Memories of the "Glory Days" of Manhasset High School football - circa 1950s - were served up recently at a dinner in Cooperstown, NY honoring the school's legendary coach Dr. Edward Walsh on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Some 25 players from Walsh's early championship teams journeyed north to Walsh's retirement community where he is as well-known and regarded as he is in Manhasset.

Among the notable players from Walsh's era that began in 1948 and continued for 30 years were Bob Brink, Bill Hess and Jim Brown. Brink was the starting quarterback at Yale University for two years and also the catcher on its baseball team. Hess, a scrappy defender, went on to coach at the US Naval Academy and Brown, of course, is arguably the greatest running back in NFL history when he carried the lead for the Cleveland Browns.

Brink, Brown and Dick Clark organized the evening that took on a revival meeting spirit comprising brief remarks by them and many emotional testimonies by players who spoke of the coach's influence in their lives.

Walsh - ever modest - said, "I'm not 90. For proof of that, how could I spend two hours shoveling snow after each of our 21 snowfalls this year, take care of one and one-third acres and, especially, dance until midnight?"

Then, turning serious after hearing all the accolades, Walsh said, "You are my sons. Thank you for organizing this family reunion. You have given me the only birthday party I've ever had in my life."

Walsh has deep roots in Upstate New York. He was born in Schuyler, grew up and attended high school in nearby Mohawk, majored in physical education at Cortland State Teachers, earned both a master's and a doctorate from Columbia University, coached at Leroy High School and served in the Navy during WWII.

He began his career at Manhasset in 1948 reviving a football program that had plummeted to its lowest depth in school history. He won his first league title in the 1950 season and added many titles thereafter. Four of his players went on to play professional football: Jim Thorpe, Steve Jordan, Vin Scott and Brown. During Brown's three-year varsity career, Manhasset teams went 20-1 and Brown averaged 12.4 yards per carry.

Clark emceed the event and remarked, "Doing something for someone who represents a valuable chunk of your past is, well, effortless."

Brink lauded Manhasset's superintendent of schools for bringing Walsh to Manhasset and praised Walsh not only for his coaching abilities, but for his humanity, as well. He said, "I've never known a man who enjoys life as much as Ed. And if you had a problem, and it didn't have to be about football, Ed said, 'Stop in and we'll talk about it.'"

Brown has long identified Walsh as his mentor and they have maintained their friendship over the years. Brown said, "I'm here tonight for the coach. It is so beautiful to be here and talk about our great coach and teammates. I'm committed to serving young people and appreciate what Manhasset has meant to me."

Walsh was presented with a MHS varsity football letter framed on a poster board signed by all the attendees. Russ Wilks, former sportswriter for newspapers on Long Island, New Jersey and California, presented Walsh with a specially produced General Mills commemorative box of Wheaties picturing Coach Walsh. Wilks called Walsh "The champion of us all."

Former MHS players who attended the event were: Dan Becker, Bob Brink, Jim Brown, Pat Callan, Dick Clark, The Rev. Eddie Corley, Bill Hess, Jerry Jacob, Don Klages, Al Krepela, Bill Lawrence, Sam Oakley, Mike Pascucci, Al Rainson, Fritz Stein, Tom Towers, Jim Wagner, Ron Wagner, Russ Wilks and Dave Wright.

Unsung, but essential to the organizational success of the evening were the wives of Brink and Clark, Sanne Clark and Trish Brink. The event was held at the famous Otesaga Hotel on July 19.

Dick Clark said he will now begin working on Coach Walsh's Centennial Celebration for 2013!