Three Generations of Alumni Together on Campus
At left, Nancy Vitalone Raccaro ’80, Gabe Vitalone, G’48, and Emma Raccaro ’23, DPT’25.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Alumnus Gabe Vitalone, G’48, found a home at Springfield College that has helped shape a life defined by service, inspiration, and a deep love for teaching and coaching. His affinity for the College helped inspire three generations of family members to feel a sense of spiritual calling to make the College their destination.
This past spring, Gabe had the opportunity to come back to the campus for the first time since his daughter, Nancy Vitalone Raccaro ’80, celebrated her graduation. The occasion was celebrating the graduation of Nancy’s daughter, Emma Raccaro ’23, DPT’25, who was following in her mom’s and grandfather’s footsteps. As a result, the day turned into a mini-reunion for the entire family.
“Emma’s graduation was a special day on campus,” expressed Gabe. “To have three generations of Springfield College graduates on campus together, it made it a very memorable day. I hadn’t been on campus in a long time, so it meant a lot to be able to tour the campus and think back to so many great memories.”
Shortly after Emma’s graduation day, Gabe also celebrated his 103rd birthday. Returning to Alden Street to celebrate his granddaughter’s success was a perfect early birthday present for Gabe. Being back on campus also reminded Gabe that no matter how many years go by, there are many things that remain unchanged.
“The love for the College is shared by myself, Nancy, and Emma,” expressed Gabe. “We all have experienced so many special moments at Springfield College, and there is always a feeling of connection for us on campus.”
For the Vitalone and Raccaro family, the attachment to the College started with Gabe’s path to higher education following his service overseas with the United States Army during World War II. Gabe returned home with a mission to get involved in coaching and pursue a master’s degree in Physical Education. Utilizing the GI bill, Gabe found his calling at Springfield College, and he was committed to finding his path in both teaching and coaching.
“I was fortunate to have a great mentor in my aunt Helen, who was one of 14 children, and she was the only one to attend college,” explained Gabe. “She was a school teacher and very interested in physical education. Coming back home after serving in the army, I needed some help with applying to colleges to continue with my graduate studies. Aunt Helen was great, she had teaching in her blood, and that passion for education and teaching has been a big part of our family.”
Now prepared to continue his own educational journey, Gabe took the train ride from his hometown of Yonkers, N.Y., and arrived at Springfield College set to make his family proud. Gabe joined more than 200 other graduate students, all prepared to start their post-war journeys while sharing special bonds on campus.
“At that time, the living arraignments were a little different than they are today,” explained Gabe. “When I first arrived, they actually didn’t have a room for me on campus, so I ended up getting housed with a local family in Springfield. Thankfully, that didn’t last long, and eventually I was able to move into Alumni Hall where I met some of my best friends in Charlie Neff (’48) and Ed Steitz (G’48, DPE’63).”
Fully engrained and embracing the challenges of college life, Gabe would soon be introduced to iconic professor Peter Karpovich, G'29. Karpovich was a pioneering figure in Exercise Physiology and Physical Education at the College, and assumed duties as director of Health Education at the College in 1947.
“I had Karpovich as a professor, and he was one of the smartest individuals I ever met,” explained Gabe. “Karpovich was tough, but because of my military training, I was used to having leaders around me who demanded discipline and would challenge you. Karpovich was a brilliant man and he made us all better scholars. Karpovich really prepared students to be ready for the next challenges in their careers.”
Following graduation from Springfield College, Gabe would embark on his professional journey north of the border serving as athletic director at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. During his time at Dalhousie, he introduced his student-athletes to American football. Just three years after helping launch the program, Gabe led his team to a city championship in 1951. Despite his success as a coach, Gabe’s time at Dalhousie would be cut short. He decided he needed to follow his heart and return to the United States to be closer to the love of his life.
“Around the same time I had graduated and started my career in Canada, I had also met my soon-to-be wife, Evelyn, and I wanted to make sure I was closer to her back home in the United States,” said Gabe. “After more than 73 years together, I know I made the right decision.”
Returning to his hometown of Yonkers, N.Y., Gabe was in search of a coaching job, but instead, he ended up teaching physical education at the elementary school level for the next six years. It was during this time that a friend of Gabe mentioned there was a vacancy for an assistant basketball coach at William Paterson (WP) University in Wayne, N.J. Beginning in 1957, Gabe would spend the next 34 years at WP as a professor of Health and Physical Education. He would also stay true to his passion for coaching, helping guide the baseball, basketball, and cross-country teams during his tenure.
Throughout his career as an educator and coach, Gabe was able to make deep connections with his students that have lasted a life time. He was able to mentor thousands of students during his career as part of a student teaching program that assisted in recruiting students to work in the inner city.
“I attended inner-city schools, and I always wanted to find ways to give back to others,” explained Gabe.
Gabe described that he was able to establish some special friendships with his students as they started their own educational careers. One famous example was the relationship that Gabe cherished with Joe Louis Clark, an educator and administrator who gained national attention as the subject of the 1989 film, Lean on Me, starring Morgan Freeman.
“My connection with Joe is just one example of the long-lasting friendships that were formed with my students,” explained Gabe. “Teaching is a joy, and you can touch the lives of so many people.”
Family and friends have always been so important to Gabe, and when it came time to help his own kids attend College, there was a built-in support system. For Nancy, there was no added pressure to attend Springfield College, but there was a spiritual feeling of comfort on Alden Street.
“I was touring other colleges when we ended up visiting Springfield, but once I visited the campus, I really had a strong feeling that Springfield was where I belonged,” described Nancy. “I enrolled as a Physical Education major, and I ended up on the track and field team, and also being a part of the dance team. I believe the values that come with attending Springfield College fit with who we are as people and as a family, so it was just a natural feeling I had to call Springfield home.”
Since graduation, Nancy and her friends haven’t missed a Reunion Weekend, starting with their five-year reunion. As a result, Emma was introduced to the College at a young age. Similar to Gabe, Nancy never forced the idea of attending Springfield College to her daughter. It was just a natural feeling of belonging that attracted Emma to the College.
“As a result of attending the Reunion Weekends over the years, Springfield College was certainly introduced to Emma while growing up, but it was never pushed,” described Nancy. “We ended up visiting an open house, and right away Emma said she felt that this was the place to be.”
For one weekend back in May, Gabe, Nancy, and Emma all had the chance to feel a sense of heartfelt alignment as part of the Springfield College alumni network.
“The mission of the College has always lined up with who we are as a family,” expressed Gabe. “I hope other people find some of what I have found in life. I made the most of the opportunities I had, and I loved teaching and coaching. I am forever grateful for the special family members and friends in my life.”
