Past successes, future hopes represented in McDonogh 35’s new baseball uniforms

“A champion must have the desire for perfection and the will to punish himself in the process.”

Those words were spoken time-and-time again by the late Ed “Hawk” Pierce, baseball coach at McDonogh 35 High School three decades ago.  One of the most respected baseball coaches in the area passed away in 1992 prior to a Roneagle playoff game.

Duane Stelly, McDonogh 35 Class of 1990, was coached by Pierce.  Stelly went on to become a College World Series Champion at the University of Oklahoma when the Sooners won the national championship in 1994.

“That was his life’s quote and that’s exactly what he did until he passed away,” said Stelly.  “He was into perfection and he was into whatever it took for that perfection.”

Pierce was also into developing quality young people.  Perhaps that trait was instilled into Stelly more than baseball fundamentals.

Today, Duane Stelly is manager of the Houston Astros Youth Academy.   It’s year-round baseball instruction for young people funded by Major League Baseball in an effort to increase participation in the game by African Americans.

New Orleans is one of few non-Major League locations with a Youth Academy at Wesley Barrow Stadium in Pontchartrain Park.  Eddie Davis, Stelly’s McDonogh 35 classmate, manages the New Orleans version.

Last fall, Stelly received a call form current McDonogh 35 baseball coach Tyler Pereira and retired faculty member Mrs. Wanda Romain requesting help purchasing new uniforms for the team.  Stelly started a Go Fund Me account with a goal of $3,500, enough for 35 uniforms.

The Roneagles came home to roost.

“I knew once we put it out there our alumni and those who love McDonogh 35 baseball and loved Coach Pierce, I knew we could raise that money pretty easily,” explained Stelly. “In the end we ended up raising $5,500, so we went above and beyond that.  I was just happy to lead the effort and be a part of that.”

Not nearly as happy as Coach Pereira, the young, first-year head coach working hard to reverse the program’s fortunes.

“35 has great alumni and just to be able to reach out to them and get the love that we’ve received, I have no words for it,” Pereira said.  “It’s so nice because after some lackluster seasons it’s re-setting the tone by having our past but building with our future.”

It’s important that the future is aware of its past.  Especially when that past is glorious.

On the left shoulder of each uniform you’ll find the word “Hawk” as a tribute to the man who had a positive impact on so many.

For Stelly, it is a way to honor and thank his coach.

“When you talk about people who have an impact on your life for me it came at an impressionable age.  I was able to soak up his teachings and some of the things he stood for.   That was the blueprint for what I do today as well as what I’ve done in my life.”

Duane Stelly learned his lessons well.

Coach Pereira is more than grateful today’s Roneagle baseballers can benefit from the teachings of a great educator and support from a high school celebrating its 105^th year of existence.

“Having them see the support we get from current students but also from alumni is insurmountable.  It’s a great feeling for them.”

The school has also retired Coach Pierce’s number.  Of course, the number he wore was“35.”