“Mike had a good offensive mind,” Dippel said. “He was more of a lineman. He knew Mike would do a good job (as offensive coordinator).” Even after Will retired, and to this very day, the work ethic, the pride, the fun of Mater Dei football has been “Frank-driven.” “I have never met a better person,” Goebel said. Coach Will definitely made a positive impact on many of his players and students’ lives. We are forever a grateful.”
A Memorial High School graduate, Will served as head baseball coach at Rex Mundi and was the Monarchs’ assistant in basketball and football until the school closed in 1972. He was an assistant football and basketball coach at Mater Dei before becoming head football coach in ‘75. “He was a kind guy,” Dippel said of Will, who posted a career record of 133-106 and was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Frank Will Model A Car
Maddie and Nick Will on their wedding day in December 2020
Frank and Betty Will at their 40th Anniversary.
Frank and Betty on their wedding day in 1966
By Mallory (Goebel) Hertel ‘07 Director of Advancement
In December of 2020, during a year of ups, downs, and all-over-the-places, two Mater Dei graduates, Nick Will ‘17 and Maddie Happe ‘17, were married at Sacred Heart Church and everything seemed to make sense. It was a time of celebration, family, and new traditions. Maddie and Nick left the ceremony in Nick’s grandpa, Frank Will’s, restored old car.
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Fifty-four years earlier, Frank and wife, Betty, were married on July 16, 1966 and they drove off in Frank’s 1929 Ford Model A. A few years prior, Frank was thinking about getting his car. He already had a white Model A that he primarily drove around. It was a favorite make and model amongst he and his brother Martin, and his friend, Urban. After purchasing the old car, his brother and he tore it apart and restored the car in their dad’s backyard. They rebuilt the engine, transmission, painted the body and reupholstered the interior.
They spent a lot of time together getting the car back in top shape. Some years later, Frank got busy and the car found its way into storage. Years of not driving it had left it in bad condition. It didn’t run and the tires were dry-rotted. Then, Frank and son, Bryan ‘85, thought it would be a good idea to get the car running for Betty and Frank’s 40th wedding anniversary and started messing around with it in Frank’s garage. With the help of Jerry Muensterman, Sr., the engine and transmission were restored and the car came back to life. Next on the list of things to do was a new paint job by Schafsteins and new tires to get it driveable and on the road. It was officially ready for the anniversary party. Since that evening, it has been stored in Bryan’s garage and driven here and there for fun. Frank’s grandson, Nick, had the idea to carry on the
tradition and have himself and new bride, Maddie, leave their ceremony in the old restored car that had kept it’s permanent place in the family. He thought it would be cool to ride in the same car as his grandparents all those years ago. The Wills intend to keep what they consider a “family gem” running and there are already plans to use the car at Bryan and Angie (Morris) Will’s 40th anniversary down the road.
The Will Family: Bryan '85, Angie (Morris) '86, Nick '17, Maddie (Happe) '17, Betty and Frank
