A LOVE LETTER TO MY ALMA MATER AND ALUMNI

A LOVE LETTER TO MY ALMA MATER AND ALUMNI

J. Clinton Hill ’79, aka Jimmy Hill, flew in from Los Angeles to attend the Boys’ Bowl as well as his 40-year High School Class Reunion. It left a deep impression on him, and he submitted his thoughts and emotions about the entire experience.

“Last weekend I attended my 40 year high school reunion in Michigan for my alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central. Seeing old friends and familiar faces was like comfort food for my soul, thus my rationale for the delay in sharing my experience. I’ve been savoring the sweet taste of this memory all week.

I’m not sure if words can adequately describe my feelings or do the event itself justice. Distilled to its essence, this experience provided a catalyst for self-reflection and affirmation of values I hold in common with my band of CC brothers (students, coaches, and faculty) and local Detroit homies. I attended an all-boys high school as a scholar-athlete, so this partially explains how I grew up to be a “dude.”

From another perspective, one of my fellow classmates, Pete Finch, rather aptly summarized it for all of us. To paraphrase him, CC and its family of alumni have been a witness to myself and others that we share so much, regardless of how our beliefs and spirituality have evolved, and that our shared experience holds a key place in our foundation.

Our school motto is “Teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge,” and it has been a cornerstone in my own personal foundation of building character as a man. Although I sometimes miss the mark, I have never stopped trying to live up to its ideal. Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge are the three angels l constantly call upon to help and guide me along the path of life. I love Catholic Central and all my brothers who graduated with me, as well as those who came before and after. It’s one of those things you’d have to experience to really know what I mean, but I’m trying to convey the feeling in this post.

Left to right: Larry Schenden ’79, Randy Larson ’79, Jimmy Hill ’79, Bob Lessnau ’79, and Jon Lefebvre ’79

Left to right: Randy Larson ’79, Jimmy Hill ’79, and Joe Rudzinski ’79

THANK YOU DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL AND EVERYONE THERE FOR CREATING AND SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL MEMORY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!! LIVE AND DIE FOR CC HIGH, FOREVER...

To all my classmates and teammates, as there exists too many to name, this is for you as well. Thank you so much!!! It has truly been an honor.”

Sincerely,

J. Clinton Hill ’79

CC Memories - A Love Letter TO MY ALMA MATER AND ALUMNI • Winter 2020