October 24, 2025 • 24 mins
We sit with community champion Michelle Mira Cohen to trace how the Key West Junior Football League blends legacy, and service into a living tradition on George Mira Field. It takes a village keeps Conch pride alive.
• Legacy of George Mira and meaning of the field name
• 24 years of service and the league’s 63-year history
• Community outreach, celebrity chain gang, and volunteers
• Honoring coaches and naming the press box for Wayne Goldstein
• Giving back to the city
• All-star games, raffles, and travel support
• Family ties, alumni pride, and next-gen leadership
• School memories at Mary Immaculate and lifelong bonds
• What brings joy: family, kids, and service
If you enjoyed this episode, drop a review, share, and subscribe because there’s a lot of good stuff on deck. You can also follow Bring Joy on YouTube and Instagram, or check my website at joynulisch.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Joy (00:04):
Thanks for tuning in to the conks, a Bring Joy Podcast.
I'm your host, Joy Nulisch.
I'm a first generation conchraised by a fourth.
What does that add up to?
A whole lot of conk pride.
And that's what this show isall about celebrating the
incredible people of Key Westand their stories from every
corner of our conk community.
(00:24):
So sit back and relax, cuz.
Let's do this thing.
This episode is sponsored bySunset Watersports.
And big shout out to AyeshaOsborne for keeping Conch Pride
alive.
How are we doing, Conch fans?
I got a good one for you today.
We're talking with MichelleMira Cohen, a true conk who's
(00:46):
dedicated to keeping Key Westtraditions and Kunk Pride alive.
Welcome to the show, Michelle.
Michelle (00:52):
Thank you for having me.
Joy (00:53):
Hey, let's get right into it and talk about the Key West
Junior Football League because Iknow you spent a lot of time
and put a lot of heart into theleague.
Michelle (01:01):
I sure have.
I've dedicated 24 years to theleague.
I take great pride in theleague.
The field is named after myuncle, so I feel it's my way of
giving back to my uncle'slegacy.
Joy (01:14):
George Mira, a Key West native, was a multi-sport
athlete at Key West High in the50s, playing football,
basketball, and baseball.
He was a two-time statechampion with the baseball
Conchs, but turned down thebaseball draft to play football
at the University of Miami.
Mira put the Miami footballprogram on the map as an
all-conference MVP quarterback,breaking records and earning
(01:38):
national attention as a two-timeHeisman Trophy candidate.
Mira was nicknamed the Matadorfor his athletic play, a strong
arm and quick feet.
He couldn't be stopped.
He's a member of the HurricanesRing of Honor, and his number
10 jersey is retired at Miamiand Keywest High School.
Mira went on to be drafted bythe San Francisco 49ers and
(02:01):
played eight years in the NFL,including two Super Bowls, one
with the Dolphins and a win withthe Colts.
George Mira is a comp legend.
Now what a legacy he has,right?
Key West's greatest athlete, ifyou ask me.
You say 20, 20-something yearswith the league.
Michelle (02:18):
Yes.
I started when my daughter wastwo years old, out there as a
mascot, and then somehow I gotroped into becoming a board
member, and the rest is kind ofhistory.
Joy (02:29):
And is that what your role is right now?
You're one of the boardmembers.
Michelle (02:32):
Yeah, I'm the secretary currently.
Joy (02:34):
And I was reading that this is the 63rd year or 62nd year
that the league's been around.
Michelle (02:40):
We've been in existence since nine since
August of 63.
Joy (02:44):
Yeah, that I think the league is an institution.
I know um when I was a kid, Iwas a cheerleader for Rotary.
My sister was a cheerleader forDennis Pharmacy.
My brothers played.
So spending Saturdays out therehas been a key west tradition
as long as we've been alive,right?
Michelle (03:04):
Exactly.
I was a cheerleader allthroughout my youth for um
Dennis Pharmacy Falcons.
Yes.
My daughter cheered for Rotary,you know, and as the years went
on, she went on to differentteams.
It seemed like back in our dayyou stayed with one team and it
went all the way throughout forsome reason, but now we change
names as the divisions change.
Joy (03:22):
And one of the things that I noticed this year, and I
wanted to give you um kudos for,is you really engage the
community.
You had an outreach program tosay, hey, we need volunteers to
help us run the day theoperations out here on Saturday.
Everything from the chain gangto the concession stand.
Talk about that idea.
How did that come about?
(03:43):
And who are some of the conkcelebrities that came out and
helped you?
Michelle (03:48):
Well, we really focused this year on kind of
revamping our image.
We got a you know some negativefeedback last year on on
different parts of the league.
So this year Ralph came backand we were thrilled to have
Ralph Major come back.
And it the celebrity servicewas his idea.
So I have to give him all thekudos for that.
And you know, we really reachedout and you know, for Chain
(04:10):
Gang.
We started out with schoolboard, or well, we started out
with um the city commissioners,then we went to school board,
then we went over to um thesheriff's department, to the Key
West Police Department, we wentto Take Stock, we went to Head
Start, and then we did, youknow, so we really worked at the
Chain Gang.
(04:31):
We got a lot of the kids fromthe baseball program and boy and
girls basketball to do thechain gang.
So, you know, a lot ofcommunity effort for sure.
And then I had the girls fromKwis High School homecoming come
out and be celebrity serversbecause four of the six girls
were girls in my the league withus.
Joy (04:50):
Also, you you also highlighted some of the alumni
from junior football league, socheerleaders that have gone on
to cheer at the college level.
I thought that was reallygreat, also.
Michelle (05:02):
Yeah, I thought it was pretty cool that I ended up
with so many at that game.
So I said, you know what, I'mgonna highlight the Florida
State girls.
So I did it, KWJFL to FSU.
So that was pretty cool.
Joy (05:13):
Yeah.
I thought that was great.
And that and that's what youknow, that's what this show is
all about, right?
Recognizing conks from allcorners of the community who are
keeping the conch pride andconk traditions alive.
You mentioned that yourdaughter was a cheerleader, and
uh you were out there helpingher, and now she's she's since
(05:35):
grown and doing her own thing,and you're you're still out
there.
Michelle (05:38):
Yeah, so that's pretty cool, right?
My kids always question why areyou still doing it?
You know, they're 30 and 26,and my answer to them is who
called me Saturday morning tosee if I woke up?
Neither one of you also, why doyou care where I spend my
Saturdays?
So, you know, that's my answerto them, you know, when they get
on me about it.
I I really enjoy it.
Joy (05:57):
And yeah, right?
When where else would yourather be?
Exactly.
Michelle (06:02):
And now that I have you know, my niece Lauren and my
niece Ashley out there coachingand my nephew John, and then
their children out there, soit's kind of like we're making
full circle, you know, keepgiving back.
Joy (06:12):
So I hear that your great nephew is a heck of a football
player.
He's he's yeah, he's got somepotential, that's for sure.
What are the age group of uhteams out there?
I think you have flag footballall the way up.
Michelle (06:27):
Flag is um four to six, then the next division is
seven to ten, and then we havewe stop at B division, which is
like ten to twelve.
Unfortunately, we've lost our Adivision, and that is a very
big thing that I'm gonna try toget back.
Very much so.
I tried this year, I wasn'tsuccessful, but I'm gonna try it
again next year.
(06:47):
I'm gonna try to put flagdivision because flag is big,
it's real big right now, and sowe're gonna try to push for a
flag division for the Adivision, the older kids, which
gives them the opportunity tostill play tackle at HOB and
then flag with us, it doesn'tinterfere.
So that's my goal.
Joy (07:05):
I was talking with Andrew Freeman, you know, the athletic
director at Kewis High School,and flag football for girls is
one of the fastest growingsports in the country right now,
and girls are getting collegescholarships to play flag
football.
So that may be anotherconsideration, too, to open that
up for some of the girls, thethe older girls.
(07:27):
Absolutely.
So, about how many kids andcoaches are involved in the
league?
Michelle (07:31):
We have about 400 um kids.
We have 11 teams, and we have66 coaches, and I know that for
a fact because I had Ispotlighted them all throughout
the season, you know,recognizing them, volunteering
our their time to our community,and we appreciated them, so we
gave them a spotlight.
So we have 66 coaches.
Joy (07:53):
That's awesome, and like that's saying it takes a
village, it takes a village, itreally does.
And what are some of thechallenges with funding?
I know that you know there's aregistration fee, but what are
some of the challenges?
Because I'm sure it's notenough to cover all the needs of
a league like that.
So, what are some of thechallenges?
And is there any opportunity ifanybody wanted to contribute to
(08:16):
the league?
Do you have a way for them todonate?
Michelle (08:19):
Well, I worked real hard this year on fundraising
through ball sponsors and going,you know, I called myself the
Avon lady going door to door.
I went to the rotary clubs andI went to different
organizations because we foundourselves in a bad situation
this year when we started goingthrough our equipment.
We had to throw away like 80%of our shoulder pads and
helmets.
So that put us in a in a bind,but and we needed new uniforms.
(08:42):
So I'm happy to say that wehave all new helmets, we have
all new shoulder pads, and wewere able to do two divisions of
the three.
So next year I'm gonna beworking again a little harder so
that I can get the C divisionum new uniforms.
But you know, I'm very happywith our A, you know, our B
division and our flag.
They have new uniforms.
Joy (09:03):
That's awesome.
And is the season over rightalready?
Michelle (09:06):
We are over.
Now we're rolling intoall-stars.
So we have all-star games herein Key West.
Our flag division, we're havinga red and black game, and
that's the best two out ofthree.
And then our older kids thatare in pads, they're gonna play
one here, and I think we'retraveling away to two.
Joy (09:24):
Really cool.
So if somebody wanted todonate, I think you have a
raffle going on.
Is that raffle still open?
Michelle (09:30):
Yes, of course.
Yes, and that's going towards,you know, travel expense.
Joy (09:34):
Okay, I'm gonna put the I'm gonna put the Venmo uh ID,
profile ID there on the screen.
So if anybody wants to donate,it's not too late, right?
And you still have some yardsigns, even though football
season's over, you can stillkeep a yard sign out there,
right?
Michelle (09:50):
Yes, absolutely.
And then I'll push them.
You know, we did really wellwith them this year.
Of course, I still have someleft over, so I'll push them
again next year.
But I'm very thrilled with ourboard.
We worked really hard togetherum to you know better the
program.
And I think we were verysuccessful with that.
And it gave me great pride to,you know, see so many people
(10:11):
give back.
And then I was very proud thatwe did the plogging.
And I just felt it was veryimportant because we asked so
many people from the communityto give to us, and I thought it
was really important for them tosee us giving back to the
community as well.
So we we hosted one and we wereit was wonderful.
We were happy about it.
Joy (10:28):
That was really cool.
And I think you guys, I thinkthe junior football league
raised the bar for the othercity leagues now.
You know, like I said, thecommunity outreach, not just
like you said, asking forsupport from the community,
money and volunteer time, butalso giving back and the
plogging on Friday going out andkeeping the community clean.
That was that was that wasreally, really cool.
(10:51):
You know, we you mentioned youruncle, the field is George Mira
Field.
What does that mean for you?
You mentioned a little bit whenwe got started, but what's that
what's that level of pride thatyou feel supporting the league,
knowing that that field isnamed after him and his legacy
as such a great athlete?
Michelle (11:11):
Anyone that knows me knows I'm all about family.
There's nothing more importantto me than family, and to be out
there knowing that I'm, youknow, continuing my uncle's
legacy and letting that programthrive and succeed gives me
great, great joy.
It really does.
And like I said, knowing thatyou know the next generation is
stepping up is also giving me,you know, because I'm getting
(11:33):
old, I got a torch pass thetorch eventually.
So I'm grooming them.
Joy (11:38):
Uh I love that.
And I almost didn't wear a hattoday, but I don't know if you
noticed the one I'm wearing.
I I got it right there, hisautograph.
What what an what an athlete hewas, and and keeping his legacy
alive is is so important.
Um, when's the last time he wasable to be out at the field?
Michelle (11:55):
Well, the field itself, a while since you he
signed that hat for you, hishealth has you know declined a
lot.
So you wearing that hat alsobrought great joy to me because
that was the last that my uncle,you know, was well.
Joy (12:10):
We'll all um hopefully maybe maybe somebody can get
word to him that um he's lovedand well thought of, and we'll
we'll hope that he'll um befeeling feeling good soon.
Michelle (12:20):
Absolutely.
Joy (12:20):
And you you you also um recognized others, not not only
your uncle, but last year therewas a recognition for Coach
Darelito, who coached for somany years, and this year you
guys um named the press box forWayne Goldstein, who I thought
that was really cool.
Yeah, share with me how allthat came about.
Michelle (12:42):
Well, you know, I I've been trying this for a couple
of years, you know.
I felt I felt it was important.
You know, Wayne Goldstein gaveso much of his time to the kids
and out there.
So I've been pushing it for acouple years, and this year um I
pitched it to the board, andthey were all like, yes, which
was great.
And then, you know, I picked upthe phone, I called Didi, I
(13:02):
called Lisette, how do I makethis happen?
They told me what to do, andyou know, and it got named after
him, and it was great.
I was very happy to do that uhfor Jacqueline and Susan as well
to see that.
Joy (13:16):
I was glad to see it.
And there was a great write-upin the um QS Citizen Um Score
magazine that Joey Cook does.
Uh so I I thought that that wasreally special.
Speaking of the press box, uhDorian Cannon is the new voice
of the league.
Put a good word in for mebecause I've asked him to be on
(13:36):
the show and we haven'tconnected yet.
Michelle (13:38):
I sure will.
He is amazing.
He's our announcer, buteverything that he does for me
extra is just amazing, you know.
So he he does everything.
I'm always coming up with ahair brain scheme, and he's
like, I got you, I got you.
And I'm like, you really do,and that's pretty impressive.
And um, so yes, he's wonderful.
Joy (13:56):
And you mentioned Ralph Major already.
He was my classmate.
I know he's president of theleague.
He's doing all you've gotpictures of him flipping
burgers, doing cheers with thekids, putting shoulder pads
together, whatever it takes.
Who are some of the other boardmembers and other people that
work behind the scenes to makeit happen out there at the
league?
Michelle (14:15):
Ariana Corsi is our vice president.
She is the one that runs theshow behind the scenes.
Without a doubt, we couldn'tfunction the way we do without
her.
Destiny Johnson is ourtreasurer, and Shannon Butler is
our equipment manager and umfootball director.
He kind of took a double rolethere, a dual role.
(14:35):
So when does the season run?
It runs August this year.
It runs nine weeks.
It depends on when you start.
This year we started earlyAugust and we ended um
mid-October.
Joy (14:47):
Okay, real good.
So you feel like you had asuccessful season and all-stars
is gonna be a good way to end itoff.
Michelle (14:54):
Yeah, we haven't had cheerleaders travel with
all-stars in a lot of years.
I I'd say probably six, seven,maybe even nine.
Anyway, so we broughtcheerleaders back to travel with
the all-stars.
So we're excited about that,and they're excited as well.
Joy (15:10):
I'm sure they are.
Well, well, thank you, andthank the board for for
everything that they've doing tokeep that program alive.
Like I said, it's aninstitution in Key West.
I think every family has beenout there for you know Saturdays
at some point in their life.
You spent from the morning tillnight out at the league.
Um, which which reminds me ofof one thing.
(15:32):
Because when I was a kid, youwent and you played football,
you did the whole thing outthere, and then you went and had
pizza at Pizza Huddle.
Is there any Mira that's gonnaopen up the pizza shop again?
Can that happen?
Michelle (15:46):
Listen, I that is a dream of mine, but um, I don't
know that it's a reality, but itdefinitely is a dream.
And there is no better place onearth than George Myers Pizza
Huddle, in my opinion.
You're right.
It was just it was just athing.
Finish baseball, finishedfootball, you ended up at George
Myers Pizza Huddle.
Joy (16:05):
Absolutely.
We should pass a hat and see ifwe can get it going.
Michelle (16:09):
I would love, and I have my the I have the secret
ingredient for the spaghettisauce.
So, yes, maybe I can make it ago one day.
Joy (16:17):
That's really good stuff.
Hey, you know they're doing aum the Art and Historical
Society is doing a big exhibiton Key West food.
You should you should somehowget one of the menus over there.
You gotta hang on to that.
That's priceless.
So, so let's shift gears alittle bit.
I had Coach Juddwise on acouple months ago.
(16:40):
We had a great episode, and hewas sharing some of the
highlights from his 40-yearcareer in education.
And one of his highlights thathe shared was class of 86, Mary
Immaculate.
And I know that was yourgraduating class.
Talk about going to school withMary Immaculate.
Who were some of yourclassmates and teachers that
(17:01):
other people may remember?
Michelle (17:03):
My classmates, you know, there were 18 of us, nine
boys and nine girls, and we'restill to this day very close.
I ended up in Mary Immaculatebecause I couldn't follow the
rules.
And um, I went from publicschool, I came home on a Monday,
and my mother told me you startMary Mac you start Mary
Maculate on Tuesday.
I said, You're joking.
She goes, Go in your room, andthere in a uniform was hanging
(17:25):
on the closet.
And that was the second firstnine weeks of eighth grade, and
the rest was history.
I ended up graduating from MaryMacalet, and you know, although
I'm a conk at heart, obviouslyforever, but you know, Mary
Immaculate are my people aswell.
I made some good friendshipsand family through them.
Joy (17:45):
No, for sure.
And it's funny because my dad,George Carey, he was one of the
first, I think he was the firstmale class to graduate from Mary
Immaculate because he and hisfriends kept getting in trouble
and they were gonna put him out.
And so my grandmother and MissRuth went to the nuns and
(18:05):
because they had nuns back then,and you know, they worked out
something.
So they had a boys, a group ofboys that graduated.
I don't remember what year itwas, but and now they have a
high school again.
Michelle (18:17):
Are you involved with that high school at all?
Their first graduate theirtheir first graduating class is
on the anniversary of our 40th.
So what we're doing is sincethey're the first and we're the
last, we're buying them theircap and gowns as as a jackal.
Yeah.
So we we are planning somestuff because that is our
reunion as well.
So we are planning some stuffwith them.
(18:38):
We just are working out thedetails.
But um, we had George Riasecoin my class, Wayne Elliott,
Ruben German, Louis Scarmuzzi, Iknow you know that name.
Scott Elliott, Scott Atwood,excuse me.
Scott Atwood.
Um so yeah, there's you know,quite a bit of us, and then as
far as girls, Evette Casada,Carrie Mann, Lisa Garcia, Cheryl
(19:03):
Revis, Brendo Taro.
So, you know, it was a goodgroup, and we're still, you
know, like I said, we're stillclose, and that's really nice.
Joy (19:13):
Yeah, definitely.
And and besides Coach Wise, Ibelieve Miss Axford, Miss Terry
Axford, who was recently retiredfrom Monroe County Schools, I
believe she started her careerthere also.
Michelle (19:24):
She was our principal.
She started out as a teacherand our principal, and we had,
you know, Miss Pappy, Mrs.
Ma, and we had some goodteachers, and like I said,
you're a small school, so youend up being like family.
You know, you we stay the boysstay in contact with Coach Wise,
they have a very goodrelationship with him.
Joy (19:44):
That's awesome.
So, so speaking of family, youknow, this show is called the
Conchs, right?
So let me let me hear the conkconnections, Michelle Mira
Cohen.
That's that's a that's a namethat's got deep roots right
there.
So who's some of your peoplethat you connected to?
Michelle (20:01):
Let's see, the Cabo's, Danny Kabot.
He's my my mom's first cousin.
I'm a fifth generation conk.
My grandparents were born here.
My mom's parents were both bornin Key West.
And my father's um mom was bornin Spain.
She came over when she wasthree years old.
Yeah.
So, you know, the Hemanites aremy family.
You know, like I said, the youknow, all the Mira's, obviously.
(20:23):
But yeah, we have we have a bigfamily.
Joy (20:26):
And I have to I have to tell you, your your your mom and
dad were like movie star,beautiful people, weren't they?
Michelle (20:34):
I think so.
And my mom's sister, which ismy cousin Ralphie Enriquez, his
mom was just breathtaking,gorgeous.
She really was my Andolores.
Joy (20:43):
That's good stuff.
And uh your sister Yvette is uhschool board member now.
Yes, yep.
Michelle (20:50):
She um we're totally opposite, but you know, we both
have the same we we laugh aboutit all the time.
But yes, she followed therules.
I did not, but anyway, butwe're very close.
It's just me and my sister, andespecially since our parents
passed, you know, we feed off alot of things off of each other,
you know, because I don't havemy mom to go to anymore for
(21:12):
advice.
So now I go to my sister andshe comes to me for advice, and
you know, we we work together,we raise all our children as one
unit together.
Joy (21:21):
Yeah, that's that's beautiful.
And speaking of your children,you were able to raise your kids
here.
So what was that like?
I know they're grown now, butwhat do you hope that they take
away in terms of Kiwasttradition and and connection, no
matter whether they stay hereor they move their life
somewhere else?
Michelle (21:37):
I think that Kong Pride is, you know, my son, he
left for a little while when hewent to school and he came back
and he has no intention ofleaving here.
And my daughter moved to St.
Pete.
You know, she wanted to givesomething uh, you know, a try,
but you know, her goal uheventually is to end back here,
I hope.
But no, she you know, when shehas children and starts raising
a family, she would like to, youknow, come back home.
(21:59):
I laugh because my niece AshleyHenrique's her husband Ben told
me his advice to any kid incollege, don't marry a Key West
girl.
Because Ben, they you know,they were very successful in you
know, Orlando and Ashley wantedto come home.
So, you know, they're doingwell here too, but you know, it
it wasn't an option, and forLauren, it wasn't an option for
Sam to come here.
(22:20):
And Caroline's working onCasey, so hopefully we'll all
they'll all be here eventually.
Joy (22:25):
Yeah, because because it's not easy, it's not a given that
one that people that the nextgeneration wants to stay here or
or are able to stay here, so soit's really special when they
are able to for sure.
Complete complete this sentencefor me.
Michelle (22:41):
I love Key West because I love Key West.
I love everything about it.
I love the community, I lovethat we when we're in need, we
all come together regardless ofwho you are, what walk of life
you are.
We're all in it together.
And I just think that you knowit's a place where everybody
knows your name, and I thinkthat's important.
Joy (23:01):
That's beautiful.
That's that's a mic drop momentright there.
Okay.
Don't make me cry.
Hey, Michelle, it's been greattalking to you.
Like I said, I appreciateeverything you do out there at
the Junior Football League andkeeping the family tradition.
I live just a block away fromfrom the field, and I can't see
(23:21):
it, but I can hear all theexcitement when during football
season, and and that's such aspecial place.
So I appreciate everything youdo there.
Let me ask you one more bigquestion to end it all.
What brings you joy?
Michelle (23:34):
My family, my children, my children above all,
and then my family, and youknow, helping the kids in the
community.
You know, everyone tells me,Why do you do it?
But if it wasn't for you knowthe five of us on the board that
does it, or for anyorganization, if we don't do it,
who's gonna do it?
You know, somebody has to do itfor the kids of the community,
and it gives me great joy to doit.
(23:55):
And I'm gonna end it on my notereal quick, Joy.
I'm gonna make sure that I comesee you next year because you
know what I want.
I want that big sign on FlaglerAvenue.
I'm coming to see you.
Hey, I wasn't this year becauseI couldn't, you know, I
couldn't have that many firesgoing.
But next year uh I'm coming.
Joy (24:12):
Heard message received.
Very good.
We need it, we need a bigappropriate sign to to recognize
that legacy.
I'm I'm all in on that.
Go Konks.
Thanks again to Sunset WaterSports for sponsoring this
episode.
I'm Joy Newleich and Iappreciate you tuning into my
podcast.
My purpose is to bring joy intomy life and the lives of
others.
(24:33):
If you enjoyed this episode,drop a review, share, and
subscribe because there's a lotof good stuff on tech.
You can also follow Bring Joyon YouTube and Instagram, or
check my website atjoynoolish.com.
And go bring joy to the peoplein your world.
Until next time.
Thanks for tuning in to the conks, a Bring Joy Podcast.
I'm your host, Joy Nulisch.
I'm a first generation conchraised by a fourth.
What does that add up to?
A whole lot of conk pride.
And that's what this show isall about celebrating the
incredible people of Key Westand their stories from every
corner of our conk community.
(00:24):
So sit back and relax, cuz.
Let's do this thing.
This episode is sponsored bySunset Watersports.
And big shout out to AyeshaOsborne for keeping Conch Pride
alive.
How are we doing, Conch fans?
I got a good one for you today.
We're talking with MichelleMira Cohen, a true conk who's
(00:46):
dedicated to keeping Key Westtraditions and Kunk Pride alive.
Welcome to the show, Michelle.
Michelle (00:52):
Thank you for having me.
Joy (00:53):
Hey, let's get right into it and talk about the Key West
Junior Football League because Iknow you spent a lot of time
and put a lot of heart into theleague.
Michelle (01:01):
I sure have.
I've dedicated 24 years to theleague.
I take great pride in theleague.
The field is named after myuncle, so I feel it's my way of
giving back to my uncle'slegacy.
Joy (01:14):
George Mira, a Key West native, was a multi-sport
athlete at Key West High in the50s, playing football,
basketball, and baseball.
He was a two-time statechampion with the baseball
Conchs, but turned down thebaseball draft to play football
at the University of Miami.
Mira put the Miami footballprogram on the map as an
all-conference MVP quarterback,breaking records and earning
(01:38):
national attention as a two-timeHeisman Trophy candidate.
Mira was nicknamed the Matadorfor his athletic play, a strong
arm and quick feet.
He couldn't be stopped.
He's a member of the HurricanesRing of Honor, and his number
10 jersey is retired at Miamiand Keywest High School.
Mira went on to be drafted bythe San Francisco 49ers and
(02:01):
played eight years in the NFL,including two Super Bowls, one
with the Dolphins and a win withthe Colts.
George Mira is a comp legend.
Now what a legacy he has,right?
Key West's greatest athlete, ifyou ask me.
You say 20, 20-something yearswith the league.
Michelle (02:18):
Yes.
I started when my daughter wastwo years old, out there as a
mascot, and then somehow I gotroped into becoming a board
member, and the rest is kind ofhistory.
Joy (02:29):
And is that what your role is right now?
You're one of the boardmembers.
Michelle (02:32):
Yeah, I'm the secretary currently.
Joy (02:34):
And I was reading that this is the 63rd year or 62nd year
that the league's been around.
Michelle (02:40):
We've been in existence since nine since
August of 63.
Joy (02:44):
Yeah, that I think the league is an institution.
I know um when I was a kid, Iwas a cheerleader for Rotary.
My sister was a cheerleader forDennis Pharmacy.
My brothers played.
So spending Saturdays out therehas been a key west tradition
as long as we've been alive,right?
Michelle (03:04):
Exactly.
I was a cheerleader allthroughout my youth for um
Dennis Pharmacy Falcons.
Yes.
My daughter cheered for Rotary,you know, and as the years went
on, she went on to differentteams.
It seemed like back in our dayyou stayed with one team and it
went all the way throughout forsome reason, but now we change
names as the divisions change.
Joy (03:22):
And one of the things that I noticed this year, and I
wanted to give you um kudos for,is you really engage the
community.
You had an outreach program tosay, hey, we need volunteers to
help us run the day theoperations out here on Saturday.
Everything from the chain gangto the concession stand.
Talk about that idea.
How did that come about?
(03:43):
And who are some of the conkcelebrities that came out and
helped you?
Michelle (03:48):
Well, we really focused this year on kind of
revamping our image.
We got a you know some negativefeedback last year on on
different parts of the league.
So this year Ralph came backand we were thrilled to have
Ralph Major come back.
And it the celebrity servicewas his idea.
So I have to give him all thekudos for that.
And you know, we really reachedout and you know, for Chain
(04:10):
Gang.
We started out with schoolboard, or well, we started out
with um the city commissioners,then we went to school board,
then we went over to um thesheriff's department, to the Key
West Police Department, we wentto Take Stock, we went to Head
Start, and then we did, youknow, so we really worked at the
Chain Gang.
(04:31):
We got a lot of the kids fromthe baseball program and boy and
girls basketball to do thechain gang.
So, you know, a lot ofcommunity effort for sure.
And then I had the girls fromKwis High School homecoming come
out and be celebrity serversbecause four of the six girls
were girls in my the league withus.
Joy (04:50):
Also, you you also highlighted some of the alumni
from junior football league, socheerleaders that have gone on
to cheer at the college level.
I thought that was reallygreat, also.
Michelle (05:02):
Yeah, I thought it was pretty cool that I ended up
with so many at that game.
So I said, you know what, I'mgonna highlight the Florida
State girls.
So I did it, KWJFL to FSU.
So that was pretty cool.
Joy (05:13):
Yeah.
I thought that was great.
And that and that's what youknow, that's what this show is
all about, right?
Recognizing conks from allcorners of the community who are
keeping the conch pride andconk traditions alive.
You mentioned that yourdaughter was a cheerleader, and
uh you were out there helpingher, and now she's she's since
(05:35):
grown and doing her own thing,and you're you're still out
there.
Michelle (05:38):
Yeah, so that's pretty cool, right?
My kids always question why areyou still doing it?
You know, they're 30 and 26,and my answer to them is who
called me Saturday morning tosee if I woke up?
Neither one of you also, why doyou care where I spend my
Saturdays?
So, you know, that's my answerto them, you know, when they get
on me about it.
I I really enjoy it.
Joy (05:57):
And yeah, right?
When where else would yourather be?
Exactly.
Michelle (06:02):
And now that I have you know, my niece Lauren and my
niece Ashley out there coachingand my nephew John, and then
their children out there, soit's kind of like we're making
full circle, you know, keepgiving back.
Joy (06:12):
So I hear that your great nephew is a heck of a football
player.
He's he's yeah, he's got somepotential, that's for sure.
What are the age group of uhteams out there?
I think you have flag footballall the way up.
Michelle (06:27):
Flag is um four to six, then the next division is
seven to ten, and then we havewe stop at B division, which is
like ten to twelve.
Unfortunately, we've lost our Adivision, and that is a very
big thing that I'm gonna try toget back.
Very much so.
I tried this year, I wasn'tsuccessful, but I'm gonna try it
again next year.
(06:47):
I'm gonna try to put flagdivision because flag is big,
it's real big right now, and sowe're gonna try to push for a
flag division for the Adivision, the older kids, which
gives them the opportunity tostill play tackle at HOB and
then flag with us, it doesn'tinterfere.
So that's my goal.
Joy (07:05):
I was talking with Andrew Freeman, you know, the athletic
director at Kewis High School,and flag football for girls is
one of the fastest growingsports in the country right now,
and girls are getting collegescholarships to play flag
football.
So that may be anotherconsideration, too, to open that
up for some of the girls, thethe older girls.
(07:27):
Absolutely.
So, about how many kids andcoaches are involved in the
league?
Michelle (07:31):
We have about 400 um kids.
We have 11 teams, and we have66 coaches, and I know that for
a fact because I had Ispotlighted them all throughout
the season, you know,recognizing them, volunteering
our their time to our community,and we appreciated them, so we
gave them a spotlight.
So we have 66 coaches.
Joy (07:53):
That's awesome, and like that's saying it takes a
village, it takes a village, itreally does.
And what are some of thechallenges with funding?
I know that you know there's aregistration fee, but what are
some of the challenges?
Because I'm sure it's notenough to cover all the needs of
a league like that.
So, what are some of thechallenges?
And is there any opportunity ifanybody wanted to contribute to
(08:16):
the league?
Do you have a way for them todonate?
Michelle (08:19):
Well, I worked real hard this year on fundraising
through ball sponsors and going,you know, I called myself the
Avon lady going door to door.
I went to the rotary clubs andI went to different
organizations because we foundourselves in a bad situation
this year when we started goingthrough our equipment.
We had to throw away like 80%of our shoulder pads and
helmets.
So that put us in a in a bind,but and we needed new uniforms.
(08:42):
So I'm happy to say that wehave all new helmets, we have
all new shoulder pads, and wewere able to do two divisions of
the three.
So next year I'm gonna beworking again a little harder so
that I can get the C divisionum new uniforms.
But you know, I'm very happywith our A, you know, our B
division and our flag.
They have new uniforms.
Joy (09:03):
That's awesome.
And is the season over rightalready?
Michelle (09:06):
We are over.
Now we're rolling intoall-stars.
So we have all-star games herein Key West.
Our flag division, we're havinga red and black game, and
that's the best two out ofthree.
And then our older kids thatare in pads, they're gonna play
one here, and I think we'retraveling away to two.
Joy (09:24):
Really cool.
So if somebody wanted todonate, I think you have a
raffle going on.
Is that raffle still open?
Michelle (09:30):
Yes, of course.
Yes, and that's going towards,you know, travel expense.
Joy (09:34):
Okay, I'm gonna put the I'm gonna put the Venmo uh ID,
profile ID there on the screen.
So if anybody wants to donate,it's not too late, right?
And you still have some yardsigns, even though football
season's over, you can stillkeep a yard sign out there,
right?
Michelle (09:50):
Yes, absolutely.
And then I'll push them.
You know, we did really wellwith them this year.
Of course, I still have someleft over, so I'll push them
again next year.
But I'm very thrilled with ourboard.
We worked really hard togetherum to you know better the
program.
And I think we were verysuccessful with that.
And it gave me great pride to,you know, see so many people
(10:11):
give back.
And then I was very proud thatwe did the plogging.
And I just felt it was veryimportant because we asked so
many people from the communityto give to us, and I thought it
was really important for them tosee us giving back to the
community as well.
So we we hosted one and we wereit was wonderful.
We were happy about it.
Joy (10:28):
That was really cool.
And I think you guys, I thinkthe junior football league
raised the bar for the othercity leagues now.
You know, like I said, thecommunity outreach, not just
like you said, asking forsupport from the community,
money and volunteer time, butalso giving back and the
plogging on Friday going out andkeeping the community clean.
That was that was that wasreally, really cool.
(10:51):
You know, we you mentioned youruncle, the field is George Mira
Field.
What does that mean for you?
You mentioned a little bit whenwe got started, but what's that
what's that level of pride thatyou feel supporting the league,
knowing that that field isnamed after him and his legacy
as such a great athlete?
Michelle (11:11):
Anyone that knows me knows I'm all about family.
There's nothing more importantto me than family, and to be out
there knowing that I'm, youknow, continuing my uncle's
legacy and letting that programthrive and succeed gives me
great, great joy.
It really does.
And like I said, knowing thatyou know the next generation is
stepping up is also giving me,you know, because I'm getting
(11:33):
old, I got a torch pass thetorch eventually.
So I'm grooming them.
Joy (11:38):
Uh I love that.
And I almost didn't wear a hattoday, but I don't know if you
noticed the one I'm wearing.
I I got it right there, hisautograph.
What what an what an athlete hewas, and and keeping his legacy
alive is is so important.
Um, when's the last time he wasable to be out at the field?
Michelle (11:55):
Well, the field itself, a while since you he
signed that hat for you, hishealth has you know declined a
lot.
So you wearing that hat alsobrought great joy to me because
that was the last that my uncle,you know, was well.
Joy (12:10):
We'll all um hopefully maybe maybe somebody can get
word to him that um he's lovedand well thought of, and we'll
we'll hope that he'll um befeeling feeling good soon.
Michelle (12:20):
Absolutely.
Joy (12:20):
And you you you also um recognized others, not not only
your uncle, but last year therewas a recognition for Coach
Darelito, who coached for somany years, and this year you
guys um named the press box forWayne Goldstein, who I thought
that was really cool.
Yeah, share with me how allthat came about.
Michelle (12:42):
Well, you know, I I've been trying this for a couple
of years, you know.
I felt I felt it was important.
You know, Wayne Goldstein gaveso much of his time to the kids
and out there.
So I've been pushing it for acouple years, and this year um I
pitched it to the board, andthey were all like, yes, which
was great.
And then, you know, I picked upthe phone, I called Didi, I
(13:02):
called Lisette, how do I makethis happen?
They told me what to do, andyou know, and it got named after
him, and it was great.
I was very happy to do that uhfor Jacqueline and Susan as well
to see that.
Joy (13:16):
I was glad to see it.
And there was a great write-upin the um QS Citizen Um Score
magazine that Joey Cook does.
Uh so I I thought that that wasreally special.
Speaking of the press box, uhDorian Cannon is the new voice
of the league.
Put a good word in for mebecause I've asked him to be on
(13:36):
the show and we haven'tconnected yet.
Michelle (13:38):
I sure will.
He is amazing.
He's our announcer, buteverything that he does for me
extra is just amazing, you know.
So he he does everything.
I'm always coming up with ahair brain scheme, and he's
like, I got you, I got you.
And I'm like, you really do,and that's pretty impressive.
And um, so yes, he's wonderful.
Joy (13:56):
And you mentioned Ralph Major already.
He was my classmate.
I know he's president of theleague.
He's doing all you've gotpictures of him flipping
burgers, doing cheers with thekids, putting shoulder pads
together, whatever it takes.
Who are some of the other boardmembers and other people that
work behind the scenes to makeit happen out there at the
league?
Michelle (14:15):
Ariana Corsi is our vice president.
She is the one that runs theshow behind the scenes.
Without a doubt, we couldn'tfunction the way we do without
her.
Destiny Johnson is ourtreasurer, and Shannon Butler is
our equipment manager and umfootball director.
He kind of took a double rolethere, a dual role.
(14:35):
So when does the season run?
It runs August this year.
It runs nine weeks.
It depends on when you start.
This year we started earlyAugust and we ended um
mid-October.
Joy (14:47):
Okay, real good.
So you feel like you had asuccessful season and all-stars
is gonna be a good way to end itoff.
Michelle (14:54):
Yeah, we haven't had cheerleaders travel with
all-stars in a lot of years.
I I'd say probably six, seven,maybe even nine.
Anyway, so we broughtcheerleaders back to travel with
the all-stars.
So we're excited about that,and they're excited as well.
Joy (15:10):
I'm sure they are.
Well, well, thank you, andthank the board for for
everything that they've doing tokeep that program alive.
Like I said, it's aninstitution in Key West.
I think every family has beenout there for you know Saturdays
at some point in their life.
You spent from the morning tillnight out at the league.
Um, which which reminds me ofof one thing.
(15:32):
Because when I was a kid, youwent and you played football,
you did the whole thing outthere, and then you went and had
pizza at Pizza Huddle.
Is there any Mira that's gonnaopen up the pizza shop again?
Can that happen?
Michelle (15:46):
Listen, I that is a dream of mine, but um, I don't
know that it's a reality, but itdefinitely is a dream.
And there is no better place onearth than George Myers Pizza
Huddle, in my opinion.
You're right.
It was just it was just athing.
Finish baseball, finishedfootball, you ended up at George
Myers Pizza Huddle.
Joy (16:05):
Absolutely.
We should pass a hat and see ifwe can get it going.
Michelle (16:09):
I would love, and I have my the I have the secret
ingredient for the spaghettisauce.
So, yes, maybe I can make it ago one day.
Joy (16:17):
That's really good stuff.
Hey, you know they're doing aum the Art and Historical
Society is doing a big exhibiton Key West food.
You should you should somehowget one of the menus over there.
You gotta hang on to that.
That's priceless.
So, so let's shift gears alittle bit.
I had Coach Juddwise on acouple months ago.
(16:40):
We had a great episode, and hewas sharing some of the
highlights from his 40-yearcareer in education.
And one of his highlights thathe shared was class of 86, Mary
Immaculate.
And I know that was yourgraduating class.
Talk about going to school withMary Immaculate.
Who were some of yourclassmates and teachers that
(17:01):
other people may remember?
Michelle (17:03):
My classmates, you know, there were 18 of us, nine
boys and nine girls, and we'restill to this day very close.
I ended up in Mary Immaculatebecause I couldn't follow the
rules.
And um, I went from publicschool, I came home on a Monday,
and my mother told me you startMary Mac you start Mary
Maculate on Tuesday.
I said, You're joking.
She goes, Go in your room, andthere in a uniform was hanging
(17:25):
on the closet.
And that was the second firstnine weeks of eighth grade, and
the rest was history.
I ended up graduating from MaryMacalet, and you know, although
I'm a conk at heart, obviouslyforever, but you know, Mary
Immaculate are my people aswell.
I made some good friendshipsand family through them.
Joy (17:45):
No, for sure.
And it's funny because my dad,George Carey, he was one of the
first, I think he was the firstmale class to graduate from Mary
Immaculate because he and hisfriends kept getting in trouble
and they were gonna put him out.
And so my grandmother and MissRuth went to the nuns and
(18:05):
because they had nuns back then,and you know, they worked out
something.
So they had a boys, a group ofboys that graduated.
I don't remember what year itwas, but and now they have a
high school again.
Michelle (18:17):
Are you involved with that high school at all?
Their first graduate theirtheir first graduating class is
on the anniversary of our 40th.
So what we're doing is sincethey're the first and we're the
last, we're buying them theircap and gowns as as a jackal.
Yeah.
So we we are planning somestuff because that is our
reunion as well.
So we are planning some stuffwith them.
(18:38):
We just are working out thedetails.
But um, we had George Riasecoin my class, Wayne Elliott,
Ruben German, Louis Scarmuzzi, Iknow you know that name.
Scott Elliott, Scott Atwood,excuse me.
Scott Atwood.
Um so yeah, there's you know,quite a bit of us, and then as
far as girls, Evette Casada,Carrie Mann, Lisa Garcia, Cheryl
(19:03):
Revis, Brendo Taro.
So, you know, it was a goodgroup, and we're still, you
know, like I said, we're stillclose, and that's really nice.
Joy (19:13):
Yeah, definitely.
And and besides Coach Wise, Ibelieve Miss Axford, Miss Terry
Axford, who was recently retiredfrom Monroe County Schools, I
believe she started her careerthere also.
Michelle (19:24):
She was our principal.
She started out as a teacherand our principal, and we had,
you know, Miss Pappy, Mrs.
Ma, and we had some goodteachers, and like I said,
you're a small school, so youend up being like family.
You know, you we stay the boysstay in contact with Coach Wise,
they have a very goodrelationship with him.
Joy (19:44):
That's awesome.
So, so speaking of family, youknow, this show is called the
Conchs, right?
So let me let me hear the conkconnections, Michelle Mira
Cohen.
That's that's a that's a namethat's got deep roots right
there.
So who's some of your peoplethat you connected to?
Michelle (20:01):
Let's see, the Cabo's, Danny Kabot.
He's my my mom's first cousin.
I'm a fifth generation conk.
My grandparents were born here.
My mom's parents were both bornin Key West.
And my father's um mom was bornin Spain.
She came over when she wasthree years old.
Yeah.
So, you know, the Hemanites aremy family.
You know, like I said, the youknow, all the Mira's, obviously.
(20:23):
But yeah, we have we have a bigfamily.
Joy (20:26):
And I have to I have to tell you, your your your mom and
dad were like movie star,beautiful people, weren't they?
Michelle (20:34):
I think so.
And my mom's sister, which ismy cousin Ralphie Enriquez, his
mom was just breathtaking,gorgeous.
She really was my Andolores.
Joy (20:43):
That's good stuff.
And uh your sister Yvette is uhschool board member now.
Yes, yep.
Michelle (20:50):
She um we're totally opposite, but you know, we both
have the same we we laugh aboutit all the time.
But yes, she followed therules.
I did not, but anyway, butwe're very close.
It's just me and my sister, andespecially since our parents
passed, you know, we feed off alot of things off of each other,
you know, because I don't havemy mom to go to anymore for
(21:12):
advice.
So now I go to my sister andshe comes to me for advice, and
you know, we we work together,we raise all our children as one
unit together.
Joy (21:21):
Yeah, that's that's beautiful.
And speaking of your children,you were able to raise your kids
here.
So what was that like?
I know they're grown now, butwhat do you hope that they take
away in terms of Kiwasttradition and and connection, no
matter whether they stay hereor they move their life
somewhere else?
Michelle (21:37):
I think that Kong Pride is, you know, my son, he
left for a little while when hewent to school and he came back
and he has no intention ofleaving here.
And my daughter moved to St.
Pete.
You know, she wanted to givesomething uh, you know, a try,
but you know, her goal uheventually is to end back here,
I hope.
But no, she you know, when shehas children and starts raising
a family, she would like to, youknow, come back home.
(21:59):
I laugh because my niece AshleyHenrique's her husband Ben told
me his advice to any kid incollege, don't marry a Key West
girl.
Because Ben, they you know,they were very successful in you
know, Orlando and Ashley wantedto come home.
So, you know, they're doingwell here too, but you know, it
it wasn't an option, and forLauren, it wasn't an option for
Sam to come here.
(22:20):
And Caroline's working onCasey, so hopefully we'll all
they'll all be here eventually.
Joy (22:25):
Yeah, because because it's not easy, it's not a given that
one that people that the nextgeneration wants to stay here or
or are able to stay here, so soit's really special when they
are able to for sure.
Complete complete this sentencefor me.
Michelle (22:41):
I love Key West because I love Key West.
I love everything about it.
I love the community, I lovethat we when we're in need, we
all come together regardless ofwho you are, what walk of life
you are.
We're all in it together.
And I just think that you knowit's a place where everybody
knows your name, and I thinkthat's important.
Joy (23:01):
That's beautiful.
That's that's a mic drop momentright there.
Okay.
Don't make me cry.
Hey, Michelle, it's been greattalking to you.
Like I said, I appreciateeverything you do out there at
the Junior Football League andkeeping the family tradition.
I live just a block away fromfrom the field, and I can't see
(23:21):
it, but I can hear all theexcitement when during football
season, and and that's such aspecial place.
So I appreciate everything youdo there.
Let me ask you one more bigquestion to end it all.
What brings you joy?
Michelle (23:34):
My family, my children, my children above all,
and then my family, and youknow, helping the kids in the
community.
You know, everyone tells me,Why do you do it?
But if it wasn't for you knowthe five of us on the board that
does it, or for anyorganization, if we don't do it,
who's gonna do it?
You know, somebody has to do itfor the kids of the community,
and it gives me great joy to doit.
(23:55):
And I'm gonna end it on my notereal quick, Joy.
I'm gonna make sure that I comesee you next year because you
know what I want.
I want that big sign on FlaglerAvenue.
I'm coming to see you.
Hey, I wasn't this year becauseI couldn't, you know, I
couldn't have that many firesgoing.
But next year uh I'm coming.
Joy (24:12):
Heard message received.
Very good.
We need it, we need a bigappropriate sign to to recognize
that legacy.
I'm I'm all in on that.
Go Konks.
Thanks again to Sunset WaterSports for sponsoring this
episode.
I'm Joy Newleich and Iappreciate you tuning into my
podcast.
My purpose is to bring joy intomy life and the lives of
others.
(24:33):
If you enjoyed this episode,drop a review, share, and
subscribe because there's a lotof good stuff on tech.
You can also follow Bring Joyon YouTube and Instagram, or
check my website atjoynoolish.com.
And go bring joy to the peoplein your world.
Until next time.
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CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.