United States Merchant Marine Academy

Dominic DeFilippi worked in the Academy’s AthleticsDepartment for nearly 20 years.  An avid Mariners supporter,DeFilippi was the Sports Information Director for over 15 years andthe Athletic Association Business Manager for three,  AsBusiness Manager, he generated funds in excess of $100,000, all ofwhich helped to support the growing department.  For 18 yearshe was the “Voice of the Mariners” to all home footballand basketball games. 

In the sixties, DeFilippi coached the pistol team.  He alsofounded and served as Officer-in-Charge of the Star Spangled BannerBrigade, which consisted of Midshipmen who carried the AmericanFlag in a horizontal position for ceremonial events.  Thenewly-found military oriented unit was introduced to theprofessional sports world by the Midshipmen and to the collegiatelevel via the Cotton, Sugar, and Gator Bowls in 1970.  IN thelate 1970’s, when the Academy moved to compete at the NCAADivision-II level, it was DeFilippi who designed the new varsityletter; a red-white-blue block “M.”