Ralph Salvati, who will be honored posthumously, came to Wayland High School in 1949 as a biology teacher, but quickly put a lasting imprint on several Warrior athletic teams, most notably football. His 1956 team became the first football squad in the history of the school to go undefeated. Amazingly, that Warrior team started a string of four straight undefeated seasons and a stretch of 44 consecutive victories.

Ralph also coached baseball at Wayland High. He was the school’s first Athletic Director and oversaw an athletic program that grew from just six teams to 48.

He graduated from Boston College High School where he was a standout in football (fullback) and baseball (first base). He went on to Boston University where he played football as a fullback and linebacker.

Ralph was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1941, but a hand injury prevented him from joining the team. He later served in the Navy during WWII.

He was elected to the Massachusetts State Coaches Football Hall of Fame in 1970, the first year he was eligible. Ralph married Italia Caruso in 1942. She became his greatest supporter and was joined in that support by their three children: Linda, Pamela, and Stephen.