The naming of a new school

There’s controversy brewing over the name of a new high school to be built in Hamilton. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board asked the public to submit names for the school. But one family is crushed that one name has not made the board’s final list. That name is Michael William Yacusiw. He’s the well known and well loved football coach who died suddenly at the young age of 35 of a sudden heart attack last September.

The former football player at both Barton high school and Wilfrid Laurier University pursued his passion to coach students back at his old Hamilton high school. He also coached the Steel City Steelers where football players of all ages got to know “coach Yac” as he was affectionately known, very well.

Rob Tornifoglia was Yacusiw’s coach and friend. “He was like a little brother. He was a solid guy. He would come to practice very focused, very easy to coach.”

Eventually Rob and Mike coached together at Barton. He says Yac would urge the players to keep their grades up which is why he thinks naming a new school after coach Yac would be a great honour to him and his family.

Phyl Corcione-Farrauto is Mike’s Mother. “It would mean the world to me because Michael gave so much to so many people that he needs to be remembered. His legend needs to be carried on.”

The school board has told Yacusiw’s sister Stephanie MacDonald that it won’t be naming the school after him. It’s going to choose between Nelson Mandela, Chris Hadfield and Nora Henderson. “Hamilton should have a local hero named after the new school. Somebody who touched the lives of so many and cared so deeply about his students, he was loved by so many people.”

Former football players call coach Yac a great role model. Cameron McKay played under Mike for 4 years. “He’s had a great impact on my life because he wants to help me he wants me to become a stronger better player than he knows I can be and he pushed me to become a quarterback and follow my dreams of playing.”

The school board says 433 names were submitted. While they couldn’t tell me how many people submitted Michael Williams’ name they say it wasn’t the most popular one. The school board will decide on a name in three weeks but Stephanie hopes the people who loved her brother will call the school board and push for his name to be put on the new mountain high school to be built by 2016.