Swampscott honors legendary coach Bondelevitch

SWAMPSCOTT – Talk about Swampscott football, and the first name that comes to mind is Stan Bondelevitch. And for very good reason.Under the man called “Bondy,” the Big Blue turned into one of the state’s top programs, going undefeated eight times and claiming the first Eastern Mass. Super Bowl championship in 1972.On Saturday morning, a large crowd gathered outside Blocksidge Field as the road leading to the stadium and its parking lots was officially renamed Bondelevitch Way in honor of the legendary coach.Click here for a photo gallery.One person very familiar with Bondelevitch and his leadership is current Big Blue coach Steve Dembowski.”I played my first two years for him and it was amazing how he talked and led,” Dembowski said. “And now I do a lot of the same things. He was so proud of all the guys he sent to college.”There were plenty of familiar faces on hand Saturday morning for the dedication, including Bondelevitch’s family, former Swampscott coach and Athletic Director Bill Bush and WCVB sports director Mike Lynch, among others.”This really is a credit to Billy,” Dembowski said. “He went to the selectmen about this and then we ran with it. And it’s something that’s very much overdue.”