Richard S. Lasse
Football & Wrestling, 1959
1994 Letterwinner of Distinction
1994 Letterwinner of Distinction
In addition to being the Outstanding Lineman for SU in its Cotton Bowl game on January 1, 1957, Dick Lasse played in the following year’s North-South Shrine Game and Senior Bowl Game. His wrestling career was cut short by a broken left wrist that never did heal. The injury was a problem in football. However, Dick did play seven more seasons, including the pros, with the injury.
Dick was drafted by the Steelers and played linebacker in Pittsburgh (1958-59), with the Redskins (1960-61), and with the Giants (1962). During the off-season, he completed his education with a M.Ed. from Northeastern University and did substitute teaching in the Boston area. His teaching and coaching career began in 1964 at Barnstable High School on Cape Cod. After coaching at a number o schools including Curry College, Harvard University and Geneva College, Dick and his family moved to Florida. He has been in the Citrus County School system for the past 14 years working in several capacities: football coach, marine science teacher and is now in the fourth year as a school social worker. In his present position, Dick can counsel, motivate, lead and help troubled youth and their families into more productive and socially acceptable behaviors. While Director of Athletics and football coach at Curry College, Dick was the founder and first president of the New England Football Conference.
Dick has been active in his church and presently serves as an usher. Previously he had held responsibilities as a deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, Building Committee member and has led home Bible studies.
A lifetime member of the Varsity Club, Dick has contributed to the Colvin Park/Manley Field House Project, and wishes his residence was closer to SU so he could be more active in supporting athletics and university activities.
