Earn it.
The two words grace the back of T‑shirts for football coaching staff at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School in Ansonia.
The letters are an acronym for characteristics Head Coach Ken Roberts wants his players to have during their practice and play — Effort. Attitude. Relentless. Nasty. Intelligent. Toughness.
But the phrase has also been a theme for the team and the Emmett O’Brien community, as the school built its first football team from the ground up this year.
“Nothing’s going to be given to us,” said senior football player, Frank Corso, of Derby. “We have to earn everything.”
The football team held its first full practice Monday morning for the upcoming season. The first game is against Seymour High School on Sept. 14 at DeFilippo Field in Derby. After that, Emmett O’Brien will play against only technical high schools in the Constitution State Conference.
The Push
Since November, when it became clear that Emmett O’Brien students would no longer be able to play football with Derby High School, parents started raising money for a new team at the state technical high school.
Derby and Emmett O’Brien had previously had a co-op team, but had to separate when the CIAC rules changed and pushed the team over the player limit.
Emmett O’Brien parents, led by Vickie Brai of Seymour, banded together and formed the school’s first Gridiron Club to host fundraisers. They needed about $20,000 in equipment and uniforms to start the season.
They are still working toward that number, Brai said Monday. Article continues after the photo gallery.
But, with the help of equipment donations, and volunteer time from parents and staff at the school, the team had its first practice Monday.
Even the goal posts for the school’s new football field were donated, Brai said.
“To be honest, we’re really really surprised (it came to fruition),” Brai said. “And sometimes we all break down in tears because we were told this wasn’t possible. And we’ve gone from absolutely nothing to have the boys suited up ready to play.”
Obstacles
The team has had its obstacles. Early on, it was uncertain whether some of the upperclassmen could continue playing with Derby, Brai said.
Then, once Emmett O’Brien decided to start a team, the challenge turned to getting proper permissions from the state Board of Education and principal. And then, raising money.
Last month, the largest obstacle facing the team was the state budget crisis — which threatened to shut down all sports at all technical high schools.
In August, the state Department of Education agreed to find money in its budget for at least fall sports — saving the first season for Emmett O’Brien Tech.
Those weeks of uncertainty about the season’s funding meant Emmett O’Brien players couldn’t practice or meet for conditioning sessions at the school.
“We got halted,” said senior Tom Buckles.
Monday, the team was back together, practicing plays for the first time. There are about 50 players on the team, and three paid coaches. Several volunteers and family members also attended the practice.
Staying Positive
During a mid-practice huddle Monday morning, Coach Roberts encouraged the players to stay positive out on the field.
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The team has a handful of seniors who played with Derby High School, but is mostly underclassmen with little high school football experience.
They are all learning to work with each other.
“We’ve got to adjust our thinking,” Roberts said. “If you made a mistake, it’s all right. I’m not getting down. I’m getting better. You should get up when you make a mistake. Not down.”
Parent Rose Mulligan, who watched her freshman son Matthew from the sidelines Monday morning, said she is impressed by Roberts’ coaching style.
“He never puts you down,” Mulligan said. “Nobody puts anybody down here. They all work together.”
