Bruce Bott ' 59
As the head basketball coach, Bruce’ s teams won more than 100 games, 76 of them during his last four seasons, as well as two Bronx-Manhattan A-Division Championships. As head football coach, his teams compiled a 78-50-6 record, including a league championship. He was inducted into the Catholic High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
As a Social Studies teacher, Bruce managed to incorporate a bit of football into his classes. More than a few students have recalled his lecturing on the Battle of Thermopylae, in which 300 Spartans held off tens of thousands of Persians. Mr. Bott drew the battle on the blackboard using Xs and Os and described the Spartan tactics as a " squeeze play."
Fordham Prep is saddened at the passing of long-time faculty member, coach and Dean of Students, Mr. Bruce Bott ' 59, after a long illness.
A Bronx native, Mr. Bott made his mark on Fordham Prep both as a student and during his time on the faculty. He started his career at the Prep in 1967 as a history teacher, and coached football and basketball. Bruce took on various roles during his forty-year career at Fordham Prep- eleven years as the Prep ' s athletic director, thirteen years as the director of the Higher Achievement Program( HAP) and 18 years as Dean of Students.
Whether the memories are from the football field, the basketball court, the Dean’ s Office, the classroom or the faculty lounge, those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Bruce during his forty years of service were left with memories that reflect the utmost respect for a man who embodies the values of Fordham Prep.
My wish for you today is this: Someday when you are old, you can look back on the choices well made, secure in the knowledge of having been a good husband and a good father, successful in your chosen profession, and a proud graduate of Fordham Prep.— Bruce Bott ' 59
Leadership Lessons from Bruce Bott by Douglas Broderick’ 73
Bruce Bott was a leader and a man for all seasons. He steered us on and off the field, and all of us at the Prep over the past 50 years have been blessed by his leadership. Show Respect Always to All Bruce treated us with respect. He treated us as men and equals. We entered the Prep as boys, but became men there. Bruce always went out of his way to show us dignity and respect. Forster Teamwork Always Bruce ensured that we worked and practiced as a team. He built generations of Prep football players to be teammates forever. He always pointed out the value of teamwork and helped us to learn about creating teamwork as an asset. Sports Teaches Us Life Bruce taught sports as life. Sports spans beyond field goals or touchdowns to dedication, persistence, dignity, sportsmanship, practice and passion. Sports teaches different lessons and demon strates different playbooks to tackle life and to win.
Maintaining Discipline Is an Important Asset Bruce’ s classes always exemplified and maintained discipline. He disciplined an environment of learning and ways to support knowledge. He served as the Dean of Students for 18 years, steering students along the path to life beyond Rose Hill. Persistence Is a Key Trait Bruce admonished us never to give up. Even if our opponents were twice our size, we would need to knock heads and persist. It was important to keep up the fight and never give up.
Loyalty Creates a Commodity to Move Us Ahead Loyalty is an important commodity to create and utilize. The loyalty which connects us with each other is productive. The incredible loyalty of the Prep football players around Bruce benefits all.
Mentoring Remains Challenging Bruce mentored us for life beyond Shea Hall. Mentoring requires hard work, discipline and strength along with a large dose of patience. Mentoring brings a positive spirit and tailored ways to communicate to each individual at their level. Bruce reached each of us in his unique manner. His role reminds us of the importance of our mentoring and coaching work in our own lives.
Practice and Hard Work Are a Virtue Bruce showed practice makes perfect. Hard work was extolled as a virtue. Bruce showed us its benefits. It was an early lesson from the practice fields, but we learned quickly from our days with Bruce.
The Prep beat Xavier. The football team hoisted a smiling Bruce Bott on their shoulders, yelling Bott, Bott, Bott. This cheer will echo with us forever, blessed by Bruce Bott’ s legacy and spirit.
SUMMER 2017 | 59