CLEVELAND — Editor's note: Video in the player at the top of this story was originally published in a previous article regarding coach Kyle's retirement on Feb. 14, 2022.
It’s the end of an era in high school sports.
The final regular season game with head football coach Chuck Kyle leading the Saint Ignatius High School Wildcats will take place at Wasmer Field on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. as the team battles Canada North-Clarkson.
It comes as coach Kyle retires after his 40th and final season with the team.
“He has achieved a 369-104-1 record through the years, winning 11 State Championships and four National Championships,” school officials noted in a press release Friday. “He has reached the OHSAA State Tournament in 31 of his 39 seasons, including 31 of the last 34 years.”
Coach Kyle has just two losing seasons in his career, with a record of 74-27-1 after a loss.
His daughter, 3News’ Maureen Kyle, shared her thoughts on her dad’s impending retirement late last year.
“It’s bittersweet – for not only him, but for our entire family,” she explained.
She said her dad has always had a “magical” quality when it comes to children.
“I think that’s what made him so special to people -- as I’m hearing a lot of the feedback -- is that he just had that magical ability to relate to kids on all levels,” she said.
That quality is something she experienced while growing up with him as a father.
“My childhood was magical because of what happened and what unfolded,” she said.
As 3News’ Jim Donovan discussed news of Kyle’s retirement, he also shared a funny inside story involving Maureen.
“We went over to his house in Westlake to do a live shot with him,” Donovan recalls. “He sat in the chair and there was a little girl dancing around in her pajamas, young little girl. We were trying to get the interview done – and that was our own Maureen Kyle.”
It’s a moment Maureen will never forget.
“I remember that moment,” she said. “I remember that look on Jimmy’s face, too. We tell that story all the time, he and I. That was probably like the moment I was like, ‘This is so cool. This is his job? I want to do this!’ … That’s how much life has been weaved into this career that my dad has had. There are so many milestone moments that are involved in what he’s done at Saint Ignatius.”
To honor his legacy, Saint Ignatius has established the Patricia and Charles M. Kyle ’69 Wildcat Football Endowment.
“Future income from the endowment will be used to support coaching stipends and other needs of the football program,” school officials said.
You can make a donation HERE.
The 2022 Wildcat football season kicks off Aug. 20. Defensive Coordinator Ryan Franzinger will take the role as head football coach in 2023. You can see the team's full 2022 schedule HERE.