Farewell to the legend... John Wolfgram stands alone
For years I wondered, what would it have been like to play for storied football coach John Wolfgram, or to have him as a teacher?
In May of 2024, I got an opportunity to find out.
Find out what made him so successful.
As a coach, a teacher and a human being.
Simply put, he cared (deeply), he was prepared (was he ever) and he made sure you were ready to go as well.
Coach invited me to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the State of Maine Chapter National Football Foundation's annual Scholar-Athlete Award Banquet and in the weeks leading up to it, called me on several occasions to make sure I knew what to expect.
He then insisted I arrive an hour early on the day of the banquet to go over the program one more time.
I had my answer.
Like so many before me, he had put me in position to succeed.
And while I didn't break away and score a touchdown like Bert Rich or deliver a bruising hit a la Peter Gwilym, the afternoon went off without a hitch.
Best of all, Coach Wolfgram praised me for my efforts.
And like hundreds, heck, thousands before me, that was that most memorable part.
And I was asked back this spring.
When we did it all over again.
Preparation and all.
I missed Coach Wolfgram's glory days at South Portland (by a year, as it turned out), but was on the sidelines for his final act, when he led the Cheverus program to unimaginable heights at the beginning of the previous decade (after doing the same at Madison, Gardiner and South Portland in earlier stints).
And for much of that time, I didn't think Coach had much use for me.
Sure, he took time to answer my questions, gave me information for previews and talked about his players, but it was always a brief interaction.
Tom Chard, the venerable scribe from the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, told me once not to take it personally, that he had known Wolfgram for far longer than I had and that's just how he was.
But in the spring of 2010, as I stood on the sidelines at North Yarmouth Academy tallying stats at halftime of a boys' lacrosse game (I've neglected to mention that Wolfgram was a longtime, respected official in lacrosse and basketball), out of the blue, who should walk over and strike up a conversation but the legend himself.
And you could have knocked me over with a feather.
While Coach would remain somewhat guarded throughout our professional relationship, a line had been crossed, somehow a test had been passed and he regularly made a point of telling me, "Michael, you do a great job."
It didn't get much better than that.
The good times kept coming for Wolfgram, as he won his ninth Gold Ball that fall and a 10th in 2011. His Stags established the state's all-time mark for consecutive wins at 34 the following year (breaking the record of South Portland's 31, which was coached by guess who). The dynasty ended with a loss to Thornton Academy in the regional final, then, in 2013, Wolfgram was seconds away from yet another title, but an improbable Bonny Eagle drive handed him his first-ever loss in a state game, following 10 victories.
On Oct. 11, 2014, Wolfgram coached Cheverus to an unforgettable 48-41 double-overtime win at Thornton Academy and afterwards, he was particularly giddy.
Walking off the field, arm-in-arm with his wife, Adin (they would be married almost 60 years), and with his ever-present passel of active grandchildren providing an obstacle course, Wolfgram informed me that it was 300th career victory.
For someone completely averse to individual accolades, this one was an exception.
One to celebrate.
Coach Wolfgram would step down as Cheverus' head coach following the 2015 season, but he remained with the program as Mike Vance's assistant and in 2021, the Stags captured an eight-man title, giving the game's grand old gentleman one last taste of glory.
I last saw Coach at the aforementioned banquet in May and we last spoke on the phone a couple of weeks ago. I knew his health was diminished, but he still sounded like himself as he invited me to the Foundation's Kickoff Luncheon in Orono. Due to a family visit and car troubles, I wasn't able to attend.
I wish I could reconsider that decision and had been able to shake the hand of the great man one more time.
This morning's news of his passing was devastating and it didn't take long for former players, students and coaching peers to produce a bevy of messages and tweets expressing heartbreak and support.
The void is already felt.
With a new high school football season on the horizon, you can rest assured that tributes to the state's most accomplished coach (a stratospheric 309 wins) will be myriad.
It will be those he coached, taught and influenced who will carry his legend forward.
Rest assured, if you were fortunate enough to be instructed by John Wolfgram, you were fortunate enough.
Your life would never be the same.
I've interacted with hundreds of coaches over the years. Coach Wolfgram's praise stands out and always will.
Considering from whom it came is humbling.
"You do a great job, Michael," was great to hear, but in truth, no one did as a great a job as he did.
John Wolfgram was one of a kind and his legacy will never die.
Great life, Coach.
Great job, Coach.
One hell of a job.
You'll never be forgotten.
Or eclipsed.
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