The following piece was submitted by the Coach John Barbati Testimonial Dinner Committee:
On November 26th, former players and supporters of Watertown High School athletics are hosting a testimonial dinner for legendary coach John Barbati whose life-changing impact is still being celebrated more than 30 years after his retirement from coaching.
As a mentor and cheerleader for his kids, Barbati sparked countless connections for his student athletes as he opened doors for them. One such example is WHS Hall of Famer Joe Antonellis who was a stalwart Raider and later starred at Harvard University.
Antonellis, however, almost never made it on to the gridiron until Coach Barbati interceded. “My parents, Italian immigrants, forbid me to play football,” said Antonellis. “I had to sneak out to try out for the team. My uniform was raunchy with sweat because I was afraid to take it home and have it washed”
By that point, Raiders head coach Barbati had seen enough at practice to know that Antonellis had real potential. It was time to clean up his act, get that uniform washed, and more importantly, secure his parents’ approval for young Joe to play. “I’ll never forget the day. Coach drove to my house and found my father working in the garden,” said Antonellis. “After they spoke, my parents said I could play.”
With that decision, Antonellis joined the ranks of a lauded Raider team that won six games in 1971, beat Belmont, setting the stage for a series of championships for Barbati and Watertown. A stellar student athlete, Antonellis entered Harvard and became a three-year starter for Harvard, winning a championship in 1975.
“We learned discipline, poise and teamwork, and we loved the challenge of it all. Coach Barbati instilled core values that guided me in college and through a long career. I’m forever grateful for his support and guidance.”
A member of Massachusetts High School Football Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame and the WHS Hall of Fame, Barbati was Watertown’s head football coach from 1969 until 1992, retiring with a winning percentage of .595 and four championships (1973, 1976, 1977 and 1983) in the hyper-competitive Middlesex League.
The testimonial dinner in honor of former Head Football Coach John Barbati on Tuesday, November 26 th at the Watertown Sons of Italy. The event, hosted by renowned Boston sportscaster Mike Lynch, is open to the community. Tickets may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testimonial-dinner-to-honor-watertown-football-coach-john-barbati-tickets-1031077248807?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Portions of this story are excerpted from the WHS Hall of Fame records.