A man of considerable talents and accomplishments in athletics and politics, John Hudzik is best remembered by Cardinal Mooney as the school's first football, basketball, and baseball coach and its first Athletic Director. John was instrumental in the planning and implementation of Mooney's athletic program and physical education plant. He set job specifications and goals. He hired coaches, formulated policies, scheduled all sports activities, and organized Parochial League sports. It could be argued that John Hudzik's football win over Ursuline in their first meeting in 1958 set the tone for what would be known as the "Mooney Spirit." A top-notch athletic himself, John played professional baseball in the New York Yankee organization. He also coached baseball at Ohio State University and was on the staff when the Buckeyes won the NCAA Baseball Championship. Mr. Hudzik's political career included a stint as Youngstown's President of City Council and Chief Legislative Officer. At the time of his death in 1981, he was the Mahoning County Recorder.