John J. "Jake" Wilson and Rev. Daniel J. Mahoney, Holy Name Jets, induction into the C F A Hall of Fame. The Holy Name program exists because of these two men who worked side by side for nearly 40 years. One cannot think of Jet football without thinking of our Jake and Danny Boy Mahoney.

In 1968, Father became Pastor of Holy Name Parish. He immediately looked for another activity for the children, his "little loves" as he called them. He decided Holy Name needed a football team. In the fall of 1968, the Jets took off with only a few players--in fact, less than 11. Father was not worried. He pushed on. He invested the time, energy and prayer to build the program. Soon he enlisted the help of Jake. Together this team could not be stopped.

Father convinced the Diocese to carve out a plot of land for a field. Jake manned the tractor. At that time, I-81 was being built. The tandem made their way over to the highway construction site, worked their magic on the job foreman and got truck after truck of clean fill for the field. And the work never stopped. Soon Father oversaw and Jake constructed the concession stand and locker facility. Deals were made to secure bleachers. Later, lights were installed.

I have been involved with the program for many, many years. Father was at almost every practice, even as his health failed. Players would leave the practice field covered in dirt and sweat. Father would hug each and every player as he came off the field. Father loved the games too. Like any fan, Father enjoyed a good win. However, seeing the boys play was really all that mattered to him.

Jake, I am told, was a masterful coach in his day. In fact, Jake's coaching and overall dedication to our program earned him induction into the Capital Area Chapter of the Pa. Sports Hall of Fame. Jake was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a father figure to many a player. Jake may have stopped walking the sideline, but he never stopped coaching. Plus, he was a ref's best friend, often reminding the ref to overlook a penalty because "they are only little children."

For 40 years Jake toiled at Holy Name field, cutting grass, painting bleachers, fixing lights……He did anything and everything for our program. Jake and Danny Boy sat side by side at every game. They were our joint Number 1 fan!

Father passed away on July 4, 2007. Prior to the 2007 season, I purchased a stadium chair, chair number 39 (like Jack Benny, this was Father's permanent age). The chair comes out for every home game because we know Father still watches and roots for his boys.

Jake still relishes his role as "czar" of Holy Name football. Hundreds and hundreds of players have come through our program. The true measure of Jake's influence can be seen on our coaching staff. More than half of our coaches played for Jake.

Ron Kable, Assistant Commissioner, CFA, is also Treasure of the CFA Football League. In addition to his duties as treasurer, Ron purchases all Trophies, Medallions, and Footballs used in our Super Bowl Awards Program. Ron has done this for the last 15 years.

Prior to becoming Assistant Commissioner and Treasurer of the CFA, Ron was president of the Northern Polar Bears Association for many years.