Joseph Farina
Born in the small, steel-mill town of Midland, Pennsylvania, Joseph Farina has spent nearly thirty five years dedicated to education in the greater New Haven area covering all levels from elementary school to high school to college and back to the high-school level. A forty-two year resident of Branford, he received his higher education at Southern Connecticut State University, receiving B.S., M.S., and sixth-year degrees from that institution.
Joe began his career in education in 1957 teaching grades 4, 5, and 6 in North Branford, and during the 1958-59 seasons, he added assistant football coach at Branford High School to his schedule. After two years teaching Grades 8 and 9 in East Haven, Joe returned to Southern, this time as faculty for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. For nine years, he also served as the assistant football coach there. The year 1969 brought him back to Branford High School, this time teaching science, health, and physical education. In addition, he was the head football coach until 1978 and served as Director of Athletics from 1984 until his retirement in 1992. There he also headed the committee to revise the health and physical education curriculum, and the curriculum that resulted is still in use today.
Upon being named athletic director, Farina recognized that although athletics is an important part of a student's life, it was only a part: "There's no question," he said, "that we need to improve some student-athlete attitudes toward school. Some youngsters need sports as an incentive (to do better in academics), and in many cases sports keeps some youngsters out of trouble. The goal is to have kids participate, be a member of a team. Athletics is a privilege to every student, not a right. They have to follow guidelines."
When Joe Farina retired in 1992, Assistant BHS Principal Dave Maloney, who had known Joe as a coach, basketball official, teacher, and administrator, had this to say: "Whether in the classroom or on the field of play, what I remember most about him is that Joe always taught that sportsmanship came first. Sports to Joe Farina are a vehicle to teach one of the cardinal principles of life, that one's satisfaction in life could be traced to the discipline and values acquired through athletics.
"Joe's legacy is personified in his ability to fully prepare the student-athlete for a career, parenthood, and citizenship through the lessons learned in athletics."
During his career, Joe Farina was a teacher, a friend, and a true gentleman to all who crossed his path. New teachers were often first welcomed by this man whose outgoing personality and warmth were so appreciated. He touched the lives of hundreds of young people and was always willing to lend a hand-or an ear-to those who needed his help. To this day, he has never refused a former student who may call him for a job recommendation or the like. His love for the youth of Branford knew no boundaries, and he discriminated against no one. Former students who are now parents themselves still recall the warmth and kindness that influenced their lives in the person of the man everyone calls "Coach."
Among his many distinctions, Joe was named Basketball Official of the Year by the State of Connecticut (1976) and Coach of the Year by the National Football Foundation (1977). He received the Distinguished American Award from the New Haven Tap-off Club (1987), induction into the Branford Sports Hall of Fame (1993), Boys' and Girls' Club Gold Ring Award (2000), and the State of Connecticut Merit Award for basketball (2002). He serves on the board of directors of basketball officials and has been a member of the Branford Gridiron Club since 1958.
Joe and his wife, Rose Marie (nee Caporale) are the parents of two daughters. Denise has followed in her father's footsteps and teaches kindergarten at Mary T. Murphy School. Diane thought of teaching, but her dislike for public speaking deterred her. Besides, she thought it would be too much work!
Joe began his career in education in 1957 teaching grades 4, 5, and 6 in North Branford, and during the 1958-59 seasons, he added assistant football coach at Branford High School to his schedule. After two years teaching Grades 8 and 9 in East Haven, Joe returned to Southern, this time as faculty for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. For nine years, he also served as the assistant football coach there. The year 1969 brought him back to Branford High School, this time teaching science, health, and physical education. In addition, he was the head football coach until 1978 and served as Director of Athletics from 1984 until his retirement in 1992. There he also headed the committee to revise the health and physical education curriculum, and the curriculum that resulted is still in use today.
Upon being named athletic director, Farina recognized that although athletics is an important part of a student's life, it was only a part: "There's no question," he said, "that we need to improve some student-athlete attitudes toward school. Some youngsters need sports as an incentive (to do better in academics), and in many cases sports keeps some youngsters out of trouble. The goal is to have kids participate, be a member of a team. Athletics is a privilege to every student, not a right. They have to follow guidelines."
When Joe Farina retired in 1992, Assistant BHS Principal Dave Maloney, who had known Joe as a coach, basketball official, teacher, and administrator, had this to say: "Whether in the classroom or on the field of play, what I remember most about him is that Joe always taught that sportsmanship came first. Sports to Joe Farina are a vehicle to teach one of the cardinal principles of life, that one's satisfaction in life could be traced to the discipline and values acquired through athletics.
"Joe's legacy is personified in his ability to fully prepare the student-athlete for a career, parenthood, and citizenship through the lessons learned in athletics."
During his career, Joe Farina was a teacher, a friend, and a true gentleman to all who crossed his path. New teachers were often first welcomed by this man whose outgoing personality and warmth were so appreciated. He touched the lives of hundreds of young people and was always willing to lend a hand-or an ear-to those who needed his help. To this day, he has never refused a former student who may call him for a job recommendation or the like. His love for the youth of Branford knew no boundaries, and he discriminated against no one. Former students who are now parents themselves still recall the warmth and kindness that influenced their lives in the person of the man everyone calls "Coach."
Among his many distinctions, Joe was named Basketball Official of the Year by the State of Connecticut (1976) and Coach of the Year by the National Football Foundation (1977). He received the Distinguished American Award from the New Haven Tap-off Club (1987), induction into the Branford Sports Hall of Fame (1993), Boys' and Girls' Club Gold Ring Award (2000), and the State of Connecticut Merit Award for basketball (2002). He serves on the board of directors of basketball officials and has been a member of the Branford Gridiron Club since 1958.
Joe and his wife, Rose Marie (nee Caporale) are the parents of two daughters. Denise has followed in her father's footsteps and teaches kindergarten at Mary T. Murphy School. Diane thought of teaching, but her dislike for public speaking deterred her. Besides, she thought it would be too much work!