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Shrine Bowl Alumni Association
Calling all alumni! Plan to be with us Saturday, August 6, 2022 for the 69th Annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, which will be played at Castleton University. It will be a special day and all alumni are invited to return.
Alumni celebrating their 60th, 50th, 40th, 25th or 10th anniversary in the game will be recognized at half-time.
If you played, coached, or have been a part of this game in any way and are not hearing from us on a regular basis, please contact us to make sure we have your correct address.
Alumni celebrating their 60th, 50th, 40th, 25th or 10th anniversary in the game will be recognized at half-time.
If you played, coached, or have been a part of this game in any way and are not hearing from us on a regular basis, please contact us to make sure we have your correct address.
Shrine Bowlers of the Past and Present,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kevin Rosenberg, and I am the new Shrine Bowl Alumni Association President. I graduated from Nashua (NH) High School North in 2010 and then from Northeastern University in 2015. I was an offensive lineman on the victorious New Hampshire team in the 2010 game at Windsor (VT) High School, and subsequently a thrower on the Northeastern University Track and Field team. To say it was an honor to represent the Granite State is an understatement. Being selected for the game remains amongst the highest honors I have received in either my college or high school athletic careers.
As I wrote in my biography for the game program, I have a personal connection to the game. My older brother passed away from cerebral palsy complications in 2005. During his short life, my family came into contact with the Shriners, and their hospitality and generosity still resonates with me today.
The Shriners mission of providing care to children with orthopedic injuries and severe burns is why we alumni played the game. In addition to playing our last game of high school football, we raised money for the Shriners Hospitals located in Montreal, Quebec, Springfield, MA and Boston, MA. In the 2021 game, the first since the global COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it, the game raised $20,000 for each of the three hospitals. Since the game’s inception, it has raised over $4.2 million for the hospitals. This year the Shriners hope to make a matching or larger contribution. This will take a team effort. As alumni from New Hampshire and Vermont, we must band together to continue this mission. Being selected to play in the game is an honor that is bestowed to few young men in each state annually, making us a small and elite fraternity.
As President, I will always take ideas about how to bring us together. One way to do that is through social media. Social media encompasses everyday life, and
when I was selected as President, I thought it best to bring the Shriners Alumni Association up to speed with social media. At the time of the writing of this letter, both New Hampshire and Vermont alumni have Instagram and Twitter accounts.
The New Hampshire pages are @NHAlumniSMSB (Twitter) and @shrinemaplesugarnhalum (Instagram).
The Vermont pages are @VTAlumniSMSB (Twitter) and @shrinemaplesugarvtalum (Instagram).
The Instagram pages have gained a small following since their inception last year and the Twitter pages are still in their infancy. These pages are potentially great tools to keep the history of the game alive in a modern way and to connect with one another. The pages can also be used to share ideas about alumni gatherings, “Where are They Now?” posts and history of the game. Appropriate direct messages are always encouraged.
Congratulations to the young men selected to play in this year’s game! The Alumni Association wishes you the best of luck in the game and in your future endeavors. We also thank your efforts to improve the lives of the children the Shriners Hospitals serve.
Sincerely,
Kevin Rosenberg
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kevin Rosenberg, and I am the new Shrine Bowl Alumni Association President. I graduated from Nashua (NH) High School North in 2010 and then from Northeastern University in 2015. I was an offensive lineman on the victorious New Hampshire team in the 2010 game at Windsor (VT) High School, and subsequently a thrower on the Northeastern University Track and Field team. To say it was an honor to represent the Granite State is an understatement. Being selected for the game remains amongst the highest honors I have received in either my college or high school athletic careers.
As I wrote in my biography for the game program, I have a personal connection to the game. My older brother passed away from cerebral palsy complications in 2005. During his short life, my family came into contact with the Shriners, and their hospitality and generosity still resonates with me today.
The Shriners mission of providing care to children with orthopedic injuries and severe burns is why we alumni played the game. In addition to playing our last game of high school football, we raised money for the Shriners Hospitals located in Montreal, Quebec, Springfield, MA and Boston, MA. In the 2021 game, the first since the global COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it, the game raised $20,000 for each of the three hospitals. Since the game’s inception, it has raised over $4.2 million for the hospitals. This year the Shriners hope to make a matching or larger contribution. This will take a team effort. As alumni from New Hampshire and Vermont, we must band together to continue this mission. Being selected to play in the game is an honor that is bestowed to few young men in each state annually, making us a small and elite fraternity.
As President, I will always take ideas about how to bring us together. One way to do that is through social media. Social media encompasses everyday life, and
when I was selected as President, I thought it best to bring the Shriners Alumni Association up to speed with social media. At the time of the writing of this letter, both New Hampshire and Vermont alumni have Instagram and Twitter accounts.
The New Hampshire pages are @NHAlumniSMSB (Twitter) and @shrinemaplesugarnhalum (Instagram).
The Vermont pages are @VTAlumniSMSB (Twitter) and @shrinemaplesugarvtalum (Instagram).
The Instagram pages have gained a small following since their inception last year and the Twitter pages are still in their infancy. These pages are potentially great tools to keep the history of the game alive in a modern way and to connect with one another. The pages can also be used to share ideas about alumni gatherings, “Where are They Now?” posts and history of the game. Appropriate direct messages are always encouraged.
Congratulations to the young men selected to play in this year’s game! The Alumni Association wishes you the best of luck in the game and in your future endeavors. We also thank your efforts to improve the lives of the children the Shriners Hospitals serve.
Sincerely,
Kevin Rosenberg
Alumni Players, please help us stay in touch by completing the email form and choosing to either email it to us, or if you prefer print and mail it. |
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The 2020 game was cancelled due to COVID-19. The players, coaches, cheerleaders, and all were very disappointed. To honor them, we invited them to attend the 2021 game and be introduced at halftime. Here are a few of the team members who attended.
Our "fezzes" are tipped to a very special alumnus
A 1981 graduate of Manchester Central High School played in the 28th Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game. This young man went to the University of New Hampshire that fall to play football as quarterback and defensive back. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. In 1990 he started his college coaching career as an assistant at Columbia University for two seasons (1990-91). He worked at UNH for 14 seasons, serving one year as the running backs coach in ‘92 before spending the ’93 season as defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins. Kelly returned to his alma mater in ’94 and worked as RB coach for three seasons (’94-96) before being elevated to offensive line coach for two years (’97-’98). He relinquished his duties as OL coach when he was promoted to offensive coordinator, a post he held for eight years (’99-2006).
The 1981 alumnus left UNH to become the offensive coordinator at Oregon following the ’06 season. After two seasons (’07-08) in that role, Kelly became the Ducks 30th head football coach in March 2009. He led Oregon to the Rose Bowl in his first season, a berth in the BCS National Championship in his second year, a Rose bowl victory in his third year and a 35-17 Fiesta Bowl victory against Kansas State on Jan. 3 in his final game as head coach of the Ducks.
In January 2013 he was named head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles where he served for 2 years. In January of 2016 he was named head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. In November 2017 he was named head coach of the UCLA Bruins. Yes, we are talking of our own local Charles “Chip” Kelly. Thirty-five years after playing in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game, he will be leading the 49ers and trying to bring them back to their glory days.
Our “Fezzes are off to you Chip. You have made us proud!!!
The 1981 alumnus left UNH to become the offensive coordinator at Oregon following the ’06 season. After two seasons (’07-08) in that role, Kelly became the Ducks 30th head football coach in March 2009. He led Oregon to the Rose Bowl in his first season, a berth in the BCS National Championship in his second year, a Rose bowl victory in his third year and a 35-17 Fiesta Bowl victory against Kansas State on Jan. 3 in his final game as head coach of the Ducks.
In January 2013 he was named head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles where he served for 2 years. In January of 2016 he was named head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. In November 2017 he was named head coach of the UCLA Bruins. Yes, we are talking of our own local Charles “Chip” Kelly. Thirty-five years after playing in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game, he will be leading the 49ers and trying to bring them back to their glory days.
Our “Fezzes are off to you Chip. You have made us proud!!!
Three Generations of Shrine Football Players
When the two Shrine teams came together for their annual dinner this past April, three generations of one family were represented. Daniel Nyhan played in 1958 from St. John HS; his son Daniel "Chip" Nyhan played in 1984 from Bishop Brady and grandson Graham Nyhan from Laconia represented the family in the 2013 Bowl Game. This was a New Hampshire Shrine Game first!
Background on the Alumni Association
On August 8, 1980, on the eve of the 27th Annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game., the Alumni Association was formed to:
1. Serve as Area Chairman for advertising and ticket sales in communities where there are no active Shriner's and/or assist Shriner's who work in these areas.
2. Participate on Game Day as ticket takers, ticket sellers, and ushers or on stadium security.
3. Help with promotion of the game through the distribution of posters and through contact with the media.
4. Help with the Annual Shrine Bowl Golf Tournament held the week before the football game.
In 1980 it was also voted that dues should be collected in order to help defray the cost of mailings. Dues are presently $5.00.
1. Serve as Area Chairman for advertising and ticket sales in communities where there are no active Shriner's and/or assist Shriner's who work in these areas.
2. Participate on Game Day as ticket takers, ticket sellers, and ushers or on stadium security.
3. Help with promotion of the game through the distribution of posters and through contact with the media.
4. Help with the Annual Shrine Bowl Golf Tournament held the week before the football game.
In 1980 it was also voted that dues should be collected in order to help defray the cost of mailings. Dues are presently $5.00.
As a former participant, with an understanding of what the game means, if you would like to help in any of the above areas, we urge you to contact us at: nhvtshrinebowl@gmail.com
Alumni Memories
For 68 years the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl has been a summer tradition for New Hampshire and Vermont sports fans. For the 5,200 men who have participated in the game as players, coaches and officials, it has been an athletic event filled with memories that have lasted a lifetime.
It has been the coming together and bonding with teammates who were once opponents. It’s the smile of a small child in which the real meaning of Shrine Football is learned and lives are changed forever. It is the fulfillment of a dream for every high school football player in New Hampshire and Vermont. As one player said, “The final score was not as important as the cause for which we were playing.”
Where are those Shrine Bowl alumni today and what are their memories? That is a story worth telling.
It has been the coming together and bonding with teammates who were once opponents. It’s the smile of a small child in which the real meaning of Shrine Football is learned and lives are changed forever. It is the fulfillment of a dream for every high school football player in New Hampshire and Vermont. As one player said, “The final score was not as important as the cause for which we were playing.”
Where are those Shrine Bowl alumni today and what are their memories? That is a story worth telling.
Harold Eddy (Rutland, 1984, Paul Smith College)
Harold works for the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City as a pastry cook. He makes desserts for four casinos and has been working for the same company for 16 years.
“The game was great; the players, coaches, the staff and all the people at the college (PSU). Every morning we had conditioning drills to the tunes of Huey Lewis. We went to Boston to see the kids in the Shrine Hospital and they were excited to see us. We knew that we were playing for a great cause! The game itself was huge. I had never played in front of a crowd that big. We held our own for much of the game but in the end we lost. I met a lot of great people and have a lot of good memories of that week.”
“The game was great; the players, coaches, the staff and all the people at the college (PSU). Every morning we had conditioning drills to the tunes of Huey Lewis. We went to Boston to see the kids in the Shrine Hospital and they were excited to see us. We knew that we were playing for a great cause! The game itself was huge. I had never played in front of a crowd that big. We held our own for much of the game but in the end we lost. I met a lot of great people and have a lot of good memories of that week.”
Burton MacArthur (Exeter, 1965, Harvard University)
Burton is Vice President of ABS Consulting in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The consulting is in the area of reliability and maintenance management. Until recently he was part owner of Genesis Solutions, a small consulting company that was acquired by ABS in 2012.
“There are two things I remember about my Maple Sugar Bowl experience. One was the camaraderie of the players and coaches as we prepared for the game; great people, good time. Second and more powerful was visiting with the children at the Shrine hospital in Springfield, which sticks in my memory like very little else. Anytime it seems I am having a difficult day I think back on the courage of those kids.
“I do remember, actually I cannot seem to forget, that guy from Vermont catching a pass over my head. Man was he fast.”
“There are two things I remember about my Maple Sugar Bowl experience. One was the camaraderie of the players and coaches as we prepared for the game; great people, good time. Second and more powerful was visiting with the children at the Shrine hospital in Springfield, which sticks in my memory like very little else. Anytime it seems I am having a difficult day I think back on the courage of those kids.
“I do remember, actually I cannot seem to forget, that guy from Vermont catching a pass over my head. Man was he fast.”
Robert Farnham (Brattleboro, 1967, Williams College)
After graduating from Williams College in 1971 where he played football all four years he spent the next two years traveling the world with a backpack and two other Williams graduates, one of whom was John McGill, the other co-captain of the Shrine team in 1967.
His career in finance began in NYC in 1974 and the vast part of it engaged in institutional asset management. He is currently a Global Analyst and partner at Rogge Global Partners, a London-based institutional asset management firm with over $45 billion of assets under management.
“What is distinct for me regarding the '67 game is the terrific camaraderie those two weeks of training provided with my fellow Vermont teammates. When John McGill and I get together, we often recall individuals, vignettes occurring during the summer camp and the wealth of our Vermont High School experiences.
“Of course, there are few occasions that can match the day at the Shriner's Hospital for providing a little perspective on life's misfortunes and fortunes while humbling the individual. Although our visit with the young patients seems a distant memory it somehow resides within my mind as a
powerful moment when concern for others easily overrode what I was currently thinking. Perhaps this is what should result from the Game: thinking of someone beyond one's self. “
His career in finance began in NYC in 1974 and the vast part of it engaged in institutional asset management. He is currently a Global Analyst and partner at Rogge Global Partners, a London-based institutional asset management firm with over $45 billion of assets under management.
“What is distinct for me regarding the '67 game is the terrific camaraderie those two weeks of training provided with my fellow Vermont teammates. When John McGill and I get together, we often recall individuals, vignettes occurring during the summer camp and the wealth of our Vermont High School experiences.
“Of course, there are few occasions that can match the day at the Shriner's Hospital for providing a little perspective on life's misfortunes and fortunes while humbling the individual. Although our visit with the young patients seems a distant memory it somehow resides within my mind as a
powerful moment when concern for others easily overrode what I was currently thinking. Perhaps this is what should result from the Game: thinking of someone beyond one's self. “
Dwight Pfundstein (Bishop Brady, 1975, University of New Hampshire)
Dwight went to UNH on a football scholarship, graduated in 1979. Today he lives on Cape Cod, is married with one son and is an Application Development Manager at I.F.A. W., based in Yarmouth Port, Mass. He stays in shape competing in triathlons, and has qualified for the Age Group National Championships the past two years.
“My recollection of our game in 1975 was that Vermont controlled the line of scrimmage, and won the game "in the trenches". That left little room for our running backs (me for instance) or the passing game.
It was great to play at Dartmouth.”
“My recollection of our game in 1975 was that Vermont controlled the line of scrimmage, and won the game "in the trenches". That left little room for our running backs (me for instance) or the passing game.
It was great to play at Dartmouth.”
Chris Crombi ( Somersworth HS, 1992, University of New Hampshire)
Chris is Vice President of Global Sales Operations for Ektron in Nashua, NH. Ektron is a Content Management Company with over 300 employees and the Global Sales Operations manages 60 Sales Representatives in four countries. Chris has helped grow Ektron from 7 million to almost 60 million in the past four years.
“I fondly remember meeting the children who were recovering at the Shriners Hospital. That is something that stays with you throughout your whole life. I think it was at that moment that I realized that the actual football game was just a small piece of why we were there. It was much bigger than two teams competing against each other. It was about raising a lot of money for a fantastic cause and helping out kids that depend on our efforts. I always tell people to get up and visit those kids. It changes your perspective on life and makes you appreciate things a little more. The entire two weeks were about camaraderie and making new friends with guys you competed against. Ultimately, it was about winning a game, but you had a sense that unless you came together as team, the odds of winning were slim. My teammates and coaches were phenomenal and we had assembled some of the best talent ever for a Shriners game. Although we had been victorious, we all knew that in the end, it wasn't about us. It was about all the good we had hopefully accomplished for the kids of the Shriners Hospital. That is what I remember most.”
“I fondly remember meeting the children who were recovering at the Shriners Hospital. That is something that stays with you throughout your whole life. I think it was at that moment that I realized that the actual football game was just a small piece of why we were there. It was much bigger than two teams competing against each other. It was about raising a lot of money for a fantastic cause and helping out kids that depend on our efforts. I always tell people to get up and visit those kids. It changes your perspective on life and makes you appreciate things a little more. The entire two weeks were about camaraderie and making new friends with guys you competed against. Ultimately, it was about winning a game, but you had a sense that unless you came together as team, the odds of winning were slim. My teammates and coaches were phenomenal and we had assembled some of the best talent ever for a Shriners game. Although we had been victorious, we all knew that in the end, it wasn't about us. It was about all the good we had hopefully accomplished for the kids of the Shriners Hospital. That is what I remember most.”
Jeff Taft-Dick (Springfield HS, 1969, Grinnel College)
Jeff entered the Peace Corps right after graduating from college and served for 3 years in the West-African country of Mali. During his third year, he was approached by international officers of the UN WFP who were looking for someone to open a small up-country sub office in Mopti, Mali. He was eventually recruited and offered an 18 month contract after which he assumed he would return to the U.S. and pursue other vocations. However, eight country postings in Africa and Asia and 31 years later, it was finally July 2009 when he returned to Vermont and retired and pursued other hobbies.
“ Regarding memories of our 1969 game, I remember the strong camaraderie among our team’s players, developed over a short 2-week period together. We slept in bunk beds set up on the floor of the Middlebury H.S. gym and spent 24/7 on football.
“A highlight during that period was our team’s trip to the Shrine hospital in Montreal and our meeting the young kids/patients there. It made clear to us the real reason for being a part of this great game.
“In the game itself, NH’s strong ground game wore us down and the running of Steve Shubert, who scored three times, was too much and we lost, 38-20. However, while the loss was disappointing, I realized that the children in the Shrine hospitals would be the real winners in the long term.”
“ Regarding memories of our 1969 game, I remember the strong camaraderie among our team’s players, developed over a short 2-week period together. We slept in bunk beds set up on the floor of the Middlebury H.S. gym and spent 24/7 on football.
“A highlight during that period was our team’s trip to the Shrine hospital in Montreal and our meeting the young kids/patients there. It made clear to us the real reason for being a part of this great game.
“In the game itself, NH’s strong ground game wore us down and the running of Steve Shubert, who scored three times, was too much and we lost, 38-20. However, while the loss was disappointing, I realized that the children in the Shrine hospitals would be the real winners in the long term.”
Jim McKinnon (Mt, St. Joseph HS, 1962, University of Vermont)
Jim spent twenty-five years with the Calgary (Canada) Catholic School System. He initially taught Phys. Ed in junior high and then moved to high school and taught Business Education. He coached football, basketball, and track. He was head coach for one City Football Championship in Calgary and an assistant for eight others.
His main activity now is alpine skiing. He races in the Senior (55 plus) circuit in Alberta. He also plays golf and look forwards to playing in the Shrine Bowl tournament this year.
“My favorite memory of the visit to the Shrine Hospital were the smiles on the children faces and their optimism despite their illnesses and injuries.”
Andy Martin (Nashua, 1985, Northeastern University)
Andy is Director of Sales for the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. He manages a team of sales executives responsible for selling premium Ghirardelli Chocolate to national retail accounts and regional specialty chains. He lives in Boston with my wife Ana and two wonderful daughters.
“I recall arriving at UNH to train for the Shrine Game with a high level of anxiety. I would be spending the next two weeks with fellows I had battled on the football field since junior high. I was uncertain how it would be, but it was great. I remember developing good relationships with the coaching staff from Portsmouth HS. I especially remember the trip to the Shriner's Hospital. The game took on a whole new meaning after meeting the kids. Previously I had just thought of it as an all-star game for which I was lucky to have been selected. After meeting the kids, I truly understood how the game and Shriners were all a part of a greater mission and it was truly an honor to have been selected to represent New Hampshire and the Shriners."
“I recall arriving at UNH to train for the Shrine Game with a high level of anxiety. I would be spending the next two weeks with fellows I had battled on the football field since junior high. I was uncertain how it would be, but it was great. I remember developing good relationships with the coaching staff from Portsmouth HS. I especially remember the trip to the Shriner's Hospital. The game took on a whole new meaning after meeting the kids. Previously I had just thought of it as an all-star game for which I was lucky to have been selected. After meeting the kids, I truly understood how the game and Shriners were all a part of a greater mission and it was truly an honor to have been selected to represent New Hampshire and the Shriners."
A.J. Garron (Manchester West, 2007, University of New Hampshire)
A. J. works for Dyn here in New Hampshire, which is a DNS and Email company which deals with about 40% of the Internets traffic. He works with companies like Twitter, Mashable, Zappos, and thousands and thousands more trying to build relationships and spread the good word of Dyn.
“As for the memories of the game, how could I forget the hottest day of my life. It was 107 on the turf but I wouldn't have it any other way, It was a super close game with us coming through with a field goal to win it. Both teams fought hard and it was one of the best football games I have ever been a part of. I was glad to be able to contribute with a touchdown and a few receptions and tackles. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys and a better outcome.”
“As for the memories of the game, how could I forget the hottest day of my life. It was 107 on the turf but I wouldn't have it any other way, It was a super close game with us coming through with a field goal to win it. Both teams fought hard and it was one of the best football games I have ever been a part of. I was glad to be able to contribute with a touchdown and a few receptions and tackles. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys and a better outcome.”