Dan Carey stood at center court in the Pius XI gymnasium, the familiar squeak of basketball shoes against the polished floor bringing back a flood of memories. Twenty-five years ago, he'd been a player here himself, wearing the Pope's red and white with pride. Now, entering his sixth season as head boys basketball coach, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of coming full circle.

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"This place hasn't changed much," Dan thought as he watched his players run through drills. The championship banners still hung from the rafters—some newer ones that his teams had contributed to during his tenure. He smiled, remembering how he'd once dreamed of coaching here when he was just a student-athlete roaming these same halls.

After practice, Dan made his way to his office, where he doubled as the school's Alumni Director. Photos of teams past lined the walls, including one from his playing days. His journey from Pius student to Hamilton teacher and coach, then to UW-Milwaukee as an assistant coach, and finally back to his alma mater felt like destiny fulfilled.

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"Coach, got a minute?" A freshman player poked his head into the office.

 

"Always," Dan replied, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

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The young player sat down, fidgeting with his practice jersey. "My dad said you used to play here. Said you were pretty good."

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Dan laughed. "I had my moments. Who's your dad?"

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When the player mentioned a name, Dan's eyes lit up. He pulled out a yearbook from 1999 and flipped to a team photo, pointing to himself standing next to a younger version of the player's father.

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"Small world," Dan said. "That's what makes Pius special. Generations of families, coming through these doors, carrying on traditions."

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Later that evening, as Dan locked up the gym, he paused to look around once more. The upcoming POPESFEST was just weeks away, and he'd been working with alumni to make it the best one yet. The school had faced challenges over the years, but its spirit remained unbroken—a testament to the community that had supported it for generations.

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As Alumni Director, Dan had reconnected with countless former Popes, organizing events like the Young Alum Happy Hours that brought recent graduates together. But his true passion remained on the court, where he was building something special with his basketball program.

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"We're not just teaching basketball," he often told his assistant coaches. "We're building young men who will carry the Pius values into the world."

Walking to his car, Dan sent a quick text to the team captains about tomorrow's practice before driving home. The dual role of Alumni Director and Head Coach sometimes means long hours, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

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This was home. This was where he belonged. And the future of Pius XI—both on and off the court—has never looked brighter.