1962 Legacy Society Stories
Legendary Coach Leaves More Than a Winning Legacy
"Team sports are much more than just games. It is a time in a young person's life when they develop the character of the person they will become."
-Peter J. Mulry
Such are the words of legendary Coach, the winningest coach in the history of Tampa Catholic High School. Pete Mulry's championship legacy at Tampa Catholic spans three decades and countless memories. His coaching left an indelible mark on the lives of his players, and now through a special planned gift from his estate designated to Tampa Catholic, Coach Mulry's legacy will transcens the records he holds, the sport he loves, and the school where it all began.
Pete was born in Jersey City, NJ. He was hired right out of college to coach baseball by Tampa Catholic Athletic Director, Tom Murray. Tampa Catholic's rise to national acclaim began with Coach Mulry and his 1968 team. Together they excited a school and enlivened a town - first with thrilling rivalry games - and then with a run to the state championship.
During his tenure, he took his teams to 6 final four tournaments, won a National Championship and 4 State Championships. He accumulated a high school record of 329-39 - a nationally renowned .894 winning percentage that stands as the very best in school history among the very best in the country. Coach Mulry was named Coach of the Year in 1968, 1971, 1973, 1976 and nominated to be the National Coach of the Year in 1976. He has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at St. Mary's High School, St. Leo University, Tampa Catholic High School, and the Tampa Bay Sports Club.
Tampa Catholic is extremely grateful for the life, legacy, and generosity of Coach Pete Mulry. Through his designated estate gift, Pete joins the school's prestigious "1962 Legacy Society", honoring Tampa Catholic's founding and memorializing those who have left Tampa Catholic High School in their estate plans. We invite all to emulate Coach Pete Mulry's selfless example of giving back by placing Tampa Catholic in your estate plans.
To Pete, there is no greater honor than to be called "Coach" for it represents a life dedicated in service and wisdom to guiding, molding, and launching the inner greatness in every person, player and team.
In 2011, Mulry authored a book, "Conversations in the Seventh Inning of My Life," in which he interviewed 30 of his former players about life skills they learned while competing for the iconic high school baseball program. These interviews offer insight into how all these people achieved so much success, both in high school and in life.