Babylon field rededicated for coach at homecoming

It’s been more than five decades since coach Walter F. Williams taught at Babylon High School. Nevertheless, to this day his legacy is present as the Panthers marched out to play Saturday’s homecoming football game on the new turf field rededicated in the late coach’s honor.

Since it was built in the 1950s, the football’s team’s home has been known as Coach Walter Williams Field. Williams worked at the high school from 1939-'60, heading teams in football, baseball and basketball during his tenure.

The school recently completed a renovation of the field, and according to Babylon athletic director Michael DeJoseph, homecoming was the perfect time to re-establish the legacy of Williams for new generations of Panthers to appreciate.

“We felt it was only appropriate to rededicate the opening of the field to Mr. Williams,” he said. “Coach Williams was a legendary figure in Babylon history as a teacher, coach, mentor and community member.”

Rich Punzone, Babylon head varsity football coach, said that this year’s homecoming game against Center Moriches was an especially memorable one, as the Panthers were unable to play any home games last season due to the field renovation work.

“We had to play all of our home games at other sites last year,” he said. “So for a lot of our kids, this is really their first-ever homecoming game here, so it's special.”

Williams’ children, Julie and David, were invited to the field’s rededication ceremony held at halftime Saturday, but both live out-of-state and were unable to attend. However, 87-year-old Joe DeLucca, a 1943 Babylon graduate and a former student-athlete under Williams’ tutelage, spoke at the ceremony, reading a statement from the Williams family expressing their gratitude to the school for honoring their father. DeLucca, who still lives in Babylon, holds very fond memories of Williams, saying that his guidance — both on and off the field — shaped his life in ways that he will always remember.

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“He was the most prepared coach I've ever worked with… he was my mentor,” he said. “I'm so honored to be here representing him and his family here today.”

As for today’s generation, senior Jason Carlock, who plays receiver, linebacker and safety for the Panthers, said that the Williams’ legacy is alive and well at Babylon High School.

“Everyone knows about Coach Williams, and it's an honor to be able to play on his new field today,” he said. “There's a really good homecoming crowd and everyone's excited.”