Catholic Memorial Football Architect Honored With Stadium Dedication at Thanksgiving Game

Former head football coach and athletic director Jim O'Connor first heard of plans to name the football stadium in his honor over the summer.

, and the halftime dedication ceremony complete, the first emotion that came to O'Connor reflected his anticipation for the honor.

"Relieved," he said, then laughed. "All the work that went into it I really appreciate."

The Knights lost to BC High this time around, but the halftime ceremony for the three-time state champion and two-time Super Bowl winning coach stood out as a bright spot on the day. As CM senior David Consigli, known around school as the Voice of the Knights, rattled off O'Connor's countless accomplishments on and off the field, in and beyond the school, O'Connor stood at the 50-yard line, surrounded by his family and legions of his former players. CM President Paul Sheff presented O'Connor and his wife of 51 years, Mary, with flowers and an engraved plaque commemorating the occasion. Then, the press box sign proclaiming the stadium's new namesake was unveiled for the first time to the public.

All in all, it gave O'Connor a moment to be thankful for on Thanksgiving morning.

"I thank President [Paul] Sheff for bestowing this honor on me," he said.

O'Connor coached the Knights for 19 years, posting a 126-44-6 record in the process. His teams won seven conference championships and played in three Super Bowls. O'Connor is a 1983 inductee into the Mass. High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, a 1996 CM Hall of Fame inductee, and has served in several roles within the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. He also initiated the playing of the CM-BC High Thanksgiving game.

Current head coach and athletic director Alex Campea and were both O'Connor hires. Campea did not see the ceremony as he was with his team during halftime, but expressed his admiration to O'Connor to Patch .

"[O'Connor is] a mentor to me and a mentor to many coaches and individuals here at Catholic Memorial," he said. "I'm just proud I can be here and see his name up on our field, on our press box."

Hanson was able to watch the ceremony and especially liked to see the loyalty from his former players, there by his side during the dedication.

"It was great to see the number of former players, especially I think the majority of them were guys back from the '60s, who have been around and are probably grandfathers now," he said. "It was just fabulous."

Hanson, too, will likely see such turnout from his own players some day. But on Thanksgiving, with thousands in attendance and the very rivalry he began on display, it was O'Connor's day to enjoy.

"It's just a thrill," said the coach. "Very humbling."