NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
October 8, 2025 candgnews.com
Oakland County papers
Al Fracassa celebrates with his players after winning the 2013 state championship game at Ford Field. It was the last game he’d ever coach. File photo by Patricia O’Blenes
LEGENDARY BROTHER RICE HEAD COACH AL FRACASSA LEAVES BEHIND AN EVERLASTING LEGACY BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Longtime Brother Rice football coach and teacher Al Fracassa passed away on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 92 years old. Fracassa was on the sidelines for Brother Rice from 1969 until his retirement in 2013 where he amassed 386 wins. He also coached Royal Oak Shrine in the 1960s prior to taking over at Brother Rice, and his career mark of 430 wins as a head coach is the second most in the history of Michigan high school football. “He put Brother Rice on the map,” Brother Rice Director of Athletics Jeff Calcaterra said. “For the 50-some years that he’s been a part of this community, he’s mentored, taught and impacted so many men that have come to this school.” Fracassa’s list of accomplishments on the field might never be seen again. He retired with 21 Catholic High
School League titles and 10 state championships, along with producing hundreds of collegiate football players and 13 NFL players. “Coach took the time to get to know every one of the boys in his program,” Calcaterra said. “Coach spent time and wrote a handwritten letter to every one of his seniors for all the years that he coached. … He just had that gift to make people better.” The outpouring of love and support from the community is evidence of his impact. Services for Fracassa were held at the Brother Rice campus, and people from all over the country came to town to pay respects and offer support to his family. “The number of alumni that flew in … we had a ’77 alum fly in from Hawaii to be at his services,” Calcaterra said. “It says everything that you need to know.” Current Brother Rice head coach Aaron Marshall is in his second year coaching Brother Rice, but he’s been a See FRACASSA on page 5A
A young boy dressed as a skeleton rides the carousel during a previous Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo. Photo provided by the Detroit Zoological Society
Detroit Zoo brings on the spooky vibes this October BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — The Detroit Zoo is preparing for a spooky season full of pumpkins and halloween-themed fun during the Zoo Boo event. The Zoo Boo, presented by Corewell Health Children’s, has multiple dates throughout the month of October: Oct. 4-5, 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26. Each day the installation is open from 4 to 9:30 p.m. The Zoo Boo takes place only in the front half of the zoo. During the event, participants will be able to see the “fun-kin” displays — fun elaborate and illuminated displays that set the spooky mood. Participants can also expect treat stations See ZOO on page 9A