Leo "Sam" Franz

*The legendary prep basketball coach won two state championships at two different schools.

*Franz, who was an excellent athlete at SS. Peter & Paul High School, turned the trick in 1953 at St. Mary's Cathedral when the Maroons won the Class C state title with a 59-57 win over Muskegon St. Mary.

*He posted a 226-94 record in his 18 years at SMC.

*Franz, who was employed at Eaton Manufacturing, also coached St. Mary's football team from 1949-53.

*St. Mary's won the Valley Parochial League title in 1950 by going undefeated.

*He took over the coaching position at St. Stephen in 1966 and won his second state title in '69 when the Titans defeated Grosse Point St. Paul's, 48-43.

*His Titan teams reached the state finals three other times.

*He was named to both the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame and the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame.

*Franz also coached St. Stephen's football teams for five years, including the perfect 8-0 mark in 1970.

*His resume also includes a pair of state championships in golf while at St. Stephen's.

*He would up his coaching career at Merrill and retired with a 526-196 record.

*He, along with his brother Russell "Lefty" Franz, became the only brother coaching combination in Michigan to win 500 games each.