There aren’t many people at Mariposa County High School who know Logan Mankins quite like Trace DeSandres.
DeSandres coached Mankins in basketball from 1998 to 2000 and has remained friendly with Mankins and his family over the last few decades. DeSandres currently serves as athletic director for the high school.
Mankins, as many people know, was a graduate of MCHS and went on to become a tremendous offensive lineman for the New England Patriots and Fresno State Bulldogs.
Mankins was honored on Saturday, Oct. 10, as Fresno State University inducted him into the Fresno State Ring of Honor. The ceremony was conducted during halftime of the game against Boise State. Mankins became the first offensive lineman ever to be inducted.
DeSandres was one of a few dozen people from Mariposa County who attended to see Mankins receive this special recognition. DeSandres said he got to interact with Mankins briefly and was in the stands when Mankins was honored on the field.
“It was really special. The thing that always stands out to me is how humble, gracious and appreciative he is about where he ended up. It’s amazing,” said DeSandres.
The 6-foot-4, 308 pound Mankins is considered by many to be the greatest Grizzly athlete ever.
Mankins was then drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft, at 32nd overall. He spent just over a decade in the National Football League, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro honors. He then finished his career with a brief stay in Tampa Bay.
Mankins was also part of the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade team.
DeSandres said school officials are hoping to retire Mankins’ MCHS football jersey next year with a special ceremony. DeSandres believes Mankins is likely the greatest athlete to ever wear a Grizzly jersey.
“When you are the MVP of the league in baseball, in basketball, and an all-league first teamer in football — he had that ability to rebound the ball, outlet it, get it back and throw it down at 240 pounds,” said DeSandres. “He just did things I never knew he could do on the basketball court.”
Mankins also played third base and pitched on the baseball team and obviously was a dominant football player.
“He was such an all-around athlete,” DeSandres said. “I thought his future was in basketball. That’s how smart I am.”
For DeSandres, seeing Mankins honored at Fresno State was a special moment, and Mankins certainly made Mariposa proud over the years.
Responses (0)