John F. Kennedy High School 2008 NVL Copper Division Champs: Welcome

WELCOME friends, family, fans and Alumni of the Kennedy Eagles Football program.  Thank you for taking the time to visit our website.  Please check out what the site has to offer, including the 2010 schedule, roster, player profiles, 2009 photo/video highlights and much more!  We hope that you will follow our Eagles through the off season as they prepare to re-capture their NVL Copper Division title and return to the 2010 NVL Championship Game.  Thanks for your support. 

Coach Sarlo
Varsity Football Head Coach

CALLING ALL friends, family, fans and Alumni of Kennedy, Croft and Leavenworth High Schools!  The Kennedy Eagles Football program asks you to consider joining the 2008 Eagles Endzone Club.  Created in 2005, it serves as the booster organization for the Kennedy Football team.  Many from the Kennedy High community have joined and they have offered a tremendous amount of support for our Eagles. 

Those who join the Eagles Endzone Club have their names entered as part of the Honor Roll in our Game Day Program.  Former student/athletes are enrolled in our Alumni association.  Members are also listed on the Sponsors' and Eagles Endzone Club' sections on this website.  They receive a certificate of membership, 2 free passes to any EAGLES home game and the necessary documentation for their tax records. 

Members from the business community have their sponsorship information placed in the Game Day Program as well.  This allows our sponsors to reach out to hundreds from the Naugatuck Valley region who attend our games.  Businesses will also be included on the Sponsors' portion of our website where several thousands have visited since it's creation less than 4 years ago! 

What better way to honor the glory of our past, recognize the players of today and ensure the success of our future!   Spread the word to all family members and to friends who may have played for or attended Kennedy, Croft, or Leavenworth High Schools, and to anyone who is a fan of the great game of football.

Please visit our Donations' portion on this website or feel free to contact Varsity Head Coach, Chris Sarlo at 203.755.2958, or sarlo@att.net.  Any level of contribution will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your consideration. 

In 2005, Coach Sarlo dedicated an award to honor the memory of his close friend Stephen Rockwell.  The Stephen Rockwell Memorial Award, known as the 'ROCK' is given to the player who serves as the 'ROCK' of the Kennedy Football program.  He may not be the best athlete, but he models the foundation of the program, which is TEAM, COMMITMENT and HARD WORK.  He is committed to working hard for the success of the team.  He attends practice every day and leads with his actions.  He makes that same commitment in the classroom as well.  Above all, he is the player who can still crack a smile and make others laugh, even after a tough loss, or a rigorous day of practice. He is passionate not only about football, but about life itself.

Stephen Rockwell had those same passions.  A former football player and 1982 graduate of Kennedy, Steve was killed in 1988 in a motorcycle accident.  He left us way too early, but during his time on this Earth he made everyone in his life smile.  One of his favorite songs was Bobby McFarren's 1988 hit, 'Don't worry, be happy'.  That is exactly how Steve lived his life. No matter what life threw at him, Steve never let anything or anyone bring him down.  He had a contagious smile and he made others laugh along with him.

This year's graduating class of 21 seniors presented a huge challenge for Coach Sarlo to recognize a student/athlete for this honor.  The student/athlete honored with the 2008 Stephen Rockwell Memorial Award is Senior Captain, Ronald Naraine.  

Ronald worked very hard to earn a Leadership Position for the 2008 season. Ronald started ALL 4 years that he played in the program rushing for over 3000 yards as a running back and delivering some of the most physical hits as a defensive back that players, coaches and fans have ever seen.  He achieved this while playing through extreme adversity.  Ronald rarely ever played an entire game due to the level of physical play that he demanded from his body.  Nevertheless, he always walked off the field with that 'contagious' smile on his face.  His career of toughness was displayed in the last Thanksgiving Day game against Crosby as he rushed for a big gain with multiple Crosby defenders on his back!

Ronald graduates this year and it will be tough to replace his football stats and skills, but even tougher to find a young man of his character, honor, respect and courage.  Congratulations to Ronald and his family.  We wish him well in the future.

The 'ROCK' honorees

2008-Ronald Naraine

2007-Steve Anton, Ken Fermin, James McColl
2006-Queshaun Harvin
2005-Nevin Thomas

The 2010 Kennedy Eagles Football Leadership Positions are now open.  Any interested student/athlete should see Coach Sarlo in Room 214 for an application.  Completed applications are due by Monday, December 13th.