Jackie Hyatt, ’49
(posthumous) Football
In his day, he often was referred to as “Prep’s Mr. Excitement,” and for those who witnessed Jackie Hyatt in action, that title would be his alone. Considered one of the great broken field runners in Hudson County history, Jackie climaxed a memorable career by scoring three touchdowns in Prep’s 26-19 upset of Memorial. They were among the 18 touchdowns he scored in his senior yesr—a dozen of them on runs of 50 yards or more. At the time, his 108 points was the second greatest total ever scored by a Prep running back. Jackie also was a track star, winning the state 100 and 220 yard dashes in his junior and senior years, in addition to playing a season of varsity basketball. He then went on to Fordham where, after enjoying two outstanding varsity seasons, he was named the Rams’ captain in his senior year. However, he was stricken with a rare form of paralysis known as bulbar polio, which affects the respiratory system. Incredibly, after battling through a difficult five-month convalescence, he managed to return to the Fordham varsity as a starter. Following his graduation, Jackie returned to Prep as an assistant backfield coach under Bill Cochrane and remained at Prep through 1958, when he moved into the business world as a purchasing agent for a cosmetics firm. He died in 1980, leaving behind a proud legacy of achievement and determination.
Roy Leenig
(posthumous) Basketball Coach
Excerpted from his bio in the 1999 “Legends of Prep” program Roy Leenig came to St. Peter’s in 1949 to teach physical education and to coach basketball. What followed from 1949 to 1955 is still referred to as the “Leenig years.” During that six-year span, Prep won five state championships, five Jesuit Tourney titles, four county and four city championships, and two championships at the Eastern States Catholic Invitational Tournament (a preeminent high school competition, bringing together the finest teams from the eastern seaboard). His coaching record at Prep was 141 victories against 20 defeats—an incredible 87.5 winning percentage. Moreover, he developed some of the finest players ever to wear the maroon and white, and many went on to successful collegiate careers. Roy’s success did not go unnoticed, and he moved on to an equally stellar career at Holy Cross, where he reunited with some of his former players. Roy Leenig’s career at Prep was brief but brilliant—and most worthy of the status of “Legend of Prep” bestowed upon him in 1999.