Bergstrom Field 2008: 40th Anniversary and Rededication
Bergstrom Field Dedication 1968
Bergstrom Field 40th anniversary and rededication 2008
Good Morning Shrewsbury Program
Coach Lou LIttle with Coach Bergstrom
(l to r) Donald Perron, Brett Marcimo, Elizabeth Bergstrom, Mike Kleminich, Dutch Holland, Patricia Perron, Kelly Marcimo, Joe Saywer, Wayne Sampson, Donald Green, Anthony Bent, Cathy Sampson, Frank Winship, Angela Snell, Deborah Grady (obstructed) Anthony Perry and Ron Everitt
Kelly Perron Marcimo, Patricia (Bergstrom), Elizabeth Bergstrom, Donald Perron, Mario Marchesio, Mike Kleminich, Robert Munzer, Dutch Holland
Kelly Marcimo gives Anthony Perry the coaches whistle. Patricia Perron, Elizabeth Bergsrom, Donald Perron, Mario Macheisio, MIke Kleminich, Donald Green, Robert Munzer, Dutch Holland, Sean Grady, Brett Marcimo and Ron Everitt
Reresentative Polito reads Massachusetts legislative proclaimation as Kelly Marcimo and Patricia Perron look on, in the background SYF&C players and coaches
 
Shrewsbury School Committee Chairman Mark Murray officially rededicatetes field
Mark Murray welcomes SYF&C Vice president and Coach Sean Weafer
3 generations of the Bergstrom family present the game ball
Sean Weafer and Anthony Perry accept game ball from the Bergstrom family
Sean Weafer and Anthony Perry with football to be used in first game on the newly rededicated field
Coach Bergstrom working as a writer for the Telegram and Gazette
Shrewsbury Junior Mite 1
Shrewsbury Junior Varsity grid team 1951 Left Assistant Coach George Forugues, Rudolph Alano, John Gaimari, Jimmy White, Vern Johnson, and Head Coach Frank Bergstrom
Shrewsbury Youth Cheerleading Squad
National Anthem
Brooke Marcimo, Patricia Bergsrom and Kelly Marcimo
Coach Francis A. Bergstrom
On a picture perfect fall day, members of the Shrewsbury community came together to recall the legacy of Shrewsbury High School’s first athletic director and beloved coach Francis A. Bergstrom. During the 40th anniversary celebration and rededication ceremony, Bergstrom field was turned over to the younger generation of athletes to train and prepare to compete in Shrewsbury High School programs and beyond. The program began with a taping of “Good Morning Shrewsbury”, the local sports talk program on Shrewsbury Media Cable. In a round table discussion that will air on the public access channel the legacy of Francis Bergstrom was recalled. Retired SHS Athletic Director Michael Kleminich, and retired coaches Mario Marcheiso, Dutch Holland, Robert Munzer and SHS alumni Mush Cormier, and Kelly Marcimo, Bergstrom’s granddaughter joined host Bob Bigda to recall the life and times of Coach Bergstrom or “Swede” as he was affectionately called. Many recalled how instrumental Coach Bergstrom was in, what was a very different from today, college recruitment process. He was responsible for assisting many athletes in furthering their education at many fine schools through his network of colleagues in the college sports world. Coach Kleminich even recalled a job offer he received at the college level that could have only come from his boss, which he turned down, but was honored to have received. One of the better-known stories was Bergstrom’s relationship with legendary Columbia University coach Lou Little, his friend from Leominster. Bergstrom is credited with sending three players to the school who were instrumental in Columbia’s 1947 historic victory over Army ending their 32 game winning streak. It was agreed that Bergstrom’s best legacy was the advice he gave to all new coaches; how to best cultivate a strong team atmosphere and coach in nearly the opposite way as one might expect. Coach Bergstrom would always offer the most striking critical performance review following a victory and praise and encourage the players as if they were the greatest team ever following a loss. Building up players when they were down and challenging them when they were up, was unanimously agreed upon as Bergstrom’s best advice and words he himself lived by. During the formal Ceremony State Representative Karyn Polito presented an official proclamation from the Massachusetts legislature. Shrewsbury Youth Football and Cheer past president Anthony Perry was recognized for his efforts to improve the field and was given a symbolic coaches whistle from the Bergstrom family. Shrewsbury’s School Committee chairman, Mark Murray made the official rededication of the field, officially ending the era of High school play and beginning the new role of home to the youth programs. In his remarks Murray said, “There is no doubt that Mr. Bergstrom’s enduring legacy of encouraging and supporting the concept of scholar athletes is very much alive, in Shrewsbury Public Schools. Despite funding challenges, Mr. Bergstrom would be most proud of the opportunities afforded our student-athletes in 2008. Today, Shrewsbury High School offers a diverse range of sports averaging 350-400 students’ athletes per season. We provide programs for 31 different sports, which account for 49 teams and approximately 663 contests throughout the year. Even our middle school offers competitive programs for boys and girls x-country and boys and girls basketball for close to 200 student-athletes. Clearly we’ve come a long way in 40 years. Murray went on to talk about those athletes and how they represent the community, “Winning with good sportsmanship is what we do here in Shrewsbury. Attend any athletic contest in any sport and at any level and you’ll see for yourself that Shrewsbury student-athletes are “class” acts. Knowing a little bit about the coach, the teacher and the man Mr. Bergstrom was, I know he would be very proud of the present day student-athletes here in Shrewsbury. They compete and comport themselves in his likeness. As we rededicate Bergstrom Memorial Field during this 40th anniversary celebration it is comforting to know we have wonderful facility that not only honors a great man who contributed in so many ways to the youth of our town, but we have a beautifully renovated and updated facility where future Shrewsbury High School student-athletes will get their start. I’m sure Mr. Bergstrom is smiling as his legacy lives on.” The ceremony continued with a presentation of a game ball signed by the Bergstrom family, officials and friends at the event to Shrewsbury Youth Football and Cheer Vice President and coach Sean Weafer of the Shrewsbury Junior Mite 1 team, that would take the field in the first official game following the ceremony. The ball was presented by three generations of the Bergstrom family, daughters Patricia (Bergstrom) Perron and Elizabeth Bergstrom, granddaughter Kelly Perron Marcimo and great granddaughter Brooke Marcimo. Future plans were announced to continue the work of improving the facility including lighting the fields for evening games and adding a showcase of information in the Oak Middle school to keep the Bergstrom legacy of dedication to student-athletes strong. If you would like to assist in the efforts you may contact Kelly Marcimo at kpmarcimo@townisp.com mailto:kpmarcimo@townisp.comshapeimage_2_link_0