POY 2023

6 | PERSONS OF THE YEAR
CRAIG STONE
LYNNFIELD
By Joey Barrett
Item Sports Editor
When it comes to Lynnfield tennis
and wrestling coach Craig Stone, it’s
hard to find a box unchecked – as a
coach and, more importantly, as a
person.
We know about the conference
titles, state championships, Coach of
the Year awards, and 1,200-plus wins
between the two sports.
But beyond any swing of the racket
or pin on the mat, Stone has touched
an incredible amount of lives – just by
being himself.
“Craig has always been ahead of
the game in coaching, relationships,
partnerships, and teaching people,”
said Nick Secatore, Lynnfield’s police
chief who wrestled for Stone in 1997
before becoming his assistant coach.
“More than that, just showing students
the right way to behave – how you
win, how you lose, and how you
improve.”
Things came full circle for Stone
last March when he served as an
honorary guest during a Lynnfield
gala to raise money for new tennis
courts.
The gala welcomed roughly 240
people, and more often than not, they
had relationships with Stone. He was
a mentor, friend, and even a father
figure to many in attendance.
“It’s not like they were 240
strangers,” said Stone, who was
pleasantly surprised by a cardboard
cutout of himself that night.
The few hours were “very
nostalgic,” as said by Stone, who
enjoyed recreating stories and
laughing the night away.
It was just a snapshot of Stone’s
impact since 1972, the year he was
hired into Lynnfield’s school system.
Mike Bodek used to wrestle for
Stone, but not always.
“I had a buddy who told me, ‘You
don’t want to play basketball; you
want to come wrestle for this guy,’”
Bodek said.
The end result was Bodek
becoming one of the best wrestlers
in Lynnfield High history and, more
importantly, finding a new friend.
“He was awesome,” said Bodek,
who added how important Stone was
in coping with his mother’s cancer.
“He had a great effect on me in high
school and it’s carried up to today.”
Jill Migliero McEwan, a doubles
player on Lynnfield’s 1997 state
championship team, spoke about
Stone’s coaching style.
“He’s the perfect combination,”
McEwan said. “He pushes you, but
he’s kind and considerate… He’s just
a great human being.”
Nicholas Saggese, one of three
Saggese brothers to wrestle for Stone,
said his respect for his former coach
“has no expiration date.”
“What kids need today is what Mr.
Stone gave us: old school discipline
and respect,” Saggese said. “Today, I
only know Craig Stone as Mr. Stone.”
It’s a two-way street. The
community loves Stone, and he loves
it back.
“It’s very positive and very
receptive,” Stone said. “It’s just been
a collection of people at all levels.
I’ve been fortunate to work in a
community that’s very supportive.”
STAFF FILE PHOTO | JAKOB MENENDEZ
And he’s passionate. What was
once an old mudroom in the Stone
household has turned into a room
full of newspaper clippings and other
memorabilia – not about himself, but
the others.
“I just so much enjoy reading
the alumni names,” Stone said. “A
lot of them come back to say hi and
update me on their families and their
experiences.”
With more than 600 tennis
wins and 500 in wrestling, Stone’s
philosophy remains more important
than any victory in competition.
“To affect in a positive way,” Stone said.