zuckerman, P.O. Box 85, Bridgehampton, NY 11932; (917) 559-0063; stuartz@gmail.com