Marrella to coach NYS football team

By TOM KANE

ELDRED — Eldred football coach Phil Marrella has been chosen head coach for a team of New York State High School All-Stars who will participate in the Down Under Bowl in Australia from June 26 to July 9, 2001.

Every state will have a team represented at the bowl.

Marrella coaches the Eldred Junior Varsity football team, the only football team now competing for the school because of a shortage of senior players. The school will field a varsity team next year.

“I don’t know why I was chosen,” Marrella said. “This past summer I worked as a coach at the Charles Way NFL Summer Football Camp in East Stroudsburg. Perhaps that had something to do with it.”

Marrella will bring John Ligarzi, another member of the Eldred football staff, with him to Australia as assistant coach. “I’m also asking Bob Butler, football coach of Tappan Zee High School,” he said.

Eligible players must be seniors who have been named as All-Stars in their region, he said.

Marrella is inviting nominated seniors to attend one of three meeting he will hold in the state over the next few weeks. The players will have to raise the money for expenses themselves, as will the assistant coaches. Marrella will receive a stipend from the organizers of the bowl.

“A number of schools are involving their boosters, the PTAs and other organizations in their localities,” he said.

A major concern is that many seniors will be graduating very close to the June 26 date, and might not want to participate in any practice sessions the team will need before that date, Marrella said.

“California schools close early in June and will have ample time to practice,” he said. “That will be a big advantage.”