Mississippi Sports Council (April 1, 2024)

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Mike Frascogna Jr. was newly married, running his own business, and taking law courses in the summer of 1969, but he just couldn’t say no to a request from his parish priest to coach the St. Mary’s fifth and sixth grade elementary school football team in Jackson, Mississippi. As Mike knew, this was a volunteer position nobody else wanted.

Supported by his beloved wife, Judy, a teacher at the school, the first-time coach vowed to make winners of a group of boys who weren’t little kids but not yet young men; most had never played organized sports before. After a memorable “new sheriff in town” introduction, he pushed the players hard while teaching loyalty, accountability, teamwork, and pride in a job well done.

The major upset over archrival St. Richard’s in the first annual Knights of Columbus Bowl was the beginning of a remarkable four-year stretch that drew accolades from local media and struck fear in opponents that once laughed at St. Mary’s. When Mike began full time law practice and became a father, he left behind a coaching legacy at the elementary level that may never be equaled.

His players and assistant coaches paid forward the lessons from those formative years to their children and grandchildren, and their fond memories—captured here—range from humorous to poignant. But what makes The Saints of St. Mary’s such an inspiring story is the candor from the retired coach as he looks back on all he learned from players, parents, and clergy who shaped that period of his life.

Step back in time and get to know a close-knit Catholic team that became the most unlikely bunch of champions ever produced in a state with its share of gridiron legends, and you’ll see why the lessons Coach taught his players are just as relevant today as they were two generations ago.

X.M. Frascogna Jr. has specialized in entertainment and sports law since the early 1970s. He has co-authored with his two sons, Mike III and Marty, a number of popular books about the unique football environment in Mississippi: Gridiron Gold, Y’all vs. Us, JUCO’s, Gridiron Glory, and Bull Cyclone Sullivan. Several of his books have been made into documentary films. He lives with his wife Judy in Jackson, Mississippi.