Coach Dana Almeida
Graduating class: 1972
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2007
Hall of Fame Category: Coach
Coach Almeida began his high school football as an offensive guard and middle linebacker for the Blue Devils 1971 Capeway Conference Champions. He graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1972. Upon his graduation from Bridgewater State College he became a science, health and physical education teacher in Fairhaven. He began his coaching career as a freshmen coach under legendary Coach Jim Lanagan. He then moved up to the varsity as the offensive and defensive line coach under Head Coach Jack Risgin.
Two years later in 1982 he became the Head Football Coach of his alma mater. Coach Almeida, along with his very hard working coaching staff led the Blue Devils to five conference championships and three Super Bowl victories in 1991, 1994 and 2000.
During Coach Almeida's 25 year career in Fairhaven he developed a year round strength training program helping the student athletes develop the speed, strength and agility required for success on the gridiron. He also served as an assistant Spring Track coach to head Coach Henry Cebula and was the Head Spring Track Coach for three years.
Dana, along with Assistant Coach Phil Harding and Athletic Director Wayne Wilson, brought Friday night football to Fairhaven with the installation of the lighting system which was done with zero cost to Fairhaven taxpayers.
In 2000, after many years as the Couth Coast Conference representative to the Massachusetts State Football Coaches Association, Coach Almeida became the President of that organization. During that time he also became the coaches' representative to the MIAA Football Committee and presently continues to serve and represent all of the high school football coaches across the state.
During his tenure with the MIAA and the Coaches Association, Coach Almeida has served on the playoff sub-committee which has been responsible for developing the Super Bowl with conference champions and the current playoff system.
Coach Almeida feels that the true measure of the success of our program is in the success in the lives of our former players. "The role that we have played in the values that these young men developed through the experiences in our football program is our most important coaching accomplishment."
Presently Coach Almeida is the Dept. Head Administrator for Health, P.E and Life Skills as well as the Head Football Coach at Falmouth High School. He continues to serve his home town of Fairhaven as the part time Recreation Director.