21 minute read
Alumni Association News
Please Pray With Us!
…Catholic Central Cares About You
Submit Your Prayer Request See page 52 for details.
JesUs Christ,
is the Reason for Catholic Central
Alumni Association Mission Statement
The mission of the Catholic Central Alumni Association is to provide services, benefits, and activities of interest to the alumni, to foster an alumni body which is interested and involved in the affairs and functions of the school, and to provide such assistance to the school as may from time to time be requested of it.
Save the Date!
All Classes Florida Reunion
Who: All Classes of CC Alumni and Family What: Mass, Dinner, Camaraderie, CC Fellowship Where: Sharky’s on the Pier - Venice, FL Owned by Mike Pachota ’71 www.SharkysOnThePier.com When: Saturday, March 19, 2022 Noon - 4:00 p.m. Greetings CC Family,
In this issue, I am putting out a “Call to Action.” Your school and, by extension, your Alumni Association have a myriad of ways for you to get involved with the Catholic Central Community. It can be as simple and fun as attending a school or sporting event or more spiritually satisfying by celebrating Mass in the CC Chapel (7:20 a.m. weekdays when school is in session). Also, your Alumni Association puts on several events annually in addition to the softball and basketball leagues:
• Boys’ Bowl Mass and Breakfast (fall)
• Memorial Mass and Breakfast (fall)
• Winter Retreat (January)
• Ash Wednesday Mass (winter/spring)
• Alumni Dinner and All Classes Reunion (spring)
• Alumni Basketball and Softball Leagues (winter and spring)
• Shamrock Bar Association for CC legal professionals (spring and fall events)
Each of these is a chance for you to get involved with your fellow alumni. I encourage you to make the effort to participate in one or more of these activities. Bring a friend, or come alone, and reacquaint yourself with other alumni. You’ll be surprised by whom you run into. Every time I attend a CC event, I get a chance to visit with someone I haven’t seen in too long. I drive away smiling and enriched from the experience. Participating is a way for you to get involved and support our CC Community.
I also encourage you to make an effort to support the current student body. This can be by way of financial support, which is always needed and appreciated, but more importantly by volunteering your time. Your Alumni Association coordinates a Career Guidance program for the sophomores where we bring in alumni from different fields to discuss their work and the path that got them there. I have personally presented several times, and it is always very enjoyable and rewarding. The Shamrock Bar Association coordinates with the school’s Mock Trial Team to provide coaching and mentorship. These are only a couple of the opportunities to get involved and support the school. If you are able to participate, I guarantee you’ll get much more out of it than you put in.
We are gradually returning to the “new normal,” and now is the time for you to get involved with the school and Alumni Association. Elsewhere in this issue you’ll read about the exciting new developments at the school. Carve out some time to stop by and see this amazing campus. This is your school, your Alumni Association, and your home.
I look forward to seeing you soon,
Dave Brauer ’84
Alumni Association President
Catholic Central’s Diversity Initiative Expands to the Alumni Board
Isaac Hester ‘04 and Nick Moore ‘99
This fall, the Catholic Central Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomed two of its first African-American members, Isaac Hester ’04 and Nick Moore ’99.
Hester, a graduate of Western Michigan University and owner of multiple childcare centers in metro Detroit and Houston, says his goal is to help with the advancement of the school, as well as to continue to bring back former alumni to the new campus.
“It’s quite the honor to be one of the first black men on the Alumni Board,” said Hester. “My hope is that this leads to many more men of color being nominated to serve on the Alumni Board as well as coming back on campus and getting involved with all that Catholic Central has to offer its alumni.”
Moore, who graduated from the University of Toledo and had a ten-year professional basketball career in Europe, currently works as a territory manager in medical sales and is pursuing entrepreneurship. His basketball career began at Catholic Central where he played for four years.
“I became active in the Catholic Central alumni community directly after returning from Europe by joining the men’s alumni basketball league. Seeing old friends, teammates, classmates, and their families was always the best part of the alumni league,” said Moore. “I hope my presence on the Board continues to serve as a sign of the diversity that already exists within Catholic Central. I am humbled to give future young black males a representation of themselves in a position they will one day find themselves in based on their foundation from Catholic Central.”
Over the past several years, Catholic Central has worked to increase its diversity footprint through programs and expanding resources, while also remaining firm on the goal of the initiative – welcoming as many families as possible from diverse backgrounds.
Catholic Central’s Director of Community Engagement and Diversity, Kevin Glenn, believes nominating issac and Nick to the Alumni Board is another step in the right direction toward the school’s goal.
“I think it’s important to have diversity. It gives that specific group a sense of ownership and acceptance. It helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups,” said Glenn. “Race and cultural diversity help us recognize and respect ‘ways of being’ that are not necessarily our own.”
The Alumni Board supports Catholic Central in its efforts to foster camaraderie and networking among graduates and a sense of community for current and prospective students. Isaac and Nick will be instrumental in that role as the school works to expand its diversity footprint.
“Isaac and Nick were active student-athletes during their time at CC and embody our school spirit and motto of ‘Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge’,” said Tim Burke ’86, Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Catholic Central. “They jumped in and were involved early, and now continue to do so on the Alumni Board. Our African-American students, and our community as a whole, can look up to these two Catholic Central men.”
To learn more about the Catholic Central Alumni Association and Board, visit www.catholiccentral.net/alumni.
Boys’ Bowl Homecoming Reunion Weekend
Welcome Home, All alumni and family members!
There were a good number of class reunions this fall with many of them being held over Boys’ Bowl Homecoming Reunion Weekend (September 24-26, 2021).
Many alumni and family members were able to experience the Boys’ Bowl Assembly Friday morning, the alumni gathering at CC on Saturday night, the Boys’ Bowl Mass & Breakfast, the Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions, the welcoming home of our Olympic bronze medalist, and a great Boys’ Bowl football game victory for the Shamrocks over Brother Rice, 30-7, on Sunday, in front of more than 6,000 people!
Thank you to all the class reunion chairmen, representatives, and classmates who make every reunion gathering possible, keeping the CC brotherhood and camaraderie alive and well. Live And Die For CC High!
2022 marks reunions for classes ending in 2 and 7. If you have started to work on your class reunion, please contact Tim Burke ’86 in the CC Advancement and Alumni Relations Office at tburke@catholiccentral.net or (248) 596-3844.
Band Alumni Night
On Friday, September 17, 2021, CC welcomed home over 30 alumni bandsmen home to CC for some fellowship, food, and fun! Alumni of the CC Band were recognized and honored during halftime of CC’s 28-14 football victory over U of D Jesuit.
CC Night at Comerica Park
On August 3, 2021, over 150 Shamrock alumni, family, and friends gathered at Comerica Park for some fellowship and watched Miguel Cabrera hit his 498th home run as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-2. This annual gathering of the Shamrock Nation is always a great time. Go Shamrocks and Go Tigers!
Campus Crusades Continue to Unite Catholic Central Alumni
University of Michigan - September 23, 2021
Michigan State University - October 21, 2021
Academic Team Alumni Night Celebrates 35+ years of Excellence
On Friday, October 8, 2021, CC welcomed home over 60 Academic Team alumni, coaches, and family members to celebrate 35-plus years of Academic Team excellence, consistency, and tradition. The evening was filled with the CC spirit and camaraderie! As part of the gathering, the Academic Team program, alumni, and coaches were recognized and honored during halftime of CC’s 21-0 football victory over O.L. St. Mary’s.
Since the team’s inception in 1985, the Academic Team has won five National Championships and 25 State Championships.
Fr. James Enright, CSB Alumni Hockey Games
The CC Hockey Program will host its annual Fr. James Enright, CSB Memorial - Alumni Hockey Games on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at USA Hockey Arena. All former CC hockey players interested in playing in one of these games should contact Mike Giordano at mrgcc5@yahoo.com or (734) 748-0802, or Tom Nugent ’78 at tnugent@ catholiccentral.net. This is a great day of CC camaraderie, spirit, and hockey! Families are encouraged to attend.
13th Annual Retreat For Men
The CC Alumni Association is organizing its 13th Annual Retreat for Men. All alumni, current students, dads, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, nephews, and cousins are encouraged and welcome to attend. The retreat will be held the weekend of January 14-16, 2022, at the St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center. Come explore our Catholic faith in a personal way as the retreat will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 14, and conclude at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 16.
This is an excellent opportunity to: • Renew and refresh yourself spiritually, mentally and physically • Ask God’s help with important decisions and pressing situations in your life • Gain peace and reconciliation • Slow down and have personal time to reflect • Enjoy a weekend in good company
Please contact Stan Targosz Jr. ’67 at stargosz@sbcglobal.net or (248) 910-8226 to register and/or receive more information.
The start of the 16th season of the CC Alumni Association Basketball League (AABL) is about to tip off! If you have not already done so and are interested in playing or forming a team, please contact AABL Commissioner, Andy Slankster ’94, at aslankster@slanksterfinancial.com or (248) 470-6098.
The 2022 AABL Season tips off early January 2022 and will run through mid-April 2022. All games are played at CC. All teams must be comprised of CC alumni, fathers of alumni, and/or current CC dads. Sign up today!
CC Alumni Association Softball League (AASL) 2021 Season Recap and 2022 Sign-up Information
After a one-year hiatus due to Covid, the Catholic Central Alumni Association Softball League (AASL) was back in full swing in 2021! The 7th season wrapped up this past summer after a great season of softball.
On August 8, 2021, the AASL held its annual season ending tournament where Team Dulzo defeated Team Babicz in the championship game. This was Team Dulzo’s second year in a row of capturing the title of Alumni Association Softball League Champions.
Thank you to all who helped make this season one to remember! A huge thank you goes out to all the team managers, Robert Kaylor ’11, and Aaron Babicz ’93 for their help on a weekly basis. Thank you to AASL Commissioner, Isaac Hester ’04, for all the time and effort he gives to AASL and CC!
The 2022 AASL Season will begin early next spring. We are looking forward to inviting some new players and teams into the league. All past and new interested players and teams for Season 8 of the 2022 AASL Season should contact Isaac Hester at Isaachester7@gmail.com or (313) 549-8722.
SAVE THE DATE!
33rd Annual Alumni Association Dinner and All Classes Reunion Thursday, April 28, 2022
Archbishop Michael Byrnes ’76 Jeff Wiska ’77 The 33rd Annual Alumni Association Dinner and All Classes Reunion will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022. The Fr. Canning F. Harrison, CSB Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to two very deserving recipients, Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes ’76 and Mr. Jeff Wiska ’77. More information to follow via the CC website, social media, and email.
DATE: Thursday, April 28, 2022 TIME: Registration – 5:00 p.m. • Reception – 5:15 p.m. WHERE: TBD
CC Hockey Alumni Appreciation Night
On January 15, 2022, All CC alumni hockey players are welcome back home for the CC Hockey Alumni Appreciation Night at USA Hockey Arena. Our Shamrocks will take on Cranbrook at 7:30 p.m. There will be an on-ice introduction of every CC alumni hockey player who attends the game, along with a meet-and-greet reception following the game at CJ’s Restaurant (inside USA Hockey Arena). Please contact Tom Nugent ’78 at tnugent@catholiccentral.net for more information and if you plan to attend the game.
The Catholic Central Alumni Association Memorial Mass & Breakfast was held on October 31, 2021. This annual Mass and breakfast is in correlation with the Feast of All Saints, and we, as a CC community, come together to remember and honor those alumni and family members who have passed away. This year, over 125 people were in attendance. CC Principal, Fr. Patrick Fulton, CSB presided with Fr. Bob Schikora ’65 and Deacon Pat McDonald ’54 concelebrating the Mass. The Alumni Glee Club, led by Fr. John Wheeler, CSB ’57 and Rick Brown ’67, offered their accompaniment and talents. Thank you to Carmine Palombo ’70, members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, CC students, CC Advancement and IT staffs, and TruFoods for helping make this day memorable and special.
Detroit Catholic Central High School is proud to announce the 14th and 15th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions that took place on campus on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in the Robert A. Santello ‘58 Gymnasium as part of the 77th Annual Boys’ Bowl Weekend activities.
The Detroit Catholic Central Athletic Hall of Fame acknowledges the contributions and accomplishments of the individuals and teams that have earned recognition and have provided excellent examples of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. Congratulations to our newest honorees and their families!
THE CLASS OF 2020 AND 2021 INDUCTEES ARE:
SALVATORE “SAL” CIPRIANO (POSTHUMOUSLY)
Recognized for his dedication and commitment, Catholic Central and the CC Athletic Department was blessed to have Sal Cipriano’s counsel, service, and friendship for over three decades. He assisted as coach, mentor, confidant, and tournament director. Sal was a tremendous example of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge in action.
RICHARD CORATTI ’69 During Rick Coratti’s 36 years of coaching CC Football, he was Defensive Coordinator for nine Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) State Championships, 15 MHSAA Regional Championships,13 MHSAA State Finals appearances and15 Catholic High School League (CHSL) Championships. His varsity teams’ record was 303 wins and 77 losses. In his 21-year basketball career as an Assistant Coach and Head Coach at Catholic Central, Rick’s teams’ accomplishments included three MHSAA District Championships, six CHSL final appearances, and two CHSL Championships. Rick’s overall varsity record was 183-77. Rick was a devoted teacher, coach, and mentor to thousands of studentathletes at his alma mater. STANLEY HEATH III ’83 Stan was known at Catholic Central as a hardworking, playmaking point guard. He led the Shamrocks to the 1983 Catholic High School League (CHSL) Championship while earning All-State honors. Stan earned a scholarship to Eastern Michigan University. His devotion to the game of basketball continued upon graduating from EMU. He followed his passion into coaching where he was an assistant coach for a few programs, including with Tom Izzo at Michigan State University. He led his teams as head coach at Kent State, Arkansas, and South Florida to multiple conference championships and NCAA appearances. Stan has also coached in the NBA-G League leading the Lakeland (Orlando) Magic to a championship. In April 2021, Stan returned home to his collegiate alma mater as head coach at Eastern Michigan University.
MICHAEL LEWIS ’80 When you talk about outstanding all-around threesport athletes at Catholic Central, Mike Lewis was one of the best. He was a gritty, hard-nosed competitor and leader, who won the 1980 Fr. James Whelan Award. Mike was a four-year Honor Roll member, as well as a three-year varsity letter winner in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Mike was a key player on two state championship teams, the 1979 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division I Baseball State Championship and 1979 MHSAA Division I Football State Championship. Mike earned a football scholarship to Eastern Michigan University.
THOMAS MACH Over 41 years, Tom Mach established a football powerhouse at Detroit Catholic Central, leading the Shamrocks to unprecedented heights, winning 370 games and 10 State Championships along with sending a few hundred student-athletes on to college success. Tom Mach’s win total ranks him third all-time in the State of Michigan. Tom Mach was inducted into the Detroit Catholic League Hall of Fame, the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and, in 2014, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Over his career, he earned multiple Coach of the Year honors, including the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Year. Coach Mach was Mick McCabe’s choice as the Best Catholic High School League (CHSL) Football Coach of all time. Coach Mach led Catholic Central to more state championship game appearances, 17, than any other coach in the state. Also, his teams were the first Division I teams to “threepeat” in state title games. Along the way, his teams won 12 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) District titles, 20 MHSAA Regional titles, 21 CHSL Division titles, and 17 CHSL titles. “The WHAM Never Loses Yardage!”
DAVID MOSS ’00 David Moss had a stellar hockey career. At Catholic Central, he worked his way from the scout team to All-State 1st Team both junior and senior years, as well as being named to the All-State Dream Team his senior year. David played four seasons at the University of Michigan where he once again distinguished himself. David’s NHL (Calgary Flames and Phoenix Coyotes) career stats: 501 games, 78 goals, 100 assists, and 157 penalty minutes. David Moss’ highlights include centering Calgary’s top line of Jarome Inginla and Alex Tanguary and appearing in three outdoor games. David also came back home to his alma mater to serve as an assistant coach on CC’s Varsity Hockey Team.
JAY SNYDER ’78 Jay was Captain of both the 1977 Football Team and 1978 State Championship Wrestling Team. Jay earned varsity letters in Football, Wrestling, and Track & Field, multiple team awards, and was the only football player in CC history to win both the Rugged Jug and MVP in the same season, as well as being named to the 1977 Football All-State team. Jay graduated from Yale University in 1982 after leading the football team to three-consecutive Ivy League Championships, earning All-Ivy League honors. Jay led the Yale defense to a modern day high of #2 defense in the country.
1985 AND 1986 TENNIS TEAMS
“We will win the State Finals in ‘85,” was the statement of CC Varsity Tennis Coach, Mr. Frank Garlicki, to the press after finishing as runnerup (by 1 point) in the 1984 MHSAA Finals. The Shamrocks went on to win the MHSAA Regionals and the MHSAA State Finals decisively. The Shamrocks were in the front end of “back-to-back” State Class “A” Tennis Championships. In the 1985 finals, Catholic Central had three State Champions: Mark Agah ’87, the team of Greg Grabowski ’85 and Jeff Huston ’87 and the team of Jim Gillespie ’87 and Steve Campbell ’88.
It was a repeat for the Shamrocks as Coach Frank Garlicki predicted. It was a great team effort. The Shamrocks reached the semi finals in six of seven flights, scoring 21 of the 24 points needed to win. Steve Campbell’s ’88 state title at No. 3 singles provided the clincher. The No. 3 doubles of co-captains, Mark Frederick ’86 and Walt Bartels ’86 reached the finals. The No. 1 doubles of Jim Gillespie ’87 and Jeff Huston ’87 reached the semi finals. The No. 2 doubles of Randy Janis ’87 and Rob Transou ’87 also reached the semi finals. Phil Eagleson ’87 the No. 2 singles and the No. 4 singles Anthony Mikulec ’89 also reached the finals. The No. 1 singles player, Mark Agah ’87, reached the quarterfinals.
1988 WRESTLING TEAM
“The Dream Team” is about as close as you can come to describing the 1987-88 Catholic Central (CC) State Champion Wrestling Team. The CC line-up was one of the strongest in state history. Ranked fourth nationally, the Shamrocks repeatedly punished opponents, finishing the season with a perfect 13-0 record in dual meets. The Shamrocks then continued their reign over the Catholic League at the Catholic High School League Championship (CHSL) meet with nine CC wrestlers winning individual CHSL titles and setting a record for team points on the way to another team title. CC was led by Tri-Captain and returning All-American Toby Heaton ’88 and Lee Krueger ’89, both of whom were State Champions. Brendan Rock ’88 and Tri-Captain Chris Lemanski ’88 finished strong, taking second and fifth, respectively. Matt Helm ’89 and Chris Rodriguez ’89 also did well, finishing second and fourth.
1989 CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
The CC harriers, led by Mike Sheridan, cruised through an undefeated dual-meet season and proved to be a top team in invitationals. They won the Catholic High School League (CHSL) Sectional and the CHSL Championship. Going into the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s (MHSAA) state meet, CC and Ann Arbor Pioneer were tied for the number one boys’ cross-country team in Michigan during the eighties. The Shamrocks prevailed, winning their third State Championship in the eighties. CC Cross Country is the best in the long run!
1990 FOOTBALL TEAM
The first ever Class “AA” State Champs, a title well deserved by the 1990 Shamrock football team which avenged two early season defeats by defensively dominating their last eight games and outscoring opponents by an average of 21 points. With a 6-2 record entering the last game of the regular season, it was do-or-die time for the Shamrocks. The “brick wall” defense turned in a spectacular performance, shutting down DePorres’ running game and not allowing a single pass completion. CC’s run continued through the MHSAA tournament and culminated in a nearly perfectly executed State Championship game against undefeated Detroit King. The Shamrocks, once again, proved revenge is sweet in the dominating win over the Martin Luther King Crusaders 21-0.
1995 FOOTBALL TEAM
One of the hardest working football teams in Catholic Central’s storied football program history, the No. 1 ranked team in the state and CHSL Champions were led throughout the season by captains Judah May ’96, Steve Mondry ’96, Mike Smiley ’96 and John Spolsky ’96. Using the strength of their running game, CC defeated all comers, including the undefeated Holt Rams in the state title game and ended the season with a 24-0 victory in front of over 17,000 people at the Pontiac SilverDome. This Coach Mach and Coach Coratti team exemplified what it meant to be “Hitters!”
Visit the Athletic Hall of Fame Website for more information and to view current and past honorees induction plaques.
Please refer questions to the Catholic Central Athletic Hall of Fame Committee at hof@ catholiccentral.net or the Alumni Relations Office at (248) 596-3838.
