Over the past 50 years, perhaps no name has been as synonymous with College of Idaho football as that of Ed "Buzz" Bonaminio '56. From his days as a halfback on the legendary Coyote teams of the 1950s to his years as a coach to his present role as one of the program's staunchest supporters, Bonaminio has bled purple and gold virtually from the day he stepped on campus.
That day was as improbable as it was memorable for Bonaminio, who left behind the bustling streets of Chicago for a chance to play football and receive a quality education in Caldwell.
"The atmosphere here at The College of Idaho was so welcoming," Bonaminio recalls. "Coming from a city of 4 million people at the time, it was quite a change. There were no street corners to stand on – we didn't know what to do with ourselves. But when I talk to students today, they get the same kind of feeling. They get here and they think 'Why am I here? There's nobody here!' And well, after a month or so, they find out they've come to paradise."
Bonaminio found a perfect fit at the College both in the classroom and on the field. It was the heyday of C of I football, and Bonaminio's teammates included C of I Hall of Fame members and NFL draftees Joe Kahahawai '56, Bob Morford '53 and R.C. Owens '58. The 1953 squad posted the greatest season in program history, averaging more than 40 points per game en route to an 8-0 regular season, the Northwest Conference championship and a berth in the Refrigerator Bowl.
"We were running a pro-style offense," Bonaminio said. "R.C. was such a talent, but we had other talents, too. Practices were tougher than playing the games. Coaches used to put the first-string backfield with the second-string line, so you had the good guys chasing you. And killing you! Every Wednesday, it was a bloodbath. But I totally enjoyed it."
Seven years after graduating, Bonaminio returned to the College as an assistant football coach. He served as head coach from 1965 to 1971 and made a lasting impact on dozens of players, including halfback Joe Glaisyer '73, who recently honored his coach with a $100,000 gift to name the head football coach's office in the College's new Athletics and Outdoor Education Center after Bonaminio.
With the Coyotes set to return to the gridiron in 2014, current C of I coach Mike Moroski and those who follow him will see Buzz's name on their office door every day as they strive to build a winning program – and, most importantly, successful young men – just as Bonaminio once did.
"I've enjoyed seeing my players graduate," Bonaminio said. "They've all done well. They're happy and they've got nice families. It's gratifying, and that's one of the reasons I really wanted to see the College bring football back."
