April 3, 2008 was a grand night for 1985 LeRoy alumnus Bert Pangrazio as the former LeRoy star was inducted into the prestigious Section V Football Hall of Fame. Family, friends, teammates, coaches, and fans were on hand to enjoy the honor for Bert, a mainstay on the Knights' 1984 undefeated and inaugural Section V championship squad.

Bert was a stellar player from youth football on up and was honored his senior year at LeRoy as a member of the All-Greater Rochester football team as a linebacker. When Bert took to the microphone to receive his induction plaque he spoke of being deeply honored of being just the second player in the storied history of LeRoy football to be inducted into the Hall. During his speech he took the opportunity to recognize a huge influence in his football career, LeRoy defensive coordinator Andrew Paladino. Bert, as tough and talented on the field as any Knight before or after him, was able to excel to the 'next level' that many can only dream of through the hard-nosed guidance of coach Paladino. Paladino, an All-Greater Rochester linebacker selection in 1973, is as good as they come as a mentor and coach and Bert let the large crowd on hand know of Coach Paladino's respected talents and influence.

When it came to football, Bert not only excelled at the high school level, he literally walked onto the program at the US Naval Academy as was named a team captain his senior year. Talk about being made of different stuff. Also, little do people know that Bert came out for wrestling late in his scholastic athletic career in the early 80's, when the Knights were the most dominant wrestling program in the LCAA (the team won every county tournament championship in the 1980's). Bert's final scholastic wrestling match was in the 1985 Section V SuperSectional finals at 177 lbs. Bert lost that match to state champion Chris Schojan of East Rochester. Bert was not intimidated by the powerful Schojan and left it all on the mat. Bert took that same fearless attitude toward competition and life after his high school career to become a Navy football player/coach and US Marine Corps platoon commander. Like I wrote, Bert was, make that "IS", made of different stuff than most, and I am glad I was able to experience his play and personality, as well as his deserved induction into the Hall of Fame.


The following is the writeup of Bert in the program for the 2008 Section V Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony:

Bert Pangrazio's career on the field was marked by one accomplishment after another, first at LeRoy (Class of 1985) and then at the United States Naval Academy. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, he captained the Oatkan Knights 10-0 team in 1984 (including a 33-7 victory over Cal-Mum) and was selected All-Greater Rochester, as well as a small schools 2nd team all-state honoree at linebacker.

Upon graduation, Bert accepted an appointment to Annapolis, where he continued his playing career as a fullback. He was selected a team captain as a senior and the ABC Player of the Game for the 1988 Army-Navy game. Additionally, he was recognized with the Vice Admiral Mack Award given by the school to recognize the player showing the most improvement in spring practice and the Rip Miller Award recognizing the MVP of spring football.

Following his playing days, Pangrazio served as a United States Marine Corps platoon commander for a front-line infantry unit during Operation Desert Storm and coached at Navy from 1994 to 1997.