Da Coach joins in on fun and fund-raising for a good cause

St. Martin De Porres High School in Waukegan was a winner on Thursday when a fund-raising event for the school turned out to be a big success.

But the school wasn't the only winner on this night.

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Former Chicago Bear coach and player Mike Ditka, center, talks to Ken Valdiserri, president and CEO of Gridiron Greats, left, and Conrad 'Connie' Kowal, executive director of the Chicago Baseball Museum, right, at a fundraiser for St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan at Mickey Finn's Brewery in Libertyville.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)

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St. Martin de Porres High School junior Jamie Galarza, 15, of Waukegan, left, and senior Octavio Brindis, 18, of Waukegan listen to Dave Casper during an auction at a fundraiser for St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan at Mickey Finn's Brewery in Libertyville.

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Chicago Bear Nick Roach, left, and former Bear Emery Moorehead, right, talk during a fundraiser for St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan at Mickey Finn's Brewery in Libertyville.

The smiling faces on everyone involved in the event at Mickey Finn's in Libertyville on Thursday night told the story of a success event of fun and football, featuring Da Coach -- Mike Ditka, and other guests associated with the sport.

This was the third annual Football FUNraiser for the tiny, private school that has a couple hundred high-school students and is located on the far south side of Waukegan.

Ditka was joined at the event by current Chicago Bears middle linebacker Nick Roach, and former Bears tight end Emery Moorehead, among others.

Also on hand was former Notre Dame and Oakland Raiders star tight end Dave Casper, whose Vernon Hills-based company helped organize the event.

The FUNraiser featured plenty of football talk, but also included a talk by George Rattin, president of the school, and a couple of the students.