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Holy Cross head football coach Dan Allen’s physical
health has been garnering a great deal of national media
attention this season.
He was the subject of September feature articles in The
Boston Globe and USA Today, as well as a segment on ESPN
that aired in October. All three pieces have chronicled
Allen’s efforts to continue coaching the Crusaders.
Defensive captain Ben Koller ’04, quoted in the USA
Today article, says, “Coach Allen does everything
he can to be there for us. Seeing him work, seeing him
push and fight to get better, it puts everything in perspective.
For many of us, he was the primary reason we decided to
come to Holy Cross.”
Allen prefers that the focus be on the team, however,
and not on himself. He now runs practices and coaches the
games
from the sidelines on Fitton Field.
He may not have graduated from Holy Cross, but former
student and Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon has been
praying for a World Series victory since his days in the
St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. On Oct. 27, the former Crusader
outlasted the Yankees in Game 7 of the World Series, bringing
victory to South Florida. It was McKeon’s first trip
to the playoffs in 13 seasons.
In 1948, McKeon left Mount St. James midway through the
school year for a chance to play for the Dodgers in Brooklyn.
Leaving college behind, he began a 54-year career in baseball
that has led to his prayers being answered. A native of
South Amboy, N.J., McKeon managed the Royals, A’s,
and Reds before signing on as the Marlins’ manager
last May. A long and exciting summer later, he is now the
oldest manager to reach the postseason for the first time,
as a 72-year-old grandfather.
By the end of the season, McKeon had proved his worth,
bringing the Marlins to a 75-49 finish in the regular season. “I
didn’t think I’d ever get an opportunity again
to come back and really reach the postseason,” McKeon
told the Boston Globe on Oct. 25. “Finally, Jeffrey
Loria and the Marlins decided to take a chance on an old
goat like me, and we have one more crack at it … I
think the good Lord looked after us and took good care
of us.” |
