Alumni Drew Beesley, Paul Manuszak Inducted into CHSL Hall of Fame

Drew Beesley, Class of 2016, and Paul Manuszak, Class of 2017, received the honor for their outstanding high school and college careers.

They echoed each other’s thoughts, saying their success comes from having a strong foundation with their families and faith.

“It’s a mixture of everything,” Beesley said. “I’ve had a great foundation with my family in the way I was raised, going to great schools and the culture I was around. It’s really a formula for success for me, and with my faith on top of that.”

Upon learning he would be inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame, Beesley said, “It felt very surreal, but it’s an absolute honor to get that kind of recognition. I never thought I would have gotten to this point; I give all the glory to God. Things worked out the way I wanted it to.”

He added, “My story is still ongoing, and I have more to do.”

The DLS brotherhood stands out for him. “I’ve always been welcomed back,” Beesley said. “DLS always welcomes back its alumni, because we are all Pilots and we are all family.”

Beesley’s younger brother, Will, graduated with the DLS Class of 2022, and a younger brother, Mike, is still in grade school.

DLS physical education teacher Scott Grimmer was the freshman football head coach when Drew was a first-year student, and recalled “what turned out to be a very talented football class. Drew emerged immediately as a leader among his peers.”

These days, Grimmer sees Beesley training in the weight room with current DLS students, and “once again demonstrating a pathway to success just by displaying his work ethic and dedication in the weight room.”

Grimmer added, “I am very proud of Drew for his tremendous athletic accomplishments that are still accumulating, and I am also proud of who he is as a person.”

As a junior on the De La Salle football team, with Beesley playing both offense and defense, DLS won its first state championship in school history in 2014.

His accolades at DLS include three-time All-Catholic selection, All-County Honorable Mention, two-time first-team All-County, All-State Honorable Mention, first-team All-Metro, second-team All-Metro Detroit and first-team All-East.

Beesley received 10 Division I scholarships, a Division II scholarship and a preferred walk-on opportunity. His goal was to play at the highest level of football offered and that was as a preferred walk-on to Michigan State University. He was a captain at MSU his final year.

He earned both a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Leadership and Coaching.

Beesley played in the XFL for the San Antonio Brahmas for the 2023 season, and was the XFL's highest-graded defensive player, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) - 90.7. He was also recently named to the All-XFL Defense.

Paul Manuszak played lacrosse for DLS and then at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM). He was a first-team All-MAAC (Metro

Atlantic Athletic Conference) selection and also a MAAC Long Stick Midfielder of the Year, earning both distinctions in 2019 and 2021.

Manuszak said he is extremely honored to be a CHSL inductee. “I am very blessed and honored to be joining an elite and select company of athletes,” he said. “Just to have played in the CHSL, one of the best high school leagues in the country, brings me much gratitude and pride.”

He said his faith continues to play a strong role in his life. “The thing that separates this league from any other in Michigan is that we are united in our Catholic faith,” he said. “We compete fiercely against each other. However, belonging to this league reminds us that at the end of the day, we are all united in Christ, and that is where our true identity comes from.”

Manuszak’s four years at De La Salle and the people within its hallowed halls hold a special place in his heart.

“I am blessed to have attended De La Salle and to be a part of that family, to this day,” he said. “I attribute all of my success to my parents, my siblings, my various coaches, and especially Lacrosse Coach Mike Jolly, who has mentored me and who has been a great friend throughout the years.”

Jolly is thrilled to see Manuszak receive the honor.

"Paul Manuszak probably puts together the pieces of the Hall of Fame nominee puzzle better than anyone I know: skill, athleticism, passion, knowledge, leadership, faith, academics, humility, character, and a heart for others,” Jolly said. “And, these pieces all fit together seamlessly.”

He said Manuszak made a great impression on others while at De La Salle.

“We recognized these qualities when Paul first came to De La Salle, and have only seen them steadily grow ever since,” Jolly added. “Congratulations, Paul. I am so blessed to have coached you, and to still have you and your family in my life."

Manuszak was a recipient of the UDM Athletic Director's Honor Roll (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022), and MAAC Academic Honor Roll (2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021). He was also a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection (2019, 2020 and 2021).

Manuszak graduated with honors from the UDM College of Engineering. According to Jolly, 25 percent of Division I Lacrosse programs do not allow their players to major in Engineering, because of the time demands of the curriculum.

“That is one of the many good reasons Paul chose to attend UDM,” Jolly said. “He was able to follow his chosen career path.”

While at De La Salle, he was a three-time All-State selection. He earned first-team All-State accolades as both a junior and a senior, and was named to both the All-Catholic and All-Macomb

County teams three times.

As a senior at DLS, Manuszak produced 19 goals along with two assists, and won the Mike Jolly Award for the top Catholic League Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete.

Manuszak has two older brothers who are also DLS alumni: Stephen 2002 and Joseph 2011.

Receiving the award helps to bring back many great memories of DLS for both Beesley and Manuszak, especially the importance of their faith.

Beesley said, “There were a lot of situations where I felt like I worried when it didn’t need to be worried about. Give it over to God. Keep the faith, because God has a plan for you.”

Manuszak is leaving the United States in August, headed for Belize, in Central America, where he will serve as a missionary, teaching school at a Catholic junor college. His volunteer work is through SOLT, Society or Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

Class of 1973 Celebrates 50th Reunuion

The Class of 1973 celebrated its 50th with a June 3 event. Out of 162 graduates from the Class of ‘73, 70 attended the reunion, 20 are deceased, 37 were unable to attend, and 35 could not be located.

Class of 1963 Plans 60th Reunion at Detroit Yacht Club

The Class of 1963 is planning to gather at the Detroit Yacht Club on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, for its 60th reunion.

Mike Schefke is organizing the day, which begins with a noon cash bar, followed by a luncheon at 1:30 p.m.

Interested alumni may choose from the New York strip steak, chicken parmesan, or salmon filet main courses; an appetizer and salad are also included.

Reservations and payment are due no later than August 13.

For more information, contact DLS Alumni Director Dennis Koch at dkoch@delasallehs.com.

1940s

David Victor Van Howe ‘47. December 29, 2022. Brother of late Russell Van Howe ‘53 and late Kenneth (Ken) Van Howe ‘55. Father of Melvin ‘71, Lawrence (Larry) ‘74, David ‘76, and Anthony (Tony) ‘77.

1950s

Al Baumgart, St. Joe’s '52. January 27, 2023. Uncle of Dave Baumgart, '76, and Bill Baumgart, '81. Al's legendary career included teaching and coaching at De La Salle in the 1970s.

Richard (Dick) Conflitti '54. May 17, 2023. Father of Chris Conflitti '92.

Paul DeRonne, St. Joe’s ‘59. April 21, 2023. Father-in-law of Nick Frontczak ‘86, and the grandfather of Nick Frontczak II ‘10 and Christopher (CJ) Frontczak ‘12.

1960s

Walter (Walt) Fitzhenry ‘69. May 8, 2023. Brother of the late Craig Fitzhenry ‘77. Father of Kevin Fitzhenry, a 2003 graduate and current Director of Marketing and Communications at De La Salle, and Matt Fitzhenry ‘06. Nephew of the late George Podein ‘34.

Dr. Kenneth V. Honn ‘63. May 9, 2023.

Thaddeus “Ted” Podmokly ‘63. May 19, 2022.

Thomas (Tom) Strobl ‘60. April 20, 2023. Son of the late Joseph Strobl ‘35, and brother of Jim Strobl ‘62. Tom, an accomplished lawyer and co-founder of the law firm Strobl PLLC, loved De La Salle dearly, and was a longtime supporter of the school.

1970s

Lawrence (Larry) Kozlowski ‘71. April 5, 2023. Son-in-law of Reinhold Reuter ‘50, and son of the late Edward Kozlowski ‘53.

1990s

Jason Mass ‘90. April 15, 2023. Mass, a strong supporter of the Christian Brothers’ Dinner and De La Salle, actively embodied the Lasallian spirit of serving others.

2010s

Seth Boyer ‘14. May 24, 2023. Cousin of Josh Krease ‘13.

Extended Family

Loretta Esler. June 3, 2023. Mother of De La Salle Advancement Director and longtime Pilots basketball coach Greg Esler. She was Greg’s biggest fan, and attended nearly all of his team's games during his tenure as DLS basketball coach. Grandmother of Robert '98 and Matthew Esler ‘02, and the late Doug Esler, and the great-grandmother of Mason Stempin '25.

Marylou Ann Montpas. April 26, 2023. Mother of Kevin Montpas ‘88, and sister of the late Robert Beger ‘75.

Constance (Connie) Onderik. April 14, 2023. Mother of Darryl Onderik ‘75 and Brian Onderik ‘83. Grandmother of Darryl Tsatsos ‘13 and Ryan Tsatsos ‘15, both of whom preceded her in death. Additionally, her late husband, Paul, was a longtime member of the DLS Dads’ Club.

Mary Anne Utess. January 10, 2023. Mother-in-law of Stephen Spicuzzi, '91, and the grandmother of Stephen Spicuzzi, ‘24, and James Spicuzzi, ‘26. Mary Anne’s daughter, Emily Spicuzzi, is actively involved at De La Salle in a variety of volunteer capacities, including with the DLS Advancement department and the Pilots soccer program.

Bruce Allan Wasikowski. March 31, 2023. Father of Matthew Wasikowski, ‘03.

Lawrence (Larry) Wiegand. January 15, 2023. He was a longtime, loyal supporter of De La Salle, as well as the father of Mark Wiegand ‘72.