Number of Participants: 55
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $7,654
Event Type: Veterans & Military Families
Activity: Football
School: St. Cloud Cathedral High School
Date: September 15, 2026
Location:
Cathedral High School
St. Cloud, MN
USA
About:
Pregame preparations were underway in Week 2 for the St. Cloud Cathedral Football team and junior captain John Hughes was one of three student leaders guiding the Crusaders from the south end of Clemens Stadium on the St. John’s University campus in Collegeville.
While homing in on your opponent, in this case Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, is the focus of a pregame routine, no one could fault a student-athlete on this day for struggling to fully engage. A day of national reflection cast a net of raw emotions and energies that were equal parts reverence for the victims of terrorist attacks 25 years ago, respect for the first responders and gratitude for military personnel that protect freedoms.
John was especially in tune with all of it as St. Cloud Cathedral was one of 11 teams selected by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association to host a “Salute to Service” recognition event as part of its game on Sept. 11.
During the buzzing of pregame activity, on the north side of the end zone, the Waite Park Fire Department was affixing the American flag to its hook and ladder while the VFW Granite Post 428 Color Guard assembled in formation. And as fans were filing in, the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) representing St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict had just finished a 2 1/2-hour session of running stairs in the stadium in honor of the first responders to the terrorist attacks a quarter-century ago.
It continued during a powerful rendition of the national anthem sung by Chief Warrant Officer 5 and St. Cloud Cathedral parent Gerard Kroll with the iconic bells from the nearby St. John’s Abbey chiming in.
“I love football and I love to win, but sometimes, you need a day like today to humble yourself and be mindful that there is a lot more in life than just a game,” John Hughes told me. “The freedoms we have to be able to play and participate is incredible, and it is because of our service workers, first responders, our military and other heroes that we have these opportunities. I am beyond grateful for all of them and what they have done for us.”
His favorite hero sat by himself on the home side of the field, silently taking in the activities while reflecting to a quarter century ago.
“My dad is absolutely my No. 1 hero, no doubt about it,” John Hughes said.
On the day that would transform America, Dan Hughes was a U.S. Secret Service Agent, specializing in explosive detection K9s. He pulled into his parking space in 7 World Trade Center just as the first airplane hit the North Tower. His agenda that day was to do security preparatory work for the United Nations that was gathering the next week.
“It is important to share the story,” said Dan Hughes, a North Dakota native. “Those events on that day shaped our lives and are still with us today. I encourage my kids and others to ask questions. I am curious to what kids think of it today. I’m OK to talk about it. I am fortunate to be alive.”
Hughes immediately saw injured people, retrieved trauma kits and set up a mini triage unit. He then witnessed the second plane crashing into the South Tower. Looking to assist at the North Tower, he began to walk there but was forced to retreat when the building collapsed.
He later witnessed first responders grabbing fire hoses and other equipment while receiving instructions and pep talks from their captains.
“It was much like a football coach giving a pep talk to their players,” he said. “I saw so many of them go in, but I don’t know that any of them survived. I have the highest respect and admiration for those brave men and women.”
Hughes returned the next day to assist with recovery efforts and to find his car, but it was destroyed under rubble and mangled rebar. For his actions during 9/11, Hughes was awarded the U.S. Secret Service Medal of Valor.
He left the Secret Service in 2004 but continued his work with K9 teams. He would spend four years in Afghanistan performing contract services with the explosive-detecting K9s.
Hughes, an NAIA national wrestling champion in 1997 while competing with the University of Mary, was recognized in Friday’s pregame ceremony with an announcement on the public address system and a slide on the electronic scoreboard.
Hughes’ wife, Kristin, is the Director of the Veterans Resource Center at St. Cloud State University. The soft-spoken Hughes accepted an invitation from her to speak at an event earlier in the day. He said it was the first time he had given a formal speech in front of a group.
“It’s been a long day filled with emotions, but a good day,” Hughes said. “I’m really lucky to have my family and to be able to watch them succeed in high school activities. That makes my heart feel really great. As their father, I make it a point to share things that I’ve done. Our family is unique, I’d say. Most kids don’t get exposed to explosive-detecting dogs on a daily basis.”
John Hughes made his dad’s day extra memorable by scoring a pair of touchdowns in a game that was suspended because of weather with ACGC leading 16-14 in the third quarter. The game resumed on Monday night and ACGC prevailed, 22-18.
“People will be talking about this event for a long time,” St. Cloud Cathedral Activities Director Emmett Keenan said. “It is a somber day in our nation’s history, but it’s also a day where we can make it special by honoring those incredible people. For us, in our small way here in central Minnesota, I think we were able to do that.”
