| Mohonasen's football teams were very
good during the 60s. The players were a team and knew how to work together. They
cooperated and that's how they won. Playing football at Mohonasen helped each player
become more of a man. None of the players that used to play can say, "I didn't
benefit from it." Some of the coaches during that period were Coach Erickson
"Coach", Mr. Palleschi, and Coach Burnham. When the Mohonasen team won
they celebrated, but when they lost they kept their heads high and knew that they had
played to the best of their ability. Mr. Lucca was the captain of the football team during the middle 60s. He was
a star player and won many awards. He graduated high school in June of 1965. Today he is
Draper Middle School's principal. We recently interviewed him and this is what he
had to say about his Mohonasen football experience. Mr. Lucca appreciated the role of the
coaches. Without the coaches he thought nothing could have come out of playing football.
The coaches guided the players, not just as athletes but also as learners and as
responsible youth. Mr. Lucca thinks that playing football at Mohonasen helps build your
confidence and character. You learn to be responsible, caring, kind, and tolerant. Those
years on football must have "done good" because he is now our principal and he
is good at it!
A very talented coach of the 60s that
still coaches today is Coach Erikson. His teams' records were usually very good. His teams
went to the Surburban Council, won championships, and some players on his teams went to
the All-Stars. Since Coach Erikson still coaches Mohonasen football today we can say
football is a big part of his life.
Mr. Palleschi was also a very talented
coach in the 60s. Today we almost see him daily in the halls because since his retirement
he has been a substitute teacher. Mr. Palleschi is one of our favorite substitutes and the
teachers appreciate his help. Mr. Palleschi started coaching in 1969. Two of his players
went off to college and became a mathematician and scientist. The scientist discovered one
of the rings around Saturn!
Mr. Sabourin is our current coach. He
has the difficult job of transitioning our teams in to the Surburban Council. In past
years our team played in a smaller league. This league was made up of smaller schools, but
now we play in league of bigger, more competitive schools. One player from a recent year
received an offer to go to the NFL! Mr. Sabourin thinks that students learn a lot from
playing football at Mohonasen. Mr. Sabourin told us that all the players are required to
attend to a "sports study hall." This study hall ensures that all the players
get their homework done and get extra help from teachers if they need it.
by Tim C and Anthony D |
