Koster, who was killed in May while trying to prevent his sport utility vehicle from being stolen, had his No. 7 retired during an emotional on-field ceremony at intermission of last night's game against Newburyport. He played on Masconomet High School's Super Bowl team in 2003.

The crowd at Walter Roberts Field viewed a 10-minute highlight and tribute film of Koster, who played quarterback and tight end in his senior year. Halftime speakers included school Principal Pam Culver, head football coach Jim Pugh, former player Kevin Spencer - a captain of the Super Bowl team - and Kevin Roden, who was the master of ceremonies.

Former players from the Class of 1965 to the Class of 2005 were also in attendance, and at halftime they walked from the end zone to midfield, where they watched the highlight film along with the current team members.

At the conclusion of the halftime ceremony, the five team captains unfurled a banner with Koster's No. 7 on it from the scoreboard. The banner will remain there for every home game this year.

"The ceremony was terrific. It was very nice," Koster's father, Richard, said afterward. "All the things people said about Keith were true. He always had a smile. He always reached out to people."

Koster, who graduated in 2004, was 20 years old when he died. His jersey will be kept in the school's trophy case. The school also announced last night that a memorial scholarship has been established in Koster's name.

Masconomet Regional High School team captains, from left, Griffin Birchall, Eric Bunker, Craig Bunker and Andrew Dyer pull down a banner with the number 7, the number of former player Keith Koster, who died earlier this year. His number was retired last night at the team’s first game of the year. Michael Sperling/ (Click for larger image)

Staff writer Michelle Morrissey contributed to this report.

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