On Friday February 20, 2015 all Stamford High School students piled into the gymnasium for the first ever Stamford High Pride Assembly, organized by SHS alumni Tom Chiappetta and Guy Fortt.

Alongside Chiappetta and Guy Fortt, a handful of other Black Knight alumni shared their stories of success and struggle after graduating from the “Great School on the Hill”.

Those honored were as follows: Len Gambino class of 1956 and the “voice of SHS,” Gary Cobb Class of 1957 and NFL linebacker, Craig Bingham Class of 1979 and NFL linebacker, Chordale Booker Class of 2009 and ammeter boxer, Khairi Fortt Class of 2010 and NFL linebacker, Matt Manewall Class of 1996 and Yale baseball player, Alex Joseph Class of 2006 and NFL linebacker, and Andy Robustelli  Class of 1943 and NFL defensive end and Hall of Fame inductee.

The ceremony kicked off with Guy Fortt singing the national anthem for the rowdy student body, who even chimed in along the way.

Guy Fortt then passed the mic over to Assistant Principal Matt Forker who gave a quick fun fact about Stamford High that seemingly shocked half the crowd; “this building has been here since 1927” said Forker. This school is so much more than what we make it now in 2015. Forker reminded the students that this school has “housed generations of families in Stamford,” that “pride starts within, and pride starts when you’re a Black Knight.”

The first alumnus speaker was none other than the “voice of SHS,” Len Gambino. Gambino not only called the games from Boyle Stadiums press box, but he also speaks at every Stamford High graduation.

Although not in attendance, Gary Cobb, who was a linebacker for the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, joined us via video message. When bringing up his past days at Stamford High, he said, “I started dreaming there, at SHS,” which can be held true for all students, past and present.

Another speaker, Craig Bingham, says he owes his success as a linebacker for the Pittsburg Steelers to Mark Lyons, ex-head coach of the Stamford High football team. Bingham told students his story of how he didn’t start off at SHS, but one day, while visiting his older brother in the SHS weight room, Lyons approached him and said “what college do you go to?” Shocked, Bingham replied “I play soccer over at another high school sir.” And as many would say, the rest is history. Lyons was able to convince Bingham to transfer to Stamford High and play football for the Knights. Bingham’s word of advice to students was “you never know who may come along that will be the emphasis of your life.”

1996 graduate Matt Manewell spoke about his time spent playing baseball at Yale University then attending UCLA to study law. 2006 graduate Alex Joseph told students to “take advantage of this opportunity called life.” Joseph was a linebacker at Temple University before moving onto the pros where he spent five years, and is now a part of the NFL Indoor League.

Another recent 2010 graduate, Khairi Fortt, spoke a lot about failure and how one should never let it define them. Khairi Fortt was drafted as a 4^th round pick to the New Orleans Saints, but sadly was cut. He then found himself playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, but was cut again. However, things were able to turn around for Khairi Fortt, as he was recently picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a linebacker.

2015 USA Boxing National Champion, and New England and Connecticut Golden Glove Title winner, Chordale Booker had a very emotional story of struggle turned to triumph to share. Booker wasn’t the best student, and he recalls sitting in classes thinking “man I want to fight that kid; after this class I’m gonna catch him.” Booker clearly always had the natural drive to be a fighter, and to such a strong kid, you’d think there would be nothing that could scare him; however, there was, and it was graduation. “I didn’t know what I was going to do, or even what I wanted to do.” Booker’s dad was in jail, and he always made it clear that he never wanted his son to follow in those same footsteps. Shortly after graduation in 2009, though, Booker was arrested and spent three nights in jail. A few days after that, Booker’s father passed away. At this point in his story, Booker broke down into tears in front of the entire student body; a few students yelled, “The Black Knights love you!” Some cheered and some even cried along with him. Booker was able to turn his life around, as he was able to harvest his natural talent for fighting and become one of America’s best; he says every time he gets into the ring he does it for his father. He spoke briefly on how surreal it was being back in the Kuzco Gym, saying “if you would have told me when I was graduating that I’d come back to talk to you guys, I would have been like, me, having something good to say to you guys? I would have laughed at that.”

The late and great Andy Robustelli, defensive end for the New York Giants for 15 years and Hall Of Fame recipient, was represented by his son, Rick Robustelli. Rick Robustelli was an all-state and All-American quarterback and went on to play for the University of Connecticut from 1968 to 1970. He recalled the moment when his father was inducted into the Hall Of Fame; Andy asked Rick to escort him across the field in front of 85,000 fans, and in that moment, the only thing Andy could say to his son was “Rick, this all started at Stamford High.”

Editor’s note: Vlad Ducasse was not in attendance of the ceremony. We apologize for the mistake.