EP Junior Townies to Honor Football & Cheer Coaches Sat. at Weekly Raffle

Tomorrow, Saturday, is RAFFLE DAY at Skeff's East Providence! It is also the EP Junior Townies Football/Cheer Coach Appreciation Raffle. Any Football Coach - past or present - will receive a free strip of tickets for Table 1 or 2. We would love to have all our Football Coaches there for a very fun raffle. We will have tables loaded with Meat, Seafood, Gift, Gadgets, and More. As always, we have the 65" Smart TV as the grand prize - or Cash if you prefer. Doors open at 12, the Raffle starts at 2. Be sure to get there early for delicious food and drinks.

In conjunction with this, here is an article by Bob Rodericks in The EP Reporter, that details the football coaching history for the Townies of East Providence High School. Some may not know of this history. Hope to see a big crowd tomorrow at Skeff's as the EP Junior Townies and Skeff's honor all coaches, football & cheer!

Townie Football Coaches Have Great Tradition:
Lou Farber Famous in Two States
Few current East Providence High School student athletes probably remember one of the school’s early football coaches who became one of the nation’s best. Lou Farber spanned a career of over 50 years coaching high school football. After a year at Moses Brown, he entered Brown University, captained the freshman football team, and moved on to a brilliant varsity career as a defensive guard and offensive tackle. Passing up a pro career with the Frankfort (Pa.) Yellowjackets of the NFL, Farber went into high school teaching and coaching, becoming head coach at East Providence High in 1935. In 15 seasons, Farber compiled a 80-45-10 record including three state championships. Before teaching business and coaching at EP, Farber graduated from Brown University where he played guard and was a member of Brown’s famous 1926 “Iron Men” football squad. The Brown Iron Men became widely popular on the national level. Farber and his Brown teammates were undefeated that year. After a legendary career at EPHS, Farber and family moved to Arizona for health reasons. Farber taught and coached football soon after arriving in Arizona. He became the first head coach at Pueblo High School when it opened in 1956. Farber was soon known as a national innovator and was a consultant for programs on all levels. Coaching Pueblo teams with limited talent, he won several state titles. He only experienced one losing season in 17 years of coaching in Arizona. The stadium at Pueblo High School is named Lou Farber Stadium. Farber is an inductee of the Halls of Fame at Brown, Arizona and EPHS. His Townie Pride traveled well.

Other coaches before Lou Farber were Wally Jameson in the early 1900’s, Bertrand Shurtleff and Vahe Johnson. All great teacher/coaches at EPHS. Shurtleff coached EP around 1933 and is a Brown grad and in their Hall of Fame. He wrestled four years at Brown and won honors in 1920 as collegiate light heavyweight champion. He was also one of Brown’s finest football players. Shurtleff played professional football for several teams, including the Providence Steamrollers. He also was a writer and novelist.

After the legendary Lou Farber moved to Arizona, the level of grid iron Townie coaches stayed high. Following Farber was Jim Deffley. Deffley taught and coached at EP until leaving teaching and then coached at La Salle (the horrors)! Deffley taught at EPHS and was a tough, winning coach in EP. Next up was Bill Stringfellow known as “Beansy.” String continued Townie winning ways and tradition and became an iconic coaching and Athletic Director figure and East Providence’s first recreation director for years. He taught at Central Junior High and then EPHS. Following String was Steve Silva a former player and father of All Staters Steve & Jamie Silva. Next was John “Sandy” Gorham, a former player who became the Townies winningest football coach. Gorham most likely has won more state titles than any coach in Rhode Island as well. He also coached winning teams in swimming and softball. Gorham would also win state titles in Barrington once he retired from EP. Next up was Townie teacher Jay Monteiro. Monteiro would deal with a changing landscape as recruiting was taking its toll on many public-school programs. Yet, he would keep EP competitive and continue the tradition. He was also a successful coach at Bryant University.

As Monteiro retired from coaching EP, the reigns returned to a Stringfellow. Jon Stringfellow, a former Townie all-state player, had been an assistant coach at EPHS and also at Hendricken. He returned to be head coach at his alma mater and continues the Stringfellow football legacy. The Townies had a good recent season and finished one game short of playing for the D2 state championship. For most alumni, the highlight this year was the East Providence hard fought win over La Salle on Thanksgiving Day. A defensive goal line stand by EP stopped the Rams and turkey dinners throughout EP tasted good for a change!

From Wally Johnson through Jon Stringfellow, EPHS football coaches represent Townie Pride at its best.

EPHS Football Coaches:
Wally Jameson                          Bill Stringfellow
Bertrand Shurtleff                   Steve Silva
Lou Farber                                   Sandy Gorham
Vahe Johnson                            Jay Monteiro
Jim Deffley                                 Jon Stringfellow