By Glenn Yoder and Bobby Hankinson
Northeastern lost another member of its community Saturday when Joseph Gazzola, a senior sociology major and former Husky linebacker, died unexpectedly on campus.
Gazzola was a vital part of the football team, leading the Huskies to the school’s only Atlantic 10 title in 2002. In 1999, Gazzola was named Northeastern’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and in 2000, made school history by bringing in the seventh best season total in tackles – the best ever by a sophomore.
Friends, family and teammates gathered yesterday at the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home in North Attleboro to remember Gazzola, who was known to be an asset both on and off the field.
“He had the gift of gab – he could talk really well,” said pre-safety Anthony Nolen, a senior business management major and captain of the 2002 team. “He was very personable and easy to relate to … He had a love for the game, he played it very seriously but he had fun at the same time.”
Teammates described Gazzola as a leader and mentor who knew how to relate to younger players.
“He’s had a big impact on the team as far as being a leader,” said defensive end Stephen Militello, a senior criminal justice major who lived and played with Gazzola last fall. “I looked up to Joe; he was very good at what he did on the field. He was a very good kid. He was a guy that, when I came in as a freshman, he always looked out for me and told me what to do and told me what it’s like. He was like an older brother.”
On the field, Gazzola was known for his leadership skills and intense work ethic.
“Everyone on the team had respect for Joe,” Militello said. “He went out on the field and did his job and did it very well. He was a great kid – well respected by everybody.”
While his teammates regarded him as their leader, Gazzola made it a point to share the team’s successes with the other players.
“It’s just a tough loss, we lost a great person,” said linebacker Rold Louis, a middler sociology major. “I’m a better person for having known Joe. I feel bad for the younger guys who missed out on a great competitor. When you lined up with Joe, you knew you could count on him.”
He was known to lead by example, bringing a positive attitude to the team.
“He didn’t let anything phase him,” Louis said. “He brought a lot of energy to every part of his life. Every time I saw him, I was happy. He put a smile on my face. He rubbed off on a lot of people as you can see by the amount of people who att-ended his wake.”
After the fifth student death this academic year, the university will continue to provide mental health services to students in need.
Director of the Center for Counseling and Student Development Edward Hatt-auer met with the football team Monday night to offer his services to the players.
“I think Vice President Klotzbier and Dr. Hattauer have been proactive in trying to reach out to members of the football team and other students throughout campus to provide help in every capacity possible,” said Student Government Assoc-iation President Michael Romano. “It’s just been extremely disheartening and it’s been a difficult time for students in every community across campus. For anyone who questions the importance of good mental health facilities on campus, this tragic stream of events is an unpleasant reminder of the need to continue to have counseling and emotional support services.”
In the wake of Gazzola’s death, his teammates have dedicated next season to his memory.
“Lots of us are mourning but it’s more incentive to go out and play,” Louis said. “We’re going out and playing for Joe. Me, personally, I’m trying to win a championship for Joe. That’s what he was trying to do – bring us to the championship level.”
Gazzola’s family has established the Joseph C. Gazzola Memorial Fund to continue his impact on the community,
“It’s a very tragic situation,” said Ed Klotzbier, the vice president for student affairs. “Our condolences are with the Gazzola family as well as Joe’s teammates.”
A funeral Mass was said this morning at St. Mark’s Church in North Attleboro.
