Luke Walsh, Rye’s sideline guru, has become as synonymous with the football program as Nugent Stadium or the team’s Garnet and Black colors. When asked what Luke means to Rye football, many former players jumped at the opportunity to share their appreciation.
Luke Walsh, Rye’s sideline guru, has become as synonymous with the football program as Nugent Stadium or the team’s Garnet and Black colors. When asked what Luke means to Rye football, many former players jumped at the opportunity to share their appreciation.
“If you thought Dino Garr was the loudest person during a Rye football game, you’re wrong. You can distinctly make out Luke Walsh’s voice among the crowd and the cheerleaders, and maybe even the band if he brought enough throat lozenges, which he always brings to the games.
There’s no one that can get the crowd going like Luke can, and there’s no one else that will remember when you sacked the quarterback in 2005 at a Rye-Harrison game, except for Luke. He remembers plays like you wouldn’t imagine, and if he does remember it, you must have done something spectacular.
Another thing he does is make up nicknames for everyone. He called me Boo Boo because one practice sophomore year I hurt my shoulder and might have been tearing up a little bit. Of course, Luke comes up to me and says, ‘Don’t be a baby, your shoulder’s fine, Boo Boo’, as he takes his hand and hits his own shoulder and limps away. He has called me that ever since. I couldn’t help but laugh and that’s why we love him. He would brighten your day if you were down and he’d be right in there cracking jokes and busting balls with the rest of the team.I’ll tell you one thing … Luke Walsh is the biggest Rye Football fan around, he is the Garnet Pride.”
– Pete Longo (Class of 2007)
“Luuuuuke! A great person who is full of life and exemplifies what being a Garnet is all about. He has been around for many years and has made a great impression on countless. Luke is the face of the Garnets and with him on our sideline our spirit will always be up.”
– Robert “Bam Bam” Nieves (Class of 2006)
“Seeing Luke Walsh around Rye gives me a special feeling. He represents what it means to be a Garnet: selfless, dedicated, and hard working. A special memory for me has to be long before I was at Rye High School. My stepfather, Ward Haynes, played softball in the Rye Rec league and I remember Luke being on the other team cheering louder than any child or wife that was watching their dad or husband. I didn’t know who he was or why he was so loud until after the game. Luke came over and started talking to my dad. I remember just how happy he was to be around the guys, and reflecting on it now I appreciate every time he sprayed my neck with water to cool me down, the train rides back from the city when I would see him, and every phone call I would get from him just because he wanted to talk.”
– TJ Smith (Class of 2007)
“Luke means everything to not only Rye football, but also the town as a whole. He is a living representation of what Rye truly is … not perfect, but passionate. I cannot think of any person who is as happy as Luke or makes the most out of their life more than Luke does. Luke is the heart of Rye football. He was always cheering us on and motivating us. It is a pleasure to see him at practice and inspiring to witness his passion during games. I can not think of anyone better than Luke to lead us on to the field with that big flag waving. There is no Rye football without Luke Walsh.
I really look up to him. His positivity and ability to always be there for you is inspiring. Though I have graduated and moved on from Rye, Luke still keeps in touch, making sure I’m doing well through calls and texts. It is always a pleasure to hear from him. He keeps me inspired and motivated. Luke is awesome.”
– Connor Eck (Class of 2011)
“To remember every moment of impact Luke had on me while I was a fan and then a player would be impossible. It is hard to describe what he means to the Garnet family. Dino always says, ‘Once a Garnet, Always a Garnet’, and Luke is the epitome of that. No matter what, Luke is there the first day of preseason and when the scoreboard hits 00:00 in the last game of the season. He does everything in his power to help the Garnets come out with the ‘W’ ”.
– Charlie Rollins (Class of 2010)
“Luke Walsh means a lot to any of the Rye Garnets who’ve been fortunate enough to have had him stand by them throughout their season. Luke is practically family, and I feel it is safe to say that things would not be the same without Luke yelling from the sideline or simply out on the field as one of our brothers.”
– Kyle Ramalho (Class of 2009)
Photos by Bill Gordon and John Wood