Julie Larese was considered one of Bristol’s top Sportsmen for the last five decades, making contributions to sports as a player, team owner-manager, promoter, advisor and probably most notably, as benefactor.

He first made local headlines as a youngster in the 1930’s when he became one of the country’s top breaststroke swimmers, developing his skills at both the Bristol Boys Club and his beloved Rockwell Park lagoon.

He formed the Tramps, a semi-pro outfit prior to the start of the NBA. He promoted a number of sports including wrestling, boxing and softball and was commissioner of the New England Basketball League in the 1970’s. Referred to as Mr. Park Street, the Godfather, Big Julie or Big Brother, Larese has presided for 25 years over the Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee, an organization he formed to annually honor those who have made contributions to Bristol sports.

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