Blessing of the Steve & Kathy McShane
BUILDERS of BOYS.
The LINK Crew welcomes a member of the Class of 2028 to Freshman Orientation.
MAKERS of MEN.
ON THE COVER:
Ceremonial shovels , including the shovel involved in the original 1925 DLS grounbreaking, ready to break ground on the new Steve and Kathy McShane STEM Innovation Center
22. Robotics Team Competes at Worlds
School News
DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE 14600 Common Road | Warren, MI 48088 (586) 778-2207
www.delasallehs.com
The Collegiate | Winter 2024
Published by the De La Salle Collegiate Advancement Office
State of Frequency: Four times per year
PRESIDENT BR. THOMAS ZOPPO, FSC
PRINCIPAL
Br. Ken Kalinowski, FSC ‘84
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Christopher Dean ‘89
DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM
Annmarie Michol
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Greg Esler
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Dan Rohn
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Vito Chirco ‘11
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Dave Barstys
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Joe Gerardi ‘86
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR Dan Cimini
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Kevin Fitzhenry ‘03
MANAGING EDITOR, THE COLLEGIATE Vicki Granger
ASSOCIATE ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR Linda Fraschetti
ADVANCEMENT ASSISTANT Kelly LaRose
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mr. Jerry Zaccardelli ‘75, Chair
Mr. John Bernard,’70, Vice-Chair
Mr. Ben Aloia ‘91
Br. Anthony Baginski, FSC
Br. James Butler, FSC
Mr. Ben Aloia ‘91
Mr. Gregory M. DeMars ‘00
Ms. Lynda DiProspero
Mr. William Doetsch ‘84
Mr. William Edwards ‘86
Mr. Darrell Goolsby Sr. ‘84
Mr. Alan Rudzewicz ‘69
Mr. Rick Stanza ‘93
Ms. Janis Thomas
Mr. Ben Ventresca
Mr. Joe Wyskiel ‘64
COMING SOON
DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE
100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
1926-2026
MISSION STATEMENT
De La Salle Collegiate is dedicated to the Lasallian Catholic education of its diverse students, including the poor and disadvantaged. We are a collegepreparatory school inspired by the spirit and tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle, where learning takes place in the presence of God. Each student is encouraged to develop his faith, character, intellect, and morality.
This mission is embodied in the school’s motto: Builders of Boys. Makers of Men.
Br. Thomas Zoppo, FSC Named New De La Salle President
De La Salle Collegiate welcomes Brother Thomas Zoppo, FSC, as its new President.
Brother Thomas officially took over his duties on July 1, 2024.
“I am honored to be here,” Brother Thomas said. “I am grateful that the board felt I would be a good fit and appreciative of the warm welcome I have received.”
Brother Thomas has some top priorities for De La Salle.
“My priority is to foster the wonderful legacy De La Salle enjoys,” he said. “The school has been around for almost 100 years, and our greatest asset is our alumni. I want to enhance our Lasallian legacy in the Detroit metropolitan area and stabilize enrollment.”
Brother Thomas also pays particular attention to academic programs associated with the new STEM Center (the Steve and Kathy McShane Innovation Center), now in construction and opening in August 2025.
“Getting to know students, faculty, and staff” is also one of his priorities, along with attention to the school’s facilities.
A Boston-area native, Brother Thomas comes to De La Salle with extensive administrative service at a variety of schools, most recently at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, FL.
He was affiliated with Cardinal Newman, an archdiocesan co-ed school, from 2019 - 2023, as his aging parents lived nearby and he needed to be more readily available to assist them.
Brother Thomas is a Boston-area native and attended Xaveriain High School, in the Boston suburbs. He attended Villanova University and earned his Business Administration degree, along with the equivalent of a minor in Mathematics.
While at Villanova, he was involved in various service activities with local parishes and other non-profits and also taught CCD classes.
He began considering his religious vocation and said, “I felt God was calling me in that direction.”
Although he was familiar with the Xaverian Brothers from his high school days and the Augustinians at Villanova, his research into men’s religious groups led him to consider the Christian Brothers.
“I had some friends who were very familiar with the Christian Brothers, who are well-known in the Philadelphia area,” he said. “I liked the charism of St. John Baptist de La Salle and liked that the primary focus of the Christian Brothers was education”
Brother Thomas joined the New York Province of the Christian Brothers (now part of the District of Eastern North America, DENA) and spent his novitiate year at Skaneateles, New York.
“That site in central New York, in the Finger Lakes region, is very conducive to prayer, reflection, and meditation," he said.
His teaching years were spent at Lasalle Academy in lower Manhattan, and then at St. Raymond’s High School in the Bronx. While at St. Raymond’s, he began studies in School Administration at Manhattan College.
His administrative career began in 1983 at Christian Brothers’ Academy in Syracuse, NY, where he worked closely on the school’s transition to becoming a co-ed school in 1985.
Brother Thomas also served as Vice Principal for Student Affairs at La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, as Assistant to the Dean in the School of Engineering at Manhattan College, as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics at Manhattan.
Further administrative roles led him to become Director of Curriculum and Instruction at De La Salle High School in Concord, CA, Head of School at CBA Syracuse, President of Calvert Hall High School in Baltimore MD, and Head of School at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, MA.
He has received awards from the Archdiocese of Boston for his commitment to Catholic Education, and the Legacy Award for Meritorious Involvement at Cardinal Newman High School.
Although this is Brother Thomas’s first time at a school in the Midwest, he did spend three summers at the University of Notre Dame in a continuing education program in Spirituality.
When not involved with school activities, Brother Thomas enjoys walking and gardening.
“I’m not hesitant to pull weeds,” he said.
Steve and Kathy McShane STEM Center Recieves Blessing
De La Salle Collegiate To Hold Ground Blessing Ceremony for New STEM Center on Oct. 10
On Thursday, October 10, the De La Salle Collegiate community gathered in the school’s Bill Fox Gymnasium for a “Ground Blessing Ceremony” for the new Steve and Kathy McShane STEM Innovation Center.
Fr. Brian Meldrum, from the De La Salle Collegiate Class of 2002, provided the blessing.
Attendees at the event will include major donors, Steve and Kathy McShane, members of the DLS board of trustees, members of the capital campaign steering committee, the construction and design team, the entire De La Salle student body, and faculty and staff.
The construction of the STEM center is part of phase one of De La Salle’s current capital campaign, “Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years.” The school is currently working towards its 100th anniversary, set to take place in the fall of 2026.
Work on the space, formerly the school’s library with several outer perimeter offices, began in early June. The Frank Rewold & Sons construction company enclosed the area, and is using the school’s west entrance doors and the western end of the school parking lot as staging areas.
Steve McShane, De La Salle Collegiate Class of 1961, generously made a multi-million dollar gift in the fall of 2023, enabling the school to go forward with its long-awaited STEM center project.
“I think the addition of a STEM-based center will be highly impactful,” McShane said at the time.
He added, “My dream is ambitious: to transform De La Salle into one of the premier schools for STEM education in the State of Michigan, a school that kindles curiosity and promises fulfillment of that dream.”
McShane is the CEO of Midtronics, Inc., the global market leader in battery testers and diagnostic chargers for traditional electrical systems, as well as the service equipment for electric vehicle batteries.
McShane himself credits De La Salle as making a difference in his life.
“My choice to go to De La Salle put me in a position to expand my educational experience and to get into college,” McShane said. “But, it also helped shape my moral compass and made me a more disciplined person.”
McShane earned his electrical engineering degree at the University of Detroit, and then earned his MBA from the University of Michigan.
SCHOOL NEWS
Thaier Mukhtar Named 2025 Christian Brothers’ Dinner Honoree
De La Salle Collegiate is proud to announce that Thaier Mukhtar, legendary Pilots varsity soccer coach and longtime DLS Social Studies teacher, has been named the honoree for the 2025 Christian Brothers’ Dinner.
This prestigious community event – a longtime fundraising staple of De La Salle – is an excellent networking tool for businessmen throughout Macomb County and the Metro Detroit area.
Next year’s Dinner – the 44th edition of the annual fundraiser – is set to take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Penna’s of Sterling.
“To get this honor, I think it’s a form of being recognized for what I’ve given back to the school,” Mukhtar said. “So, it means a ton to me, as far as that goes. I’m always the type of person that whatever I can do to help the school, I’m going to do it. I’m going to be that person who steps up and does extra, whatever it may be. For the committee that’s chosen me, I really appreciate they thought that much of me to put me up there.”
Mukhtar has been an exemplary faculty and staff member at De La Salle Collegiate for nearly three decades. He became an educator in the Social Studies department during the 1995-96 school year, and since then has become one of the most beloved teachers in the building.
He has molded the hearts and minds of a countless number of DLS alumni, and is frequently referred to as the favorite teacher among Pilots students.
On top of his immense impact as a teacher, he has successfully guided the Pilots soccer program during two separate stints at the helm (from 1983-2011 and from 2018present). Over the course of those two tenures, he has made 12 trips to the Final Four (most recently last season), and has captured five state championships (1990, 1992, 1993, 2000, and 2005).
He’s also the all-time winningest high school soccer coach in the state of Michigan, with 667 victories to his name.
Mukhtar hopes that by being honored it will inspire alumni he’s coached and taught to give back to De La Salle, whether in time, talent, or treasure.
“I hope it motivates alumni to come back and give the respect to the school that helped nurture them, molded them, disciplined them, spiritually motivated them to be the people that they are today, to be the fathers they are today, to be the husbands they are today, to be the successful members of our community they are today,” Mukhtar expressed. “To me, that’s the most important thing. I always tell my soccer players: ‘You think what I’m teaching you right now is soccer. What I’m teaching you is if you want something bad enough in life, you’ve got to go get it. Life is competition. Go get it.’”
Advancement Director Greg Esler believes Mukhtar has long been deserving of the title of Christian Brothers’ Dinner honoree.
“I think there’s no question he’s the greatest coach in the history of De La Salle,” Esler said of Mukhtar. “For starters, he’s a proven winner. He’s won five state championships. That’s an incredible feat. He’s maintained excellence through all his years of coaching. In that respect, he’s been, in my opinion, the Nick Saban or Mike Krzyzewski of high school soccer coaches in the state of Michigan. And even with all that said, I think he’s a better person than coach. He, to me, is the definition of a great family man. We’ve been blessed to have him at De La Salle, and I believe he’s beyond deserving of this honor.”
Mukhtar has instilled tremendous life values in the hundreds of young men he’s coached in his 30-plus years roaming the DLS sidelines.
Additionally, most of these young men have carved out successful professional careers, plus have gone on to support the school in subsequent years. This long list of alumni includes Ben Aloia ‘90, of Aloia Law, Christian Brothers’ Dinner chairman Chris Fett ‘90, of Abbott, Jeff Fratarcangeli ‘91, of Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, and Anthony Rubino ‘01, of the Pilot Property Group.
These four alumni are among the many who have expressed that Mukhtar has had a profound impact on the hard-working, Lasallian men that they have become.
“Thaier, both as a teacher and a coach, has dedicated himself to making De La Salle students better people in the community,” Fett said. “Thaier will attest that he has coached some to the highest level, but his greatest accomplishments are the countless professionals that he has influenced as both an educator and a coach. His achievements off the field are far greater than those on the field. Thaier has influenced so many DLS students that have reached the highest levels of their profession. I, as a father, an alumnus, a husband, and former player can attest that faith, academic excellence, respect for individuals, accountability, and service are all vital components of his message. He embodies the Lasallian mission like so many other great Christian Brothers’ Dinner honorees, and that is the standard we hope all our young men strive to achieve.”
Mukhtar has left an indelible mark – both inside and outside the classroom – on the school, and De La Salle will be forever grateful for it.
Celebrate Mukhtar and his illustrious career at De La Salle at the 44th annual Christian Brothers' Dinner next May! You can buy tickets starting today by clicking here.
For more info on the Dinner and how you can get involved, please contact Chris Fett at chris.fett@abbott.com
Thursday, May 1, 2025
PENNA’S OF STERLING
EARLY-BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
Single Ticket - $225 (REG $250)
Young Alumni (2013-2020) - $125
DLS Faculty & Staff & Coaches - $100
Table of 10 - $2,250 (REG $2,500)
Two Tables of 10 - $4,000 (REG $5,000)
*Prices will go up on January 1, 2025.
HONORING THAIER MUKHTAR
Sponsorship Opportunities Available! click below
PURCHASE
TICKETS / SPONSORSHIPS
CLASS OF 2024 Congratulations , Class of 2024!
Aiden Ryan Abraham M
Cameron Aomran Abro C
Lorenzo Benjamin Aloia N S
Max Apsey
Anthony Thomas Aquino N M
Richard Robert Artymovich N M
Caden Baan S
Landon Belesky C
Joseph Matthew Bergman
Joshua Scott Bergman
Jackson Joseph Thaddeus Bodis C
Chase Elliot Bouhanna
Shaun Boyd C
Salvatore Michael Brillati
Owen Michael Brink C
Christiano Glenn Brisson
Dominic Bueti N M
Caden Joseph Campbell
Leon Laurent Chinn
Carson Clements N S
Cameron Conklin N S
Antonio Mario D'Agostini
Antonio Justin Davis
Jack Douglas Dewhirst
Gianpaolo DiLiddo C
Andrew Michael Doran C
Blake Edward Droska N S
Andrew England N S
Brandon Joseph Eschmann
Aidan Thomas Greco Ewald
Daniel Fergan N S
Colton Fuqua
Clayton James Garland S
Adam Geise M
Austin Gerling
Graham Cleveland Gill N S
Mark Gjokaj M
Brendan Christopher Park Goeddeke C
Carter Sean Green C
Jayden Samuel Habayeb
Tofie Haddad C
Edward Ryan Hanshaw N M
Morgan Hayosh C
Holden Hernandez
Peter Hieu Hoang
Hunter Michael Hoberg C
Liam Edward Hogan N S
Donald Oren Hopp
Jacob Hubbs N S
Nnaemeka Chibuike Ikechi N S
Keegan Dennis James S
William Jason Janis
Aiden Johnson
Anthony Kassab C
Nicodemus Taylor Krawczyk
Ian Matthew Krupka
Maxwell James Livingston S
Joseph Maisano S
Luke Raki Mamou C
Jason Marogi M
Cristian Martin Talamantes N S
Colin Christopher McIntyre N S
Joseph Francesco McNabney
Tyler Meerschaert N S
Joseph Benjamin Montilla S
Brady James Murphy
Andrew Nunnold S
Joseph Reagan Olejniczak N S
Nico Paul Palazzolo C
Brady Thomas Pellegrom S
Giovanni Marco Piccirilli S
Marash Mikos Plumaj S
Noah Robert Poledink
Briheem Rabhi M
John Philip Rau
Brayden Presley Ren N M
Gianmarco Vincenzo Rizzo N S
Logan Jeffrey Robbins N S
James Robinson Jr.
Rhett Ryan Roeser M
Ryan Jordan Ross
Landon Wyatt Ryska M
John Sarim
Gage Schaffer C
Luke J Schena N M
Alexander Schmid N M
Nicholas Michael Schofield S
Andrew Scopone
Charles Anthony Seip N S
Avian Amer Shaba S
Kandakai Sherman Jr. C
Charles J Shick M
Maxim Sist S
Andrew Joseph Slavko
Luke Owen Smith M
Shane Michael Speck N S
Nicholas George Speiser
Stephen Mathew Spicuzzi III N S
Jeremy Lynn Starrett Jr. C
Finlay Stempin M
Trevor Straffon
Joseph Steven Tandoc C
Salvatore Taormina
Aidan Tedlock
Nathan Tempest N S
Alec James Hugo Thompson
Antonio Tipsword
Conner Toma
Dylan Gerald Trondle C
Javier Enrique Velasco
Samuel Joseph Wakula M
James Wallace
Andrew Weiss N S
Derek Yaek S
Jacob Yarema C
Joseph Youngblood C
Anthony John Zaccagni Jr. M
Bradley Zepp
Avander Nabeel Zora
Note: Class rankings and superior academic recognition (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude) are tentatively based on the 7th semester for the graduation ceremony and ultimately determined by a student’s final grades at the end of their 8th semester and placed on the final transcripts.
CLASS OF 2024
CLASS OF 2024
MERIT AWARDS
Cameron Conklin Derek Yaek
Valedictorian ………..………………………..……...………...............……… Cameron Conklin
Salutatorian …………………..…………………………......…………............................. Derek Yaek
Business
First in Merit …………………………..……...………..………… Joseph Olejniczak
Second in Merit ………….……………....………....………...………… Blake Droska
Engineering
English
First in Merit …………………….................................…..…………… Graham Gill
First in Merit ………………………………….……...…..…........…………….. Derek Yaek
Second in Merit ………………………………..……….....….. Cameron Conklin
Fine Arts
First in Merit ………………………….……...…………...…..….. Tyler Meerschaert
Second in Merit ……………………...............……………...…….. Aidan Tedlock
Foreign Language
French
First in Merit ……………….……………………..........…….………….…. Shane Speck
Second in Merit ……….……………………....……….……….. Gianmarco Rizzo
Spanish
First in Merit ……………………………….......………..….….………….… Caden Baan
Second in Merit ……….………….……... Cristian Martin Talamantes
Journalism and Yearbook
First in Merit ………………………........………...……....………..…… Jackson Bodis
Second in Merit …………………………….…...…..………..... Brady Pellegrom
Mathematics
First in Merit …………………………………..…….…………...… Cameron Conklin
Second in Merit ………………………….…………..……...…………...…. Derek Yaek
SPECIALTY AWARDS
Br. Bernard Guzewicz Service Award ………..………… Richard Artymovic Charles Seip
Br. George Synan Award …………………………............…………… Nathan Tempest
Richard A. Balgenorth Lasallian Award ……….……… Nnaemeka Ikechi
DAR Good Citizen Award …………………………...........…...……….……… Colton Fuqua
ATHLETIC AWARDS
Br. Kevin Gilhooly Athlete of the Year ………......………… Brady Pellegrom
Br. Robert Carnaghi Lasallian Spirit ………………..…………..…. Colton Fuqua Charles Seip
De La Salle Distinguished Athlete ………..……….. Kandakai Sherman Jr.
De La Salle Scholar Athlete ………………………..……….......……… Joseph Montilla
Tony DeSantis Man of the Year …………….…...........…….… Nnaemeka Ikechi
Science
First in Merit ………………………........………….……..…………...……..... Derek Yaek
Second in Merit ………………………….......……………….. Cameron Conklin
Social Studies
First in Merit ……………………..……………….....…………........……….… Derek Yaek
Second in Merit ……………………..…..…………………… Cameron Conklin
Theology
First in Merit ………………….…….…...…....………………….... Gianmarco Rizzo
Second in Merit ………………………….……....……………… Andrew England
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Students, Alumni, Faculty & Staff in Service of the Lasallian Mission
Third Annual Service Day a Big Success
On September 27, the entire De La Salle Collegiate student body, along with faculty and staff members, will be participated g in the school’s 3rd Annual Day of Service.
The DLS Campus Ministry team has organized the project to serve various churches in Wayne and Macomb Counties, as well as at some non-profit organizations.
Faculty member Ben Westphal, DLS Class of 2016, is also involved with Campus Ministry and said, “The Day of Service is a day where we give back to our community! Service is a core Lasallian Value that is so essential to our motto: Builders of Boys; Makers of Men. This day offers the opportunity for students, faculty, and volunteers to witness those in need and to fill those needs with the talents we offer.”
At many of the 23 church and school sites, students were involved in outdoor clean-up efforts and some indoor assistance with moving items, such as furniture.
Students worked directly with people at some of the non-profits, assisting with outdoor field day activities.
DLS provides transportation to the Detroit locations; students are responsible for their own transportation to other sites and typically select a location near their homes. The list of sites ranges from Rochester Hills to Clawson, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Mt. Clemens, St. Clair Shores, and Grosse Pointe - locations that are representative of the diverse geographic areas DLS students represent.
Past Service Day activities have included working at the Forgotten Harvest headquarters and sorting food, working with special needs adults at Special Dreams farm in St. Clair, and picking vegetables for Gleaners at a farm in Macomb Township.
Pre-COVID, the Day of Service was limited to seniors and was held on the same day the sophomores and juniors were taking the nationwide PSAT test.
Post-COVID, the Day of Service is now school-wide.
Service Sites included:
• St. Hyacinth, Detroit
• St. Albertus, Detroit
• Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Hamtramck
• Sweetest Heart of Mary Cemetery, Detroit
• Most Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Detroit
• Rising Stars Academy, Center Line
• St. Lawrence, Utica
• St. Thecla, Clinton Township
• St. Malachy, Sterling Heights
• St. Isaac Jogues, St. Clair Shores
• Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, St. Clair Shores
• St. Anne, Warren
• St. George Chaldean, Shelby Township
• St. Mary’s Children Family Center/Guardian Angels, Clawson
• Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods
• St. Mary’s/St. Peter’s, Mt Clemens - assist with yard work Ste. Anne, Detroit
• Stride for Seniors, Detroit
• St. Paul’s Albanian, Rochester HillsBrothers’ House, Warren
• Clean up along I-696 Service Drive (Warren)
• St. Isidore, Macomb
• VA Hospital, Detroit
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Students, Alumni, Faculty & Staff in Service of the Lasallian Mission
Spirit Week Highlight: Annual Rice Collection
The De La Salle Collegiate Pilots faced Brother Rice in the October 11 DLS Homecoming Football Game, defeating the Warriors 42-21.
But in the week leading up to the game, there was also competition behind the scenes at DLS as it was Spirit Week, and classes competed to become the winner and earn a day off.
Students donated over 3,500 pounds of rice that were shared with local food pantries at Gleaners and Our Lady Queen of Apostles Soup Kitchen.
The rice competition began several years ago, replacing the practice of students bringing bags of rice to the annual DLS vs. Rice football game, and then throwing the rice in the air. As both schools typically compete at fields other than those on their own grounds, those field owners weren’t happy with all the leftover rice which was difficult to clean up. Additionally, there were safety concerns in case some rice would hit someone in the eye, causing a potential visual issue.
Principal Brother Ken Kalinowski, FSC, DLS Class of 1984, said, "As a Catholic school, we recognize that many families in the metropolitan Detroit area regularly visit parish food pantries. The folks at the pantries tell us how important these rice bags are for the families they serve, helping to round out a meal, and ensuring that we don’t have children going to bed hungry.”
Steps for Scaps Team Raises Over $4,000 for Children’s Tumor Foundation
On Sunday, September 15, nearly 100 members of our Lasallian Community participated as part of team “Steps for Scap” at the “Shine a Light NF Walk” for the Children’s Tumor Foundation at Addison Oaks County Park.
The “Steps for Scaps” team raised over $4,000. This is the third year that the DLS community participated in the signature fundraising event for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
The DLS team walked in memory of Alexander Scapini, De La Salle Collegiate Class of 2016, who tragically lost his battle with a brain tumor in January 2022. Alex’s condition, neurofibromatosis or NF, is a genetic disease that affects 1 in 3,000 people. Currently, there is no cure.
Walkers at the event included students in the DLS soccer, basketball, and hockey programs, as well as faculty members, coaches, parents, and DLS President Brother Thomas Zoppo, FSC.
Fall DLS Blood Drive Nets 40 Pints
Thanks to the students, faculty and staff, and parents who participated in the Fall Blood Drive conducted by De La Salle Collegiate in cooperation with the American Red Cross.
The October 29, 2024 drive netted 40 pints of blood; one pint can help two to three people.
DLS Science teacher Mrs. Mary Balamucki and the students involved in HOSA (Health Occupational Services Association) organized the volunteers and assisted throughout the day.
“I thought the blood drive was a great success,” Balamucki said. “The HOSA boys did such a wonderful job running things. They came together to create a top-notch experience for our participants.”
Senior Brendan Harper, who serves as President of the DLS HOSA group, served as the Blood Drive Coordinator. His responsibilities included working with the set-up and tear-down teams, after-care volunteers, and the registration table.
“I’ve worked at every blood drive over my four years at DLS,” Brendan said. “This is my first time serving as the coordinator.”
He added, “Today has been a great day for the Blood Drive. There hasn’t been a moment without someone donating, and our student staff did a fantastic job - especially since many are first-time volunteers learning to check people in as they go.”
Brendan himself was a first-time donor.
“I was a bit hesitant at first,” he said. “But it turned out to be way easier than I expected.”
Senior Glen Vasili was a third-time donor.
“I donated during both blood drives last year (his junior year) and was originally interested in donating because I wanted to have that experience,” he said. “It was an amazing decision.”
Glen said the first time he donated his blood flow was really slow, resulting in his only being able to donate a half-pint that would be used for experiments and lab testing.
“That is when I really learned the importance of healthy habits which helped me learn what to do next time,” he said. “This ended up working since during my second donation, everything went perfectly: my blood flow was quick, I didn’t feel dizzy, and I felt amazing afterwards. And I can say the same for this donation, too!”
Junior Michael Kosanke, a first-year HOSA member, worked the blood drive for the first time.
“It was a very enjoyable experience seeing people willing to save other people’s lives,” he said. “It was good to see all of Mrs. Balamucki’s hard work pay off.”
Balamucki also conducted a bake sale throughout the day to raise money to help cover the costs of registration for the students who will be competing in the HOSA events later this school year. During the 2023-2024 school year, DLS entered students into the multi-category competition for the first time.
“As the day went on, each time I looked at the donation area, it was all purple polos,” Balamucki said. “The Pilots came through! Thank you to everyone who gave blood or tried to give blood.”
Glen said, “Donating blood is such a valuable experience that everyone should have, unless you medically can’t.”
LIFTOFF! Rocketry Club Continues Successful Launches
The AstroPilots - the DLS Rocketry Club - had its second launch of the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, September 28.
This time, the group is using its largest rocket yet, a custom-made 3D printed rocket, made with the custom printer in the Robotics room.
This rocket is made of biodegradable plastic and will have a motor similar to those previously used.
The rocket is approximately six feet tall. The rocket, aside from the wadding to protect the inside of the rocket after the ejection blast and the recovery parachute, is all printed: the fin section, the fuselage, and the nose cone.
The rocket reached a height of 1,000 feet - measured using triangulation and a special app.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the Rocketry Club launched a “Scout Rocket” that is about four inches tall.
At the Club’s first meeting of the 2024-2025 school year on September 13, the group launched an Outlaw Rocket (manufactured by Estes). That rocket is more than two feet long, and the motor itself is made of a ceramic outer shell with a mix of potassium nitrate inside - essentially gunpowder.
That launch was successful after a first try when the motor didn’t ignite properly.
The Rocketry Club’s goals remain the same: to have a rocket reach 5,000 feet, and long-term to become the first high school team to reach space.
The Club has 15 members, primarily juniors and seniors, with a few freshmen and sophomores.
Junior Gabe Enghauser, who leads the group, belongs to a Model Rocket Club. He is a member of the National Association of Rocketry and the Tripoli Rocketry Association.
Gabe says both groups have similar goals, and offer certifications, via a written test and flight test, allowing you to buy higher-powered motors. For the required flight test, someone official is present for a launch and looks at the rocket and determines certification based on how well-built the rocket is, as well as how well the rocket flies and recovers.
DLS Robotics Team Competes at World Championship in Houston, TX
Although the DLS Robotics Team, the AutoPilots, qualified for the First Robotics World Championship in Houston, TX, April 17 - 20, and was not picked to participate in the playoff matches, team moderator Mr. Rob Black said, “We had a tremendous experience that was well-deserved by all of the students.”
CLICK HERE to learn more about FIRST Robotics
Black continued, “The students and their mentors put in long hours for the past 16+ weeks to build the best robot we possibly could. We competed hard, fought through adversity with some robot malfunctions, made connections with our teams, and most importantly had a great time.”
Black added, “This is a major accomplishment for our team, and we hope to build on this momentum for next season!”
The AutoPilots team (7762) is now in its sixth year of competition and qualified for the Worlds at the April 4-6 Saginaw Valley State University competition; DLS finished as one of the top 86 teams.
The DLS team competed in Districts at Troy Athens High School March 22 - 24 and finished as the 8th ranked team. A week later, March 28-30, the team was at Sterling Heights High School and battled through broken parts and tough competition to win their first district event championship. The team was ranked 141 out of 600 teams, the highest rank the team has ever recorded.
Black credits the hard work of the students, the team's mentors, the students' families, and the team's sponsors. He cites mentors Mr. Ed Johnstone, Ryan Hensley, and Terry Brannigan. The AutoPilots sponsors include Impact Analysis, Lawrence Technological University, and the Michigan Department of Education.
Approximately 20 students are part of the DLS Robotics team, captained by senior Tyler Meerschaert.
Team members include seniors Andrew England, Graham Gill, Tyler Meerschaert, Charley Shick, Maxim Sist, and Stephen Spicuzzi; juniors Joseph Brannigan, Anthony Raffin, Robert Reeves, and Daniel Taylor; sophomores Aidan Elher, Gabriel Enghauser, Evan Kelley, and Curtis Yaek; and freshmen Lucien Lamothe, Benjamin Parr, and Darold Walters-Hatcher.
2024 Advanced Placement Scores Improve for 4th Straight Year
The results of the 2024 Advanced Placement (AP) tests are in, and for the fourth straight year, the scores have improved.
Christopher Dean, Assistant Principal, said that 66% of the 166 students who took one of the 18 AP tests received a 3 or higher (on the five-point scale). Dean says this is the highest total over the last five years, and cites four straight years of improvement since COVID.
Furthermore, over the five-year span, the following AP classes had their best cumulative scores in 2024.
• Calculus AB
• Chemistry
• French
• Microeconomics
• Physics 1
• Statistics
• US Government
• US History
DLS Curriculum Coordinator Annmarie Michol cited three factors in the improved scores.
• Teachers have utilized resources provided by the college board to help assess student performance throughout the course.
• Furthermore, teachers have broken down the test, and have allowed for practice testing in timed situations to allow students to experience taking longer tests.
• Lastly, teachers have continually enrolled in professional development courses to guide their instruction and practice.
DLS Named to Advanced Placement Honor Roll for 2023-2024
The College Board recently notified De La Salle that the school has earned Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll status for the 2023-2024 school year.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses.
Assistant Principal Christopher Dean, ‘89, said, “This recognition is further evidence of the achievements of our AP students. The College Board also noted that we achieved a ‘Platinum’ designation in the number of students taking 5 or more AP courses during their DLS careers.
In May 2024, 169 students took 345 AP Exams.
Dean added, “This demonstrates a learning atmosphere where students are encouraged to challenge themselves academically through the most rigorous courses we have available. It also speaks to the relationships that our teachers form with students across the board, not just in AP, based on trust, in an effort to perform at their highest level possible.”
The College Board also recognized DLS for the number of students in the graduating class (2024) who scored a 3 or higher on any AP exam taken during high school.
DLS offers a robust Advanced Placement curriculum including the following courses for the 2024-2025 school year.
• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• AP French
• AP Government
• AP Human Geography
• AP Language and Composition
• AP Literature and Composition
• AP Microeconomics
• AP Physics
• AP Psychology
• AP Spanish
• AP Statistics
• AP U.S. History
Over 100 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders Compete For Tuition Scholarships in Second Annual Math Competition
Over 100 students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades competed in the 2nd Annual Math Competition at De La Salle Collegiate on October 30, 2024. The competition consists of a 45-minute test for each grade level.
The top four in the eighth-grade category won tuition scholarships for all four years - if they choose to attend De La Salle and earn A’s in their Math classes.
Mr. Roger Ziemba, De La Salle Collegiate Class of 1972, sponsors the competition, providing generously for the scholarships as well as the gift cards. Ziemba also sponsors a $5,000 scholarship, renewable each year, for the eighth-grade student who has the highest placement test score on the math portion.
Math Department Chair Mr. Joe Novak, De La Salle Collegiate Class of 2003, said that Ziemba’s commitment to encouraging Math studies and to helping students attend De La Salle sparked the Math competition in its inaugural year in 2023.
Eighth-Grade Winners
• First place: Sidney Billings, Avondale GATE Magnet School ($5,000)
• Second place: Xavier Offak, St. Mary’s Royal Oak ($3,000)
• Third place: Kelton Vankehrberg, Anchor Bay Middle School ($1,500)
• Fourth place: Jaxson Larose, Kennedy Middle School ($500)
• Fifth place: Easton Vankehrberg, Anchor Bay Middle School ($50 gift card)
Seventh-Grade Winners:
• First Place: Daniel Obeid, St. Hugo of the Hills ($1,000 tuition voucher and $100 gift card)
• Second Place: Joseph Barrett, St. Isaac Jogues ($50 gift card)
• Third Place: Enso Koo, Holy Family ($25 gift card)
Sixth-Grade Winners:
• First Place: Patrick Larimer, St. Joan of Arc ($1,000 tuition voucher and $100 gift card)
• Second Place: Nolan Luepke, Holy Family ($50 gift card)
• Third Place: Andrew Rosinski: St. Thecla ($25 gift card)
STEM CENTER PROGRESS Join STEM Coordinator Mr. Scott Husken as he chronicles
SCHOOL NEWS
Brother Tom Lackey Returns to DLS
After eight years at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (SJCI) in Buffalo, NY, Brother Tom Lackey has returned to De La Salle Collegiate.
The Class of 1965 alumnus is working with the DLS Campus Ministry team as well as attending various Advancement and Alumni events.
Brother Tom served as the DLS President from 2011 - 2015. He was a long-time faculty member and later Principal of the School before departing in 1994.
He chose to come “home” to DLS as his Brothers’ community in Buffalo was changing.
“I lived with one other Brother - Joe Wilkowski, DLS Class of 1970, and a priest,” Brother Tom said. “Joe decided to go to Florida to work with migrants, and our district policy is that Brothers must live in community with at least one other Brother.
Brother Robert Deary Awarded for Beautification Efforts
Congratulations to our own Brother Robert Deary, FSC, Class of 1961, who was acknowledged by the City of Warren for his beautification efforts on the De La Salle Collegiate campus and at the Christian Brothers’ home on Gloede. He received a 2024 Beautification Award.
Visitors to the school immediately notice all the beautiful flower beds at the school’s entrance and the immaculately kept flower beds around campus.
Veteran faculty member Mr. Mike Jolly said, “Our school looks fantastic from the outside which lends a belief to the observer that the inside - building and especially peopleare equally well-cared for.”
He added, “Brother does wonders for plants. but his true gift is nurturing the growth of our students. In that regard, he is a Master Gardener, indeed.”
“I’m just getting used to the school again,” Brother Tom said. “Things are totally different. There are a number of people in the building I don’t know, and I have never lived before with some of the Brothers in the house. It’s a big adjustment.”
Brother Tom says that what hasn’t changed is how respectful the kids are. “How they greet me just blows me away! They always say, ‘Hello, Brother Tom.’ “
“Brother Tom taught me sophomore year Asian Studies at the old De La Salle, and he and Mr. Szatkowski triggered my interest in history and I loved their classes,” stated Brother Ken Kalinowski, FSC ‘ 84. “I had the opportunity to serve as a Brother with Brother Tom in Buffalo in the 1990’s, which was a joy, and when I heard that he was looking for a new school community, I reached out to him and told him that he needed to come home! I am so glad that he has rejoined us at De La Salle - his alma mater!”
To contact Brother Tom, send an email to tlackey@delasallehs.com
Brother Joe Reed Celebrates 40 Years as a Christian Brother
Congratulations to our own Brother Joe Reed, FSC, who recently celebrated 40 years as a Christian Brother.
Brother Joe, who is part of the De La Salle Collegiate Academic Support team, is originally from the Lansing area. He attended DeWitt High School, and earned a scholarship to Michigan Technological University. One of his housemates was Dan Mason, DLS Class of 1978, who was part of the Christian Brothers’ contact program. A few times each year, a Christian Brother would visit Dan, who had expressed some interest in becoming a Brother.
Brother Joe said, “At that point, I had never even heard of the Brothers nor did I know anything about them.”
But, he liked what he heard, and the “rest is history.”
Following his college graduation in 1983, Brother Joe “went into residence,” and began teaching at St. Joe’s Buffalo (in New York). After two years, he entered the Brothers’ novitiate at Skaneateles, in the Finger Lakes region of central New York. He stayed in New York, and was a teacher at St. Raymond’s, a Christian Brothers-staffed school in the Bronx.
His first assignment at De La Salle lasted from 1991-2002. Then, it was back to Albany, then Syracuse, and back to Buffalo - all Christian Brothers’ schools in DENA (District of Eastern North America).
In 2019, Brother Joe returned to Warren, and De La Salle.
Brother Joe co-teaches Math and Literacy to freshmen identified as needing additional help.
“These classes don’t replace their freshmen courses,” he said. “Their foreign language classes get delayed until sophomore year so they can improve on their basics. They may also lose a gym class or an art elective.”
In addition to those specialized classes, Brother Joe is also available to tutor students who may need assistance in other classes. He works closely with Mike Szatkowski ‘73, who heads the Academic Support team.
Brother Joe is a regular attendee at all kinds of school events. In addition to athletic events, you might see him at a music concert, a DECA conference, or a robotics competition.
“I try to be there for the kids,” Brother Joe said. “I think it’s important for them to know that someone besides their parents cares about what they are doing.”
His father passed away several years ago, but his mother, now 94, is still alive. Two of his siblings live out of state, but the rest are within Michigan.
“I am the sixth of eight children,” Brother Joe said. “Growing up, I was the primary babysitter for my older siblings’ children. I liked doing it. I thought I would eventually marry and have kids of my own.
“But, God was probably laughing at my plans. The saying is, ‘We make plans, and God laughs.’ So, I don’t have biological children, but I have helped raise thousands of other people’s kids.”
When he’s not involved with school, Brother Joe enjoys bicycling and reading.
ALUMNI NEWS
Propeller Returns to DLS
The “Propeller” – the prize for the winner of the famous Christian Brothers’ Classic featuring the football teams of the De La Salle Pilots and the Bishop Gallagher Lancers – is now permanently at DLS.
Painted purple and gold on one side, and blue and white on the other, the 100 lb. propeller was presented to the De La Salle Collegiate community at the DLS Alumni Reunion Night on September 20 at Wayne State University, during halftime of the DLS Varsity Football game.
Paul Sahadi, a Bishop Gallagher alumnus and son of the late George Sahadi, the Bishop Gallagher football coach from 1973 to 2001, made the presentation on behalf of the Bishop Gallagher Alumni Association.
The rivalry ended in 2001, as the Lancers beat the Pilots, 25-21 in a last-second thriller, and the Pilots turned over the envied prize. Sahadi had the coveted propeller, and after his passing in 2006, his son Paul kept the propeller at his home.
A History of the Propeller
Both De La Salle and Gallagher were staffed by Christian Brothers; in De La Salle’s case, Brothers from the New York Province were in residence, while Brothers from the Chicago Province served at Gallagher.
De La Salle had a long-time rivalry with St. Joseph’s High School, also staffed by New York Brothers, and the schools played for an “Oil Can” for many years. St. Joseph’s closed in 1964, with many of its students coming to De La Salle to complete their high school educations.
And in the early 60s, the east side parishes of Our Lady Queen of Peace, in Harper Woods, and St. Matthew and St. Philomena, in Detroit, created Bishop Gallagher High School in 1962.
St. Joe’s alumnus Tom Martilotti, '63, took on coaching duties at
Gallagher, while fellow alum, the late Al Baumgart, '52, was the head coach at De La Salle.
The game between the two schools took on more importance when the propeller was introduced in 1969.
During the next three decades, the two schools met 27 times, with DLS dominating with 20 wins under five coaches: Al Baumgart, John Maronto, Ray Barr, Ross McDonald, and Tim Brandon. Notably, the games were so intense that more than 50 percent of them were settled by seven points or less.
Martilotti picked up one of the Lancers’ seven wins, while the late George Sahadi, the school’s coach from 1973 to 2001, won the remaining six.
Bishop Gallagher closed in 2001, and was renamed Trinity High School. There were no meetings between Trinity High School and De La Salle.
Alumni, Coaches to be Inducted in DLS Hall of Fame
De La Salle Athletics is pleased to announce the following alumni and coaches who will be inducted into the DLS Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held at the school on Jan. 17.
Greg Esler
Coach Greg Esler began coaching basketball at De La Salle in 1984 before heading to Lake Shore High School as its head coach in 1987. At Lake Shore, his team won the state Class B championship. In fall 1994, Esler returned to De La Salle where he was hired as head basketball coach.
While coaching at De La Salle, Esler led his varsity team to four CHSL tournament titles, 22 state district championships and two state Final Four appearances. He retired from his DLS basketball career with a 425-199 record having coached 188 varsity players in 26 seasons. HIs achievements also include his five-time county coach of the year awards.
Today, Esler leads the De La Salle Advancement Department.
Victor Maraldo, Class of 1981
Victor Maraldo earned six varsity letters: three in baseball and three in football. In 1979, he was All-Catholic league in football, the year the team was an A-B Prep Bowl finalist. In 1980, his senior year, he was captain of the baseball team, and was also captain of the football team, was All-Catholic league, and was All-State Class B. It was also in 1980 that again, the football team was an A-B Prep Bowl finalist.
In the first high school All-State football game for the state of Michigan, Maraldo was captain of the East team, appointed by Al Fracassa. Maraldo then went on to play college football at the University of Toledo and played in the first California Bowl. In addition, he volunteered as an assistant coach for the freshmen football team following his graduation from De La Salle.
Doug McKay has coached golf at De La Salle for 30 years. In that time, the varsity golf team was Macomb County Champion multiple times, including most recently in 2023 and 2024; CHSL champions in 1996, 1998, and 2001; 10-time MHSAA regional champions; and 10-time All-State All-Academic Team.
McKay was Catholic League Coach of the Year in 1996, 1998 and 2001. In 2008, he was named Michigan Golf Coaches Association Division 1 Coach of the Year; MIGCA District Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2013; and a seven-time MIGCA Regional Coach of the Year. McKay was inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2016, he was also inducted into the MIGCA Hall of Fame; Macomb County Hall of Fame in 2017; and was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019.
Mark Prylow was a three-year varsity letter winner for the De La Salle basketball team and a member of the Pilots’ 1988 Detroit Catholic League championship team as a sophomore. A twoyear starter on varsity, he led the Pilots to Class A district cham pionships in both 1989 and 1990, setting several school records, including most points in a game (41) and most career points.
In 1990, Prylow earned several post-season honors, being named first-team All- Detroit Catholic League, All-Detroit Metro East, and All-Macomb County, while also being named Class A All-State by The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. Graduating with high honors, Prylow went on to play four years of Division I college basketball, spending two years at Drake University before trans ferring to Michigan State.
Mike Sokol was a three-sport student athlete during his time at De La Salle earning nine varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. In addition, he earned multiple All-Catholic and All-State honors throughout his career and was a member of the Pilots’ 1997 Catholic League Championship baseball team.
Sokol holds the De La Salle single-game record striking out 24 of 27 batters faced in a 3-2, 9- inning victory over Brother Rice. He went on to the University of Michigan, where he was a four-time letter winner in baseball. While at U of M, he was a two- time captain, earned two All-Big Ten honors, and was named to the
John Sokolosky was a three-year varsity letterman in football. Also known as Bud, Soko or Socko, Sokolosky was named All Metro, All Catholic, and an honorable mention All-State in his senior year. He earned a full scholarship to Wayne State University and
Sokolosky was invited to walk on for the Detroit Lions training camp and became the only free agent to make the team roster. He continued his love as a coach, including at St. Joan of Arc where he was given the Bob Briske Award for dedication and
Thomas Longe, ‘49; Football/Track: Robert Longe, ‘46; Football: Tom, Bob, Fred & John Longe, brothers who attended De La Salle, received numerous accolades including All-City honors and more. The four Longe brothers had the passion that was something to behold and considered themselves Pilots for life.
At all family outings and parties, it was typical for the Longe brothers to sing the De La Salle fight song and break into stories of amazing seasons and individual plays. They are Pilots through and through.
For more information about the Hall of Fame ceremony on Jan. 17, contact Vito Chirco at vchirco@delasallehs.com
Alumni Head Back to School for Career Day
Thanks to our more than 30 alumni, who, either in person or virtually, talked about their De La Salle Collegiate and career experiences.
After three class periods in which alumni talked informally about their jobs and also shared PowerPoint or handouts, the entire student body gathered in the Bill Fox Gymnasium for a keynote address by alumnus Ben Aloia, Class of 1991.
The alumni experiences ranged from medical to the law, public servants such as police and fire safety, building and construction trades, and computer and technology occupations.
Recent 2024 graduate Gianmarco Rizzo spoke virtually from his college campus at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, where he is studying aviation.
CLICK HERE for more Career Day Pictures
The group also included:
Matthew Bobryk, ‘95
Chris Bondi, ‘98
Bill Burkhardt, ‘03
Jim Chapman, ‘14
Chris Fett, ‘90
Brendan Geerts, ‘15
Detective Jeff Graus, ‘95
Michael Hayosh, ‘05
Chris Kelly, ‘10
Chuck Kukawka, ‘80
Joe Leone, ‘94
Steve Lockhart, ‘13
Shane Morris, ‘13
Joe Nagel, ‘75
John Plotzke, ‘09
Luke Popiel, ‘08
Kevin Reese, ‘87
Andrew Rusu, ‘20
Frank Slanczka, ‘15
Jim Slubowski, ‘84
Mark St. Peter, ‘81
Eric Tawney, ‘08
Dr. Jon Tosch, ‘94
Gino Tozzi, ‘99
Robert Turo, ‘10
Jason Walewski, ‘00
Dr. Peter Watson, ‘90
David Zablocki, ‘90
Board of Trustees Set for 2024 - 2025 School Year
The De La Salle Collegiate Board of Trustees has added five new board members for the 2024 - 2025 Academic Year.
Jerry Zaccardelli ‘75 returns to the Board after previous service from 2003 - 2009, including two years as the group’s chair from 2007 - 2009.
Zaccardelli is the new Board’s Chair. Read more
Also new to the Board are Ben Aloia ‘91, Gregory M. DeMars ‘00, and Mrs. Janis Thomas. Both Aloia and Thomas have previously served on the Board.
Two other new board members represent the Christian Brothers/ DENA (District of Eastern North America). They are Brother James Butler, FSC, and Lynda DiProspero.
Continuing on the Board is John Bernard ‘70, who will continue to serve as Vice-Chair, William Doetsch ‘85, William Edwards ‘86, Darrell Goolsby Sr. ‘84, Alan Rudziewicz ‘69, Rick Stanza ‘93, and Joe Wyskiel ‘64.
DENA representatives Brother Anthony Baginsski, FSC, and Ben Ventresca are also continuing their service.
Departing the board after two terms are Chair Roma Heaney and John Moore ‘75. DENA representatives James Fyke and Justin Martineau also completed their terms of service.
The full Board held its first meeting of the 2024 -2025 year on July 8, 2024.
New De La Salle Collegiate President Brother Thomas Zoppo, FSC, commented, “I am impressed with what we have and what we can do going forward.”
Brother Thomas said the Board will focus on the school’s enrollment as well as the endowment.
Vito Chirco ‘11 Takes on Director of Alumni Relations
Congratulations to alumnus Vito Chirco, Class of 2011, who takes on the Director of Alumni Relations role in the DLS Advancement Department.
Chirco has been an assistant in that role since April 2021.
He takes over the position from Dennis Koch, Class of 1994, who decided to return to the classroom and teach business courses.
Over the past three years, Chirco has worked closely with Koch, and is familiar with all of the position’s aspects, including the four alumni professional associations, special Advancement events, the Christian Brothers’ Dinner, and the annual Christian Brothers’ Classic Golf Outing.
Chirco is also working closely with the DLS 100th-anniversary committee.
Chirco attended the University of Detroit Mercy, graduating in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. As a high school student, Chirco was actively involved with the DLS sports teams, serving as the varsity soccer manager for three years and the varsity basketball team his senior year.
Before moving into the Advancement Department, Chirco handled sports information duties for the DLS Athletic Department. Although he no longer writes those articles, he does serve as a writer and editor for the Sports Illustrated Lions team channel, Detroit Lions On SI.
Chirco is also an accomplished podcaster, having served as the co-host of “Tigers Talk,” a weekly Detroit Tigers-centric podcast on the Detroit Sports Podcast Network, from 2015-2020.
Recently, Chirco, who founded the nonprofit organization “Chirco and Company” in 2019, helped organize the annual Chirco & Company Softball Game. This year’s game, featuring the likes of DLS varsity hockey coach Chad LaRose and former U.S. Olympian swimmer Peter Vanderkaay, raised $10,500 for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.
To date, his organization has raised over $55,000 for a number of charitable causes, including Make-A-Wish Michigan, the Pope Francis Center, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, and The Salvation Army.
Chirco is pleased to take on the position.
“I'm very appreciative of the opportunity to become the Alumni Director at my alma mater – a school with such rich tradition,” Chirco said. “I know it will be a challenge to fill the shoes of my predecessor Dennis Koch, but I believe that I'm up for the task. DLS has helped mold me and countless other alumni into the men we are today. I will never forget that and look forward to making my mark on the Alumni Office.”
If you’re a March Madness fan and enjoy networking with individuals from various industries, then De La Salle’s 2nd Annual March Madness Night was the perfect event for you!
Almost 150 alumni and friends of the school attended the fun-filled event March 21 at the historic Caucus Club in Detroit. It was a terrific night of community – full of great food and drinks –for the DLS family.
Members of each of De La Salle’s professional networking groups – the Pilot Bar, Business, Construction, and Medical Associations – came together to trade stories with one another and watch the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Plus, those in attendance had the chance to hear about Phase II of the school’s capital campaign: “Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years!”
If you have any questions regarding the campaign and/or would like to contribute to it, please contact Advancement Director Greg Esler at gesler@delasallehs.com or 586-541-6254.
“The strength of the De La Salle alumni network was undeniably on display Thursday night at the Caucus Club. Thank you to all those from the Pilot Bar, Business, Medical, and Construction Associations that came out to participate in the awesome night,” Alumni Relations Director Dennis Koch, ‘94, said. “The alumni of De La Salle are truly the heartbeat of the school, and I can’t say enough about what their support means to me, our staff, and to
DLS Alumni Tour Detroit's Historic Fox Theatre
Members of the Pilot Construction Association, along with family and friends, toured the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit on October 2, 2024.
The Construction Association, one of four professional alumni groups at De La Salle Collegiate, toured the former JL Hudson’s site in the Fall of 2023.
Director of Alumni Relations Vito Chirco, Class of 2011, set the tour up through the Ilitch Sports and Entertainment group.
The tour included not only a tour of the iconic theatre built in 1928 with over 5,000 seats, but the guide also shared information about the building’s history. The Theatre closed in the '70s, but in 1984 the Illitch Family purchased the site, including its ten-story office building, and spent over $11 million on its restoration.
all of De La Salle. I already can’t wait for next year’s March Madness Night!”
Thank you to our outstanding sponsors for helping make the March Madness Night a tremendous success yet again!
• Benjamin Aloia, ‘91, of Aloia Law
• Bill Burkhardt, ‘03, of Kanga Roof
• Andrew Devich, ‘10, of Corrigan Oil
• Vince Manzella, ‘92, of Lucido & Manzella
• Julie Martel of HealthQuest Physical Therapy
• Jim Muer, ‘85, of Ideal Contracting
• Giuseppe (Joe) Palazzolo and Andrew Palazzolo, ‘12, of Detroit Spectrum Painters
• Adam Pryszczewski, ‘23, of The Courier Link
• Anthony Rubino, ‘01, of the Pilot Property Group
• Gino Tozzi Jr., ‘99, of Real Estate One
Thank you also goes out to Caucus Club owner George Sboukis, ‘89, and Caucus Club general manager Joey Mastej, ‘15, for being terrific hosts!
“I’m really honored to have hosted this event tonight,” Sboukis said. “De La Salle has meant the world to me over the years. It’s been a big part of my life for so long, and I can’t fathom it not continuing to be a significant part of my life. We love doing events like this at the Caucus Club, and can’t wait to host more of them for the school in the future.”
“This was a great tour, and what an eye-opener,” Chirco said.
The Pilot Construction Association was established in 2023 after alumni Jim Muer, Class of 1985, and Andrew Devich, Class of 2010, met at a construction site representing their respective companies.
The group is always looking for prominent buildings to tour in the Metro Detroit area.
Contact Chirco at vchirco@delasallehs.com or call 586.541.6211 to be added to the mailing list.
ALUMNI EVENT CALENDAR
December 6, 2024
Senior Alumni Christmas Luncheon
March1, 2025
Annual Alumni Basketball Tournament
March 20, 2025
March Madness at Detroit’s Caucus Club for members of the DLS Alumni Professional Networking Associations
May 1, 2025
Annual Christian Brothers’ Dinner at Penna’s of Sterling
June 4, 2025
Senior Alumni Aummer Luncheon
Alumni Association Webpage
IN MEMORIAM
Br. Patrick McNally, FSC SJ ‘55
June 5, 1937 - September 5, 2024
Brother Ken Kalinowski, FSC, De La Salle Collegiate Class of 1984, offered these thoughts on the passing of Brother Patrick McNally:
Brother Patrick Michael McNally, age 87, Bro. Pat was the fourth oldest of six siblings in a vibrant, Irish Catholic family.
Brother Pat was an alumnus of St. Joseph’s High School in Detroit, where he met the De La Salle Brothers and entered religious life in 1956, dedicating 68 years to the brotherhood, a testament to his unwavering faith and devotion.
Brother Pat earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Catholic University of America in 1960, and a Masters Degree in Biology from Catholic University in 1968.
Brother Pat served in New York City, Staten Island, Lincroft, NJ - but served 41 years of his life here at De La Salle Collegiate in Detroit and Warren. Brother served as Vocation Director, Religion teacher, Dean of Discipline, Campus Minister, and the ministry that he may be remembered for the most would be the longtime moderator of the Christian Brothers Auxiliary, known as the CBA at DeLaSalle.
He became the Director of Alumni Relations for St. Joe’s alumni, and ran De La Salle’s Wig and Mask Society, which all of us as alumni know - he involved the entire student body in each year’s musicals. If you couldn’t sing, he had people who could teach you to dance, or to create the sets, doing stage crew - lightingor as an usher. No one could ever say, “No” - he had a gentle way of getting each of us out of our comfort zones and trying something new.
As I later lived with him, I often wondered where would he find the funds to have the WAMS budget balance, he just had that way of letting businesses or people know what he needed - and funds would appear. It was as if no one could ever turn him down with his personal and genuine approach. The musicals would attract the attention of all the girl schools - of course Regina, but those in my generation remember Dominican and Star of the Sea. Brother Pat made everyone feel important and welcome, calling them by name.
For a time, Brother Pat and his longtime friend Brother Casimir would lead ski trips to northern Michigan and to Colorado. His journeys took him to the far corners of the world, including Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, Ireland, and Italy. Each trip was a chapter in his book of life, filled with stories and memories that he would fondly recount. Brother Pat was a Brother to his fellow brothers, with close friends Brothers Robert Carnaghi and Gabe Fagan, who are probably giving him the tour of the heavenly kingdom.
Brother Pat enjoyed spending most holidays and every summer
up at Higgins Lake at the family cottage. Many extended relatives would also make the trip up whenever they could. The close sense of family was not only prevalent by their visits to Pat at DeLaSalle Hall in his last two years, but by the pride he took when he shared stories about them.
Brother Pat's commitment to his students extended far beyond the classroom. Even after retirement, he cherished the time spent with them and maintained close relationships with many alumni, spanning several decades. In speaking with Brother Charles Lackes, who is the Director of De La Salle Hall he said by far, Brother Pat received the most mail of any Brother he knew in his community. In the last 2 years, hundreds of letters and cards were addressed to Brother Pat, and he would write to each person with an update on the events of his life, his genuine concern for them, and his gratitude for their kindness of thinking of him.
Brother Pat is survived by numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins, who will carry forward the light of his spirit. Pat’s family of the De La Salle Brothers knew all that he did so quietly and without fanfare.
I had asked the CBA if there were final words that they would use to describe him. The litany - he handled each situation with grace and style, he was kind, gentle, happy, and a role model for so many - how blessed were we to have him as a servant of God to so many people.
There are many beloved memories that we can share of our Beloved Brother. Keep them always in your heart, “for nothing is really lost to us as long as we remember”.
As a life fully lived, I am sure that Our Lord, and St. John Baptiste de La Salle met him at the gates of heaven saying, “Welcome home, you good and faithful servant!” Let us remember to pray for him, and to ask him to pray for us!
