The Sewanhaka Central High School District celebrated 1956 Sewanhaka High School graduate and former New York Jets defensive tackle Paul Rochester in a ceremony that included a presentation of an NFL football to the high school, which recognized Rochester’s Super Bowl III play.
The football, given to Rochester for donation to his alma mater, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Football League Championship game and will be displayed in the high school’s Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, Rochester was surrounded by several of his Sewanhaka High School teammates, his former coach Marc Martone, district officials, and Sewanhaka High School administrators as well as members of the varsity football team.
Principal Debra Lidowsky reminded those in attendance that Rochester was one of the first athletes inducted into Sewanhaka’s Hall of Fame in 1995. She also noted Rochester’s high school athletic achievements, including being named All-American and All-County in football and lacrosse and the 1955 recipient of the Thorp Award.
