happened to be helping out at the camp. Sofran was wearing
an Italian t-shirt (Italian is one of his many nationalities) and
Fracassa came up to him and said, “Hey, I’m Italian, too.”
“I want everyone to understand that
there’s only one Coach Fracassa
and there will only be one Coach
Fracassa, so it’s going to take
a group of individuals to come
together and carry on the tradition
that he built. It’s not just going to
be one person with the title of head
coach — it’s going to be players, it’s
going to be parents, it’s going to be
alumni, it’s going to be a group of
people who help carry it forward.”
Fracassa remembers the encounter a little bit differently.
He said he saw Sofran throwing the football around and said,
“Hey, what’s your name?” He said, so and so, and I said, “Well,
you look pretty good out there. Who taught you how to throw
the ball?” He said, “My father taught me,” and I said, “Well, I
think you’re going to be alright.“
While they may not have known it then, a bond was created
that day that would last for the next 25 years.
After playing four years at Northeastern as a wide receiver,
Sofran returned to Brother Rice to start coaching in 2000.
During the past 13 seasons, he’s earned his way up the
coaching chain of command, learning from Fracassa every
step of the way. Whether it was Fracassa’s focus on repetition
in practice, or his demand for excellence from all of his players
(first stringers as well as practice players), Sofran understands
“He’s going to give the kids everything he’s got and
I think he’s going to keep the tradition going here.”
— Dave Sofran
— Al Fracassa
what a special experience it was to have had Al as his mentor.
“In my opinion, the book that (Fracassa) used was almost
coach. However, the most important validation emanates from
tradition that has become Brother Rice football.
Fracassa himself.
the tools, intelligence, integrity, and roots to respect what
Sofran has
like a biography of coaching,” Sofran said. “Everyday he had
Paul Gyarmati ’08 took the lessons and skills he learned at
things that he wanted to share with the team and things that
Brother Rice and turned them into a successful football career
he needed to do objectively. You can learn a lot from doing
and academic career at the University of Michigan. He didn’t
“I think (Dave’s) going to be real square with the guys. I
that when you write things down and have goals everyday.
just play for Al Fracassa, he played for every coach on the
think he’s going to get excited, which is normal,” Fracassa said.
That’s something that I learned early on.”
Brother Rice sideline. When the committee was in the process
“He’s going to give the kids everything he’s got and I think
“I want everyone to understand that there’s only one Coach
of selecting the next head coach, Gyarmati wrote a letter in
he’s going to keep the tradition going here. He’s no dummy
Fracassa and there will only be one Coach Fracassa, so it’s
support of Sofran. Here’s an excerpt from that letter.
— he’s a smart kid. Again, if you love something, really love
going to take a group of individuals to come together and
something, I think you’re going to be good at it.”
carry on the tradition that he built,” Sofran said. “It’s not just
At the start of every football season the Warriors embraced
a motto. A tradition Coach Fracassa began 40 years ago. Stay
came before him while gracefully carrying on the tradition of
Rice football.
Strong, Make a Difference, Anything is Possible were some
“Coach Sofran is an extension of Coach Fracassa, and my
of the words that inspired teams of the past. During the 2013
time at Rice showed me that this program is just as much his
While Sofran is by no means a kid, anybody who knows Al,
going to be one person with the title of head coach — it’s going
season, the team’s motto was “Honor Our Tradition” — a fitting
as it is Coach Fracassa’s. From the first day I met Coach Sofran,
knows that you’ll always be “a kid” in his eyes. Al understands
to be players, it’s going to be parents, it’s going to be alumni,
motto for the final chapter in Fracassa’s storied career.
I trusted him — as a coach, a leader, and more importantly as
how much passion and love Dave has for the program and
it’s going to be a group of people who help carry it forward. I
While Al was honored throughout the season with
someone that I would be learning a lot from for the next four
school. Fracassa said he prayed for Sofran to get the job when
can honestly say to every player in our program and all the
numerous awards, he was recognized because of the tradition
years. The manner in which Sofran handles his players and the
the committee was still deciding; a blessing that truly proves
future players coming in, that I have a love for Brother Rice
he built at Brother Rice. Sure, it’s a winning tradition (just look
fairness