In today’s episode, Host Tom Loarie interviews two stand-out mentors—Justice Alan Page in the first half of the show and Mike McCoy in the second half of the show—both are University of Notre Dame (UND) football and Professional National Football League greats dedicated to building our future by helping to influence and shape today’s youth in positive ways.
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First, Tom talks with Retired Justice Alan Page, who is the first African American to serve on Minnesota’s State Supreme Court, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and who played with the Minnesota Vikings, was named 1971 MVP in the National Football League, is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, and a member of UND’s 1966 national championship team.
In the second half of the show Tom talks with Mike McCoy, former defensive tackle with the Green Bay Packers. You’ll learn why both of these influential men are focused now on building a future with America’s youth, inspiring them to be all that they can be and to lead their best lives.
SHOW NOTES:
JUSTICE ALAN PAGE:
- FOUNDATION: PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION (page-ed.org)
- BIO & BOOKS: (below)
Alan C. Page was born August 7, 1945, in Canton, Ohio. He graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School in 1963, and received his B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967 and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978.
After graduating from law school, Alan Page worked as an attorney for a law firm in Minneapolis, then served seven years as an attorney in the office of the Minnesota Attorney General.
He sought election to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992 and won, becoming the first African American on the court and one of the few associate justices ever to join the court initially through election, rather than appointment by the governor.
When Justice Page was reelected in 1998, he became the biggest vote-getter in Minnesota history. He was reelected in 2004 and 2010 and served until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2015.
Law was Alan Page’s second career; he was first known for his skills in football both in college and in the NFL. At Notre Dame, Alan Page led the school’s storied football program to the 1966 national championship, and in 1993 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Alan Page was a first-round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 and he played for the Vikings until 1978. The last three years of his football career were with the Chicago Bears, 1978–1981. During his career, Alan Page played in 218 consecutive games, earning All-Pro honors six times, and was voted to nine consecutive Pro Bowls.
In 1971 he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, becoming only the second defensive player in history to be named MVP. In 1988 Alan Page was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In November 2018, Justice Page received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In 2019 he was chosen as a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
BOOKS:
Justice Page and his daughter, Kamie Page, have written four children’s picture books:
__________________________ SECOND HALF OF SHOW: __________________
MIKE McCOY:
- MIKE’S WORK WITH YOUTH: MIKE McCOY MINISTRIES (https://mccoy77.com/)
- BIO: (below)
Mike McCoy is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American. He was chosen UPI Lineman of the year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year. He was the #1 draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle. He played eleven years in the NFL – seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders and two with the New York Giants.
Mike received many awards including the Packers Rookie of the Year, Packers Dodge NFL Man of the Year, Notre Dame Pro Player of the Year, and induction into the Erie, PA Pro Hall of Fame, Cathedral Prep Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Mike is a recipient of the Harvey Foster Humanitarian Award by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association and was also Inducted into National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame. Mike was also awarded Bronco Nagurski Legends award which recognizes the best of the best of defensive football players in last 40 years.
Mike served on the Board of Directors of YMCA Camp High Harbour, Camp Hope in Georgia, Pro Athletes Outreach and Wisconsin Special Olympics.
Mike is President of Mike McCoy Ministries. He speaks primarily in Catholic Schools across America and abroad. He has also been a speaker for the National Catholic Educators Convention, Catholic Men’s Rallies, Bill Glass Ministries in prisons and to parents and coaches through the Notre Dame Play Like a Champion program.
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June 7, 2022 at 1:46 am
Very thorough coverage. Interesting write-up!