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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  Prep Bowl celebration

by Jared Field of The Michigan Catholic
Published October 30, 2009

Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic Jason Alessi, quarterback of St. Regis, 2009 CYO football champions, scored a touchdown late in the second half against St. William that proved to be the difference in the game. The Raiders won their second championship in four years.

Detriot - Like the rainbows he began to see over the practice field not long after the tragic death, Coach Tom McLean was just sure little Myles Beckley had something to do with it.

No one saw the 12th player on the field during the play that sealed St. Regis' 28-24 victory over St. William on Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit, but McLean knew he was there.

As he huddled his team of bright-eyed 7th and 8th graders in the south end zone after their dramatic Catholic Youth Organization championship victory, Coach McLean once again reminded his team of why they all wear No. 5 on their uniforms.

"Guys, that was an outstanding effort, but I think Myles helped us a little bit getting that fumble coughed up," he said.

Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic Members of the 2009 Scholastic All-Catholic senior class. Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic Detroit Catholic Central senior running back Anthony Capatina scored the game's only touchdown with five minutes left in the final quarter. Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic Gabriel Richard senior wide receiver Mike Yocum extends for a reception during his team's 31-26 win over Notre Dame Prep on Saturday at Ford Field.

Myles Beckley, the 5-year-old son of assistant coach Jay Beckley, lost his life in Costa Rica last year riding horseback while on vacation with his parents. The horse Myles was riding got spooked, took off and dragged him. The boy sustained injuries that ultimately claimed his life in a Costa Rican hospital.

Jay Beckley, Myles' father, struggled to put to words what he knew in his heart: The team, the game, the community, stood by his family's side through it all.

"It's hard to describe," he said, "but I can tell you that it has kept our family on our feet."

Beckley, a CYO coach for five years, drew inspiration from the Raiders of St. Regis, a team that just doesn't seem to know how to quit.

"I'd come out on the field everyday with these guys and just get tons of love and effort," he said. "It just really has kept us on our feet; without that and our faith, the consequences would be really bad."

Myles was every bit as much a part of the team as any player, and their devotion to his memory testifies to the fact.

"Myles always used to come, take time, and play with us on the field," McLean said. "The kids all loved him. He was very special. Since he passed away we get these rainbows, a couple times a year, that show up on our field after a little rain and we know it's Myles with us.

Since Myles will never have the chance wear the uniform, Coach McLean made the decision to retire the number five in his honor.

Before breaking the post-game huddle, Coach McLean reminded his players, many of whom had played together for five years, that they might never again play with friends for that long - and of what it takes to be a champion.

"Remember, to be perfect, to be a champion, it's faith, perseverance and you must always overcome adversity," said McLean, who has guided the Raiders to the Prep Bowl in four straight seasons. "You did that all year."

Built for others
The three letters on the Raiders' football helmets signify the very nature of teamwork, of educational athletics and strike at the heart of what the Prep Bowl is all about.

BFO: Built for others.

The Raiders' motto is ingrained into the heads of the young boys who are expected to set an example on the field and in the classroom. Jason Alessi, the Raiders' quarterback, said that he has an appreciation for what the annual celebration of athletics and academics stands for.

"This is a great event," he said. "Our coaches make sure we do well in class, outside of school and in school. It's just a great thing for the CYO sports community."

Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic The Pontiac Notre Dame Prep marching band performed at midfield.

Vic Michaels, director of the Catholic High School League, sees the signature event of the year as a chance to showcase educational athletics, the building blocks of character development.

"We feel that Prep Bowl is an opportunity to showcase not just our great athletes but also our great students," he said.

Michaels says he believes that what students learn on the sports field can be every bit as beneficial as what they learn in the classroom.

"Without question, athletics benefit young people as a whole," Michaels said. "The things that they learn, not just the physically demanding things, but the mental things they have to prepare for. The discipline of being at practice everyday ... playing by the rules. I think it makes young people much more well-rounded. We consider athletics educational, equally as important as what they get in the classroom."

Fr. Leon Olszamowski, SM, president of Notre Dame Prep, whose football team was narrowly defeated by Gabriel Richard, Ann Arbor, in the C-D game on Saturday, echoed Michaels' sentiment, calling educational athletics a philosophy.

"(Athletics) are an extension of the classroom," Fr. Olszamowski said. "We see our coaches as teachers ... we want to hit the total person, and I think that's what they are trying to do at every other school as well. It all kind of fits together for us.

"Students learn to care for each other. They do a great job supporting each other on and off the fields. They know they can achieve great things by working together."

Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic Divine Child High School's Marketa Harvey was one of more than 50 educators honored with awards of service.

'A blessing and a calling'
It was prayer that Marketa Harvey believes brought her to Divine Child High School in Dearborn 25 years ago, and prayer that's kept her there.

Harvey, who teaches high school chemistry and biology, was among more than 50 educators who were honored at the Prep Bowl for their years of service to the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

She remembers with obvious fondness of how it all began.

"When I first started I was told that they prayed for me, and that they needed a chemistry teacher," said Harvey, attending her first Prep Bowl. "I'd never heard of Divine Child High School before ... I asked my husband about it and he said it was a good school. He was right.

"I've really enjoyed working for the Catholic Schools. For me, it's a blessing and a calling."

Harvey said that throughout her career that blessing hasn't changed much; it's what makes being a teacher great.

"Just seeing those kids light up when they understand what's going on, that's what makes me feel good," she said. "And then when the kids come back and tell me how well prepared they are when they're in college, that makes me feel good."

This year's Prep Bowl was dedicated to Sylvia Kolaz, an employee of the Archdiocese of Detroit who is entering retirement after 44 years of service.