Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Ernest McNealy, Sr. taught at various public schools in San Francisco before he began coaching basketball at Mission HS in 1957, and after six years he became the head track and field coac
- He was the City of San Francisco FIRST African American varsity basketball head coach.
- He spent his entire forty-two (42) years of services with the San Francisco Unified School District at Poly Technical HS, Mission HS, and Enola D. Maxwell MS formerly known as Potrero Hill Jr. HS
- He taught auto shop, drivers education, physical education, and coached a number of sports including basketball, football, and track.
- He coached several championship track & field and basketball teams in the AAA, including five (5) varsity basketball teams. Two (2) in 1970 and then a three-peat in 1991, 1992, 1992 that went on to the Tournament of Champions (TOC) at the Oakland Coliseum.
Ernest McNealy, Sr. taught, encouraged, and inspired his students to be exceptional athletes as well as exceptional human beings of which he was most admired. He was a gentle, loving, and caring man who was a great husband, father, friend, coach, educator, teacher, and mentor to thousands of fortunate young people whose lives were positively changed by his presence. He continued coaching into his 70’s even after he broke his hip during a slip and fall accident in 1995. “Mac” as he was affectionately called by all who knew him unfortunately passed away on August 26, 1999 at the age of 76much to the sadness of his colleagues, formers students, friends and should be recognized & applauded for his lifetime dedication to the youth of San Francisco.
On October 14, 2003 the San Francisco Board of Education honored the memory of Ernest ‘Mac’ McNealy, Sr. for his years of service, his generosity, his kindness, and his unceasing energy of devotion to the tradition of Mission High School; which tradition he so much helped to define.
The MHS Boys Gymnasium shall henceforth be known as the Ernest McNealy, Sr. “Coach Mac” Memorial Gymnasium, and a memorial plaque donated by family, colleagues, former students and friends so stating be installed at the school.
Coach Mac life dedication to Mission HS, SFUSD, SF Athletics, and the many students he taught and coach without a doubt made him deserving of this award it is time that he be rewarded as such. His unselfishness as a human being truly outweighs his sports accomplishments to which he was judged by his peers.
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Updates
March 15, 2018
I have been hearing from so many former students who remember Mac with such vivid gratitude. These stories remind me that his impact goes far beyond the championship trophies he brought to our city.
March 15, 2018
Seeing this momentum grow for Coach Mac fills me with such gratitude because he truly gave everything to those kids. It is overwhelming to see his legacy recognized by so many people who understand the impact he had on this city.
44 Comments
As a Song Girl/Cheerleader at MHS in the 70's, I was at all the games Coach McNealy coached. He was a great man, coach, that was well respected by all the student body, parents and staff.
I was at Mission between the years of 1966 -68 and was on the Track and Cross Country teams. Coach "Mac" was inspirational and an encouraging to all who would listen. He remains one of the most influential people in my life. He is worthy of this honor.
To Coach Mac everyone was a Star. He called you Star, made you feel like a Star, and made you believe you were a Star. But he was the brightest Star of us all.
Mr. McNealy was my track coach. I met him my sophomore year when he asked me to sigh up for track. He would talk to each and every member on the team. He gave you inspiration, and made you feel that you could break records. He incouraged you to push forward. I was so honored to know him.
I have been trying to make this happen for Coach Mac for at least 6 years. He was a great man and attribute to Mission HS on both the coaching and teaching level. He loved his students/players as if they were his own children. I pray to one day be able to visit his grave and say to him "Coach Mac we did it".
Mac was a kind and honest man who went out of his way to mentor all of those who came into his life. His importance goes beyond sports - his gift was the ability to nuture young people who were in need of adult support and guidance. He was special.
Coach Mac was one of most important role models in my life 1963-1966 . His character was noble, kind,and caring, wanting to bring out the best in everyone. He was a great coach, teacher, and individual who should be in the hall of fame.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Ernest McNealy, Sr. taught at various public schools in San Francisco before he began coaching basketball at Mission HS in 1957, and after six years he became the head track and field coac
- He was the City of San Francisco FIRST African American varsity basketball head coach.
- He spent his entire forty-two (42) years of services with the San Francisco Unified School District at Poly Technical HS, Mission HS, and Enola D. Maxwell MS formerly known as Potrero Hill Jr. HS
- He taught auto shop, drivers education, physical education, and coached a number of sports including basketball, football, and track.
- He coached several championship track & field and basketball teams in the AAA, including five (5) varsity basketball teams. Two (2) in 1970 and then a three-peat in 1991, 1992, 1992 that went on to the Tournament of Champions (TOC) at the Oakland Coliseum.
Ernest McNealy, Sr. taught, encouraged, and inspired his students to be exceptional athletes as well as exceptional human beings of which he was most admired. He was a gentle, loving, and caring man who was a great husband, father, friend, coach, educator, teacher, and mentor to thousands of fortunate young people whose lives were positively changed by his presence. He continued coaching into his 70’s even after he broke his hip during a slip and fall accident in 1995. “Mac” as he was affectionately called by all who knew him unfortunately passed away on August 26, 1999 at the age of 76much to the sadness of his colleagues, formers students, friends and should be recognized & applauded for his lifetime dedication to the youth of San Francisco.
On October 14, 2003 the San Francisco Board of Education honored the memory of Ernest ‘Mac’ McNealy, Sr. for his years of service, his generosity, his kindness, and his unceasing energy of devotion to the tradition of Mission High School; which tradition he so much helped to define.
The MHS Boys Gymnasium shall henceforth be known as the Ernest McNealy, Sr. “Coach Mac” Memorial Gymnasium, and a memorial plaque donated by family, colleagues, former students and friends so stating be installed at the school.
Coach Mac life dedication to Mission HS, SFUSD, SF Athletics, and the many students he taught and coach without a doubt made him deserving of this award it is time that he be rewarded as such. His unselfishness as a human being truly outweighs his sports accomplishments to which he was judged by his peers.
Updates
March 15, 2018
I have been hearing from so many former students who remember Mac with such vivid gratitude. These stories remind me that his impact goes far beyond the championship trophies he brought to our city.
March 15, 2018
Seeing this momentum grow for Coach Mac fills me with such gratitude because he truly gave everything to those kids. It is overwhelming to see his legacy recognized by so many people who understand the impact he had on this city.
44 Comments
I didn't go to Mission but I grew up in the AAA, and even way before going to high school I heard of Coach Mac. Coach Mac cared more for his kids than any coach I know. It's been 40+ years, Mac should have been in the SF Prep Sports Hall of many years ago.
As a Song Girl/Cheerleader at MHS in the 70's, I was at all the games Coach McNealy coached. He was a great man, coach, that was well respected by all the student body, parents and staff.
I was at Mission between the years of 1966 -68 and was on the Track and Cross Country teams. Coach "Mac" was inspirational and an encouraging to all who would listen. He remains one of the most influential people in my life. He is worthy of this honor.
To Coach Mac everyone was a Star. He called you Star, made you feel like a Star, and made you believe you were a Star. But he was the brightest Star of us all.
Mr. McNealy was my track coach. I met him my sophomore year when he asked me to sigh up for track. He would talk to each and every member on the team. He gave you inspiration, and made you feel that you could break records. He incouraged you to push forward. I was so honored to know him.
I have been trying to make this happen for Coach Mac for at least 6 years. He was a great man and attribute to Mission HS on both the coaching and teaching level. He loved his students/players as if they were his own children. I pray to one day be able to visit his grave and say to him "Coach Mac we did it".
Mac was a kind and honest man who went out of his way to mentor all of those who came into his life. His importance goes beyond sports - his gift was the ability to nuture young people who were in need of adult support and guidance. He was special.
Coach Mac was one of most important role models in my life 1963-1966 . His character was noble, kind,and caring, wanting to bring out the best in everyone. He was a great coach, teacher, and individual who should be in the hall of fame.
More like this
Name Yuma High School's basketball court in honor and memory of Bob McLendon
Petition to name the new Field House, William J. Furcron Field House at Dudley…
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I didn't go to Mission but I grew up in the AAA, and even way before going to high school I heard of Coach Mac. Coach Mac cared more for his kids than any coach I know. It's been 40+ years, Mac should have been in the SF Prep Sports Hall of many years ago.