BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Prior to Saturday's football game versus Worcester State University, there will be a Swenson Field Dedication Ceremony beginning at 12:45 PM.
The ceremony will feature remarks from State Senator Marc Pacheco, State Representative David Flynn, Bridgewater State Board of Trustees Chairman, Lou Ricciardi, and Director of Athletics, John Harper.
Also being honored at the ceremony are legendary Bridgewater State coaches Ann Coakley, Ed Delgado, Peter Mazzaferro and Mary Lou Thimas.
Ann Coakley
Ann Coakley was a professor and coach in the Physical Education Department at Bridgewater State University for 30 years from 1959 to 1989. She started the women's lacrosse program at BSU and coached the team for 18 campaigns, while also organizing the New England Colleges Lacrosse Championships that were held at Bridgewater in 1978.
Ann’s talent with a lacrosse stick is legendary at her alma mater, Boston University, who inducted her into the Terrier Hall of Fame in 1984. In 1993 she was inducted into the New Agenda Northeast Women's Hall of Fame, 1998, the New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame, 2000, both the United States Lacrosse Hall of Fame and New England Women's Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1992, inducted into the BSU Hall of fame.
Ed Delgado
Ed Delgado was the head coach of the Bears’ cross country and track and field programs for 20 years and 18 years respectively beginning in 1985. All told, he coached ten All-Americans and 16 national qualifiers in cross country and track during his 20-year tenure at Bridgewater State. Ed guided the men’s cross country team to four Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference championships in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001, and the women’s team to three consecutive MASCAC titles from 2001 to 2003. He also directed the men’s track and field team to a conference championship in 1996 and the women’s team the following season in 1997. Delgado retired from coaching following the 2004-2005 athletic season.
Peter Mazzaferro
Coach Peter Mazzaferro was the head coach of the Bridgewater State College football team for 36 seasons between the years 1968 to 2004. Once the head coaching responsibilities were his, Peter created the foundation of the Bridgewater football program. During his regime the Bears won or shared New England Football Conference Championships in 1968, 1969, 1989, 1992, 1997 and 1999. His teams also competed in post-season play in 1989 and 1992 (ECAC) and in 1999 and 2000 (NCAA). In 41 years of coaching Division III football, Coach Mazzaferro compiled a career coaching record of 210-159-10.
In 1989 and 1999, Peter received the highest coaching honor in New England when he was named the New England Football Writer's Coach of the Year for Division II-III. In 1996, he was awarded the George C. Carens Award for outstanding contributions to college football in New England. In the summer of 1999, he was honored by the All American Football Foundation with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Coach Mazzaferro spent 34 years as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Education during his tenure at BSU, and in 1994 he was inducted into the Bridgewater State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Mary Lou Thimas
Mary Lou Thimas was involved with Bridgewater State athletics in the various roles of student-athlete, coach and athletic administrator. As a BSU student, Mary Lou participated in field hockey, lacrosse, and basketball. After earning her Masters at Springfield College in 1978, Mary Lou returned to Bridgewater State as the Director of Athletics for Women from 1978 to 1982. From 1982 to 87 she served as the Associate Director of Athletics. During her tenure, Mary Lou coached basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. The BSU field hockey team flourished under her leadership, advancing to post-season play each year from 1977 to 1986, including NCAA Tournament appearances in 1982 and 1985. Thimas was inducted her into the Bears’ Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.