Coach Garr on The Game, Going in the Brook & Tradition

On Monday morning, we interviewed Rye’s longtime Head Football Coach Dino Garr ahead of his team’s Week 7 clash against crosstown rivals Harrison. Here’s what Garr had to say about ‘The Game’.

MyRye: What does this game mean for you, especially considering last year did not go as you had hoped?

Garr: The last two years even haven’t gone the way we would like, but last year in particular. So, what does a game mean to me? It means bragging rights in the communities. Both schools obviously want to represent the communities in a very positive way, and if you win, you can have a year of bragging rights that you were the better game for that day, the better school. So that’s part of it, but it’s also a long history of memories that people always want to share and have. The season is always meaningful, but the rivalry is always takes top priority for for almost all the members of the school, the players, but also the parents. There’s a long history of parents who have played in a game and now have sons who play… to understand how that’s really part of the culture of this community – Rye and Harrison.

MyRye: How much of an advantage is it for your group to be at home this year?

Garr: Two years ago, they were able to beat us, and they kind of took it to us, and then they jump in our Brook, which is kind of slap in our face. Hopefully this will become an advantage. We’ll get a good crowd, and we have the support that I’m sure will happen.

MyRye: I saw on social media that this past weekend, players were getting hair cuts. What does that mean to them as a group? Is that a tradition?

Garr: Let me make this clear about the tradition – this is something that they’ve taken on with the haircuts and all that kind of stuff… It’s not something that I did when I was playing at Rye. It’s become something that took place a little bit later. I think it actually started with Andy Ball doing this Mohawk kind of cut. I tell my players, “It’s not about a haircut, it’s not about any kind of physical changes you’re going to do, carving things in your hair or something. It’s about being prepared for the game.” So if they want to have that, because it makes them feel good, and they feel that that’s something for motivation, that’s fine, but it’s not something that I’m encouraging, or would be a part of what I think is part of this tradition.

MyRye: I heard if Rye wins, the players will usually drag you into the brook. Is that true? If the game goes as you hope this year, is that going to happen?

Garr: It used to be true. They would drag me in, but now they realize that I’m a little bit older and a little more concerned about getting hurt. So that what they do is they wait in the brook and when I come to the edge, and they’ll just splash me. But I used to jump into the brook. I’m not doing that anymore. They’ll chant my name, and I’ll go over there, and they’ll just splash me until I’m wet all over. So it’s like going into the brook without actually jumping in.

Thanks Coach Garr!

Other Notes:

Going to the game? Make sure to adhere to Rye PD’s parking policy for Friday 10/25 and Saturday 10/26.
Not going? Watch the livestream at this link.
Jeff Provenzano (RHS ’94) will deliver the game ball via a skydiving stunt. Read more here.

Rye Athletic Director on 411 for The Game

Susan Reid Dullea, Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics and Rye, sent out an important notice on Monday in regards to The Game:

• Gates will open and tickets will go on sale at 1:30 PM at Rye’s Nugent Stadium. Tickets for Rye spectators will be at the Post Road gates; Harrison spectators will purchase tickets on the bridge adjacent to Rye Middle School
• There will be limited parking at the high school
• Ticket Price: $5.00 for adults and children ages 5 and older; children under the age of 5 will be admitted free of charge. Senior Citizens will be free of charge.
• Children must be supervised at all times. We are expecting a large crowd, and everyone’s cooperation is needed to ensure safety
• No coolers, bottles, insulated cups, water bottles, or outside drinks are permitted. Refreshments will be available for purchase on-site
• The Rye High School campus is alcohol, drug, and smoke-free. The Rye Police Department will be on-site to help enforce these rules. Anyone who is in violation may be subject to removal from the property
• No banners/signs/fatheads (photo – player likenesses)
• No face paint
• No coolers
• No open containers or beverages of any sort; no insulated cups
• No backpacks (all bags are subject to search)
• No horns, noisemakers, etc.
• No dogs or other pets