Platt football remembers five lost members in emotional ceremony
Platt football honored five individuals connected to the program who died within a five-week span. The ceremony took place at Falcon Field before a game. The five included a former athletic director, a booster club leader, an athletic trainer, and two players.
The pre-game ceremony at Falcon Field in Meriden on September 17, 2026, brought together relatives of five individuals with deep ties to the Platt football program. Those honored were Raymond Fortier, James Frederick, Bob Mastrianni, Paul Dorschied, and Ryan David. Their deaths occurred within a compressed five-week period, prompting the team to hold a public remembrance before a scheduled game.
The group represented varied roles within the program's history, including a former athletic director, a booster club leader, an athletic trainer, and two players. Family members gathered on the field to witness the tribute, which highlighted the broad network of people who contribute to a high school sports community. The event served as a visible acknowledgment of their collective impact on the team's legacy.
This ceremony may provide a meaningful outlet for collective grief within the Meriden community, strengthening bonds among students, families, and alumni. By publicly honoring these five individuals, the event could reinforce the vital role that high school athletics play in local identity and mutual support. It may also encourage other sports programs to develop their own rituals for remembering members, fostering a culture of empathy and continuity that extends well beyond the playing field.