(09/25/12) - Mid-Michigan is mourning the loss of a legendary coach. Jack Pratt died Sunday at the age of 84 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He coached for more than 50 years in Genesee County, retiring from Powers High in 2006.
Pratt started his career at Flint St. Matthew in 1958. He would go on to coach at Grand Blanc, Kearsley and finally Powers Catholic. He has inspired thousands of young athletes.
With a heavy heart, former Powers Basketball coach Kathy McGee shared memories of her mentor.
"We certainly were a better world and a better people because of Jack Pratt. One of the great secrets he possessed in winning was not only he believed, but he taught others to believe. And once you believe great things can happen, they always did around Jack Pratt," McGee said. "One of my earliest memories of Jack Pratt when I first met him was I think he was wearing gold pants and a bright blue shirt and I thought 'that's one confident man.'"
Pratt retired in 2006 from Powers Catholic, where he coached basketball, football and taught in the classroom.
"Jack is a human being that had great passion and great compassion and that really came out in everything he did and he walked the walked and as a result was a great role model," McGee said.
A role model to young athletes like Joe Mounger, who was on Pratt's 2005 Football State Championship team - an underdog squad that played and won against the odds.
"The very first thing that coach did during our summer practices was come in and say 'we're champions, we're going to be winners.' You have to believe and sure enough we bought and beat a lot of teams that people didn't think he would. He was a first class individual that I know I wouldn't be who I am today without some of the things he instilled in me," Mounger said.
Funeral service will be held at Powers, however details have not been finalized.
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