ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, Holy Name Catholic School welcomed both old and new friends to Escanaba for an evening of goodwill.
Joe Carlson served as Holy Name’s principal until his resignation in 2023. He then moved downstate to become the principal of St. Francis High School in Traverse City.
The school’s football team, the St. Francis Gladiators, made it to the varsity playoffs. They are set to face the Menominee Maroons on Saturday.
“They’re staying in Escanaba tonight to get ready for their game,” said Holy Name Athletic Director Tony Derkos. “They needed a place to get a good, healthy meal in for their team.”
To help the team fuel up for the big game, Holy Name students served the Gladiators a spaghetti feed. Local businesses like Elmer’s County Market, Sayklly’s, Pike Distributors, and Bink’s Coca-Cola contributed to the meal.
Derkos says it’s a gesture of respect and hospitality from one Catholic school to another.
“I think that it’s where we want to be at some point as Holy Name and Holy Name High School,” he said. “Obviously, we need some more students and we’re going to build our school, but they’re just a really good example of a great Catholic school. It’s just really nice to have a good, happy thing going on where we can extend a hand and do something nice for another school. We have a good connection, so it’s really just a feel-good moment.”
The Gladiators returned Holy Name’s kindness by grabbing some cleaning supplies and washing the tables at the end of the evening.
“Go Gladiators and go Maroons!” Derkos said. “We don’t want to abandon our U.P. friends, but we’re always looking out for our Catholic schools!”
