Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Fasching tops off football season at the White House



A trip to the White House topped off the football season
for Winsted native and coach Gary Fasching Nov. 17.

Fasching is a defensive football coach for St. John’s University,
working his eighth season there.

The Johnnies enjoyed a milestone in their history when
head coach John Gagliardi, 77, became the football coach with the most wins
in the history of college football.

Fasching accompanied Gagliardi to Washington, as President
Bush was to present Gagliardi with an award.

This year, Gagliardi secured his 409th win after 55 seasons,
surpassed Eddie Robinson.

Robinson retired in 1997 after winning 408 games to become
the college football coach with the most wins in the history of college
football.

“Congressman Mark Kennedy met us, and gave us a personal
tour of the White House,” Fasching said. “No other group received
such special treatment.”

Gary was born and raised on a dairy farm in Winsted, with
14 brothers and sisters, many of whom still live in the area.

“Mom and Dad supported all our activities. Mom never
missed a game, and the ones Dad could attend were very special,” he
reminisced.

Gary graduated from Holy Trinity School in 1977, and attributes
much of his success, and his career choice, to Coach Larry Anderson.

He was recruited by Gagliardi, and was convinced by the
team’s outstanding record.

“I wanted to play for a winning program,” he
commented.

Fasching was a starting linebacker for three years at SJU,
and received a teaching degree in social sciences.

From 1986 to 1995 he was head football coach for St. Cloud
Cathedral High School, employing the same tactics used by Gagliardi: no
tackling, wearing heavy gear, nor whistle blowing during practice.

“It all comes down to execution,” he stated,
“the teams that execute the plays win.”

After winning two class B titles in 1992 and 1993, he received
a call from SJU with a job offer and was happy to take it.

“John does things his way, and it works” he said,
“all coaches that work under John have played football under him, and
believe in his system.”

Fasching, his wife Cindy, and their family moved recently
to St. Joseph from Sauk Centre.

All of his children have been involved in sports, and his
daughter plans to continue the coaching and teaching tradition.

Besides the defensive coaching position, he is also director
of the University’s McGlynn Fitness Center, and an assistant coach for track
and field.

“Sports have been a big part of my life, and I like
to emphasize that people should be involved in sports after they are done
with school” he adds, “You’ve got to have that balance in your
life.”

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