“Affectionately known to many as the Voice of Blue Devil Football, Pops’ voice echoed through our streets for decades. Whether in the Press Box, behind his desk, or in our community he touched the lives of so many, and leaves behind a legacy not soon to be forgotten. Forever a Blue Devil. The Camden Football Boosters present this plaque to his family with gratitude for the decades of service to Camden Blue Devil Football and Community.”
- As announced at CHS Stadium on Friday, 9/20
On game night, the press box at the Camden High School stadium becomes the heartbeat of the experience for players, coaches, and fans alike. From game presentation, to public address announcements, to live streaming, and space for coaches, you’ll find a bit of everything that comes together to make the event move forward. That space was recently upgraded with a new facility to better serve both of the high school turf fields and the modern amenities they’re equipped with.
For all a press box can be, there’s one thing it didn’t have: A name.
Not anymore. On Friday, September 20th, the highest observation point of the CHS stadium took the name of a man held in even higher regard by the Camden community: the late Donald “Pops” VanDresar Sr.
For a half century, VanDresar’s voice graced Camden football games at all levels as the public address announcer for the Blue Devils. He was also the announcer for the Camden Homecoming Parade for a quarter century. Whatever the occasion, his voice, his demeanor, and his commitment to the craft made the event better for all. And players certainly took notice.
“His voice, his ability to call the game, and his professionalism rivaled that of any network sportscaster,” Town Supervisor Dan Christmas ‘78 said in a letter to the district. “I was fortunate to have him call every Camden football game I ever played in from Pop Warner to Varsity. He was an incredible voice for not just Varsity, but all of Camden Youth Football. On Friday nights you’d hear his play calls echo throughout the village from Davies field. As a player it was a thrill to hear your name called by Mr. VanDresar.”
It wasn’t just VanDresar’s voice that did the talking all these years. For far longer, it was his enduring commitment to serving the community, and his country. After graduating from Rome Free Academy in 1950, “Pops” enlisted in the United States Navy and served the nation for four years. He then took up a career in banking, and made his home here in Camden, where he raised his own children, and treated so many others as if they were family.
He was an active member of the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce, Moran Post 66 - New York State Department of the American Legion, the Camden Rotary Club, and the Camden Bomber Softball Team. He also maintained an exceptional 56-year-long professional career in banking, rising to the position of Executive Vice President with Bank of America.
Across all these efforts, he earned the respect of all he came across. He served in leadership positions in just about any civic organization he was involved in, and was a recipient of the Camden Citizen of the Year Award.
Today, it’s the words of the people he encountered across a fulfilling lifetime that reverberate the loudest.
“His selfless service, dedication and commitment to our community is evidenced in the hearts, homes, and memories of so many,” Danielle Danaher ‘95 of the Camden Football Boosters said. “He was a true community champion.”
“I had the privilege of growing up in “Pops” neighborhood, but it wasn’t until becoming an adult that I really understood the truly exceptional individual he was,” Board of Education President Katherine Stone ‘90 said. “He was someone who consistently dedicated their time, energy, and unwavering commitment to enriching the fabric of our community. I only heard stories of the amazing banking career he had here on Main Street, doing business sometimes with just a handshake. I did, however, witness the hours of announcing the football games in the most exciting presentation one could enjoy. Pop’s infectious enthusiasm and ability to inspire others to enjoy Camden Football as much as he did was second to none. I could not have thought of a more deserving individual to be recognized for the support he afforded the Camden football program and our community over the years.”
With his latest honor, it is only fitting that he be remembered in a place where he made many occasions memorable. The Camden Central School District and the Camden Football Boosters are proud to celebrate Mr. VanDresar and his accomplishments with the naming of the Donald “Pops” VanDresar Press Box.
“Having served our student-athletes for 50 years is quite an accomplishment,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ravo Root said. “I’m very pleased that the District, the Football Boosters, some fantastic community donors, and the Board of Education were able to recognize and honor him for his years of service.”
This dedication project was supported through the generosity of community members who were impacted greatly by Mr. VanDresar’s presence in their lives. Those individuals are as follows:
Rod Kent, Dan Christmas, John Gerber - Camden Collision, Jack Sullivan - JLS Construction