Returning
to his roots

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

These days, the North Catholic High School wrestling squad members feel like they’re on top of the world.
The Falcons earned an undefeated 17-0 record and won the Catholic League championship this season, defeating La Salle High School, 29-20, on Feb. 2. The title victory is their 13th in school history, launching the Falcons to the top, with more championship titles than any other squad in the Catholic League.
But long before the Falcons had wrestling trophies, they had Ed Mirranda.
The former North Catholic High School wrestler teamed up with the school’s first squad in 1975. Over the next three seasons, Mirranda was consecutively named an All-Catholic wrestler in the 105, 112 and 119 pound weight classes. The Frankford native graduated in 1977 and went on to compete at a collegiate level, but he never lost his connection with North Catholic.
And the Falcons never lost their appreciation for one of the guys that helped start it all.
Which is why, on March 19, Mirranda will return to his roots as the 2008 North Catholic wrestling Hall of Fame inductee.
"I was very surprised when I found out," said Mirranda. "I didn’t think I was at that level where they would honor me like that. There are so many great wrestlers out there. This is a big honor."
Mirranda teamed up with the Falcons as a sophomore in the 1974-75 season. After three years of personal success at North Catholic, Mirranda took his talents to the next level and wrestled at Widener University for one year.
"I think it made me the person I am today," he said. "Wrestling just made it better for me because I could take on challenges. It made me tougher. I’m from the city, and at North Catholic there’s a tradition of being tough. It’s the same today, too. They’re hard-working kids from the city.
"I was much tinier then, but with wrestling, I started gaining confidence," he continued. "I got stronger and smarter. Once I was more confident, people started looking towards me for leadership and knowledge. North teaches leadership."
And it didn’t take long for Mirranda return the favor. In the early 1980s, the former All-Catholic athlete returned to the Falcons pit, this time as an assistant coach for Pat Manzi.
"It was an opportunity to teach somebody and watch them take that knowledge and really grow," said Mirranda, who consistently helped lead the Falcons to post-season play over his six years as assistant coach, and making it to the finals twice. "It was great working with Pat. I learned a lot from him.
"When I went to the championship match this year, I looked and there were about eleven coaches there," he continued. "And these are all kids that graduated from North. It goes to show the love they have for the sport and the school. I was really proud. Just seeing those guys I knew it was an extension of what I did."
The tradition that Mirranda helped start over three decades ago is still thriving throughout the Philadelphia area. And it is in no way limited to the wrestling mat.
In his current career working with Philadelphia correctional officers throughout the city, Mirranda has plenty of opportunities to share with fellow alumni — who also happen to be co-workers.
For example, Louis Giorla, a 1974 North Catholic graduate, is currently employed as acting commissioner of prisons. Captain Fred Abello, also a fellow Falcon, is now the director of training for all correctional officers, and deputy Patrick Warden is responsible for the emergency management unit.
Then, of course, there’s Mirranda. His personal career started in 1982 as a Philadelphia correctional officer. He was named sergeant in 1998, lieutenant five years later and earned the rank of captain last year. Mirranda is currently working as commanding officer of the Philadelphia Department of Correction’s CERT Unit, which is an emergency response team.
"I’m in charge of the prison’s SWAT team," explained Mirranda, who has been in corrections for 26 years. "I enjoy it because I do a lot of teaching, and I do tactical planning for any kind of emergency."
When he’s not safeguarding prisons throughout Philadelphia or reminiscing about his old wrestling days, Mirranda can be found working toward a criminal justice degree at the University of Phoenix through online classes.
"Now I know what I have to do and I’m going to get it done," said Mirranda, 48. "I want to go as far as I can. The sky is the limit. I love what I do. I get to teach and a lot of people depend on me. I intend to be here for a while."
The Frankford native now lives in the Juniata section of Philadelphia and spends as much time as possible with his wife Edie, five children and 10 grandchildren — all of whom are thrilled to witness the former wrestling star get inducted into the North Catholic Hall of Fame.
"I wouldn’t give up the experience at North for anything," said Mirranda. "It really helped me. It made me who I am today." ••
Ed Mirranda will be inducted into the North Catholic High School Hall of Fame on March 19. All alumni, friends and North wrestling fans are welcome to attend the banquet, which be at Romano’s Caterers, at 1600 Wingohocken St. Dinner will be at 7 p.m. with this year’s team awards and Mirranda’s induction after. Tickets are $20 per plate and must be reserved in advance by calling 215-831-5246.