Bristol Central High School

Following a three-sport hall of Fame career at Northridge High School in Massachusetts and playing baseball and football in college, Ralph G. Papazian taught physical education and coached football in Danbury before coming to Bristol to teach and coach at Bristol Central in 1969.

As head football coach at Bristol Central from 1969 through 1978, he elevated the school's program while posting an overall records of 52-28-3 including a 9-1 mark in 1974 that remains the best in school history. He won three league titles and was coach at the Nutmeg Games in 1970. He also coached track at Bristol Central in 1972 and 1973.

He became supervisor of athletics for the Bristol Schools in 1986 and held that position until his death in 1995. Many awards were passed his way both during his lifetime and posthumously. The "Ralph G. Papazian" Distinguished Player Award is presented annually at Bristol Central to a dedicated senior football player.