First-place teams, one-of a kind man are put in Hall of Fame

Intermountain Catholic

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Paul Willard, a long-time coach at Saint Joseph Catholic High School, inducts Bill Favero, who served as principal, teacher, coach, and mentor to many.

OGDEN — The Saint Joseph Catholic High School Alumni Association held their Hall of Fame Banquet July 18, to honor first place teams from 1979-1980, and a special principal. The event was held in the Saint Joseph Catholic High School Black Box Theater.

Those honored were the Women’s Tennis Team from 1979-1980, the Men’s Baseball Team from 1979-1980, Fred Pressing in Track and Field, and Bill Favero, school principal, teacher, coach, and mentor.

The 1979-1980 Women’s Tennis Team were pioneers and trailblazers comprised of seven young women and one coach. They paved the way for future female athletes and accomplished a feat not yet done in 25 years of competition at Saint Joseph. They were the first athletic team to capture a State athletic scholarship.

The Men’s Baseball Team of 1979-1980, had pressure on them. Their coach, Bill Favero decided this would be his last year. He had eight returning players, and this year would be the first that a State title was up for grabs. The players set their sights high and never looked back. They won the 1A State Championship going through the season and Region tournaments undefeated. Bill was successful in coaching the first men’s team to win a State Championship in athletics in St. Joseph’s 25-year history. The players were dedicated, passionate, and well-groomed.

In 1985, Bill decided to try his hand again at administration. This time, however, it would be at Saint Joseph Elementary where his role as principal lasted until 1988.

Bill and his wife Joyce live in Layton. They have raised five children. Like many boys, Bill loved the game of baseball. However, at age 7, he was stricken with polio. Regrettably, Bill had acquired the disease at an age when medicine to fight its effects was not yet available. It did not stop him.

He began his career as an electrician at Hill Field, but realized he had a desire to work with people, not objects. He took night classes at Weber State College where he earned a degree in political science. He began teaching at Saint Joseph in 1975, in multiple roles. He was chosen as vice principal in 1978. In 1981-1982, he assumed the role of principal. He believed in walking softly and carrying a big stick.

Fred Prussing attended Saint Joseph in 1964-1968. Early in his life, he acquired a virtue of perseverance and determination. In his sophomore year he took first in Region and third in State in the discus. In his junior year, he placed first in Region and first in State setting a new State record and becoming the first athlete in Saint Joseph’s history to win a State competition in an individual event.

He won Saint Joseph’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Athlete and was named the All State Athlete in track.

In his senior year he took first in Region and first in the BYU Invitational. In the discuss, he placed first in Region and State, and set a new record . He was named Deseret News All State Athlete in track his junior and senior years. He received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Athlete.