Cinderella on the Gridiron

The Gilbane brothers were a dynamic duo. Thomas F. Gilbane '33 (Hope High), was the starting offensive center and defensive linebacker. According to Coach Tuss McLaughry, Gilbane's spirit and leadership added to his greatness as a football player. In 1932 he was an honorable mention All-American choice and was the starting center for the East in the annual East-West game. William J. Gilbane '33 (Moses Brown), in both leadership and ability, was one of the best football captains Brown has ever had according to his school. He was a fullback and, like his brother, also earned All-East recognition. He played in the 1932 North-South game. In 1957 Bill Gilbane was named to Sports Illustrated's Silver Anniversary team.

The 1932 Brown University Bears football team was one of the best Brown teams in the school's history. They were the greatest Bear eleven since the days of the 1926 "Iron Men" team. The "Cinderella" team met and continued to beat a previously undefeated opponent for seven straight weeks. The Bears lost their final game on Thanksgiving morning to undefeated, untied and unscored upon Colgate 21-0 before 32,000, the largest home crowd in Brown history at Brown Stadium. They finished 7-1 and 11 out of 120 schools. The 1932 team were led by six former Rhode Island schoolboy footballers. All six athletes continued their success after graduation in their home state and were great ambassadors to Rhode Island athletics.

Two-thirds of the famed Brown "Three Musketeers" were part of the memorable season (Antonio "Cap" Capasso '33 was out due to injury). Ace broken field runner Joseph Buonanno '34 was a three-year starter in the back attack for Brown and captained the 1933 eleven. Buonanno received All-American Honorable Mention honors in 1932 and 1933 and played in the 1933 North-South game. Maury Caito '34 at end also made 1933 All-American Honorable Mention and played in the 1933 North-South game. Both were multi-sports athletes at Brown and played semi-pro football and coached afterwards. The backfield was also manned by two Rhode Island ball carriers. Plunging fullback Frank Gammino '33 of Edgewood and All-Stater Ed Gilmartin '33 (La Salle and Moses Brown) '33 were the backfield stars on the Cinderella football team of 1932.