Hall of Fame
Lenny Capuano was a standout player out of Mt St. Michael High School. The team’s Center was highly coveted by WCC Hall of Fame Coach Tom Comenzo. After his senior year, Lenny set out to join his family construction business when he heard that Coach Comenzo was looking for him. After some convincing, he decided to forgo working, and enrolled at WCC to become a starting Guard for the Vikings for the 1971 season.
For those who may not be familiar with the accomplishments of the team that year, here is a review. Competing in the newly formed ECCFC, the team compiled a 6-0-1 record in route to being named the #2 team in the country and earning a spot in the Metropolitan Bowl for a chance to be considered top in the country. More than 12,000 fans packed the Metropolitan Bowl and watched Westchester's #1 defense in the nation, stop St. John's four times on the 7-yard line to secure a 14-12 victory. The contest, which more than lived up to its advance billing as a battle between the two top teams in Club football competition, was settled in electrifying fashion late in the final quarter when Jerry Reid took a St. John's punt and returned it for the decisive touchdown. Several days later, the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame committee voted Westchester Community College as National Champions.
Lenny Capuano was one of 8 Vikings to be voted as ECCFC All Conference. That particular year, an All-American Collegiate Club Football team was not chosen by the National Football Foundation. But there is no doubt that had that occurred, Lenny would have been on top of that list. That is how much his impacts were felt at a position on the field that sometimes goes under appreciated.
For the 1972 season, coach Comenzo needed a steady center. Lenny was asked to move back to the position he played so many years in high school, and of course, he excelled there too. Though the team was unable to replicate the success of the 1971 season, he was once again a force to be reckoned with and a key member of the offensive line. The team finished 6-3 on the year and once again won the Metropolitan Bowl. For his efforts, he was once again named as an ECCFC All Conference player.
After his time playing for the Vikings, Lenny found his way back to the path he started on before college. He joined his family business in construction and had a 40 year career in tile and marble installation. He retired in 2012. Lenny still lives in Irvington, NY with his wife Etil. He is a valued member the football program alumni and a big part of WCC’s rich football history. He hardly ever misses a chance to reunite with his teammates at the WCC Football Alumni BBQ each year and is key part of keeping supporting the reunion efforts and keeping the group together.
