Page 6 - Middletown Magazine Issue 3 Autumn 2023

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Larry McHugh
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The Gift Of

by Dr. Stephen W. Hoag

aving spent the better part of a lifetime sas, which sparked an interest in becoming
Hwriting about the commonalities of a teacher. Choosing to return to his home
townships and their citizenry, this story con- state of Connecticut, he enrolled at Southern Larry McHugh with his biggest supporter,
his loving wife Patty McHugh.
cerns one of the most unique personalities of Connecticut State College, becoming a cor-
any city or town in America, a cherished per- nerstone member of the great football teams,
sonality who cannot be defined purely by the of Owls Head Coach Jess Dow, in 1960 and With a hard-nosed style and his natural
endless victories of his multi-layered career. 1961. Excelling as an offensive lineman, he skills as a communicator, “Coach McHugh”
One cannot look casually at the life and times attracted the attention of the professional built a powerhouse football program almost
of Larry McHugh, a man of many dimen- leagues, where Larry signed with the New overnight. Spurred by a signature win over
sions. Should anyone care to observe him in York Titans (now the New York Jets) of the Hillhouse in 1963, his Xavier teams met all
the gestalt, he is a man of many parts, each fledgling American Football League. An in- comers in the coming seasons, and there
meshing into a painted fabric of strength and jury ended his playing days as Larry was now seemed to be no way to stop the Xavier Fal-
legacy, replete with the colors of the Renais- unabated to pursue a career in education. cons of Coach McHugh, who was demanding
sance artists who, like, McHugh, create and of his players in technique, preparation, and
reflect greatness in three-dimensional space. toughness. From 1963-1983, no Connecticut
Indeed Lawrence D. McHugh is of the rar- high school football team matched his team’s
breathtaking record of 152 wins, 36 losses,
est gifts who shall always continue to bring and six ties which included a streak of 34
joy and reward long after the gift is given. wins in a row which was a Connecticut and
For the citizenry of Middletown and all the New England record at the time. McHugh
public and private institutions privileged to is the only football coach in state schoolboy
be touched by Larry McHugh, he is the per- history to earn Coach of the Year plaudits
sonification of “the gift that keeps on giving.” twice (1971 & 1974) from the Connecticut
High School Coaches Association.
Much has been written; more has been said
of this iconic personality, one Larry McHugh, Larry McHugh celebrating local economic Although his awards in coaching are many,
and despite all the words and platitudes that development at a groundbreaking ceremony! it is notable that Coach McHugh was named
melodically coalesce to understate his life the National Coach of the Year in 1973 and
and achievements, there remains much more was the recipient of the prestigious Dwight
to be acknowledged. To fully appreciate the Beginning his career as a teacher at Durham T. Keith Award in 1986, presented by the Na-
texture of this man, let us dance through High School (currently Coginchaug Region- tional High School Athletic Coaches Associ-
the early years. Young Larry attended No- al High School), Larry accepted a teaching ation.
tre Dame High School of West Haven with position at the new Xavier High School on
an interest in the rifle team and golf. He was Newfield Street in 1963. Teaching biology, Stepping away from on-the-field coaching in
encouraged to join the football team of the history, physical science, physical education, 1983, Larry McHugh began a whole new ca-
legendary coach, John Janenda, who was the and driver education, he was immediately reer in public service in 1974, accepting the
school’s first head football coach. immersed in the totality of the all-male stu- position of Executive Director of the M-X
dent body. In addition to his teaching duties,
After graduation in 1957, Larry matriculated he assumed the leadership position as the Development Corporation, a fund-raising
entity for Mercy and Xavier High Schools.
to St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kan- head football coach.
6 Middletown Magazine - Autumn Issue 2023