Rain was pouring down in sheets during Bishop Stang’s homecoming game on Friday evening, but no amount of rain could put a damper on the Spartan spirit. Bishop Stang capped off Spirit Week with a very spirited game against Martha’s Vineyard, winning 13-0.

Homecoming was made doubly special by the Legacy Award bestowed to former football coach James Lanagan. Lanagan was recognized for his devotion to Bishop Stang’s athletes and students, his pursuit of greatness and for his commitment to his Catholic faith. Alumni were invited to attend the event.

Lanagan’s love of football began when he was a football player at Coyle-Cassidy. He went on to coach football at Bishop Stang for 15 years of his 37-year coaching career where he compiled a 90-55-5 record. He earned an overall record of 177-110-8 across his years coaching in Wareham, Fairhaven and Coyle-Cassidy as well as Stang. Lanagan retired from Bishop Stang and coaching in 1995.

Bishop Stang got everything they could’ve wanted in a homecoming game. Their first touchdown was scored by fullback Nick Landry late in the first quarter and Martha’s Vineyard couldn’t rally to stop their momentum even when Stang’s second touchdown was discounted.

The rest of the game was made all the more dramatic by the torrential rain, fans cheering and hollering even as they were soaked to the bone.

At halftime, staff and alums gathered in the auditorium to honor Lanagan.

In 1982, Bishop Stang alum Scott Facchetti transferred to Stang for his sophomore year, the same year that Lanagan began his tenure as coach of the football team.

Having him as a coach was an incredible experience, said Facchetti.

“The effect he had on me as a young man was something I continued all the way through my life,” Facchetti said. “It’s funny, I coached football [for] a while when I got out of college, and I found myself saying a lot of the same things I learned from him to my young guys.”

Lanagan was visibly touched by the people who he impacted all gathered in one room to honor him.

“I have a deep, deep gratitude to Bishop Stang High School, and what it stands for,” Lanagan said in his impassioned thank you speech. “I’m filled with the gratitude of my children, my grandchildren, my nieces and nephews… His Love, their love, is a perfect example of what Christ wants from us.”

Lanagan took a moment to mention his wife, Joan, who was recovering from a stroke and could not attend. He tearfully thanked her and said, “She’s getting better. She’s getting there!”

Alumni swarmed to shake hands with him and catch up with Lanagan after the ceremony concluded.

“It makes me feel good that if you lead your life the right way, when you really try to help people out and dedicate yourself to helping young people and doing the right thing, you’ll be recognized,” Facchetti said.

After a delay due to heavy rain, the game concluded in a 13-0 win for the Bishop Stang Spartans.