Hall of Fame
Michael Prince '76 played basketball all four years at CC and led the Shamrocks to the 1976 Catholic High School League Championship (CHSL) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class A State Basketball Championship. Mike earned All CHSL honors and was an All-State selection his junior and senior years. In 1976 Mike was named All-American and was chosen for the Free Press Dream team. During the ’76 Season Mike broke CC Hall of Famer Tom LaGarde’s single season scoring record by scoring 569 pts and LaGarde’s career points record by scoring 1181pts (1973-1976) in the pre-three-point era. “It was a highlight for me to coach Mike...,” said CC Hall of Fame Coach Bernie Holowicki. “Mike Prince was the catalyst for the whole 1976 team... he was fierce in the frontcourt... He wouldn’t take any B.S. from anybody... Just a good guy.” Mike Prince would be at the center of the conversation as to who is the best basketball player in Catholic Central history.
After high school, Mike moved onto Western Kentucky University (WKU) on a full basketball scholarship, and played for Hall of Fame Coach Gene Keady. Mike was a great shooter and heady player who could play guard or small forward against taller opponents. As a four-year varsity player, Mike played in 113 games and started 58. He was a 52% shooter from the field and shot 66% from the line. He finished his career at WKU with 1,120 points, becoming only the 21st player at WKU to score 1,000 points in the pre-three-point era. In addition, he was the 7th winner and first WKU freshman to win the prestigious E.A. Diddle* Award. Sadly, Michael passed away in 2016. He is survived by his wife Suzette and son Michael Jr. who are proud of Mike’s accomplishments. “It’s unbelievable, my dad never talked about himself, so hearing all the stories is awesome,” Michael Jr., who played basketball at Texas Tech University, commented about his father and the CC 1976 State Championship, “He taught me everything I know. He always p shed me hard and was just a great father.”
We are proud of Michael Prince and his accomplishments and the way he lived his life as a son of Mary Alma Mater.
*E.A. Diddle Award originated in 1971 in memory of the great coach who meant so much in the development of athletics at Western Kentucky University.
It recognizes a men’s basketball player who displayed those personal strengths of character, leadership, loyalty, ability, and love of fellow man which were important elements in building the rich tradition that Western Kentucky enjoys.
WKU Athletics
