Marshall Crane learned a lot from Frank Monahan.
Over four years together at Bishop Brady, the two enjoyed a lot of success. With Monahan guiding the Green Giants varsity boys basketball team and Crane one of the squad’s best players, Bishop Brady had a run of three straight state title game appearances, while bringing home the 1997 Class I championship – the last in school history. But it wasn’t just the skills he learned from Monahan on the court that mattered. It was the lessons off it that made a difference in Crane’s life.
“He made a huge impact on and off the court,” Crane said of his high school coach, who passed away from a heart attack in 2000. “He was someone who was always there for you. He was just a really caring person.”
That’s why Crane, along with members of Monahan’s family, former players like Billy Collins and Jeremy Woodward, and other local athletes, created the Frank Monahan Foundation last year. It was the best way they saw fit to honor him. Guess the giant statue thing just didn’t work out.
“He gave everything to the kids,” Crane said. “He just wanted everyone to succeed and have fun doing it.”
And just like Monahan did for so many years, the foundation bearing his name is giving back to the youth in the local community. So far projects like a new court and hoops at White Park, a new court at Kimball Park and donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Concord have been completed. Now you have the chance to help out with future plans and play a little golf at the same time.
“He did so much for the community,” Crane said. “That’s why the money raised from our events go back to the community.”
That’s right all, the 2nd annual Fore the Kids Golf Classic will be held at the Concord Country Club on July 14, and plenty of spots are still available. But first we must give credit to whoever came up with the tournament’s title, because that play on words was very Insider-esque.
And the tourney is way more than just driving around the course in a golf cart and playing a round of 18. The best-ball tournament includes breakfast, a luncheon after play is done and the chance to listen to one of Crane’s good friends from his days at Boston University.
After Dick Hoyt, the Boston Marathon legend who pushes his wheelchair-bound son Rick through the 26.2 miles each year, spoke at the inaugural event last year, Travis Roy will take over the speaking duties for the 2014 event. Roy, who was paralyzed from the neck down during his first shift as a B.U. hockey player, spends many days telling his story and how his life changed after the accident nearly 19 years ago – and Crane got him to come to Concord. They’re really bringing in some A-listers to speak at these luncheons, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Maybe we should clear our schedule for next year? Probably not.
“Travis was one of the first people I met,” Crane said of his days at B.U. “And he’s a friend of mine.”
After the success of year one where the tournament sold out and raised almost $20,000, the plan is to once again have all 120 spots filled by the time the tournament registration rolls around at 8 a.m. on July 14. Golf will begin at 9 a.m. with best-ball format and will include hole-in-one contests where a lucky golfer can win $750 or a nice piece of jewelry. Every sponsor from last year returned, but there are a few more opportunities to get your company’s name out on the course. Wonder what it would like look to have our Insider column photo on one of the tee boxes? It would probably be a little distracting – since it’s such a good picture of two decent-looking dudes.
“Last year was beyond our wildest dreams,” Crane said. “For our first year, we really set the bar high.”
The money raised at this year’s tournament will be used to improve Concord for the youth of today and tomorrow, mostly in conjunction with the Concord Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the Boys & Girls Clubs.
“We want to promote things for kids to be active and outside,” Crane said.
Cost is $125 per person or $500 for a foursome. Tickets to the luncheon may also be purchased separately for $30.
For more info or to register visit frankmonahanfoundation.org. For questions, email marshall@frankmonahanfoundation.org.
