This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Phelps Steps Out From Behind the Scenes to Accept National Award

Longtime volunteer will be recognized by the National Football Foundation for his dedication to the sport on May 20.

Typical John Phelps.                                     

The behind the scenes guy who has dedicated his life to helping people preferred to stay behind the scenes.

But the lifelong Manchester resident  and Manchester Midget Football fixture for 50 years finally gave in and agreed to be honored. The National Football Foundation Northern Chapter will present Phelps with an "Advancement of Youth Football" award at its annual banquet at the Aqua Turf Club on May 20.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s actually a big deal," according to his former coach and long-time friend Gil Boisoneau. “I have been trying to honor John for three years now, but he kept saying no. His award is a national award, it’s not just Connecticut. His name will be inscribed at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana as one of our recipients.”

Phelps said he considers Boisoneau, Alex Ferguson and Dave Wiggins among the best football coaches in town football history.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Phelps, who was honored by the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame as its Unsung Hero in 1982, started as a player in 1959 and retired in 2009 after volunteering his services for virtually every task the organization needed in between.

“John was a lineman when I coached him in ’65,” Boisoneau recalled. “He was pretty strong and always opinionated about the right or wrong sports. That’s what made John so different than other people.”

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Phelps, 62, took over the four-team organization, now known as the Manchester Knights, in 1988 when its founder and Phelps mentor Denny Carlin passed away. In 1999, the league named their annual volunteer service award after Phelps and made him a lifelong member.

“John was responsible for fitting 200-250 youngsters every year with the proper football equipment – all unpaid volunteer stuff,” Boisoneau said. “And he did it year after year. This is our chance to give him some recognition.”

Longevity is the name of Phelp's game. He has been a crossing guard for the town of Manchester since 1977, has worked part time for the Recreation Department since 1982, was involved with Manchester Little league for 27 years, Camp Kennedy for 23 years and is currently the commissioner of the 16-team softball league at the Nike Site.

Phelps, who is the guardian for his handicapped brother Bobby and still lives in the house they grew up in on Hawthorne Street, is all about kids, sports and helping people. He is the dean of crossing guards in town, loves his job and has settled in his role as elder statesmen nicely.

He is the unofficial mayor of the corner of Homestead Street and West Middle Turnpike and on a sunny day last week, Edwin Perez was one of several people to stop by and share a few laughs with Phelps. Perez has a daughter at Waddell School who crosses the busy turnpike safely each day with Phelps in charge and a son who Phelps coached before he retired.

Perez was crossing the same street 20 years ago as a troubled youth when Phelps taught him a lesson in respect by calling him out in front of his peers. It was a humbling experience that Perez never forgot and the two have been friends since.

"If anyone deserves an award, it's this guy," said Perez with an arm around his friend. "That's true talk."

"Without a doubt John is one of Manchester's most colorful characters,” according to Manchester High assistant principal Jim Farrell, who has known Phelps through athletics for more than 20 years. “He can be stubborn, gruff and opinionated, but don't be fooled. He really has a big heart, and he cares passionately about local sports and the people who participate." 

Paul Cosgrove knew Phelps when he was a football referee back in the 1970s and the two still see each other every week during the softball season at the Nike Site where Cosgrove coaches a team.

“You couldn't ask for a better man,” said Cosgrove. “It's a long time coming. We should have done this a few years ago but he just didn't want to do it.”

"Helping people,” Cosgrove surmised, “That's all John has been doing all of his life, really."

Tickets for the May 20th banquet at the Aqua Turf Club are $40 and can be purchased from Gil Boisoneau (860-643- 0688). Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Are you a fan of Manchester Patch? Then show us the love by following us on Facebook or Twitter! It's the best way to get updates on all the latest news and information in Manchester as it happens.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?