Published April 2, 2020

GREG DEMETRI accepts his Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Youth Coach of the Year Award at Gillette Stadium. (NRHS Football Photo)

By DAN ZIMMERMAN

FOXBORO — On any given day, a steady procession of football dignitaries can be seen filing through the doors of that hallowed Foxboro stadium known as Gillette. Recently, one of North Reading’s own became one of them.

Greg Demetri, Sr., who has spent the better part of his 51 years involved in North Reading football in one form or another, was honored in a late-February ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Demetri was one of two recipients of the Youth Coach of the Year award which is handed down by the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association.

According to the MHSFCA website, this tribute is “presented to a person who has made a lasting contribution to a youth football program or organization to advance the sport of football.”

Demetri, who spent 19-years coaching the youth of North Reading, recently decided to relinquish his important role in favor of spending more time with family.

“My son Greg will be graduating (from NRHS) this spring and he’ll be continuing his football career at Bridgewater State University,” said Demetri, who is a 1988 North Reading alum. “I’d like to take a break from coaching so I can be a spectator at his games.”

As Demetri recalled, when he played his high school football for the Hornets, the Cape Ann League Conference was comprised of 12 teams. The league members are essentially the same today but incorporated into two segments – large and small schools, based on enrollment. North Reading falls into the large school category with a student body numbering 812 (1917-18). There were other differences, according to Demetri, who like his son, was a two-way player, taking on roles as a fullback, tight end and defensive end.

“Back in the ‘80s, high school was three years, not four like it is today,” he said. “The ninth grade was part of middle school. We had a decent football team. In my senior year, despite our team being decimated with injuries, the Hornets went 5-5. We were the only North Reading team, since the 1979 Super Bowl, to have a .500 record, at least until more recent years.”

The recent years Demetri referred to include this past season’s exceptional 8-3 finish in which his son Greg, played a pivotal role under the leadership of second-year head coach, Ed Blum. It was Blum, in fact, who nominated Demetri for the coaching award.

“Coach Demetri has selflessly dedicated his time to giving back to the community,” said Blum. “He has made an impact in so many student-athlete’s lives that have gone through North Reading Youth Football and continued through the North Reading High School football program.”

Demetri, who moved from Attleboro to North Reading as a five-year-old, was a three-sport athlete in high school, competing in track, wrestling, and of course, football. After graduating from North Reading High, he attended Plymouth State University and helped their football program gain prominence.

“We seldom lost a game,” he recalled. “We reached the postseason in each of my four years with the team but unfortunately, fell short of winning the Division 3 national championship.”

While pursuing his degree at Plymouth, Demetri added a minor in sports coaching. In hindsight, he found that ironic because years later, he was contacted by Ron Ferrazzani, the President of the North Reading Youth Football program, about a volunteer coaching position.

“Back in the summer of 1996, there were a number of issues with the program and Ron was seeking to restructure,” Demetri shared. “He reached out to me and my younger brother Scott and we agreed to help. We were more than willing to donate our time.”

Demetri coached for 19 years, taking a hiatus from 2004-2009 to help raise his son. When Greg Jr. was old enough to join the youth football ranks, his dad was pleased to have been part of his growth as an athlete.

“Some of my proudest moments were coaching my son in football,” said Demetri, who owns a Haverhill-based trailer refrigeration firm. “Along with Greg, I also had an opportunity to coach my nephew Zachary who will be a freshman this year. I call that perfect timing. I supported my son for the last four years and now I get to do it again with Zach.”

While some high school football coaches fail to give much-deserved credit to youth coaches, Blum fully understands that his success hinges on the product that the Demetri brothers have prepared during their student’s formative years.

Demetri and Blum treated the young players to a number of joint practice sessions, as well as inviting the youngsters to run on to the field with the high school athletes during a night game this season. “It was a huge thrill for them,” Demetri said.

“Personally, in my two years as head coach, it has been great to go watch youth games and see how Coach Demetri interacts and treats his players,” Blum said. “It is a constant reminder that as coaches, our role is so much more than teaching the game of football. We help them build confidence for life. Greg has certainly earned this award and the recognition that comes with it.”

Despite the retirements of both Greg Demetri and his brother Scott, it is unlikely that they’ll be far away from the football programs that have been such an integral part of their lives for decades. Greg Demetri emphasized the importance of continual improvement of North Reading football, at all levels, and again gives credit to Blum.

“Coach Blum and I have had conversations about some of the up-and-coming youth players,” said Demetri. “He attends our youth games and he’s very involved in the program. I commend him for that. And for me, teaching these kids the game of football and making them better athletes has been a great personal accomplishment. It has been very fulfilling.”