RED & GOLD: A Dons Tradition | Edition II, Spring 2023

A DONS TRADITION

STARS SHINE AT THE ACADEMY OF DISTINGUISHED DONS

P. 24

Cathedral Girls High School · University of San Diego High School · Cathedral Catholic High School

Legacy Dons The

With over sixty-one graduations, the legacy continues of families sending their children to UNI and Cathedral Catholic. This past year’s graduation, we started a tradition of honoring these families. They were called to the stage by our school Principal, Marlena Conroy, after the Baccalaureate

Continues!

Mass to receive an engraved lantern for passing the light to the next generation. Director of Alumni, Sean Doyle ‘80, and Assistant Director of Alumni, Anne Pickard Majer ‘95, presented the gift to each family. We thank these families for entrusting us to continue the tradition of excellence!

Photo by Tom Dochstader

letter from the director

DEAR ALUMNI,

Last edition of the Red & Gold we wanted to introduce you to our President, Dr. Kevin Calkins, and our Principal, Marlena Conroy. This edition I would like to introduce you to myself, Sean Doyle ’80, Director of Alumni, and to Anne Pickard Majer ’95, Assistant Director of Alumni.

We are both so excited about the second edition of the Red & Gold Magazine and the Dons Connect web page to keep the Dons Alumni connected.

I have been blessed to work at Uni and now Cathedral Catholic for over thirtyseven years. The spirit of the Dons established over sixty years ago at Uni is as alive as ever in the students, faculty and staff of Cathedral Catholic. I have held many jobs in the Dons community but none as rewarding as working with

the alumni. Every day I learn about more alumni and the wonderfulness they bring to our world. I am truly proud to call myself a Don.

For the last seven years I have run the alumni office by myself. This year we are blessed to have Anne Pickard Majer ’95 join us after nine years as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Cathedral Catholic. Anne is a past President of the Dons Alumni Association and has been a huge part of the Dons Alumni community for many years. Together we are excited about the energy and commitment the current administration is putting into the Dons Alumni and the history of the Dons Alumni.

Lastly, the Dons Alumni Association is about you! Please let us know about you, where you are and what you are doing.

Keep an eye out for your reunion. We host all of them on campus, and they are a great time to reconnect with classmates. It is always so wonderful to see people who were initially not really excited about coming to their reunion having the greatest time. If you have an interesting story, a business you would like included or just a quick note updating everyone, let us know.

The Dons Alumni Association is about you!!

God Bless,

Sean Doyle ‘80, P ’14, ‘17 Director of Alumni

“The spirit of the Dons established over sixty years ago at Uni is as alive as ever in the students, faculty and staff of Cathedral Catholic.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Red & Gold Editors

Sean Doyle ‘80, Director of Alumni

Anne Pickard Majer ‘95, Assistant Director of Alumni

Creative Director

John Paul De Vera, Director of Marketing & Branding

Contributing Writers

Kristen Balelo, J.D. ‘91

Chris Grazier

Angelina Hicks ‘20

Alex Kirkwood ‘11

John Knudsen ‘76

Sophie Lillis

John Montali ‘88

Nicole Nazemnikova ‘24

Pamela Poe, Director of Communications

Scotty Prunty ‘20

Brian Vilven ‘03

Colleen (Doyle) Windsor ‘81

Copy Editors

Sophie Lillis

Mark Van Brussel

Printing Acacia Print Group, Inc.

Change of address

Please email your change of address to alumni@cathedralcatholic.org.

Stay Connected

facebook.com/donsalumni

instagram.com/donsalumni

twitter.com/donsalumni

donsalumni.org

Interested in Writing a Story?

Please contact Anne Pickard Majer ‘95 at amajer@cathedralcatholic.org

The Dons Alumni Association’s vision is to be engaged as a valued and influential partner on matters relevant to the growth, development and continued excellence of Cathedral Catholic High School and its constituents on behalf of the students and alumni of Cathedral Girls High School, University of San Diego High School and Cathedral Catholic High School.

The Dons Alumni Association establishes and maintains traditions and helps plan and execute Alumni events including:

The Academy of Distinguished Dons

Career Day for Juniors

Class Reunions

Dave Thoennes Alumni Golf Tournament

Dons Athletics Alumni Games

Dons Sports Hall of Fame

Holy Bowl Tailgate

Homecoming Tailgate

Networking Events

The Dons Alumni Association has an Executive Leadership Committee, which consists of all past Presidents of the Association. The Executive Leadership Committee reviews, guides and supports the selection process for membership on the Board, the development of current Board officers, the strategic engagement of high-profile alumni and the long-range plans for the Board. The Executive Leadership Committee also assists with effective communication strategies with alumni and on-campus constituents.

If you are interested in getting more involved with the Dons Alumni Association, please contact the Office of Alumni at alumni@cathedralcatholic.org or (858) 523-4000 or contact anyone on the board.

THE DONS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD

THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

Anne Pickard Majer ‘95

Jim Mulvaney ‘74

Martin Correia ‘87

Larry Van Wey ‘62

Steve Boudreau ‘69

Jim Waters ‘73

Les Girard ‘74

Brooke Finley Mulvain ‘08 Co-President

Marissa Douglass Sumler ‘06 Co-President

Lee Ann Najjar Iagmin ‘87 Treasurer

Dawn Manning Suprenant ‘83 Secretary

John Knudsen ‘76

Antoinette Busalacchi DeSantis ‘81

Sean Doyle ‘80

Tom Rickling ‘85

Anne Pickard Majer ‘95

Jonathan Benet ‘02

Drew Gaffney ‘13

Kevin Meissner ‘02

Tyler Gaffney ‘09

Josh Jacko ‘10

Teresa Murphy ‘12

If you’ve been in San Diego for long, you probably know the high-profile Walton family has roots here. If you trace the family’s ancestry back to basketball players who began their celebrated sports careers at Uni High, you haven’t gone back far enough.

BY COLLEEN (DOYLE) WINDSOR ‘81

The Walton family legacy began with a vibrant, engaged librarian who wasn’t the least bit interested in sports. Gloria Walton was into books, not basketballs. She did, however, ardently support her children, grandchildren and their dreams. Gloria Walton was in the second graduating class of Cathedral Girls High School in 1943. She received her B.A. degree from San Diego State University in 1947. After college, Gloria became increasingly involved with her high school alma mater. She volunteered her time leading the Cathedral Girls High School alumni association. She wrote the school’s newsletters and eventually became

the school librarian. Over the years, she made such an impact on students she became known as the matriarch of Cathedral Girls High School.

“Complete strangers would come up to me and say, ‘Bill, your mom changed my life,’” recalls basketball great and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, Gloria and Ted’s second son. Bill says students who disliked reading and literature credited his mom, “the queen of storytelling,” with turning their academic lives around.

For decades Gloria devoted hundreds of hours to supporting Cathedral Girls High School students. The universe of students she related to expanded in 1970 when Cathedral Girls High School merged with the all-boys University of San Diego High School (Uni High).

Gloria and Ted Walton raised four children. Their two eldest, Bruce and Bill, were standout athletes at Helix High School and attended UCLA on athletic scholarships. After college, Bruce was drafted by the Dallas

Cowboys and played in Super Bowl X before a knee injury ended his sports career. His younger brother, Bill, played college basketball for legendary coach John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins, winning three consecutive National College Player of the Year awards (1972–1974) while leading UCLA to NCAA Championships in 1972 and 1973 and an 88-game win streak. After being selected as the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft, Walton led the Portland Trail Blazers to an NBA Championship in 1977.

Although Bruce and Bill did not attend Uni High, five of their six children did, building on the Walton legacy that Gloria, or “Grandma Glo” as she was affectionately called, started decades earlier. Over a six-year period, Bill’s sons, Nate, Luke and Chris, and their cousins, Bruce’s children, Harmony and Kam, attended Uni, leaving their mark on the school and giving them a strong foundation for life and sports.

Bill, speaking for himself and his late brother Bruce who passed away in

2019, said, “Our children wanted to go to Uni, so we made it happen, and they loved it. It was fantastic.”

NATE WALTON ‘96

Nate Walton, Bill’s oldest son, was the first of Gloria’s grandchildren to attend Uni. After attending St. Vincent de Paul School and public schools in his earlier school years, he started his junior year at Uni in 1994. Uni proved to be a natural fit. “There was a comfort level with the culture of Uni,” said Nate. “For me it was a more balanced and diverse group of students from all parts of San Diego and from different socioeconomic backgrounds.”

In addition to a diverse student body, there was a coach who drew Nate to Uni. “Coach Tomey was the most influential person in our high school experience,” said Nate. “He was a great leader of young people. He taught you how to push yourself, challenge yourself, have discipline but also have

“Complete strangers would come up to me and say, ‘Bill, your mom changed my life...’”

- BILL WALTON

Gloria receives her degree from San Diego State University in 1947

fun. He made basketball fun, but he also made sure everyone’s lives were on track.”

In Nate’s junior and senior years the Dons won back-to-back CIF Championships. Those wins helped Nate and his brother, Luke, also on the team, earn their place in the Dons Sports Hall of Fame.

“My other brother and our cousin are not in the Dons Sports Hall of Fame, as I enjoy reminding them,” joked Nate. The family’s competitive banter doesn’t end there. Nate’s brother, Chris, and their cousin, Kam, played with Luke on the Uni team that won the State Championship. “We get into arguments that ‘you guys were just sophomores and didn’t really do anything,’” shared Nate. “But my brother, Chris, points out he scored 8 points and we won by 6, so without him, we would have lost.” Twenty-plus years later, the ribbing continues.

Nate adds, “Playing together as brothers and cousins was awesome. We’re not only family members but also best friends. Putting on the team uniform, competing against other teams and playing for school pride was special.”

The Walton powerhouse at Uni was real. Once Nate arrived at Uni, followed by his brothers and cousin, the Boys Basketball Team won six straight CIF Championships.

Basketball for the Walton family was 24/7 all year long. When they didn’t play for Uni, Nate and his brothers played for a travel team in Los Angeles. When they weren’t at practice or games, they were playing basketball at home.

Beyond basketball, Nate shared that Uni was integral in developing him into the person he is today - someone able to meet and talk with people easily, someone open and ready to embrace change.

“To me, Uni was great in that you didn’t know or care whose parents were successful or who had lots of money,” Nate said. “It wasn’t important. I think it’s good to carry that perspective through the rest of your life. Those things do not make people who they are. They are not what builds friendships.”

Nate went on to enjoy basketball success at Princeton University, winning three NCAA Ivy League Championships. “Uni put me on a path

of basketball and academic success that allowed me to go to Princeton and be an Ivy League athlete,” said Nate. After Princeton, Nate earned his MBA at Stanford University.

While basketball was dominant in the Walton family, Grandma Glo’s love of books was a close contender. Unless Michael Jordan was on TV, Bill Walton often had “book-and-tea nights” with his three growing boys. “There would be no television whatsoever, and we would sit around and have tea and read books,” Bill fondly recalled. While the children didn’t always embrace this evening event, they’ve continued the tradition with their own children. When Bill calls his boys now, they often tell him, “I can’t talk right now, we’re having a book-and-tea night.”

After fifteen years working in Los Angeles for an investment firm, Nate moved to Florida in 2021. Nate and his wife have two “very tall” children, a sixyear-old girl and a four-year-old boy.

LUKE WALTON ‘98

Nate proved to be the catalyst for more Walton members to come to Uni. Nate’s

Nate’s senior photo, class of 1996

“We’re not only family members but also best friends. Putting on the team uniform, competing against other teams and playing for school pride was special.”

- NATE WALTON

“For the city of San Diego, we felt we accomplished something,” Luke reflected. “Trying to achieve something at a high level with people you love sticks with you. Winning a state championship with anyone would be awesome. But to do it with kids you grew up playing with, even family members, is a bond and a great memory. When we get together, we still laugh and joke about it.”

Bill Walton kept his boys grounded and focused by writing notes on their lunch bags, mostly inspirational quotes from Coach Wooden. “The boys’ friends would come up to ask them, ‘What did your dad write today?’” recalls Bill. “My boys were embarrassed, but now they leave notes on their own children’s lunch bags.”

After high school, Luke played five years of college basketball for the University of Arizona. He was a Second-Team AllAmerican and two-time First-Team AllConference Selection in the Pac-10. In 2003, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Luke in the second round of the NBA draft.

Luke played ten years in the NBA, winning two championships with the Lakers. After the 2010 NBA Finals, Luke

obviously that is something that I really nurtured at Uni under Coach Tomey. I gained an understanding of work ethic and balance and how important it is. In high school you start to build the habits that will guide you as life goes on.”

Luke easily finds similarities between winning three NBA Championships and becoming State Champions at Uni.

“I grew up playing with my brothers and other family and close friends, so it wasn’t just random guys coming together trying to win games, but something much more special,” said Luke. “For me and the Lakers when we won those championships it was very similar. We had a group of guys who were together at different times for eight years and we failed and failed and failed. We finally won, and you have an emotional rush, and you look over at guys who you realize have become your best friends, guys you’ve been playing with and known for years. To me, it makes it so much more special. That Lakers team was as much a family as my Uni team was.”

While fame and success have blessed Luke, he still took time to attend his twenty-year class reunion at Cathedral Catholic in 2018. Some classmates were surprised to see him. “Of course, I went. I loved Uni. I saw friends I’ve stayed in touch with and people I

grandchildren made Uni their home. Bruce’s children, Harmony and Kam, and their cousin Chris, Bill Walton’s youngest son, joined Bill’s son, Luke, at the high school.

Harmony’s transfer to Uni her junior year was motivated partly by the school’s strong athletic program and in part by the attraction of going to school with family. “My cousins and I had grown up together more like siblings. My brother, Kam, was going to Uni so he could play on the same basketball team with our cousins,” Harmony said. “I transferred for a smaller school experience and for Uni’s more intimate family atmosphere.”

At six feet tall, Harmony added to the Walton basketball legacy at Uni. She fondly recalls Friday nights in the gym with her family for basketball games. The girls team played first, followed by “the big men on campus” at the boys games. “Having so many relatives in the gym made it special,” Harmony added.

As a student council leader, Harmony tried to ease her freshman brother, Kam, into campus life by choosing him to participate in a contest at a school assembly. “Almost twenty-five years later, my brother still has not forgiven me for this,” chuckled Harmony. Her hope to lend him an air of “street cred

and help him out” backfired. The contest involved someone standing over Kam, alternately pouring chocolate sauce and dropping marshmallows into his mouth. Contestants from each class had to keep as many marshmallows in their mouths as possible. Kam ended up with his hair and face drenched in chocolate and a mouthful of marshmallows.

“To this day Kam gets nauseous at the sight of marshmallows!” shared

“His energy was something I had not really experienced. I thought, ‘Wow, this guy is cool and this is amazing.’ I remember thinking there is something real about this religion.”

- HARMONY WALTON

Harmony’s senior photo, class of 1997

Harmony. Kam seconded that view, “I can never eat marshmallows again, they’re disgusting.” Neither of them remembers if Kam won the contest.

A key figure who changed Harmony’s life and drew her to the Catholic faith was Father Michael White. She remembers standing next to him in a team prayer circle before one of her first Uni basketball games. “He was on another plane,” Harmony recalls. “His hands were fiery hot. His energy was something I had not really experienced. I thought, ‘Wow, this guy is cool and this is amazing.’ I remember thinking there is something real about this religion.” Harmony’s exposure to Fr. White and others at Uni cemented her Catholic faith. “I ended up getting baptized and confirmed at eighteen when I was a college freshman.”

Harmony’s student council experience at Uni helped prepare her for her professional life. Her senior year, Chris Grazier, a teacher and Assistant Basketball Coach, presented her the student council Leadership Award of the Year. “That was pivotal for my confidence to run a business and for my other future choices,” shared Harmony. “Here I was on student

council, and he saw something in me that said, ‘You can do this.’”

That encouragement launched Harmony’s career. In her early twenties, Harmony started and sold a business, and in 2004 she founded her second company, the Bridal Bar, a marketing and public relations agency in the wedding industry that she still owns today. “I would not have had the gumption without my student council experience and Mr. Grazier’s vote of confidence.”

Uni has played an important part in Harmony’s life in other ways she did not expect.

“Coach Doyle was part of the reason I went to Uni,” said Harmony. “He’s a perfect example of what a family Uni/ Cathedral Catholic really is.” Sean Doyle coached Harmony for one season of basketball. Harmony recalls, “I graduated from Uni in 1997. Twentytwo years later my dad died, and Coach Doyle, my past coach of one year at Uni, came to my dad’s funeral. It made a lasting impression. My brother and I talked about it that night.” Harmony remains grateful to Coach Doyle and other former Uni teachers, classmates and their family members who continue to stay in touch with her.

After graduating from UCLA, Harmony made Los Angeles her home for seventeen years. A couple of years ago, she moved to San Marcos to be closer to family. She wants her nineteenmonth-old daughter, Isabella, to grow up as she did surrounded by cousins.

KAM and CHRIS WALTON ‘00

As mentioned earlier, Kam Walton and his cousin, Chris, attended Uni for four years, graduating in 2000. The decision to attend Uni came easily. “My cousin, Chris, was going to Uni, my sister was headed to Uni, and Luke and Nate were already there,” says Kam. Basketball was a primary focus of Kam’s life and after attending some basketball games and watching Tomey coach Nate and Luke, Kam loved what he saw. “I was excited for the opportunity.”

Chris, six months younger than Kam, added, “I chose Uni so I could attend school and play basketball with my older brother, Luke, and cousin, Kam, as well as have the opportunity to play for one of the greatest coaches in San Diego high school athletics history, Jim Tomey.”

While it was Kam’s first exposure to a faith environment and wearing a school uniform, he enjoyed Uni from the start. “The overall experience – the students, people I met, friendships, teachers – it was all great,” Kam shared.

Chris’s four years at Uni were some of the most memorable of his life, both on and off the basketball court. “The academic curriculum, the support of the faculty and staff, and the athletic program created an environment that challenged me to become the best version of myself,” Chris said.

Harmony raises up for a jump shot over the defender.

For those who wonder if another Walton generation may be coming to Uni/Cathedral Catholic, Harmony says she would love to send Isabella, “who’s off the charts tall,” to Cathedral Catholic. “I would love for her to have that same upbringing, that same quality of experience, education, people and faith.”

Several faculty members impacted both Kam and Chris, starting with their basketball coach, Jim Tomey. “He was a teacher of the game, a teacher of life,” Kam shared. “He was someone you really wanted to play for, a player’s coach.”

Chris Grazier also made Kam and Chris’ great-coach list as someone who always knew what to say to make them laugh and motivate them in practices and games.

Another standout for them was teacher and Assistant Basketball Coach Phil Trotter, known for being passionate and a great sounding board.

Kam had a close relationship with Father Michael White. Fr. White was an important religious figure and a fan of basketball. “He was a guy you could approach. He was steady, and a great person,” said Kam with emotion and admiration in his voice. “He was a calming influence no matter the circumstance.” Kam’s relationship and meaningful conversations with Fr. White continued beyond his high school years.

Kam and Chris played on Uni’s Varsity Basketball Team all four years of high school, winning the Division III CIF Championships each of those years (1997-2000). “We beat St. Augustine in the finals all four years which made it even better,” Kam recalled.

During their sophomore year, Kam and Chris started on the team with Luke. Their significant contributions led the team to Sacramento’s Arco Arena in 1998 where they became the Division III California State Champions. Winning that game stands out as Chris’s most memorable moment at Uni. “In the history of San Diego High School basketball, we were the second team to

win a State Championship at any level,” Chris said. “Having the opportunity to do that with my older brother, Luke, and cousin, Kam, is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I still have the championship ring twenty-five years later.”

Kam remembered it was a hard-fought game. “It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I will never forget that for sure.”

Asked if Uni has shaped who they are today, Kam responded, “100 percent. Those basketball teams I played on are a big part of who I am, from the camaraderie, the coaching, the wins, the losses. Playing with family, the friendships that were made, those things are still a big part of my life.”

Chris commented, “The life lessons and commitment to excellence instilled at Uni gave me the opportunity to earn a scholarship to attend San Diego State University where I had the privilege to play basketball under legendary coach Steve Fisher and earn my degree in Business Administration.”

Kam played basketball his freshman year at Harvard University and then hung up his shoes to focus on other aspirations. He graduated from Harvard in 2004.

Kam and Chris have worked in commercial real estate throughout Southern California. They are currently with Westar Associates, a commercial real estate development company based in Orange County.

UNI SOLIDIFIED A FAMILY LEGACY

Bill Walton has no doubt about the impact of Uni on his sons. “They regularly share stories of their great times at Uni and the relationships that were built. The great people we knew, the family atmosphere, the community, being part of something special, something beyond your own individual life.”

While the Waltons have earned many distinctions and titles over the years, family and community are what is most important to them. Kam credits his grandparents whose values have trickled down through generations.

Gloria Walton passed away this year. She was the last living student from Cathedral Girls High School.

“My mom never stopped talking about Cathedral Catholic. She always loved it when the grandchildren’s games were at Uni,” shared Bill. “She was remarkable. She grew up during the depression and WWII. The sacrifices those generations made and hardships they faced stayed with her.”

Gloria and Ted Walton’s children had little in terms of material possessions, but they had some things more valuable – family, love, dreams, hope, a library, the outdoors, a basketball – that they passed on to their own children.

Chris’s (left) and Kam’s (right) senior photos, class of 2000

Kam Walton (left) and Nate Walton (right)

Harmony ‘97, Bruce, Coach Nash, Bill, Lori (Bill’s wife), Betty (Lori’s sister) and Grandma Glo at the gymnasium at the Boys and Girls Club of East County

Kam and Jamie Walton’s family Siblings Kam and Harmony Walton Luke Walton, Assistant Coach of the Cleveland Cavs. Photo credit: www.clesportstalk.com

Standing: Brendan Erickson ‘96, Jason Santos, Kam Walton ‘00, Nate Walton ‘96, Matt Blakely ‘96, Chad O’Connor ‘96, Ryan Spradling ‘95. Sitting: Ariana Blakely, Ali Walton, Nicole Curtis Santos ‘96, Missy Spradling, Lisa OConnor, Jamie Walton.

Adam Walton (right) cheers for his father, Bill Walton (left), during a San Diego Clippers game.

DONS ALUMNI REUNIONS 2023

The Dons Alumni Association will be hosting the following reunions for the summer and fall of 2023. Sign up today and come enjoy a great time with your classmates!

Most reunions will be held on the beautiful campus of Cathedral Catholic High School

5555 Del Mar Heights Road San Diego, CA 92130

The Dons Alumni Association at Cathedral Catholic High School supports class reunions and handles all event details. Committees are key to making each reunion a success. If you are interested in supporting your reunion, please contact the Office of Alumni.

We look forward to hosting your class reunions!

REUNION SCHEDULE

10th Reunion | Class of 2013 - JUNE 10

20th Reunion | Class of 2003 - June 3

30th Reunion | Class of 1993 - July 15

40th Reunion | Class of 1983 - July 29

45th Reunion | Class of 1978 - July 1 (at Tio Leo’s)

50th Reunion | Class of 1973 - September 29-30 (Homecoming Weekend)

55th Reunion | Class of 1968 - August 5

60th Reunion | Class of 1963 - September 29-30 (Homecoming Weekend)

For reunion details, please visit:

www.cathedralcatholic.org/alumni/reunions

The class of 1972 celebrating their 50th reunion during the homecoming halftime

Marshall LeTourneau and his grandson, Joe Montali, at the 2022 graduation ceremony

By Kristen Balelo, J.D. ‘91

If you’ve attended a USDHS or CCHS sports event in the past forty years, Marshall LeTourneau ‘63 probably popped your popcorn, sold you a 50/50 drawing ticket or grilled your cheeseburger. He has been a staunch supporter of the Dons sports programs since he suited up in the red and gold himself in 1959. He even remembers how the Dons’ colors came to be: Coach Bull Trometter, a former Marine, brought back gear and uniforms from the local base in the Marines’ signature colors, which began the Dons’ legacy of red and gold.

Marshall’s class was the first to attend all four years of high school at Uni’s Linda Vista campus. Growing up in a Navy family, young Marshall came to Uni with a strong work ethic that became stronger through the lessons taught by the priests, teachers and coaches at Uni. From an early age, he worked at the Navy exchange on the weekends making one dollar an hour, so when it was time for high school he felt confident starting at Uni because he could pay the twenty-dollar-per-month tuition from his earnings if necessary. He also worked at the Bit of Sweden restaurant, a bastion of old San Diego, honing the hospitality and kitchen management skills he would later use to run Uni/CCHS’s concessions.

Marshall was a triple-threat athlete who played football and basketball and competed in shot put. He also participated in student council. As Uni was still an all-boys school, Marshall and his classmates dated girls from Our Lady of Peace (OLP). Marshall met Carolyn Turner at an OLP party before their senior year. They dated through the rest of high school and continued their romance long-distance while Marshall played football and studied wildlife management at Humboldt State University. His off-campus life was a practicum of sorts, raising pigs and using his knowledge of botany and animal husbandry to live off the land. A heart murmur ended Marshall’s football career, but he remains an avid student of the game.

Marshall and Carolyn both graduated from college in 1969, he from Humboldt State and she with a degree in English from SDSU. They married later that year. Their unexpected entreé into the plumbing business occurred when Marshall, who had learned the basics of many trades while helping his dad in a parishioner-led construction of Saint Didacus Church and School, offered to help a local contractor who was short on skilled labor. The contractor hired him immediately. Soon Marshall acquired his own contractor’s license, and he and Carolyn bought Clairemont Plumbing Service, which they still own today.

Marshall has left two legacies at Uni/CCHS. First is a legacy of LeTourneau family members following in his footsteps, including his three children, Michelle ‘88, Christopher ‘90 and Melanie ‘93, and two of his grandchildren, Ava ‘19 and Joseph ‘22, all Cathedral Catholic alumni. Three more grandchildren, Christopher, Madelyn and Daniel, currently Cathedral Catholic sophomores, will add to that legacy as well.

A Legacy of Community of

Marshall’s second legacy is one of tireless service to Uni/CCHS since becoming a Uni parent. One of his first projects was to assemble parents into the Uni Booster Club and open a homegame concession stand to raise money for CCHS’s sports programs. Marshall and his crews sold food items from the back of Marshall’s pickup truck and broke new ground with items hot off the barbecue and fancy soda dispensers. The snack bars became so popular even opposing teams chose to eat there.

Marshall’s projects expanded. In addition to year-round snack bar management and sideline support for each season’s Dons teams, he spearheaded fundraising and Grad Night events and engineered solutions to the challenges presented by Uni’s aging physical site. Marshall’s adroitness at fixing things earned him the handle “MacGyver.” In the days when post-game celebrations occurred in the “CC Center,” Marshall, after a full work week at his regular job, could still be found in the CC Center, long after the players and their parents went home, cleaning the grill, wiping down tables, repairing broken machinery and preparing for the school’s next event.

In 1993, with Marshall and Carolyn’s youngest, Melanie, about to graduate from Uni, some expected Marshall would retire from service to the school. That was not the case, though, due to chance – or fate. Among the guests at Melanie’s graduation party was John Montali, a 1988 Uni graduate and boyfriend of Melanie’s older sister, Michelle. Some of John’s Uni friends and former teammates at the party coaxed him to approach his former football coach, the legendary Ron Hamamoto, hoping to reconnect John to the football program. The two men talked. Coach Hamamoto remembered John as a gifted athlete but was unsure of John’s interest or commitment to coaching, so he tested John by offering him an early-morning volunteer position with the football program. John accepted. It wasn’t long before he assumed a full-time coaching position.

With his future son-in-law becoming a prominent part of Uni’s football program, Marshall’s ties to the school were cemented. Marshall continued his service to Uni sports, with John by his side (when he wasn’t coaching) assimilating his masterful project management and range of skills.

Now some news about Marshall and Carolyn’s three children, their Dons experience and their lives after high school.

MICHELLE LETOURNEAU MONTALI ‘88

The fateful night described above that led to Marshall’s recommitment to serving the Dons would not have happened if not for John Montali’s relationship with Michelle LeTourneau. While students at Uni, Michelle and John had mutual friends but didn’t meet until they took a class together their junior year. They started dating in their senior year, putting Michelle in a

Marshall leads the Dons defensive line.

Marshall and his wife, Carolyn

mildly awkward position. As the Football Team’s statistician, she recorded defensive stats at football games. The coaches teased her relentlessly about recording extra tackles for John - something she swears she would never do.

After graduating from Uni, Michelle and John attended UCLA. Once through college, they returned to San Diego and were married at Founders Chapel across the street from Uni. Their wedding ceremony and reception were a veritable USDHS reunion. As parents of the bride, Marshall and Carolyn hosted Dons, family and friends spanning four decades.

Before Michelle and John married, John earned his teaching credential and was teaching at Uni full-time. He received a Master of Arts in Educational Administration a few years later.

Michelle has taught in the San Diego Unified School District for the past thirty years. With a Bachelor of Arts in English and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from SDSU, she has been a peer coach for other teachers, and she cocreated a literacy program used in schools across the country. She teaches second and third grades at Bird Rock Elementary School and instills in her young students a curiosity about, and a desire to make a difference in, their communities and the world around them.

Over the years, Michelle and John’s older children, Ava ‘19, Joseph ‘22 and Daniel ‘25, learned freshman biology at Cathedral Catholic in their dad’s classroom, which they welcomed as a rite of passage. During her four years at Cathedral Catholic, Ava performed in every school theatrical production. She was also an Ambassador for Christ, meeting with middle school or transfer students interested in Cathedral Catholic and allowing them to shadow her on campus. She is a junior at UCLA studying political science and contemplating law school. Michelle and John’s son, Joseph, played freshman football at Cathedral Catholic and then switched to soccer. His grandfather, Marshall, never missed a game. Now an

SDSU freshman, Joseph is considering a future in architecture or design. Their son, Daniel, currently a Cathedral Catholic sophomore, is a gifted musician and guitar player who often parlays the concession skills he learned as his grandfather’s favorite assistant into paying gigs in food service. Michelle and John’s youngest, ten-year-old Caroline, can’t wait to become a Cathedral Catholic student. Naturally, she looks forward to her dad’s biology class.

CHRISTOPHER LETOURNEAU ‘90

Marshall and Carolyn’s second child, Christopher, lives with his wife and children in San Diego. Chris played football and basketball at Uni and credits his successful career in the biotechnology field to friendships and connections he made on and off the field in high school. He attended UC Santa Barbara, graduated with a degree in biology and has worked at Genentech since 2005.

Chris’s wife, Angie ‘90, is a second-generation Don. Her father, Joseph Jimenez, graduated from Uni in 1964. Angie is an SDSU graduate who works in business administration for Pfizer. Chris and Angie were friends even before Uni, both of them attending junior high at School of the Madeleine and going through confirmation together. It wasn’t until their ten-year high school reunion, however, that Cupid’s arrow struck. Chris had planned not to attend the reunion because one of his Uni classmates was getting married in Palm Springs the same weekend. Another classmate nevertheless persuaded Chris to come to a pre-reunion party the night before. Chris saw Angie at the party. Their visit that night led to Chris racing back the next day from the wedding to catch the tail end of the reunion and see Angie again.

Michelle, with her husband John and their four kids.

Chris, his wife, Angie, and his children, all three of which will be Dons next year!

Chris and Angie’s twins, Madelyn and Chris, transferred to Cathedral Catholic as sophomores this year. Gearing up for the school year, they were excited and ready to embrace all that CCHS has to provide. Their younger brother, Nicholas, will join them next year.

MELANIE LETOURNEAU GORE ‘93

Melanie, the youngest of the LeTourneaus, lives in Long Beach with her husband, Greg Gore, and their three children, Josephine (16), Katherine (14) and Giovanni (10). Melanie felt comfortable entering her freshman year at Uni because, between her father and older siblings, the LeTourneaus were well-known on campus. Like her sister, she was a statistician and student manager for the Football Team, taping ankles, fixing chin-straps, and delivering water to her big brother and his teammates on the football field. Her high school track career she describes as less than stellar, but memories of her dad teaching her shot put on the lower field at Uni still shine.

After graduating in 1993, Melanie received a Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA, then a Master of Arts in American History from Fordham University. She lived in New York City and worked as a writer and editor for many years. Although she did not, like her siblings, marry another Don, her best friend from Uni introduced her to Greg, a financial analyst. Melanie currently teaches fitness classes in her community, and, like her father, finds ways to support her children’s schools. She says she could use her dad’s help running high school bingo nights.

First, they speak of feeling at home, of belonging and of immense pride as students on campus. Second, they note the gifts they received from Uni and Cathedral Catholic, including the strong academic foundation and friends who have become like family over the years. The Dons community of students, alumni and their families share a common bond. The LeTourneaus celebrate joyful occasions with the community and lean on it for support when needed. Finally, they express gratitude for their parents, Marshall and Carolyn, who have modeled selfless service to family, church and community.

In 2002, Marshall was inducted into the Dons Sports Hall of Fame as a Friend of Sport, and no wonder: when you walk across campus with Marshall, you hear his name from every corner as staff recognize and greet him. Now with grandchildren at Cathedral Catholic, not only do his grandchildren but also their friends call Marshall “Poppy.”

Marshall LeTourneau has passed on to his children and grandchildren, by his words and deeds, the Beach Boys’ credo, “Be True to Your School.” Marshall will celebrate his sixtieth high school reunion next year. He can’t wait to catch up with former classmates and teammates. His hours volunteering and fundraising for Uni and Cathedral Catholic are boundless. Why does he do it? “Because it’s fun!” he says, meeting new and interesting people and forming friendships along the way. Marshall hopes Cathedral Catholic parents and alumni know that opportunities exist for anyone, no matter the amount of time or skill they can share, to get involved with the school. He’ll be happy to lend a hand.

A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY

LeTourneau family members mention three things when reflecting upon their connection to Uni/Cathedral Catholic.

Melanie, her husband, Greg, and their three children

Chris, Marshall, Carolyn, Melanie and Michelle at this year’s Academy of Distinguished Dons event

HALL OF FAMER coach mauro

by nicole nazemnikova ‘24

Being inducted into the San Diego Hall of Fame is a massive achievement for any person’s career, especially after dedicating years of investment to the lives of young adults. Margaret Mauro, a former Cathedral Catholic teacher, administrator and softball coach was recently admitted into the San Diego Hall of Fame.

bond with all the players: “Coach was old school. She taught the girls outside of softball how to be strong young ladies in society, defend themselves, be honest, put in the work and do everything they could.” Throughout time, the Falo family and Ms. Mauro have grown incredibly close. Mr. Falo says, “Coach had a tight inner circle that you couldn’t get in. Freshman and sophomore year wasn’t in it, juniors and seniors kind of got in. Now, I love the lady. She became family to us and she became a part of our life, even after my daughter graduated.”

“SHE ALWAYS THOUGHT STUDENTS AND FACILITIES WERE FIRST. SHE PUT THE SCHOOL AHEAD OF EVERYTHING.”

Ms. Mauro is remembered as being a great mentor to many members of the Cathedral Catholic community and perfectly demonstrated the traits of a Hall of Famer. “I’ve known Coach Mauro for thirty years. In the early days of my teaching career, I was able to observe her not only in the athletic field but also in the classroom as someone to look up to,” states Chris Grazier, English teacher.

Ms. Mauro was dedicated to the Dons community. “She always thought students and facilities were first. She put the school ahead of everything and it showed through her dedication to the school and the athletes,” reflected Ms. Cindy Moses, Assistant to the Athletic Director. Ms. Mauro also invested an incredible amount of time into the Softball Team. “She was tough, she set the rules, the girls abided by the rules, and they enjoyed playing for her because they knew she was concerned for them first. Winning as a team is important, but if you lose, it’s important to lose with grace,” says Ms. Moses.

For some, Ms. Mauro taught life lessons and was like family. “I was ‘Daddy Ball’ thinking my daughter is going to hit the most home runs this year, win the records, etc. The most memorable moment with coach was when she taught me how to shut my mouth and to trust the process,” states Fa’asuka Falo, Director of Facilities. Mr. Falo says Coach Mauro had a strong

The Cathedral Catholic community is proud of Ms. Mauro’s achievement and is there celebrating with her. We are thankful for everything Ms. Mauro has done for us and will always remember her. Never forget, one person can make a major difference for hundreds of people.

- CINDY MOSES

STARS SHINE AT the academy of distinguished dons

Imagine yourself stepping onto a red carpet surrounded by bright, smiling faces and old friends reminiscing over a glass of wine. You gaze up at the theater entrance and behold a glowing sign against the backdrop of the night sky that reads “Academy of Distinguished Dons.”

By Pamela Poe

Brooke Rinehart Mandril ‘96 gives her acceptance speech.

The 2023 Inductees

The Late Rick Kneeshaw ‘65

Cameron Crowe ‘73

Doug Barba ‘80

Nez Balelo ‘81

Jack White ‘85

Guymon Casady ‘87

John Montali ‘88

Gloria Calderón Kellett ‘93

Brooke Rinehart Mandril ‘96

the Late Mario Fierro ‘02

the Late Dr. Estelle Kassebaum

Barbara Chaillou

Mike Fares

The Academy of Distinguished Dons first began in 2010 with nineteen inductees and has grown throughout the years, with a total number of fifty-three members today. The Dons Alumni Association recognizes and honors distinguished alumni and special friends who positively impact the world by using their talents and resources to benefit Catholic education and the communities around them. On March 3, 2023, the Dons Alumni Association honored thirteen of the newest members of the Academy: The Late Rick Kneeshaw ‘65, Cameron Crowe ‘73, Doug Barba ‘80, Nez Balelo ‘81, Jack White ‘85, Guymon Casady ‘87, John Montali ‘88, Gloria Calderón Kellett ‘93, Brooke Rinehart Mandril ‘96, the Late Mario Fierro ‘02, the Late Dr. Estelle Kassebaum, Barbara Chaillou and Mike Fares. The last three inductees were named Honorary Dons for their exceptional years of service to the Dons community.

The master of ceremonies and one of the inductees for the evening, John Montali ‘88, invited each honoree who was present at the event to the stage to accept the award. As the honoree approached the stage a biography of the honoree played along with a montage of photographs from their Uni days and career endeavors. Jack White ‘85, founder of Ballast Point and Cutwater Spirits, also included a montage of images and captions that

Front row from left to right: Mike Fares (Honorary Don), Gloria Calderón Kellett ‘93, Brooke Rinehart Mandril ’96 and Barbara Chaillou (Honorary Don). Back row from left to right: Doug Barba ‘80, Guymon Casady ‘87, John Montali ‘88 and Nez Balelo ‘81.

followed the growth of his business over the years. Cameron Crowe ‘73, while not in attendance, sent in a video of his acceptance speech.

Each honoree received their award from our very own Director of Alumni, Sean Doyle ‘80, and Assistant Director of Alumni, Anne Pickard Majer ‘95, the architects of this momentous evening. Each honoree took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the Dons community, their families, teachers and friends for supporting them throughout their high school years and beyond, remarking on how their formative years at Uni helped to set the stage for their careers, lifelong friendships and, yes, even marriages. While accepting their awards, many of the inductees mentioned that they married their Uni high school sweetheart. Gloria Calderón Kellett ‘93 mentioned that even her sister and brother-in-law met as students at Uni. She joyfully exclaimed, “Cathedral Catholic: Better than a dating app!” and was met with uproarious laughter from the crowd. Attendee and member of the Academy, Steve Boudreau ‘69 shared that it was the best Academy of Distinguished Dons event he has attended thus far. It was truly a remarkable evening that reminded the over 200 attendees what a blessing it is to be a part of the Dons family. The Office of Alumni looks forward to reuniting with our Dons again next year for the Dons Sports Hall of Fame event.

Mike Fares (Honorary Don) poses with Sean Doyle ‘80 and Anne Pickard Majer ‘95 as he accepts his award.

Guymon Casady ‘87 (back row, third from the right) poses with his high school buddies.

Gloria Calderón Kellett ‘93 gives her acceptance speech.

A pre-recorded acceptance speech from Cameron Crowe ‘73 plays for those in attendance.

Attendees had a wonderful time meeting and reconnecting with members of the

Meet the Inductees

Scan the QR code to read more about this year’s inductees in our digital copy of The Academy of Distinguished Dons program.

Dons family.

Katherine Gillcrist, daughter of the late Dr. Estelle Kassebaum, with Espy and Carlos Duarte

John Montali ‘88 (front row, third from the left) with his family, many of which are Dons

The grand red carpet entrance

ONCE A DON, ALWAYS A DON!

ALUMNI WHO RETURN TO CAMPUS TO WORK, TEACH AND COACH; THIS EDITION FEATURES DAWN LEE ‘89 AND DANIEL COLLINS ‘02

By Angelina Hicks ‘20

Aformer student now employed by the school with no intention of leaving campus anytime soon is alumna Dawn Lee ‘89, who is in her twenty-fifth year at Cathedral Catholic as Head Coach of the Girls Soccer Team and PE teacher.

“I’ve been a Don since my sophomore year in 1986, and I have no clue how long I’ll continue coaching and working,” Dawn says. “I love both aspects, and as long as the girls enjoy me as their coach, I will continue. I love it here; it’s hard to envision my life without being a coach or teacher.”

Dawn spent three years as a student and soccer player at Uni, and although she tore her ACL early in her senior season, soccer remains one of her fondest memories. After high school she attended California State University Dominguez Hills, then in 1992, she transferred to play soccer at

the University of California, San Diego, with three years of eligibility remaining.

In 1994, during her senior year at UCSD, Dawn started coaching soccer at Uni with her dad. Dawn’s father, Butch Lee, was Uni’s Girls Soccer Coach from 1986 to 1998. He led Uni teams to eight straight CIF Championships and eleven League Championships from 1991 to 1998.

Dawn worked as a substitute teacher at Uni High while coaching with her dad. After her dad passed away from brain cancer in December 1998, she took over as Head Coach. In addition to coaching, she started teaching fulltime at Uni in 2001.

“Coaching with my dad is what brought me back,” Dawn says. “I never thought in a million years that coaching and teaching would become my lifelong passion. I bleed red and gold and will coach as long as I can.”

Dawn reached 400 wins as Head Coach in 2019, and then coached the team to the CIF Open Division Championship in 2020. Dawn’s teams have won eleven CIF Championships and seventeen League Championships.

“I’ve loved every minute with each team I’ve coached and will cherish the many lifelong friendships I have with those former players,” Dawn says. “They have helped me grow as a coach and player, and I am forever thankful to them.”

“COACHING WITH MY DAD IS WHAT BROUGHT ME BACK... I BLEED RED AND GOLD AND WILL COACH AS LONG AS I CAN.”

Daniel Collins, a 2002 Uni High grad, returned to teach at Cathedral Catholic in 2013. Although his alma mater’s new campus was unknown to him, the same Dons energy was everywhere present. “There was definitely a familiarity, even though Cathedral Catholic’s campus is very different from the campus at Uni,” Daniel says. “Once I was on campus at Cathedral Catholic, the people were the same and the campus had the same feel about it.”

From his years at Uni, Daniel remembers his times on the lacrosse field, meeting up with friends on the grassy knoll and heading to the local roller rink. A cherished memory is meeting his future wife, Allison Beyrouty ‘02, on campus and dating their senior year. “In our house hangs a picture of us together at our winter formal,” says Daniel.

After graduating from Uni, Daniel attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. He explored a number of possible majors before settling on history, the area of study he would later teach at Cathedral Catholic.

“ONCE I WAS ON CAMPUS AT CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC, THE PEOPLE WERE THE SAME AND THE CAMPUS HAD THE SAME FEEL ABOUT IT.”

“I always liked history. Thinking of the classes and teachers at Uni which impacted me most, my mind goes to my social studies teachers, especially Don DeAngelo,” Daniel said. “I loved those classes and teachers and ended up majoring in history as a result.”

After graduating from UCSB, Daniel earned a Master or Arts in English from National University. He and Allison reconnected, and together they earned their teaching credentials from San Diego State University. They were married in 2012. Another friend from high school, Peter Amaro ‘02, was a groomsman in their wedding.

In 2013, Daniel and Allison found jobs at Cathedral Catholic High School, Daniel teaching history and Allison teaching English and now teaching full-time in the Learning Center. Almost ten years later, they remain teachers in their respective subjects.

Daniel was also drawn into the mock trial program at Cathedral Catholic, an unfamiliar role he had not planned on. He worked as a teacher and coach for the mock trial team. His involvement with the program came to an end last year, but his six years with the team were filled with experiences to look back on. “Mock trial was something I enjoyed and found absolutely fascinating,” Daniel says. “I learned a ton about law and the criminal justice system as a teacher-coach of the program. I ended up knowing the student-participants better than students in my own classroom.”

THE LEBHERZ FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Lebherz Family Foundation Scholarship assists Nativity Prep Academy students who desire to attend Cathedral Catholic High School. Nativity Prep Academy supports economically disadvantaged students from 6th grade through college. This particular scholarship funds a full year’s tuition for a student to attend Cathedral Catholic. The funds allocated for their high school years will go back to Nativity Prep to help them expand their reach, plus the tuition each family pays will also support Nativity Prep, not Cathedral Catholic. Funds will be endowed to ensure the longevity of this scholarship.

Most Nativity Prep students select Cathedral Catholic for high school. One hundred percent of the Nativity Prep students that have attended Cathedral Catholic High School matriculate to a four-year university and feel academically, emotionally and spiritually prepared by Cathedral Catholic.

To make a gift online through our website, scan the QR code or visit www.cathedralcatholic.org/makeagift

Select “Lebherz Family Foundation Scholarship” in the drop-down menu.

Phil Lebherz ‘71 has pledged $250,000 a year for four years, as long as the gift is matched each year. We are looking for alumni donors to help us match this gift and support Nativity Prep students.

10 MAGICAL MOMENTS

IN DONS BOYS BASKETBALL HISTORY

Our program has experienced countless iconic moments throughout its history. The following are ten standout moments in the history of Dons Boys Basketball.

BY SCOTTY PRUNTY ‘20 ASSISTANT BASKETBALL COACH

“The Shot”

The last game of the 2010-2011 regular season saw the Dons hosting rival St. Augustine in the Holy War. Down 46-48 with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter, sophomore Parker Holland ‘13 inbounded the ball to senior Matt Rosenburg ‘11. Rosenburg, or “Rosey” as the school knew him, drove down the court, and as he approached midcourt he dribbled through his legs and then crossed over before pulling up from about 30 feet. The result was a banked three-pointer for a 49-48 win over Saints. The Cathedral Catholic student section emptied within seconds as they rushed the floor and hoisted Rosey on their shoulders. That night, on his senior night, Rosey finished with a career-high 18 points.

THE 1964 TEAM CLAIMS FIRST-EVER CIF TITLE FOR THE DONS

I n the fifth varsity season in program history, Head Coach Hector Macis led the Dons to a 48-44 victory over Carlsbad and Head Coach Dmitri Poradosky in the 1964 CIF San Diego Section Class A Championship. John Cosentino ‘64, star senior point guard and future Dons Hall of Famer, led all scorers with 18 points in front of a standing-room-only crowd of over 1,400. Bob McCloskey ‘64 and Stan “Skip” Stress ‘65 held Carlsbad’s big scorers to only a few points. Leo Cardinez ‘64, Ron Stakem ‘65 and Dennis Betcher ‘64 played great floor games in helping bring home the title. The championship victory marked the first CIF title ever won by the Dons in any sport.

open state playoff win over sierra canyon

In the program’s first-ever appearance in the CIF State Open Division Playoffs in 2016, the Dons knocked off Sierra Canyon, which was ranked 6th in the country, on their home floor in Chatsworth in the first round. The Dons overcame an 11 point deficit heading into the fourth quarter and pulled off an 83-80 overtime victory. Junior Brandon McCoy ‘17, a 7’0 center, finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds for the Dons while battling foul trouble all game long. Senior Austin Beech ‘16 added 22 points, senior point guard Cameron Moore ‘16 netted 15 points, while senior Kyle Kappes ‘16 scored 13, including two big threes down the stretch. Senior Reid Johnson ‘16 added 4 points, 7 rebounds and a solid floor game. The game featured several players that would go on to play college basketball. Future college players for the Dons included McCoy ‘17 (UNLV), Beech ‘16 (Adelphi University), Cameron Moore ‘16 (NYU), Kappes ‘16 (Vassar College), Christian Moore ‘17 (Crown College) and Peter Xue ‘16 (Colby College). Future college players for Sierra Canyon included Remy Martin (Arizona State, Kansas), Cody Riley (UCLA), Terrance McBride (Cornell, Rice), Devearl Ramsey (Nevada, UCSB), Adam Seiko (SDSU) and Michael Feinberg (Yale). Ironically, Dillon Wilhite, CCHS ‘21, was a member of the University of Kansas’ 2022 NCAA Championship team, where he was teammates with Remy Martin.

several years. During this season, Uni hosted the firstever University High Invitational Tournament which took place across the street at the USD Sports Center. In their first game of the tournament, the Dons and Head Coach Hector Macis defeated Saints 63-57. Junior Eddie Couppee ‘67 finished with 23 points in the win.

Tucker Beats the Buzzer at Jenny Craig

It was the 2001-2002 season and the University Dons with first-year Head Coach Demetrius Laffitte faced rival St. Augustine in a Western League matchup. The game was the first high school game ever played at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the University of San Diego campus. Although Uni basketball had played several games at USD, they were always in the Sports Center on top of the hill. This was a change from a high-school-style gym to a new state-of-the-art 5,000 seat facility. In a packed house, the game was tied at 56 with under ten seconds remaining. Junior Brian Vilven ‘03 inbounded the ball, and it ended up in the hands of sophomore Rico Tucker ‘04 who nailed a 15-foot buzzer-beating elbow jumper for the win. The crowd went crazy as the final scoreboard read 58-56 Dons. Tucker jumped up on the scorers’ table and pumped his fist as the Dons faithful came together as one. Tucker would later play in the NCAA tournament with Minnesota before finishing his college career at Pepperdine.

Todd Flores ‘78 Breaks Single-Game Scoring Record

Senior Todd Flores ‘78 during the 1977-1978 season under first-year Head Coach Don McCormick ‘69 scored 40 points in a game. Flores was the first player in program history to score 40 or more in a single game. The Dons would finish the season 10-16 overall and 6-8 in Western League play.

Anyanwu’s Exclamation Point Slam

Dons Record First Win Over Saints

It was the 1965-1966 season, and there had been a traditional rivalry between Uni and St. Augustine for

It was the 2019-2020 season and the Dons, led by Head Coach Will Cunningham, won their first-ever CIF San Diego Section Open Division title. The Dons defeated rival Torrey Pines 59-51 in the title game for their second win of the season over the Falcons and Head Coach John Olive. In the final seconds of the Championship Game, junior Obinna Anyanwu ‘21 was left alone on a fast break. As Anyanwu caught Thomas Notarainni’s ‘21 three-quarters court pass, there was anticipation throughout the arena for an exclamation point finish. Anyanwu took one dribble and delivered a powerful two-handed slam dunk in the game’s final seconds as teammate and senior Beon Riley ‘20 jumped as high as he could just inside the free-throw line to add to the

finish. It was a magical and historical moment for the Dons at RIMAC Arena on the UCSD campus.

Uni over Madison for the Title

In the 1996 CIF San Diego Section Division III Championship Game at the Sports Arena, the University Dons defeated the Madison Warhawks 88-38. The 50-point margin of victory was at the time the largest margin of victory in a boys basketball CIF Championship Game in San Diego Section history. The team was led by seniors Nate Walton ‘96, Matt Blakely ‘96, junior Mac Clark ‘97 and sophomores Luke Walton ‘98 and David Abramowitz ‘98. Luke scored 14 in the game and years later would return to the Sports Arena as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 1995-1996 team, coached by Jim Tomey, finished 27-3 (.900), which is the highest winning percentage in program history.

The Half Nick Prunty Couldn’t Miss

In an era where Cathedral Catholic and Lincoln were Western League rivals, the Dons hosted Lincoln on their home floor for the first of two league matchups for the 2012-2013 season. In the first half of the game, senior shooting guard Nick Prunty ‘13 finished with 31 points, including a program record 8 three-pointers. Each Prunty three-pointer led to a huge response from the Cathedral Catholic student section, known at that time as the “Sea of Red.” The reaction from people in the stands that night was amazement. Prunty played limited minutes in the second half, subbing out early in the third quarter and not re-entering. The Dons led 6923 at half en route to an 88-47 victory.

Luke Walton’s Blocked Shot Secures the ‘98 State Title

In the first and only State Championship appearance in program history, the University Dons led Enterprise of Redding 51-48 with seven seconds remaining after two successful free throws from point guard David Abramowitz ‘98. Enterprise called timeout and in the Uni huddle, Luke Walton ‘98 told head coach Jim Tomey that he would guard Enterprise’s best player, Billy Speer. On the final play, Luke blocked Speer’s three-point attempt with two seconds remaining, and the Dons won the 1998 CIF State Division III Championship. Walton, who would later win two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, finished the game with 23 points, 13 rebounds and the biggest block in program history.

Special thanks to those who took the time to collaborate on this article, including John Montali ‘88, Brian Vilven ‘03, Alex Kirkwood ‘11 and Chris Grazier.

HOMECOMING 2022

We loved welcoming home our alumni for the annual Homecoming Luau tailgate and football game. We had over 600 guests enjoy world-class entertainment, Hawaiian BBQ and catching up with fellow Dons.

DONS on the road

Our school President, Kevin J. Calkins, Ph.D., and our Assistant Director of Alumni, Anne Pickard Majer ‘95 were on the road last fall visiting Dons in the midwest.

The first stop was at the end of August where they met up with nine students at the University of Notre Dame who all attended Cathedral Catholic High School.

They then gathered the following day in Chicago with a few alumni who graduated from Uni High School and Cathedral Catholic High School with graduation years spanning from 1968 to 2021.

The Office of Alumni and Dr. Calkins were back on the road and headed to Santa Monica to meet up with some alumni in October (pictured left). Coach Doyle ‘80, Director of Alumni, and Anne Pickard Majer ‘95 also met up with Guymon Casady ‘87, who is a four-time Emmy Award-winning coexecutive producer on HBO’s Game of Thrones and founding partner of leading talent management firm Management 360 (pictured right).

WE WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD THIS FALL AND CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU! LOOK OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION IN THE MONTHLY RED & GOLD NEWSLETTER.

alumni career day

The Office of Alumni hosted Career Day for juniors in April. We were blessed to have over thirty Dons Alumni speakers from the health/wellness, law, science/engineering, entertainment, communications/business, service and education industries! Our keynote speaker was one of our newly inducted member of the Academy of Distinguished Dons, media executive and television/film producer Guymon Casady ‘87.

THANK YOU, DONS, FOR SHARING WITH US HOW YOU USE YOUR GIFTS TO CHANGE THE WORLD!

1. Nhu-An Phan ‘26 won first place in the 9th-10th grade category for the Diocese of San Diego’s “For the Beauty of the Earth” youth and young adult art contest.

2. Twenty-six of our students earned the College Board National Recognition Program Award for their academic achievements in school and their outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10 and/or AP® Exams.

3. On November 8, 2022, Fr. Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries celebrated Mass for our Dons community, and he and two of his homies gave impactful speeches on love and compassion.

4. Varsity Girls Cross Country won the CIF San Diego Section Division III Championship title and placed second in CIF State Championships last November.

5. Varsity Boys Water Polo won the Division II State Championship title.

6. Varsity Girls Volleyball won the CIF State Open Division Championship title! The girls went the whole season undefeated and only lost one game in all of their sets the whole year. Photo credit: SBLive California/Joe Bergman

7. Our robotics team, 5025 Pacific Steel, competed at the Orange County Regional and finished 12th place overall out of forty-seven teams.

8. This year marks our first year of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship Program, which is designed to offer the opportunity of a Catholic secondary education to those who will truly embrace the opportunity to become their “best selves.” One of this year’s six Seton Scholars, Massimo Santos ‘26 (far right), is the son of alumna Marsi Filippone Santos ‘93. As part of his scholarship, Massimo is giving back to the community through his project, “Give Mas,” in which he is providing support to reduce the feeling of anxiety and fear in children who are patients at Hospital Infantil.

9. Our wonderful Drama Program has put on three great

productions this year, Lost Girl, Amélie and Cinderella. Photo credit: Matt Nguyen ‘16

10. We held our First-Annual Kermes fiesta on campus on October 15, 2022 to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo credit: Matthew Korniczky ‘24

11. Isabel Lusky ‘23 and Nevin Joseph ‘23 were named Commended Students in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.

12. Mrs. Tracey Swafford, mother of Dee’shon Swafford ‘21and member of our Facilities Department, was awarded $1,000 through the +Me Project’s Road to a Million campaign, which partnered with Ving and the Archewell Foundation to encourage young adults to nominate women in their lives who are in need. Mrs. Swafford was nominated by Elle Brennan ‘25, who feels so grateful for her hard work on our campus.

13. We hosted a wonderful evening of Lady Dons Powderpuff Championship games on March 1, 2023, and raised about $1,000 for the Mario Fierro Scholarship! Congratulations to Mr. Caro’s senior girls, Fierro’s Angels, on the big win! Photo credit: Matthew Korniczky ‘24

14. Construction of ZAK Myers Memorial Park is well underway, and we are excited to announce the addition of another building in the park, the ZAK Myers Food Pantry and Service Learning Center!

15. Varsity Dance competed against over 950 group dances and over ninety schools at the 2023 WCE Dance Team Nationals and won the Grand Championship title!

16. For the third year in a row, Varsity Boys Rugby won the Southern California Interscholactic Rugby Federation Championship title! These ruggas continued their threeyear streak of remaining undefeated at home and finished the season with a 9-0 record and outscored their opponents 399-104.

DONS notes

DR. MAURA GILES-WATSON ‘77 (graduated in ‘76) returned to San Diego to accept a position as an English professor at the University of San Diego.

Joseph writes, “I am married to Sunlight (Sunny), whose daughters attended Cathedral Catholic. I’m happily retired and trying to continue my philanthropy. My wife and I have both had cancer, and we’re both in remission. University High School was one of the best memories of my life. I want to thank Sean Doyle for his concern during our illnesses.”

John is living in Kerrville, Texas, with his twin daughters, Molly and Kate. John is semi-retired, and he keeps busy by fulfilling a promise to his late wife, Sally, to keep up her poetry site at www.nowpoems.com.

Frank wishes to announce the birth of his first great-grandson, Edyson, on October 25, 2021. He is a proud Papa!

Boots is pictured with His Excellency Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, in Rome. Boots’ investiture as a Knight of Magisterial Grace occurred on November 11, 2022, at Christ Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange. Boots works for Realty Executives and has resided in Phoenix, Arizona, since 1988. He is happily married to Melisa and has two sons, Colton (31) and Chase (1996-2018).

JOSEPH LOZANO ‘80

MARIA “MARIVI” LOPEZ SIMARD ‘81 is officially retired after forty years in the workforce. Maria is a proud three-time cancer survivor who won’t quit living! She has two awesome kids, a boy and a girl, that are thriving and positively contributing to our society. Currently, she is a weekend concierge at an assisted living memory care facility because she loves serving people and enjoys working. GO DONS!!

MARK SHULTS ‘85

Mark shares, “I’m just living the dream here in beautiful Golden Valley, Arizona. Here’s a picture of my wife and me at my recent seventieth birthday party.”

Mark recently accepted the position of Director of Guest Services and Security at Pechanga Arena San Diego (formerly San Diego Sports Arena). He lives in Point Loma with his wife, Edie, and has a son who recently graduated from SDSU and a daughter at UCLA. Mark retired from a twenty-

JOHN A. ADAMS, PH.D. ‘64

FRANK GIACALONE ‘64

MARK PURDUE ‘70

BRIAN “BOOTS” BOUTERIE, KM ‘80

five-year career at AT&T in 2019, and he’s excited to be starting his “second act” at a venue he’s been visiting as a guest/fan for more than fifty years!

born on December 24, 2022. His older sister and brother are loving the new addition to the family.

Mark is the 2022-23 White House Leadership Development Fellow leading cross-agency science policy initiatives from the Executive Office of the President. Marc is also the Director of Infrastructure for the Millennium Challenge Corporation building large-scale civil transport and water supply systems and associated policy prescriptions throughout Africa and Eastern Europe. Marc lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two teenage sons.

Jonathan and Christina recently celebrated their nuptials in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, on December 3, 2022, in front of family and friends, including many USDHS alumni. They are grateful to celebrate their love through marriage after reconnecting almost a decade after first meeting at Uni. They appreciate all the love and support the Uni/CCHS community has shown them over the years.

AMY (SPILKER) PHELPS ‘04 and her family recently moved to Tucson, Arizona, after living in Cambridgeshire, England, for three years. Amy shares, “It’s great to be back stateside. I’m

looking forward to seeing everyone at our next reunion!”

BRITTANI (SIRACUSA) REYES ‘05 currently serves as one of the Associate Principals at Mira Mesa High School. She married Jorge Reyes in February 2022, and they welcomed their first child, Dominic Salvatore, in April 2022.

RICKY

Ricky and his wife, Vanessa, welcomed their third child, Cosette Anne Cambier. Her older brother, J.R., and older sister, Camille, love playing with their new baby sister!

CAMBIER ‘06

JONATHAN BARBARIN ‘03 & CHRISTINA STIDMAN ‘04

MARC TKACH ‘95

ISSAC MOISES ‘96

Issac and his wife, Stephanie, welcomed their son, Max Salomon,

HAYLEY (FLEISCHMAN) BEDUHN ‘09

RUTH BARRERA ‘12

Hayley and her husband, Carl, daughter, Teagan (5), and twins, George and Taryn (2), are back in Twentynine Palms, California, where Carl is stationed with the Marine Corps. After graduating from Marquette, Hayley served in the Navy Nurse Corps for eight years, leaving active duty in 2021. These days, she raises three precocious kids, works in the ER at the base hospital and invents signature cocktails in her spare time.

NICHOLAS DE LA CRUZ ‘11 AND ERIN WOLKENSTEIN ‘11

Ruth and Hunter Alexander eloped on February 21, 2022, in Big Sur, California! It was a beautiful commitment ceremony under the redwood trees that they will forever remember.

JARED HEGARDT ‘12 AND BETSY MUIRHEAD

ANGELINA HICKS ‘20 interned last summer writing and reporting for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Her writing was also featured in both the first edition and this edition of the Red & Gold.

Nicholas and Erin were married on September 5, 2020, in a small intimate ceremony with family. On October 16, 2021, they got to have their large celebration with family and friends at the San Diego Wild Safari Park. They met at Cathedral Catholic and had their first real date at their senior prom at the San Diego Zoo. It was a full circle moment to have their wedding at the Safari Park! They now live in Dallas and are enjoying life!

Jared and Betsy became best friends their freshman year at Cathedral Catholic while they were both playing soccer. Fr. Martin married them at USD with many of their fellow classmates in attendance on November 12, 2022.

FIRST LIEUTENANT DAVID FLEISCHMAN, USMC ‘13 successfully completed advanced jet training and received his “wings of gold” in a ceremony at NAS Kingsville, Texas, on March 25, 2022. He then reported to VMFAT-502 (the Flying Nightmares) at MCAS Miramar where he flies the F-35B Lightning II. David frequently crosses paths with fellow Dons and Marine Corps aviators Zach Wilson ‘13

Olivia won several gold and silver medals at the Taekwondo World Championship! Olivia won gold medals as the Demo Team World Champion, Traditional Weapon World Champion and U.S. National Team Sparring World Champion. She also took home silver medals for 2nd place in the world in Creative Form, Creative Weapon, Extreme Form and Extreme Weapon.

‘12

and Daniel (Ray) Hower ‘12. Oorah and go Dons!

OLIVIA PALOMBO ‘21

memoriam

Eternal rest grant upon them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. St. Joseph Our Patron, Pray for Us.

If one of our beloved Dons has passed away in the last year, we would love to honor them in the next edition of Red & Gold Magazine. Please let us know by filling out this form.

THOMAS MARTINEZ ‘67

ROBERT “BOB” BAHNE ‘66

RUTHANN (O’NEILL) RUGGIERO ‘65

ERNESTO LEDESMA ‘76

MARY ELIZABETH DOLAN ‘83

Uni prepared Riley Hubbard ‘04 to open her own business by instilling in her a strong work ethic. Mr. Warrick’s class is one that stands out to Riley as it was her first introduction into meditation, which has helped her ever since. The skills he taught her have led her to

MONIQUE COCCO ‘95

During her time at Uni, Monique (Brooks) Cocco ‘95 was involved in the Drama Program with Mrs. Hauser

enjoy the chaos of running a business. As a cheerleader, Riley also learned the invaluable skills of responsibility and the importance of hard work through practice and commitment to her sport. As a student in Mr. Warrick’s class and as a member of the cheerleading team, Riley developed key skills for business owners.

Hubba Wines is a small winery in Paso Robles that focuses on low-intervention wines. Riley’s business was born out of her passion for sustainable vineyards, respectable viticulture practices and a more natural approach to making wine. Hubba Wines are a reflection of Riley’s international influences, inspiration from friends and family and

her never-ending wanderlust. They have a tasting room where many past classmates have come by to taste and catch up!

RILEY HUBBARD ‘04

and ASB with Mr. Geiger. Monique learned invaluable leadership skills as a member of ASB. Through this class, Mr. Geiger taught her how to lead projects, run meetings and feel comfortable in a leadership role. This all prepared her to open her business, Sunset Social, Inc.

Sunset Social, Inc. is an influencer marketing agency that helps brands market their products online through influencers and celebrities. Monique started Sunset in 2012 as a social media management company that helped celebrities run their social media accounts, but the company

morphed into influencer marketing in 2015 as that vertical of marketing started to take off. Monique enjoys the intimate boutique feeling of being hands on, so Sunset stays small with four employees.

SHAWN LEE ‘91

Shawn Lee ‘91, brother of Coach Dawn Lee, played on the Varsity Soccer Team at Uni (yes, soccer runs in the family). He was also on the Varsity Golf Team, and his favorite teacher was Mr. Gorsich.

Shawn opened Fast Times, a neighborhood bar and grill located on the border of Clairemont and Bay Park up the hill from Mission Bay, in 2017. Fast Times opened with a full kitchen serving everything from burgers, sandwiches and tacos to salmon and salads. They have live music on a

regular basis and show all the sports you want to watch.

Josh Jacko ‘10 knew he was going to be an entrepreneur since his freshman year at Cathedral Catholic. Josh’s “outside of the box” mentality and competitive drive paired with what he learned from his peers’ businessowning parents inspired him to open his own business. Josh was also inspired to do more and be more by his football, basketball and track coaches, teachers and other adults on campus including Coach Doyle, Coach Montali, Coach Cunningham, Coach Porlas, Coach

Hallare, Coach Caudillo, Coach Dawn Lee, Coach Geiger, Coach Van Heulen, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Reiter, Mr. Owens, Mrs. Bridges, Ms. Kirby, Ms. Wilson, Mrs. Valenzuela and Mrs. Larson. These individuals played a great role in him starting Illuminate Media Productions.

Illuminate Media Productions is a creative marketing agency that uses video marketing and storytelling to solve bigger problems and sell more. Josh and his team work with brands and organizations of all sizes that want to align with their ideal audience, up their content marketing strategy and use video as an asset to their business. The team is made up of business, marketing and creative experts which help tailor solutions to their clients’ needs from their extensive experience in various areas. The company even has another Dons alumnus, Luke Ramsey ‘12, on their team, and they look forward to helping the Cathedral Catholic student

We’d love to feature your business in the next edition of Red & Gold! Scan the QR code and submit your business for the next edition!

body accomplish its business objectives. Josh is proud to have worked with Cathedral Catholic on last year’s annual appeal campaign and looks forward to solving more problems and being an asset in the future. Josh and his team want to be the change that they want to see in the world and to show people that the vision for their business only expands in a creative and fun way when leveraging video the right way.

JOSH

JACKO ‘10

A MESSAGE OF gratitude

The Red & Gold Magazine is produced by the Office of Alumni within the Cathedral Catholic Advancement Office for the alumni of Cathedral Girls, University of San Diego and Cathedral Catholic High Schools.

Thank you to the following for your contributions:

Sean Doyle ‘80, Director of Alumni, Anne Pickard Majer ‘95, Assistant Director of Alumni, John Paul De Vera, Director of Marketing and Branding, Pamela Poe, Director of Communications, John Knudsen ‘76, Mark Van Brussel and Sophie Lillis.

As always, thank you to our Dons family for simply being a wonderful community we are blessed to know and serve. We are grateful for each and every one of you and look forward to seeing you back home soon!