Owen Coogan matriculated to Holy Cross following an outstanding career at St. Peter's High School in Worcester, where he was elected to the All-City football team in 1947,1948 and 1949 as a guard.
Moved to defensive end at Holy Cross, he started every varsity game for the next three seasons and earned a spot on the All-New England as a result of his hard work and determination.
Coogan blocked numerous punts and field goal attempts and recovered many fumbles in his three years. Two of his most memorable recoveries occurred in his senior year. The first was at Marquette on the Marquette one-yard line, resulting in the game winning touchdown for Holy Cross and a 7-0 final score. The second recovery came in the Boston College game when their quarterback fumbled on the Holy Cross one-yard line. Coogan recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback, preventing a score as the Crusaders won 21-7.
As testimony to his drive and prowess, Coogan was selected by Coach Anderson as Holy Cross' Lineman of the Week a record five consecutive weeks during the 1952 season as the Crusaders went 8-2 against the cream of the crop of Eastern football.
Coogan competed on Crusader teams which achieved an overall record of 20-9-1, winning over 68 percent of their games.
Coogan's innumerable fans from Worcester and beyond honored him at halftime of his final home game against Temple in 1952, a day which Mayor Holmstrom of Worcester proclaimed as Owen Coogan Appreciation Day.
