On September 11, 2010, we honored all our former football players, coaches and cheerleaders on a special night of football and cheer as our Catholic Central Cougars defeated Ottawa Hills 41-27.

The text of the halftime ceremonies, written by Mike Neuman:

On a cold and windy November night in 1959, an early winter storm dumped 8 inches of snow on the frozen tundra of venerable Houseman Field. Two undefeated Michigan high school teams, ranked #1 and #2 in the State by the sports writers, were scheduled to play each other that afternoon in the last game of the season. There were no playoffs in 1959, so the game would determine the State Championship.  But the storm had left Houseman Field buried in snow.  Phone calls went out to the school community for assistance and many people arrived with shovels to clear the field for the kick-off. With snow piled high along the sidelines, the teams battled back and forth until the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars prevailed over their worthy opponents, the Muskegon Catholic Crusaders. A community and a team had earned a State Championship.

This game, played a half-century ago, epitomizes the spirit and dedication of players, coaches, student supporters, families, and alumni creating the tradition driving Catholic Central football to excellence for 100 years. The places and faces change over time, but each provides memories of anticipation and preparation; two-a-day practices in the August heat; and finally the joy of victory or the agony of defeat. The sound and feel of colliding helmets and pads filled the air at football locations old and new: Buckley Field by the railroad tracks, Rumsey Park by the factory, South Field on Madison Ave., and St. Joseph’s Seminary on Burton St. are distant memories.  The CAT, Houseman Field, Eagle Stadium, and other venues now create new excitement as the Cougars begin another 100 years of football.

But Catholic Central football exists because good people work hard to create better people.  Tonight we want to recognize some of the many people who have contributed to the great tradition of Cougar Football.

At this time we ask all former Catholic Central cheerleaders and band members to stand up and be recognized for your outstanding support to Cougar football. (Applause) Thank you. At this time we ask all former Catholic Central football players and team managers to stand up and be recognized for your participation and contribution to 100 years of Cougar football. (Applause) Thank you. 

Whether participating on the field or in the stands, whether young or old, you learn about yourself and others from absorbing the efforts of dedicated coaches who spend hundreds of hours each year giving leadership and instruction to the football team. We direct your attention to the 50-yard line where current and former Cougar football coaches are gathered. These men, and those who they represent, made this proud football program possible. Their selfless determination pushed their players to their physical and mental limits, and made them better people. Among those with us tonight are:  George Barcheski, Gary Dickerson, Dale Hollern, Mike Neuman, Dick Ott, and Larry Ward. Let’s acknowledge these (and all) Cougar coaches. (Applause) Each coach will receive a commemorative CC coin from the Cougar Booster Club. Coaches, we thank you for 100 years of Catholic Central football! (Applause)