In November, the Curry College Athletic Hall of Fame will induct one of our greatest athletes. As quarterback of the football team, Gerry helped Curry College make the transition from fledgling program to Conference powerhouse. The Colonels won back-to-back conference titles immediately after Gerry graduated, due in no small part to the success of Gerry and his teammates, and the caliber of athlete Curry was able to attract as a result. Gerry was also a prolific scorer on the basketball court and a highly touted pitcher.
When his Curry journey began however, success was far from assured. A native of Somerville, MA Gerry had to turn away from several scholarship opportunities in order to support his family following the passing of his father. When thoughts turned back to education, Gerry applied and was accepted to a school people in his hometown were talking about, Curry College in Milton.
Football coaches Dick Lasse and Tom Stephens, both former professional players, made a big impact on Gerry. “They were instrumental in teaching me the right thing to do. They always conducted themselves as role models.” Gerry also cites Professors James and Janice Salvucci as having a significant impact on his education. “They were very open, you could always go to them and knock on their door.” It was the school bursar, Helen LeBaron who may have made the greatest contribution. It was because of her that Gerry was able to find ways to finance his education. Her attention to each individual student personified the Curry philosophy.
After graduating, Gerry traveled to Kansas City where he played in the A’s farm system as a pitcher. Gerry then spent a year in Oakland after the owner moved the team to its present location. After a couple years on the road Gerry returned to Massachusetts and began his professional career with GE Commercial and Industrial Financing. Gerry became Regional Credit Manager for Polaroid, Treasurer of A.J. Cunningham Co., and eventually V.P. of Finance and minor Principle for George E. Warren, a $3 billion dollar oil trading company. When the operation moved to Florida Gerry elected to keep his family here and began his own company, G.P. Sudati and Associates which specializes in the placement of high level financial executives, C.P.A.s and auditors with new companies.
On being inducted into the Curry College Hall of Fame, Gerry says, “It is really something special to me. After all these years there is nothing more I could want. It is an honor that I feel totally completes me.” Gerry also recognizes the importance of alumni involvement. “The most important thing to any good College or University is its alumni. The leadership of the school has surrounded themselves with quality people. It’s only going to get better and better. The outreach going on now is unprecedented and support from alumni will help keep it going.”
It was Gerry’s early involvement as an alumnus that helped found the first Athletic Booster organization which secured financing for a new scoreboard. On November 3 at the Hall of Fame induction, the school will finally have a chance to say “thank you.”