Chip Salvestrini:
CLASS OF 1971
Ridgefield High SchoolClass of 1971
Ridgefield, CT
Teachers College of Columbia UniversityClass of 1980
New york, NY
Yankton CollegeClass of 1975
Yankton, SD
Chip's Story
It has been quite a ride for me since high school. Went on to play football at Yankton (SD)College as well as pro football. I was drafted by the San Diego Chargers out of college. Thought I was on my way. However, I was never quite able to get to the level I wanted to be in football and was cut 4 times from various teams. In addition to the Chargers, I signed contracts with the Montreal Alouettes of the (CFL), New York Giants and various minor league teams in New Jersey and New York. Although football brought me great opportunities, it was not always a happy time attempting to play at the pro level. It was a tough and very difficult but well worth the challenges it brought to me. After so many heartaches in pro football, I was able, with the help from my future wife (Gail) and some very good friends (Tiger Peacock, Mickey Principi,Chuck Hatfield, John Neilson, Dan Kerrigan, Ed Clifford, Lyle Alzado,Coach Bobzin, Coach Teresinski, Coach Mark and so many others), to pull my life together without football and was able to move on. Those who knew me early on know that I committed my heart and my soul for so many years attempting to make it in the NFL and when it all did not come to plan, I needed that support. Thank you all!
I married Gail right after my football experiences and without a doubt it was the start of a very fulfilling time of my life. We are married 32 years now had two wonderful children, Meghan and Owen. Great Christmas for us in 2009 because Meghan will be having a baby, and Gail and I will be grandparents...wow! Owen is following in my foot steps in athletics. He was quite the football player in high school and college and if injuries did not interfere with his career, he had the talent and drive to play in the NFL. Now he works in athletic administration at the University of Rhode Island. Meghan who is married to Kyle (a very nice young man) still has hopes of going to law school and no doubt someday will attain that goal. Gail, has been a marketing executive for her career but the economic downturn has hit her hard recently. She is a very strong woman and I love her for being such a great partner and mother. I am a very lucky man and blessed to be with Gail during my life. I believe without a do...Expand for more
ubt that without Gail in my life I would have never attained the success that I have been so fortunate to achieve.
After pro football I moved into education as a teacher, coach and administrator. I found my niche as an athletic administrator and have been very fortunate in my career. I have been an athletic director at both the college and high school level for 30 years now. Most recently I was in Danbury as their AD and left over the summer to take a very challenging position for the City of White Plains and their school district. (Oh, forgot to mention I spend 8 years as the Ridgefield AD and to be honest, it was very interesting to go home to work. I got plenty of stories about that experience, but I will save those for another day). I find that I still have the drive and the desire to be the best I can be in education. Working for kids I always seem to find the inner strength to continue to do it at a high level every single day. I am fortunate that I love what I do. Last fall before I left Danbury, I was named the CT HS Athletic Director of the Year. Actually I was floored to win an award like that because I never believed in individual awards. I just want to do the best I can for my "team" at work, for my family and for the kids I serve in education. I still feel like I have many more challenges to conquer yet. So we will see where all of this goes.
It must be age and it must be the time of my life, but I now feel the need to reconnect with the many great friends I had during my time growing up in Ridgefield. Life is odd and funny at times. I am actually back in the house now in Ridgefield I grew up in. I can't imagine how that ever happened. It just did. I guess it is a time for me to come back to my roots and fall back on the great times and experiences that I had growing up in Ridgefield. Life indeed takes many interesting turns. And right now it is the time of my life to turn yet another chapter.
I look forward to saying hello to all my old friends again in person or through the Classmates venue. Life is too short and everything you can do to make a difference on how that life is fulfilled, is a good choice for not only yourself, but to those you choose to share it with. It does feel good to come home.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos
