SALEM — There isn’t much NFLPA certified agent and Salem native Sean Stellato didn’t accomplish during his athletic career.
Stellato quarterbacked the Salem High football team to a Super Bowl appearance in 1994, helped lead the Witches boys basketball team to a state championship in 1995, earned a Division I scholarship to Marist and played professionally in the Arena Football League.
Last Saturday his efforts on the gridiron and the hardwood came to fruition when Stellato was inducted into the The Gunnery School’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Stellato attended The Gunnery School, a private boarding school in Connecticut, in 1996-1997, after graduating from Salem High. He played football and basketball at Gunnery before continuing his career as a student-athlete at Marist.
“I’ve been an agent for 12 years but I look back and that was the first step of my ‘Jerry Maguire’ journey,” Stellato said. “My guidance counselor gave me a book full of prep schools and I called every single one. I sent film to each of them. Gunnery gave me a full scholarship to go there. It was the most influential year of my life. I left there as a lifelong learner. I learned core values.”
Stellato flourished as a post-grad athlete at Gunnery. He was named MVP of the football and basketball teams after scoring 30 touchdowns and averaging 30 points per game. He captained the hoops team and was a first-team all-New England football and basketball selection.
“I think the beauty of that school is that a lot of us have blinders on,” Stellato said. “We don’t realize the beauty of what’s out there. This expands your horizons to other beauties of life. The campus is one of the most beautiful bodies of land. It’s a beautiful place. If you look at who’s graduated from there, it’s an exceptional list. There’s been big pedigree that comes from that school.”
At last Saturday’s induction ceremony, Stellato was joined by members of his family. Stellato, who also wears the hat of a motivational speaker from time to time in addition to his other roles, delivered a four-minute speech that reflected on his success at Gunnery while expressing gratitude to those who supported his journey.
“I wanted to hone in on the people that have supported and influenced me,” Stellato said. “A lot of time, you don’t have the chance to look people in the eye with gratitude. If I didn’t go that route to Gunnery, I would’ve gone another route and I would’ve lived a completely different life. I’ve sent four kids to Gunnery over the years and they’ve done well. I’m hoping to extend that pipeline a little bit.”
Hall of fame inductions have become somewhat of a norm for Stellato over recent years. In 2013, Stellato was inducted into the Salem High School Athletics Hall of Fame and the Massachusetts chapter of the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame.
Stellato noted the success he reached through his athletic career wouldn’t have been possible without his support system.
“I’m really appreciative and grateful,” Stellato said. “I carry my name with such pride. I think of everyone that’s come before me. My kids can see firsthand that through hard work, grit, tenacity, you can do anything you want. Using athletics as that platform can really differentiate you. I’ve been blessed to do that along with angeletic brothers and sisters who’ve helped me get there. I’m really grateful for that.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without my grandfather, Pasquale, Owa, my Nana and my aunt Laurie,” Stellato added. “I’m dedicating this to my parents, my children and every underdog kid out there with big dreams.”
Stellato’s annual All-American Fundamental Camp Showcase returns to Lynn’s Manning Field Sunday, July 22. The camp will be hosted by New England Patriots Jonathan Jones and Marquis Flowers, and Obi Melifonwu of the Oakland Raiders. The showcase offers a discounted rate for Lynn residents. Those interested in registering can do so on Stellato’s website, seanstellato.com.
“We’re gearing up,” Stellato said. “We’re going to have some great names that’ll be there.”
