From:  Rudy Holton 1966 & 1967 - offensive end/safety

I recently discovered Coach Ostro's web site while searching the internet for information about my old school-John Adams H.S. This site is a remarkable tribute to one of the top influences in my life-Mr. Harry Ostro.

The first time I saw Coach Ostro, was in a crowded John Adams hallway. The year was 1964; I was a freshman. He was walking toward a group of students and they moved to the side allowing him a clear path. I could sense the respect that was given to this man by those students. I was told by a fellow schoolmate that this man was the head football coach and that he was a tough dude.

When I became a member of the football team in 1966, I  learned about discipline, work ethic, commitment, and teamwork, attributes which would help me in Marine Corps' bootcamp, in Vietnam and in my career with New York's telephone company. These things were taught to our team by Coach Ostro and his assistants, Mr. Palumbo, Mr. Doherty and Mr. Little.

We were undefeated and New York City champions in 1966 and came close to repeating in 1967. Our practices during the week were so tough, that the real games on Saturday were easy by comparison. That is the truth. 

Coach Ostro's "winners never quit and quitters never win" attitude has helped me tremendously through my life. In Vietnam, there were many times I just wanted to quit...injure myself so I could go home, going AWOL during R&R in Bangkok, Thailand, or hoping that I could get a million dollar wound which would get me out of combat. These things were only fleeting thoughts because of Coach Ostro's influence on my life. I thank God for those influences and Coach Ostro.

Rudy Holton

1966 & 1967-offensive end/safety.

From:  Anthony (Tony) Pierno Class of 1974

Coach,
 Let me start off by saying how happy I am to have found this website dedicated to you, so that I may convey my well wishes to you. I am glad to find you in good health.
You were always my Hero, someone a young man would be wise to emulate unlike some people they hang that tag onto today. I knew you were in WWII but not to the extent that I learned from this website and your own words. You are my Hero and this country's Hero as well.
I hope you remember me. It was a long time ago; I was, as you put it "Our Center", on the 1973 team. You chose to run the "Shotgun Offense" that year. I was that skinny (5'10" 155lb.) kid who you used to order to try and put some weight on. I taught myself to long snap so that I might have the opportunity to be on the punt team. Coach when you called me into your office near the end of my junior year and told me what you had planned for the team and myself, I literally cried. You decided to play me at center in the new offense. I went from playing on the special teams to playing on the offense; it was an honor that you thought that I could fill a role for you. You were a disciplinarian when young men needed to know what discipline was. You set the bar high for us and gave us the wherewithal to achieve that goal. You trained us hard and many, myself included wondered what it had to do with football sometimes. Carrying a teammate on our backs
 up and down flights of stairs, I carried a friend who got hurt playing ball for 3 blocks to his home one summer realizing then what all that climbing up and down stairs were for, you were not only training us for football but for life. You were giving us the skills and the heart to never quit, never give up, to be the one who'd take the lead and to be there for a teammate or for others who are counting on us. You molded us into a team where the things we feared most was, letting down our teammates, losing and most of all you. Do you remember the shirts you gave us with the "Don't Tread On Me" snake, I kept that shirt as a reminder of the lessons you taught until it fell apart.
My Dad never came to a game to see me play and that was a disappointment but everyday we practiced and every Saturday we played, it was you who I wanted to make proud and never let down.
Coach you are my Hero and I've always thought of you fondly. Thank God for you and for Vico for creating this website in your honor. When I run into former players from Adams I will let them know of this website and tell them to drop you a line.
 

From: Jim Ricca 1973-1975

Coach I am so pleased that you are doing well and that I have this opportunity to Thank You.. for giving me the courage to make something of myself. Coach I played for you at John Adams from 1973 - 1975 a time in our country when very few teenagers knew what the word Discipline Meant. You were a Role model for your players .. .. your influence and mentoring gave me a clear understanding that Hard Work is a daily challenge....... you were able to instille in me pride, commitment and courage ...... the cornerstones of life and I can honestly say I have lived that motto and owe you much gratitude for taking an interest in me and thousands of other young men ..........I am sitting in my office looking at an old typed print (which you did) of a motivation speech you used many times to get the team ready for the game it is called THE MAN IN THE GLASS ......... Thanks you Jim Ricca captain JV 1973, co-captain V 1975

From: Nick Mattera  Class of 1965

My son and I were talking about following orders, and he was under the impression that I learned how to follow orders so well in the Police Dept., or the Army.  I informed him of my ultimate lesson, that I never forgot.  I was playing defensive halfback against our first string offense.  Don Gault who went on to quarterback the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets was running the offense.  He threw a deep pass and I intercepted it and nothing but clear sailing the opposite way, down the sideline.  As I am running the ball back the other way, I see Coach Ostro running behind me waving his hat and yelling.  I vision all the praise and credit from the coach at the end of the play.  When the Coach gets to me he throws his hat on the ground, jumps on his hat and gets nose to nose with me and yells, "You horses ass, you didn't yell Geronimo"  Geronimo was to be yelled when we recovered a fumble, interception, etc.  Geronimo is what the Paratroopers yelled when they jumped from the plane.  I had a few minutes to reflect on my mistake as I ran around the track on my punishment lap in 90 degree heat. I learned the hard way that day about following orders, especially Coach Ostro's.  As a member of the NYC Police Dept. I was chasing a bad guy through the Sts. of upper Manhattan, and when I was just about winded I yelled "Geronimo," two blocks later I caught the guy. I have no idea why I yelled Geronimo, but I am sure it is from the lesson from the Old Coach.  I followed every order I ever got from that day on.  Thanks for the early lesson Coach, and preparing us for the biggest game of all, THE GAME OF LIFE. I had the pleasure of working with Joey Crispino (In the NYCPD) our Captain back in 1963, and one of the best halfbacks to come out of John Adams.  For many years Joey and I talked about Coach Ostro and had no idea what happened to the Coach.  Thanks to you VICO, we found the Coach, and at our party last year had the chance to thank the Coach. Thank you Coach for the early lessons, and thank you Vico for the opportunity to be reunited with the THE OLE COACH.     

                                                    Nick Mattera (John Adams Class of 65)

From: Posted In Memory of Sergeant John R. Sibilly

From: Joe Crispino

A Band of Brothers

In 2000 HBO produced an award winning series which described the experiences of individuals from various backgrounds who volunteered for the Airborne. These men were assigned to Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The series starts with their selection, training, continues through their combat campaigns, and occupation duty in Germany. In the final episode the men are attending their annual reunion and reminisce about their war time experiences.

There are striking resemblances between their story and those of us who volunteered to play football at John Adams High School. We too came from various backgrounds, went through a selection process, and endured vigorous training. Our combat was on the gridiron and our opponents were considered the "Enemy". Like paratroopers we walked with a swagger and considered ourselves lean and mean. We were led by Coach Harry Ostro who created a program that turned boys into men. The lessons learned in practice and on the field serve as a basis for our ethical and moral standards.

I completed Jump School in 1965 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. That same year I was reassigned as a replacement to Viet-Nam and served in the 1st Air Cavalry. I returned to stateside duty with both the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions. Many times I was thankful for the training I received as a football player it was a key part of my survival.

The camaraderie of the football teams that played at Adams was experienced at the Summer Reunion. It did not matter if you started or knelt on the sidelines we were all members of an elite group. We were different from our classmates and other teams at Adams being a football player was a 24/7 job.

And Now like "Old Combat Veterans" we bask in our past glories.

From: Bill Ruland  Class of 1973

From: Bill Mongello  Class of 1965

Dear Coach Ostro :
I just want to let you know that it was a pleasure to see you again at the John Adams re-union in July. Nick Mattera did a great job of gathering the troops and making it an affair to remember. Again, I want to thank you for all you have done as Coach and Mentor. As a young strong headed student I didn't understand the portentous nature of your message, but I was lucky enough to have been with you for nearly three years and was able to absorb much of it in spite of my stupidity. In a moment of frustration and fear of responsibility I threw away 3 years of hard work and an upcoming Football Season. I let down my Team and my Coaches. We all lost on that one , but I lost the most. I'll never forget that part of my life and I vowed not to repeat it..  and I haven't.. Thanks to you Coach I learned a lesson , only I did it the hard way. I've always wanted to level up with you regarding this. You were the winner and I won because I never forgot you and what you were trying to do. To date I have been a Teacher and a Principal for 33 years now, and you have been with me all the way. Next to my Dad , you have been up there all this time..     Thanks again
Coach....
                                                                      
      Bill Mongello

From: Danny Whitley  Class of 1966 & 1967

I PLAYED DEFENSIVE END #62 FOR THE BEST COACHED HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM EVER. 1967 JOHN ADAMS CITY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.WE HAD AN AWESOME BUNCH OF GUYS AND COACHES.WE BECAMEB VERY CLOSE,I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INSTILLING IN ME THE NEVER QUIT ATTITUTE WHICH HAS MOLDED MY LIFE. I WAS A NYC POLICE OFFICER FOR 21 YEARS .HIGHLY DECORATED BECAUSE OF MY TOUGH AND NEVER QUIT ATTITUTE.I AM NOW RETIRED AND LIVE ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND IN FLA.I HAVE 4 SONS TWO ARE CAPTS. IN THE MARINES THE OTHER TWO ARE 13 AND 15 ALL BUT THE 13 YEAR OLD DUE TO HEALTH REASONS HAVE PLAYED AND STARRED IN FOOTBALL.THE 15 YEAR OLD IS CAPT ON HIS FRESHMAN TEAM AT MANATEE HIGH SCHOOL IN BRADENTON FLA.YOU ARE MY IDOL AND I AM PROUD TO SALUTE YOU FOR THE PERSON YOU ARE AND HAVE MADE ME AND MY BOYS, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.I TRIED CALLING YOU OVER THE SUMMER AND COULD NOT GET THROUGH . IF YOU COULD,COULD YOU FORWARD ME YOU PHONE # I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU. THANKS DANNY WHITLEY 1966 AND 1967,1 LOSS IN TWO YEARS GREAT MEMORIES.