WJ MANRESA AWARD Gerry Rardin '72 The Manresa Award is WJ's highest award named for the city where St. Ignatius authored the Spiritual Exercises, the Jesuit retreat manual that serves as the basis for the student Kairos retreat.
mentor-ship. It is alway a joy to behold the love for Gerry in the voices of his past players, whether they started or sat, whether they played for all four years or just one.
Gerry Rardin '72 has been on the WJ campus since the fall of 1968 - that ’s 53 years of Warrior spirit for a man who exemplifies it as well as anyone. Gerry and his wife Jan, married 42 years, are the proud parents of three alums: Stefanie ’02, Abby ’03, and David ’07. He is the also grandfather of five and soon to be, six future Warriors.
"I remember him coming to me after 35 years as head coach - the youngest, winningest and longest-serving in WJ history - that it was time to make a change. He took on perhaps the most demanding job in the building as Dean of Students calling upon his experience in the classroom and on the field. He is as fine a Dean as anyone can find and exhibits an openness to growth that we look to instill in all of our students." - Karl Ertle
After being a star running back at Walsh Jesuit and continuing to play football at Akron University, Gerry began his coaching career under Bill Ricco's staff and teaching Spanish at WJ. His students will confess they might not be fluent in Spanish, but they know a man who cared deeply for them during challenging times as they were growing up. Many know him as an amazing head football coach. Gerry is 22nd in Ohio all time for wins and has been named National Coach of the Year by the NFL. He is a coach who clearly knew the game well and knew when a player needed to be supported or challenged to improve. His care for his fellow staff members can still bring tears to their eyes as they talk about the loyalty he exudes in his SPRING 2022
On behalf of the thousands of Warriors you have taught and coached here, it is an honor to thank you for your lifelong commitment and celebrate you with the 2021 Manresa Award. 39
