FRANKFORD ALUMNI

protests, Detroit race riots, debut of the Beatles Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts album, Aretha Franklin's hit Respect and the first human heart transplant--Michael started his impressive high school career at Frankford. Little did he know, Frankford would define and nurture his adult life.

 

Every alumni I've interviewed identified how Frankford helped shaped their adult lives--whether it was a teacher,  a skill or confidence learned, a life-long friendship, or a soul mate discovered.

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Michael took to high school sports like fish to water. He started his sophomore year at Frankford, playing varsity football as a middle linebacker, and became captain by senior year. He helped the team win the 1969 Public League Championship and also won the prestigious Maxwell "Player of the Week" award. His talent and hard work made him Public All Scholastic MVP. He played football all three years--and won MVP City Championship in 1969.

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School Bell Rings

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Frankford cultivated his teaching seed planted as an adolescent. His mentors: Al Angelo, Ron Howley, Frank Bell (History Teacher) and Mr. Folina (Business Teacher) further inspired him.

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Michael attended West Chester College (Now West Chester University) in the Fall of 1970. He also played varsity football in college. He majored in Education/Health and Physical Education for grades 8-12.

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A Beloved Teacher/Coach is Born

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His first teaching assignment was at Sheridan Elementary School (Now Gloria Casarez Elementary School). "I worked there one year teaching physical education to special students. They  were just beginning to mainstream. It was very rewarding." Next teaching assignment was at Austin Meehan Middle School. When it was time to pick his next school, he sought the advice of Frankford mentors, Al Angelo and Ron Howell.  They advised him to choose Benjamin Franklin High School, where he stayed for ten years.

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"Ben Franklin High School shaped my teaching career. It was a great life working as a teacher. But, I always wanted to get to Frankford."

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He met and married his  wife, Girls Physical Education/Health Teacher, Ms. Kerker--substitute teaching at Frankford in 1975. Unfortunately, she passed away several years ago.

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A Coaching Career Beckons...

• He began his coaching career in 1974 at Cardinal Dougherty High School as assistant to George Stratts.

• Ben Franklin High School -1976 to 1980, assistant to Vince Trombetta and Al Hill.

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FRANKFORD COACHING YEARS

• Frankford High - 1985 to 1986, assistant to John McAneney 

• 1987 - Assistant under Al Angelo

• 1988 to 2003 - Assistant to Tom Mullinaux

• 2004 to 2010 Head Coach - Record 48-33

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West Chester College

He played Freshmen and Varsity Football 1970-1972 under these coaches: Neil Serprico, Mitten and Furlow.

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Awards at West Chester: WFIL Golden Eleven, NE Boys Club Golden Boy, 1970 Congressmen Medal of Merit.

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Summerdale Boys Club

Coached 1962 to 1966

2005 Awards:

• News Gleaner Football Coach of the Year. Presented by The Rotary Club of Frankford and Northeast Philadelphia

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Other Sports Played:

Track at Frankford - 1968-1970 (440 and mile relay)

Boxing at West Chester - 1972-1974

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Other Sports Coached

Ben Franklin High

• Cross Country 1976-1977

• Track & Field - Assisted Al Hill 1976-197

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Frankford High School

Coached Girls JV Softball - 2006 - One Season

Track - Head Coach - 2003-2010

He retired in 2011 and won the Frankford Pioneer Achievement Award in 2012.

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How is New Millennium High School football different from  20th Century high school football?

"We didn’t do a lot of recruiting. Kids went to neighborhood schools back then. I'm not pleased with today's recruiting. Once you’re on the team; you should strive to win, but not at any cost.

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Retirement?

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"Every experience over the years was good. Playing sports, coaching, teaching, the discipline--all shaped me into the man I am today."

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These days are spent mostly at Sea Isle City with his junior high sweetheart, where he bikes 8 miles daily to and from the Avalon Bridge. When he's not biking or having lunch with Frankford alumni, he's dancing every Tues. and Wed. at the Channel 29 Bob Kelly party, formerly Jerry Blavat's and at the Oar House.

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He's also an active member of the Frankford Alumni Board Association. His advice to current Frankford students.

"Don't miss a day of school, and always be prepared."

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He also loves spending time with his family--son, Michael Jr., and grandson, Damien (6) his mother (96), brother Ray, sisters Patty and Corky, nieces and nephews--and catching up with his Forever Frankford Pioneers.

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