One of the most likable and enjoyable teachers most of us boys had during our elementary days was Mr. Francis "Franny" Dolan (did he teach girls in PE?). Not only was he an elementary PE teacher (he even taught math and/or science in some years) and Jr. Hi. basketball and track field coach, our supervisor for flag football in 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, he was also very proud of his Irish heritage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ncmuhNEUxg). His wife was also an educator, an art teacher whom many of us may have had when we were in high school.
Many of us boys probably could recall many instances in which Mr. Dolan had a big influence in our lives. I personally benefited from his tutelage and mentorship while a college student. He asked me to help out with the elementary intramural programs in the early 70's. That allowed me to become somewhat acquainted with a few of the teachers in the school system. When a couple of openings occurred in the spring of 1973, he encouraged me to apply. Did his lobbying help me get one of the positions? I am sure he had more than just a little input. He was also the assistant principal to "Lefty" Johnson at the middle school for my first few years, and helped me with some classroom management difficulties.
Fran's two daughters were a little older than we were. Kay Frances was in the class of 1966, while Kelly was a year ahead of us. (She was in my chemistry class in 1967-68). Some questions were directed to us a few weeks ago about Mr. Dolan's tenure in Brookings, so they were able to supply us with the following brief summation of his career:
Francis “Franny” Dolan : General Beadle State Teachers College(now Dakota State University)
(BS), SDSU (MEd)
38 years in Brookings as a teacher, coach and administrator (1944-1983). Taught math,
science and health, as well as P.E.
26 years coaching basketball, track and football in South Dakota (1943-1968); Brookings
(1944-1968)
Received lifetime award from the SD Coaches Association (1968)
Assistant coach of BHS football, basketball & track (1944-? ; until the 1950’s teachers were not
paid for coaching, often had practices on Saturdays and drove the “Red Rocket” bus to away
games)
Assistant coach of 1944 Madison High School basketball team - won the Class B State
Championship
Assistant coach of 1946 BHS basketball team - won Brookings’ first Class A State
Championship
25 years Freshman/Jr. High Coach (basketball, track, football)
Basketball - 6 undefeated seasons, never a losing season, winning 83% of games
Champions of the state YMCA basketball tournament in 1963
Track - Frequently had 75-100 boys out for track. Co-Coach of the S.D. team which
competed in the National Junior Champ Track and Field Tournament in Minneapolis (1964),
sponsored by the Jaycees and broadcast on national television
After retiring from coaching, Franny scouted other teams for BHS coaches, kept stats, manned
the scoring table, recruited volunteers, whatever was needed to support BHS athletics.
Other
Founding member of the Brookings Education Association (BEA) which negotiated pay for
coaching and other duties beyond the teaching day
Developed the intra-mural program for grades 5-8 that involved 75-80% of all boys in those
grades
Organized the local Punt, Pass & Kick competition and coached numerous Brookings
participants in the Regional Punt, Pass & Kick competitions in Minneapolis
Host of “Coaches Corner” on KBRK radio (during the 60’s) where he interviewed BHS coaches
and players
City park was named Francis Dolan Park upon his retirement as Principal of Central Elementary
School in 1983. His memorial fund purchased new playground equipment for the park.
Francis Dolan loved sports, but he loved supporting students more. He was the first
professional coach for many of the BHS Hall of Fame athletes of his era. He excelled at
teaching the basics and encouraging each student athlete to be the best they could be. He
also helped standout athletes develop their talents and mentored them to continue in sports.
Mr. Dolan's last year of coaching was in 1967-68. Notice that his last name is misspelled.
Appropriately, his last basketball team was undefeated.
In 1976, he and his wife were still employed in the school system. The Brookings Register featured an excellent tribute to their decades-long career as educators. This article encapsulates their lives better than anything yours truly can compose. Reading it may bring back many memories.
I believe that when Medary Elementary opened, Mr. Dolan became principal at Central Elementary, and served there until his retirement in 1983. The playground at Central was named "Francis Dolan Park" in his honor. Central has now been converted into the Children's Museum of South Dakota (https://prairieplay.org/)
While visiting his daughter Kelly in Arizona a few years later, he unexpectedly passed away.
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