Pierce Frauenheim coached his last game for Immaculata in 2012, but his presence could still be felt in the decade-plus since throughout New Jersey high school football, whether it be the countless student-athletes who moved on or those who coached under him.
All are now mourning Frauenheim, who passed away late Monday morning at the age of 83, according to his family and Immaculata Athletic Director Tom Gambino.
Frauenheim had been having health problems the last several months, and his wife, Ann Marie, passed away less than a year ago. according to his daughter-in-law, Kathy Frauenheim.
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Pierce Frauenheim was an Immaculata original. He was there in 1962, when it opened its doors, and started its football program a few years later, in 1966. His Spartans won four state championships in football – coming in 1984, 1985, 1994 and 2006 – along with 23 Conference titles, and had a state record of 16 consecutive regular season shutouts at one point.
He also had a run of 29 straight winning seasons from 1978 to 2003, and never finished under .500 again from 1978 through his final season in 2012, finishing with an overall record of 337-137-2. He is a member of the Immaculata Hall of Fame, was inducted into the NJFCA Hall of Fame in 2002, and the NJSIAA Hall of Fame in 2001.
A Pittsburgh native, Frauenheim was a standout in football, basketball and baseball, he was also a star at Rutgers, a two-way player on the school’s first undefeated team, in 1961.
Note: We corrected Frauenheim’s overall record and number of conference championships won, which were inaccurate in an earlier version of this story.
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He was The Best Ever! In 1966, He lead the 1st year program to 1 win. Soon thereafter, he built the program we have today! He was ” The Guidjng Light” to success and longevity . We thank you Coach!