Longtime Winthrop High girls basketball coach remembered for his impact
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Legendary former Bentley baseball coach, athletic director Bob DeFelice dies at 82
Bob DeFelice coached the Falcons from the time the program began in 1969 through the 2022 season. He served as the school’s Director of Athletics from 1991-2020. He coached more than 1,800 games on the baseball field. His former player Mike Hill succeeded him and amassed 848 career wins. He is a member of the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame, the BC Athletic Hall Of Fame and the Winthrop High School Football Coaches Hall of Hall of Famer. He also played three years of professional baseball in the Red Sox organization and helped establish both the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and the Eastern Football conference. He graduated from Boston College in 1963.
He coached the Falcons from the time the program began in 1969 through the 2022 season, a 54-year career. DeFelice served as the school’s Director of Athletics from 1991-2020.
“Coach DeFelice’s most lasting legacy will be that of an educator,” Bentley vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students J. Andrew Shepardson said in a release. “His own successful athletic career, unparalleled coaching prowess, and creativity as an athletics administrator are memorable, but his focus on the power of education to transform lives was his passion. It was true for him personally and true for the hundreds of athletes he supported and inspired on their academic and personal journeys. His legacy will live on in their success.”
Bentley’s men’s Hockey team elevated to the Division 1 level under DeFelice’s leadership. Bentley won Division II national championships in women’s basketball in 2014 and field hockey in 2001 – part of a run to four straight championship games – during his tenure.
DeFelice oversaw the renovation of Bentley’s Dana Center, its basketball arena and student recreation center, in 2006. That included the construction of the fitness center, a food court and the Carleton room for functions and meetings. His tenure saw the building of the Bentley Arena, which houses the school’s men’s hockey team. The football field also received an update as well as the grass soccer field, track and Robert DeFelice Baseball Field. DeFelice helmed projects to expand women’s varsity locker rooms and renovate the softball field.
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“The magnitude of Coach DeFelice’s influence and leadership on Bentley athletics is a legacy that will never be forgotten,” Bentley AD Vaughn Williams said in a release. “The DNA of Bentley Athletics was influenced by Coach. It is the foundation of what we have and will continue to build on in the years to come.”
DeFelice coached more than 1,800 games on the baseball field. His former player Mike Hill succeeded him. He amassed 848 career wins
“I am heartbroken and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Coach DeFelice, a loss that resonates profoundly with everyone he touched,” Hill said in a release. “His unwavering support and dedication to his players were truly remarkable. I will always be grateful for the impact he had on my life and the baseball program. His legacy will live on in our hearts.”
DeFelice was a lifelong Winthrop resident. He graduated from Boston College in 1963. He coached Winthrop High School’s football team for 17 years and won two Division 2 Eastern Mass Super Bowls. DeFelice played three years of professional baseball in the Red Sox organization and helped establish both the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and the Eastern Football conference, which he served as the commissioner.
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He is a member of the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame, the BC Athletic Hall of Fame, the Winthrop High School Hall of Fame and the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
Bob DeFelice, Bentley baseball coach and AD, dies at 82
Mr. DeFelice served as baseball coach from the program’s inception in 1969 until he retired after the 2022 season. He was athletic director from 1991-2020, during which he oversaw multiple projects to improve the university’s athletic facilities. During his tenure, the hockey team was elevated to Division 1, there were more than 100 Northeast-10 championships and NCAA tournament appearances in 10 team sports. He also helped establish the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and was a founder of the Eastern Football Conference. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, their four children, and seven grandchildren.“His most lasting legacy will be that of an educator,” said J. Andrew Shepardson, the vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “His focus on the power of education to transform lives was his passion”
Mr. DeFelice served as baseball coach from the program’s inception in 1969 until he retired after the 2022 season , and he was athletic director from 1991-2020, during which he oversaw multiple projects to improve the university’s athletic facilities, including the renovation of the football field, the addition of the Robert DeFelice Baseball Field, a soccer field, and a track.
Former Bentley baseball coach and athletic director Bob DeFelice died Sunday, the school announced. He was 82.
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A 1963 graduate of Boston College, Mr. DeFelice spent three seasons in the Red Sox’ minor league system before helping to establish Bentley’s baseball team, which he coached for 1,868 games before handing the reins to Mike Hill in 2022.
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“I am heartbroken and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Coach DeFelice, a loss that resonates profoundly with everyone he touched,” said Hill, who played for Mr. DeFelice before graduating in 2000 and served more than two decades as an assistant.
“His unwavering support and dedication to his players were truly remarkable. I will always be grateful for the impact he had on my life and the baseball program. His legacy will live on in our hearts.”
Bob DeFelice hugged his wife Patricia after his final game as Bentley baseball coach, against Stonehill in 2022. DebeeTlumacki
In his time as athletic director, Mr. DeFelice oversaw the 2006 renovation of Dana Center, home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The project included the construction of a new fitness center, a food court, and the Carleton Room (for functions and meetings).
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He was instrumental in the building of Bentley Arena, which serves as the home for the men’s hockey team and opened in 2018, as well as the expansion of the women’s locker rooms. His final project was the renovation of the softball field, which was completed two years ago.
During his tenure, the hockey team was elevated to Division 1, there were more than 100 Northeast-10 championships and NCAA tournament appearances in 10 team sports and several individual sports, and both women’s basketball and field hockey won NCAA Division 2 national championships.
“Coach DeFelice’s most lasting legacy will be that of an educator,” said J. Andrew Shepardson, Bentley’s vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “His own successful athletic career, unparalleled coaching prowess, and creativity as an athletics administrator are memorable, but his focus on the power of education to transform lives was his passion.”
Mr. DeFelice also coached football for 17 years at Winthrop High School, winning two Super Bowls. He was the recipient of numerous awards and was enshrined in nine halls of fame, including the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame, the BC Athletic Hall of Fame, the Winthrop High School Hall of Fame, and the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
He also helped establish the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and was a founder of the Eastern Football Conference, as well as the EFC commissioner.
Mr. DeFelice is survived by his wife Patricia, their four children, and seven grandchildren.
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Source: https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/07/21/winthrops-convery-remembered-as-the-consummate-coach/