SARATOGA SPRINGS — Former Saratoga Springs High School star Mickey Walczak became one of the best athletes to emerge from the Capital Region, starring in both football and basketball before going on to play football at West Virginia University.
Walczak, one of the Blue Streaks’ most decorated athletes, passed away on March 28. Walczak was born and raised in Saratoga and captained both the Blue Streaks’ football and basketball teams to Foothills Council championships during his time in school.
He eventually played football for West Virginia from 1979 to 1982, where he was named Offensive MVP of the Mountaineers’ 26-6 upset win over Florida in the 1981 Peach Bowl.
Former Saratoga varsity boys’ basketball coach Damian Fantauzzi said Mickey was “one of the best athletes to ever come out of the area.”
“I mean, I can’t begin to tell you how athletic he was,” said Fantauzzi, who coached Walczak in basketball. “He’s the kind of kid, when he’s running, it looks like he’s walking, because he’s so smooth. And he’ll beat you.”
Walczak played three years of varsity basketball at Saratoga, and was captain of the team in 1977-78, his senior year, when the Blue Streaks finished the regular season undefeated and won the Foothills Council championship. Saratoga remained unbeaten until a 61-60 loss to Niskayuna in the Section 2 Class A Championship game, finishing with a 20-1 record.
“I think in a way, he knew how talented he was,” said former Saratoga varsity basketball assistant coach Rich Johns. “And he knew the others really watched him, because he was so gifted.”
“He led by example, really,” added Fantauzzi. “His game did all the talking for him, whatever game it was.”
Louisa Foye, a longtime friend of the Walczak family, spoke of memories watching Mickey play CYO basketball for St. Clement’s under longtime Saratoga Central Catholic coach Bob King.
“He was just already physically so far advanced from all these other little guys that were 10 to 12 years old,” said Foye.
And while Walczak’s football ability took him to West Virginia, he didn’t even begin playing the sport until his junior year of high school.
He ran for over 1,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons, and was captain his senior year, helping lead the Blue Streaks to an undefeated regular season and a Foothills championship.
“He had so much power,” said Tim Doherty, former Saratoga football quarterback, noting Walczak was also a strong punter. “A couple times, like, ‘How can a human kick a ball that far?’”
“He was so strong, and it was natural,” Fantauzzi added. “He wasn’t like a weightlifter and all that stuff; he was just natural.”
Foye said that then-Saratoga football head coach Blase Iuliano “could put (Mickey) anywhere” on the field.
“Punt returner, punter, running back, wide receiver/wing like he was at West Virginia, and on defense,” said Foye. “He could do it all, and I think that’s what set him apart.”
Foye said after college, she returned to Saratoga Springs for a year, which also coincided with Walczak’s senior year at SSHS. When Walczak went off to college, Foye said she also would travel with Mickey’s mother, her own mother, and others to watch Mickey’s games at West Virginia.
“I was lucky that year, I was able to go to all of his basketball and football games,” Foye said. “I was grateful to be home, because they had really good teams.”
Walczak compiled 871 yards and nine touchdowns of total offense at West Virginia, including eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the 1981 Peach Bowl victory. His 41 receptions ranked second on the team during the 1981 season.
Walczak was inducted into the Capital District Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Doherty also recounted memories of growing up and playing sports together, including their first matchup in Little League baseball. Doherty was pitching and said his first pitch hit Walczak in the leg.
“I think the baseball was more damaged than Mickey. It was like hitting a telephone pole,” said Doherty. “We just laughed, you know?”
Doherty remembered time spent as kids playing basketball at the Walczak’s house, fishing in Yaddo, and more.
“We all hung out together. It was a really tight group,” Doherty said. “Mickey and I were in the same class, fifth and sixth grade at Caroline Street School. Then we went to junior high, we were the first class in the junior high at West Avenue. You grow up with guys, you spend a lot of time together. A lot of laughs.”
Doherty also said that Mickey’s son, Dillon, has also picked up the passion for fishing from his father.
Foye recounted seeing Walczak ride his bike throughout the city, often on his way to play a pickup game with friends.
“When he was a young boy right through teenage years, when other kids might be driving, he would ride his bike all over town,” added Foye. “And he never used his hands. He would be carrying a basketball, equipment, whatever, going from his house to East Side Rec or wherever. He would ride that bike all over town with no hands.”
Doherty said, “it was a tight-knit group of guys,” recounting memories of pickup games played throughout the city.
“You get on the kitchen telephone, and dial it up, ‘Where’s the baseball game today after school?’, or on a weekend, Saturday morning,” said Doherty. “Sandlot football, sandlot baseball. Just a lot of memories and good times.”
