We offer our congratulations to Chelsea High athletic director Frank DePatto on his selection as the representative of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference for the National Interscholastic Athletic Association Conference in Orlando, Florida next week.
The fact that Frank was selected for this honor by the CAC athletic directors shows the esteem in which he held by his colleagues. Frank is also the dean of the athletic administrators in the conference, a tribute to his distinguished 26-year career as the AD at Chelsea High School.
Frank has always understood the important role that athletics play in the development of students in high school. He watched proudly years ago as his own son, Gregory, became the captain of the 1980 CHS football team that defeated Everett in the annual Thanksgiving game. Greg received the prestigious Thom McAn Award as the outstanding scholar-athlete.
Even before Frank succeeded legendary athlete Saul Nechtem as the athletic director at Chelsea High School, he was very involved in the Chelsea sports scene. He was a regular at all CHS sports events, notably in the 1970s and and 1980s when greats such as Bobby Spinney, Mike Lush, Dave Molloy, Richie Zaluski, Bobby Goss, Dave Batchelor, Dom LaMarra, Jay Ash, Craig Walker and Jeff Hagan led the Red Devils to successes in the old Greater Boston League.
Frank DePatto also made a major contribution to the success of the Chelsea Men’s Summer Basketball League that would pack the Merritt Park courts on summer nights. DePatto later coached a traveling team of such college hoop stars as Rudy Williams, Jerry Scott, John Fisher, and Jay Ash, would become the Chelsea city manager.
Frank has always had the best interests of Chelsea students in mind as the leader of the CHS athletic program. Many of the athletes in his program have gone on to compete in college sports.
Frank told the Record that he is honored to be representing Chelsea High School and the city of Chelsea at the upcoming national athletic directors’ conference.
And we in Chelsea are honored that Frank will representing our city at this prestigious gathering.