School to sing Lions fight song in memory of principal

[Faygo Kid]

Pat Coughlin made a deal with his students not long ago.

If the Lions managed to win just two games in a row — no small feat, since they hadn't done it but four times the previous nine seasons — he would hop on the PA system at Steeby Elementary in Wayland, Mich., where he was principal, and belt out the Lions fight song after school resumed from the break.

The Lions, of course, finished with a four-game winning streak, season-ending prosperity that, no doubt, would have delighted one of their biggest fans.

But Coughlin never got a chance to sing for his kids.

On Christmas morning, Coughlin went to check on his four sleeping children when he collapsed and died of a heart attack. He was 39. . .

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110106/SPORTS0101/101060463/1361/School-to-sing-Lions-fight-song-in-memory-of-principal
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Geez, how sad - and not really about sports, of course. That one tugs at the ol'heartstrings, and is worth a full read. His four kids are all under 12, and Christmas morning, no less. Nice pic of the family (wish I could post more than the link, but it seems protected, so just click on it):

http://cmsimg.detnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C3&Date=20110106&Category=SPORTS0101&ArtNo=101060463&Ref=AR&Profile=1361

Also glad to see this, and I'm sure the Lions will kick in:

How to help

A trust fund has been set up for Pat Coughlin's four children, all 12 or younger. To donate, contact United Bank at [phone] or Wayland Union Schools at [phone].

[Confusious]

1. Man, 39 years old

2 years younger then me.

It may seem selfish, but I always wonder what caused it.

[Faygo Kid]

2. They said it was an enlarged heart.

Undetected, apparently.

[RedCloud]

3. A lot of people have them.