In the classroom and especially on the football field, Father Brian Higgins taught by the Basilian motto — goodness, discipline and knowledge.
Applying those principles in lessons to the boys he taught and coached, he coined the name ‘the St. Mary’s Man.’
Higgins' own name now hangs on the scoreboard that looks over the football field at the new St. Mary’s College, revealed today during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school.
Higgins was a teacher and coach at the school for over 10 years — starting in 1962 — and he returned in 1975 for a few additional years as principal.
Now 89 years old and living in Anglin House — a retirement residence for retired priests of the Basilian Order — Higgins made the trip for today’s event.
Upon seeing his namesake field in person, Higgins said, “It’s beautiful. What a gift. What a marvellous thing.”
Provincial funding for construction of the new St. Mary’s College did not include money for a sports field or auditorium, but fundraising was accepted to fill the gap for those projects.
When the St. Mary’s College Alumni Association presented a $50,000 donation toward those projects they requested naming rights for the sports field.
The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board accepted and Higgins’ name was put forth.
Former principal and teacher Harvey Barsanti announced the field naming during the ceremony.
“[Higgins] was symbolic of what a ‘St. Mary’s man’ is. When the Basilians came in, it was their motto to teach goodness, discipline, and knowledge and he really stressed that. He wanted us to represent the school well in all aspects,” said Barsanti, immediately after the ceremony.
Barsanti was himself among the students enrolled in the first Grade 9 class at the school, when it was on top of the hill on St. George’s Avenue.
Higgins was appointed to St. Mary’s College in 1962 — a few years after Barsanti had graduated — but the two worked together when Barsanti took on a teaching position a few years later.
Barsanti said past students may remember Higgins not just as teacher, coach and principal — but also as a strict disciplinarian.
In the years Higgins was at the school, corporal punishment was common.
“You can’t do that now, but parents accepted it. That’s all changed,” said Barsanti.
But Higgins’ lessons in the classroom and on the field incorporated religious teachings and he took the St. Mary’s name very seriously.
“He’s very religious, despite the fact he was a rough, tough guy,” said Barsanti.
Although now in a more frail physical state, Barsanti said Higgins’ mental faculties are still in remarkable order.
“He’s still sharp. People were coming up to him and he was remembering their names. I have trouble remembering and I’m only 72,” said Barsanti.
Higgins said he hopes future generations of football players who take the field will work together as a team.
“If we’re playing together — if we’re the real St. Mary’s men — it’ll be a piece of cake,” said Higgins.
Below is a Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board news release for the event:
Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, was the guest of honour at the ceremony which celebrated the construction of the new St. Mary’s College (SMC) secondary school.
Mr. Orazietti was instrumental in getting the $52-million dollar project approved by the Ministry of Education.
“There were many people involved in the construction of this fantastic school, but initially it was the support and hard work of Mr. Orazietti that brought this project to fruition. We are very grateful for his efforts,” said HSCDSB Director of Education, John Stadnyk.
The new St. Mary’s College opened for students, as scheduled, on September 8, 2015.
“What a day! The ceremony was beautiful, as beautiful as the school it celebrated. Our students and staff can’t say enough about this new school. It’s a tremendous asset to Catholic education in Sault Ste. Marie,” said St. Mary’s College Principal, Cindy Sawyer.
The ceremony also included the naming of the athletic field in honour of former St. Mary’s College Principal, Fr. Brian Higgins. Fr. Higgins, who spent 13 years at SMC as a teacher, principal and football coach, was on hand for the dedication.
Fr. Brian Higgins Field will host football games beginning next fall.
The grand opening ceremony followed a public open house held the previous evening and the blessing of the school by Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe on October 23.
(PHOTO: Father Brian Higgins laughs to someone off-camera while posing next to the sports field named after him at the new St. Mary's College immediately after a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at the school. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)