The Man Behind the Pink Arrow Pride Game retires

Pink Arrow PrideHome crowd at Pink Arrow Pride IV in Lowell, Michigan in 2011.
gamestrat high school football sideline instant replay

With my recent travel and the 4th of July holiday, I missed the resignation of one of America’s top coaches — Noel Dean of Lowell High School in Michigan.

Dean, a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, led the Red Arrows to three state championships while amassing a lifetime record of 219-41.  In addition, Dean guided Lowell to 10 league titles, 11 district titles and 8 regional titles. In addition to the three state titles, Dean led the school to three state runner-up finishes.

But, maybe more than the on the field success, Dean is best known for his creation of the school’s Pink Arrow Pride game in 2008 that raised $1.8 million to help community residents in their battle with cancer.

pink arrow pride

In 2011, Lowell head coach Noel Dean was joined by Pacqui Kelly, cancer survivor and wife of Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly for a seminar for other schools on how to hold a fundraiser.

High School Football America attended Pink Arrow Pride III and IV in 2010 and 2011. Quite honestly, in my forty-plus years of covering high school football, I’ve never attended a better high school event.

Pink Arrow Pride III

Wednesday, Lowell promoted defensive coordinator Juston Miller to the position of head coach.

Pink Arrow Pride XI will be played August 30 against Rockford (Michigan).

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About the Author

Jeff Fisher
Jeff is an award-winning journalist and expert in the field of high school sports, underscored with his appearance on CNBC in 2010 to talk about the big business of high school football in America.Jeff turned to his passion for high school football into an entrepreneurial venture called High School Football America, a digital media company focused on producing original high school sports content for radio, television and the internet.Jeff is co-founder and editor-in-chief of High School Football America, a partner with NFL Play Football.