The 1977 Varsity Football Team
The 1977 Patchogue-Medford Football Team, undefeated League Champions, were led by All Long Island and Hanson Runner up Running Back and Safety Paul Mazzola, All Conference Lineman Jim Still, All League Linemen Steve Orobello and Vin Lajoi, All League Tight End Mark Koesterer and All League Quarterback All Stumpp. This team breezed teams from Sachem, East Islip, West Islip, Connetquot, Huntington, Brentwood, Deer Park and Commack.
This team excited the Patchogue-Medford Community, which had become the team everyone loved to play and beat up in years past. The community rallied behind this team, filling every seat at home and away games. Enjoying the week-after-week domination of every team they met to become the first undefeated unified League Champions in the history of Patchogue-Medford Football.
Coaches Marty Hoctor, Ed Cinelli and Joe Baglio prepared this team week after week, coming up with a stingy defense and bruising running attack that no team could figure out. When passing became necessary,it was precise.
Captains Paul Mazzola, Vinny Lajoi and Frank Geraci instilled team unity and sportsmanship through their play and actions on and off the field. Quarterback Al Stumpp, along with seniors Craig DeCarlo, Hector Machodo, Tony Mancuso, Rich Saniola, Rich Klanman, Bob Baretta, Eric Lukert, Pete Meyer, Tom Belligan, Phil Prosapio, Frank Massa, Willie Johnson, Rich Leach, Dave Clemente, Jeff Cherry, Pat Andrews, Bob Barretta and John Rymer encouraged a team character that emanated confidence and great sportsmanship. Always respecting their opponents and always considered a class act whenever and wherever they travelled, as a team or as individuals. Red Raider fans remember this team, to this day, for their second effort, determination and a humble winning attitude. Raider pride and sportsmanship were born with this team.
This Raider team had all of the ingredients of a winning football team. It had been complained in the past that the Patchogue-Medford teams “never got any breaks.” Well, this club proved that you have to make your own breaks. Time after time, this team came up with the big play. Week after week, another hero emerged. This 1977 football team is still mentioned in conversations in and around the area – a historical impact was made on the community by this unique and talented team. Gentlemen off the field, and gladiators on the field. Patchogue-Medford pride and appreciation.
Coach Marty Hoctor was born in the Westchester County village of Croton, New York. At Croton-Harmon High School he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He was captain of his Croton Tigers football team and earned All-League honors.
At SUNY Brockport, Marty participated in the football and track programs. Upon earning his undergraduate degree, his continued love of football carried him to jobs as assistant coach at Berner High School in Massapequa, and then defensive coordinator at Central Islip High.
In 1973, Patchogue-Medford Athletic Director Frank Provenzano hired Marty as the head varsity football coach at PMHS. In his fifth season, the 1977 Raider team achieved an unprecedented undefeated Suffolk County league championship, and Newsday honored Coach Hoctor with its Coach of the Year Award.
Having received a master’s degree in counseling from C.W. Post College, Coach Hoctor remained a proud member of the PMHS faculty for 21 years. During that time, he counseled hundreds of students, many of whom were student-athletes. In addition to his football duties, he also coached the track-and-field team. Under his tutelage, Mike Hansen became a New York State discus champion.
In the course of his Long Island coaching career, Marty Hoctor served as president of the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association, and in 1990 he received the New York State Coaches Association Honor Award for outstanding service in coaching.
Coach Cinelli graduated from Uniondale High School in Nassau County, where he played football, basketball, lacrosse, and ran track. He went on to receive a BA degree from Hillsdale College in Michigan where he lettered in football for four years, earning All-Division honors. He also received an MA in physical education from Adelphi University and an administrative degree from Long Island University.
Ed began his teaching and coaching career at Tekonsha Community Schools in Michigan. In 1973 he returned to Long Island to teach physical education and coach football and track-and-field in the Patchogue-Medford Schools. In 1985, Ed became the Director of Physical Education and Athletics in Patchogue-Medford, overseeing programs for more than 6,000 students, as well as more than 100 interscholastic athletic teams. He held that position until 2003 when he retired from the district and became the executive Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics in the Port Jefferson Schools.
Ed is very proud of his 30 years at Patchogue-Medford as a teacher, coach and administrator. He has fond memories of the many student-athletes he coached. He recalls the 1977 football team championship season as a memorable milestone for Patchogue-Medford. He is proud that he was part of the staff that coached a very dedicated, talented group of student-athletes. He has great memories of working with Head Coach Marty Hoctor and assistants Joe Baglio and Tom Julian. Additionally, Ed joyfully recalls the support and guidance of Patchogue-Medford Athletic Director Frank Provenzano and the P-M community, which gave the team an end-of-the-year banquet sponsored by the local service organizations. For Ed this was an experience that he will never forget.
During his coaching career at Pat-Med, Ed was fortunate to coach many outstanding track-and-field athletes with Tom Julian and Steve Lewis until 1985 when he entered the administrative core of the district. The Pat-Med 1982 spring track-and-field team was recognized as one of the best in state history.
Ed applied his experiences at Pat-Med to his position as Section XI Executive Director, from which he oversaw the coordination and direction for all matters relative to interscholastic athletics for its 62 high schools and 77 middle schools. Ed has been fortunate over the years to receive numerous awards for his leadership in interscholastic athletics at Pat-Med, Section XI, the New York State Athletic Administrators Association and the NYS Public High School Athletic Administration.
Ed was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame in May 2014. He received the New York State Athletic Administrators Award for Distinguished Leadership in March 2015 and has been nominated for induction into that organization’s hall of fame.
He remembers well the years at Pat-Med and the enjoyment and growth he had working with a tremendous staff in a great community. Ed is a resident of Bayport. He and his wife Carol have been married for over 39 years. They are blessed with five children and five grandchildren.
Joseph Baglio graduated from Newfield High School in 1970. He lettered in football and track and was named captain of the varsity football team as a senior. He studied at Rutgers University where he also played football. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1974, and added a master’s degree from Adelphi University in 1978.
Coach Baglio was appointed to teach in the Patchogue-Medford Schools starting in September 1974. Soon after receiving the appointment he met with Athletic Director Frank Provenzano to seek a football coaching position. There was an opening for an assistant on the junior varsity team under JV head coach Vinny DeCerbo. Coach Baglio excitedly accepted the assignment.
For the 1975 season, Coach Baglio was moved to the varsity staff, under Head Coach Marty Hoctor. Coach Baglio was assigned to work with the wide receivers and linebackers. It was at this time that he first had the good fortune of coaching the outstanding group of athletes that would become the championship team of 1977. He continued at that position through the 1979 season, after which he was given the position of Head JV Coach.
During other seasons, Mr. Baglio coached the varsity track team, and he was the first girls’ varsity track coach at Patchogue-Medford. He also coached both boys’ and girls’ varsity winter track teams in different years. After leaving football, he coached varsity cross-country as well.
In the classroom, Mr. Baglio taught AP Biology and Regents Biology. He was named to “Who’s Who Of American Teachers” for a number of years.
He was honored by being inducted as a faculty member into the Thelma N. Temple Chapter (PMHS) of the National Honor Society.
He has the honor of having two yearbooks dedicated to him: the 1991 and 2002 Record.
Mr. Baglio was twice given the prestigious honor of being the guest speaker addressing the National Honor Society Induction. He has also given the Guest Speaker Address at the midyear graduation.
His three children graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School and lettered in varsity athletics while receiving an outstanding preparation for college.
Coach Baglio retired in 2007, after 33 years of service in the Patchogue-Medford School District.