Rev. Msgr. Fred P. O'Connor - 1945

Fred, a strong-armed catcher, 6' 3" tall, 180 pounds, excelled in his senior year especially in baseball on the American Legion Post 313 St. Thomas team. His batting average was 500 plus in ten games.

The St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees offered him a contract. Jess Neely, the famous football and baseball coach at Rice offered him a scholarship where he might have played both baseball and basketball.

Fred was an excellent student and would have done well as a scholar at Rice, however he chose the seminary at LaPorte, Texas where he was ordained in 1952 for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. He is now Reverend Monsignor Fred O'Connor at Sacred Heart Church.

He has maintained a close association with St. Thomas and three years coached with Fr. Wilson in the summertime. One year he took a team of Fr. Wilson's scrubs to the 14 and under City Championship.

Always a popular, likable and friendly person, he is truly a credit to the great Basilian Fathers who taught him.

(L-R) Frank Kurtin, Fred O'Connor, Johnny Finch