Like
so many athletes from Monaca, Mike Raich competed in three sports:
football, basketball, and baseball. But he shined brightest on the
gridiron as a running back, defensive back, and linebacker for the
Indians. Mike was a three year starter on teams that went 29-3-1 and
won the WPIAL Class A Championship when he was a junior, the same
season he was a first team All Conference linebacker. Monaca went
undefeated during Mike’s senior season, and Mike earned first team
All Conference honors as a running back and as a defensive back, and
was named All WPIAL Class A on defense. With a 3.94 grade point
average, Mike accepted a scholarship to Cornell University and
became a three year starter who became the first Cornell player to
return for touchdowns an interception, a punt, and a blocked punt.
Mike earned second team All Ivy League honors and made first team
All Ivy League his junior and senior years. As a senior, he was
named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and honorable mention
NCAA 1AA All American. Mike was later named to the All Time Cornell
University Football Team, receiving more votes than any other
defensive back. Mike’s brother,
Matt, was
also involved in sports, serving as an assistant coach for the
Pittsburgh Steelers.
Like
so many athletes from Monaca, Mike Raich competed in three sports:
football, basketball, and baseball. But he shined brightest on the
gridiron as a running back, defensive back, and linebacker for the
Indians. Mike was a three year starter on teams that went 29-3-1 and
won the WPIAL Class A Championship when he was a junior, the same
season he was a first team All Conference linebacker. Monaca went
undefeated during Mike’s senior season, and Mike earned first team
All Conference honors as a running back and as a defensive back, and
was named All WPIAL Class A on defense. With a 3.94 grade point
average, Mike accepted a scholarship to Cornell University and
became a three year starter who became the first Cornell player to
return for touchdowns an interception, a punt, and a blocked punt.
Mike earned second team All Ivy League honors and made first team
All Ivy League his junior and senior years. As a senior, he was
named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and honorable mention
NCAA 1AA All American. Mike was later named to the All Time Cornell
University Football Team, receiving more votes than any other
defensive back. Mike’s brother,