Red & Gold Summer 2016

Red& Gold

The Mater Dei High School Magazine

A Look Back at MD Wrestling Supermileage Team Qualifies for London Competition Class of 2016

Volume 32, Number 2 • Summer 2016

In This Issue About the cover

A look back at Mater Dei wrestling

Sophomore Joe Lee won the individual state wrestling title in the 145 weight class this past season. Photo courtesy Mater Dei Yearbook.

Former Mater Dei wrestling coach Mike Goebel shares his memories.

Maintenance staff Mater Dei maintenance staff keeps the school in top form.

Treating concussions in students Faculty and athletic staff learn about concussion issues with students.

Red& Gold

The Mater Dei High School Magazine • Vol. 32, No. 2 • Summer 2016

The Red & Gold is published three times a year by the Mater Dei High School Office of Institutional Advancement, to encourage understanding and support of the mission of Mater Dei High School. Through the Red & Gold, Mater Dei’s 10,000+ alumni, as well as the school’s many friends, continue to strengthen their relationships with each other and become better informed about the many ways Mater Dei strives for excellence through its spiritual, academic and extracurricular programs.

Class of 2016 Congratulations to the Class of 2016 for all of their achievements.

Red & Gold Staff Editor: Carol Nurrenbern cnurrenbern@evdio.org Art Director: Alan Inkenbrandt ’89 alinken@gmail.com Photography Contributors: Yearbook Student Staff Straub Photography Contributors: Timothy Dickel Sarah Wagner ’88

Send alumni news and address changes to Catherine Voegele, Database Manager at cVoegele@evdio.org.

Mater Dei High School • 1310 Harmony Way, Evansville, IN 47720 • 812-426-2258 • www.materdeiwildcats.com

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Mater Dei Today Drafting and Design students build 3-D printer Roger Sills, Drafting and Design teacher, introduced his students to a three-dimensional printer at the beginning of the school year. A team

of students learned how to design objects using computer software and then printing them on the 3D printer, better known as the Cube.

Standing with the three-dimensional printer that they built are students Jacob Schapker, Brant Rexing, Joe Memmer and Jacob Stagg.

Team Build IT, comprised of seniors Joe Memmer, Jacob Stagg, Jacob Schapker and junior Brant Rexing, took on the task second semester of building their own 3D printer. According to Mr. Sills, the build was a natural progression after working on the Cube. It took this team of students nearly two months to build the new printer, receiving help from other staff members. Dave Flick, Mater Dei Information Technology Director, guided the build by offering his office space for the students to work along with tools and security. The maintenance staff assisted by building protective boxes and a small garage to store the printer. Dennis Thomas, night maintenance, monitored the printer when it would continue printing late into the evening.

The next step for Team Build IT is to find a software program that will run with the new printer and will meet their needs. The students also created a video about the three-dimensional printing process. To watch the video, go to: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uKLjXRb9GUY.

Mater Dei Choir earns gold at state music competition The Mater Dei Choir earned Gold ratings at the Indiana State School Music Association’s competition in both performance and sight singing the past spring.

Taylor Goebel, Maddie Goebel, Amber Wells, Julia Knight, Cole Lannert and Drew Folz received Gold ratings at the Indiana State Vocal Solo and Ensemble Competition and Kathryn Muensterman received a Gold in Piano.

Aubrey Dyson received a Gold rating for her saxophone solo, and Michaela Kunkler and Sarah Duncan received Silver ratings for Solo Trumpet and Clarinet.

Matt Maher Saints and Sinners concert tour Matt Maher, one of the most popular contemporary Catholic musicians, performed his Saints and Sinners concert with special guest John Tibbs at Mater Dei this past April. Matt spoke to the students in an assembly the day of the concert about his music and his Catholic faith.

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Mater Dei Today Jared Abney elected president of Indiana Association of Student Councils Mater Dei junior Jared Abney was elected as the Indiana Association of Student Councils (IASC) State President for the 2016–17 school

year. Jared is the first Mater Dei student to hold this position.

Mrs. Jeanne Thomas ’81, who is in her 31st year of teaching at Mater Dei and her 21st year advising the Mater Dei-ville Student Council, was awarded the Indiana Southwest District Advisor of the Year.

Jacob Koressel ’09, former Mayor of Mater Dei-ville, was awarded the Indiana Rookie Advisor of the Year.

He is in his third year teaching at Brown County High School.

Jared Abney, state president-elect, giving his campaign speech to 800 students from over 60 schools at the IASC assembly.

Twenty-eight members of the Mater Dei-ville Student Council traveled to the Indianapolis Convention Center to participate in the IASC Representative Assembly early this spring, where they experienced the election process of campaigning, caucusing and voting.

Student Council advisor Mrs. Jeanne Thomas and Jacob Koressel.

Robotics Club hosts its first-ever Game Over competition Mater Dei Robotics Club hosted its first-ever competition, Game Over, this past spring. Students from five local elementary and middle schools set their Vex robots to accomplish a series of different video-game-themed tasks which were laid out on the gym floor. The tasks involved steering the robots around and over obstacles and picking up balls and delivering them to a target location. Each level was timed, and the team with the lowest total time at the end of these tasks was given the best seeding for a one-on-one soccer-type tournament that followed.

The Robotics Club has been planning this competition for over a year. Junior Grant Weiss designed the individual courses on Sketchup, using input from the rest of the team and the entire team worked to bring them to life. Each separate board was built using an old whiteboard as a base, with a wooden border. The team designed the courses so they could be assembled, disassembled and stored easily. Grant was also instrumental in developing the website used for registration and posting the rules and course descriptions. Junior Sarah Wannemuehler took the lead searching for sponsors and collected enough donations to cover the cost of T-shirts for all participants. Other members of the Robotics team, freshmen Havyn Bowen and Dalton Murphy, sophomore R.J. Ford and juniors Brock Glaser and Holden Hunt assisted with the boards and worked as timers and team guides during the competition itself. Mrs. Donna Richardson and Mrs. Buffy Wannemuehler are the club’s faculty sponsors.

The Perry Central Commodores took top honors, showing both good sportsmanship and the ability to think on 4

Red& Gold Summer 2016

Students from five local elementary and middle schools attended the Mater Dei Robotics Club’s first-ever competition, Game Over, this past spring.

their feet in order to do so. Their robot was initially set up to handle golf balls, and they had not asked about the size of balls we were using, so they had to readjust it during the 45 minutes before competition began to handle the larger balls we were using. Holy Redeemer and Evansville Day School took second and third places, respectively. Also participating were Castle North Middle School and Scott Elementary.

Mater Dei Today Mater Dei Dance Marathon

$50,000

The Dance Marathon raised a record $42,345 for Riley Hospital for Children at the sixth annual event this April. This is a 26% increase over last year. The Dance Marathon is student-driven and facilitated by faculty sponsor Mrs. Toni Wallace.

$40,000

MD Dance Marathon, 2011–16

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

0

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Academic Team has a successful season The Social Studies Academic Team placed fourth at the state finals at Purdue University this past May. At the local level, the Academic Team placed first in four out of six rounds in their respective class. First place honors went to Social Studies, English, Math and Interdisciplinary teams. The English, Social Studies and Math teams all had the third highest score of all 20 teams participating from southwest Indiana.

Valerie Muensterman, Matthew Ondash, Hope Peterlin, Stasia Reisinger, Katarina Rexing, Alexus Rhodes, Nathan Seiler, Tara Wargel, Brett Weinzapfel, Grant Weiss.

Based on the cumulative scores of all rounds at the area meet, the entire team is ranked among the top 10 teams in the state. This is the first time in school history that the Academic Team has achieved this distinction.

Academic Team members are: Aaron Abell, Alexis Adams, Abby Burnett, Grace Cox, Kyle Cutrell, Aubrey Dyson, Ashley Egler, Susan Ellert, Drew Folz, Lauren French, Brock Glaser, Rachel Goedde, Noah Harrison, Karson Hartz, Robbie Helfrich, Holden Hunt, Joel Kelley, Jonah Kunkler, Michaela Kunkler, Katheryn Muensterman,

Social Studies Team—first row, left to right: Noah Harrison, Aaron Abell, Brett Weinzapfel; Second row, Tara Wargel, Drew Folz; Back row, Mr. Steve Rode, Nathan Seiler, Mr. Dave Wathen.

Mater Dei Spring Musical This spring, the Mater Dei Theatre Department staged “Back to the ’80s: The Totally Awesome Musical.” The three performances played to a nearly packed house each evening

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Mater Dei Today Academic achievements of the Class of 2016 Valedictorians of the Class of 2016

The Class of 2016 received $8.6 million in scholarship money from colleges and universities. These Mater Dei graduates will be attending 22 different universities in six different states. Valerie Muensterman was named a recipient of a Lilly Scholarship. The 2016 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice, as well as a $900 yearly stipend for books and equipment.

Abby Burnett

Valerie Muensterman

Brett Weinzapfel

Photo courtesy Straub Photography

Mater Dei Sponsored Scholarship Recipients: Advancing Women in Science/ S.T.E.M. Scholarship: Kristin East Bret Schnur Memorial Wrestling Scholarship: Hunter Carr Fr. William Deering Memorial Scholarship: Drew Folz

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Gerald Parkinson Memorial Scholarship: Austin Fleck

Jack Siemers Scholarship: Samantha Marx

Len Will Scholarship: Allison Reker

Jack Oliver Scholarship: Brennen Yancey

James A. Niemeier Memorial Wrestling Scholarship: Austin Fleck

Louie Wittmer Nursing and Medical Education Scholarship: Sydney Maurer

Len Will Scholarship: Joe Memmer

Mater Dei Friends & Alumni Association Scholarship: Kristin East

Jack Oliver Scholarship: Abigail Burnett Jack Siemers Scholarship: Tristen Watts

Mater Dei Today Treating concussions in students means a new focus on “return to learn” Each student is tested before returning to the classroom The Mater Dei faculty recently attended a presentation or sports. Often times vision impairments are common given by St. Mary’s Sports Concussion Alliance. Dr. with concussions when the eyes and the brain are Tom Weinzapfel, Director, and Dr. Beth Titzer, Speech not working together. Cognition, memory, problem Language Pathologist, discussed students who have solving and how students are processing information had concussions and are returning to the classroom. are all tested. Dr. Weinzapfel In the past, the concentraexplained that medical tion has been on a student tests may indicate that the returning to play sports, Medical tests may indicate that student is ready to return but according Dr. the student is ready to return to the to the classroom and Weinzapfel, the focus now classroom and sports, but that may sports, but that may not is on returning to the always be the case. classroom and the accomnot always be the case.

Every athlete, including modations that are needed cheerleaders, take the Impact for these students. Instead Test, a computerized test to attain a baseline for long of “return to play,” emphasis is on “return to learn.” and short-term memory, before the season begins.

Specific classroom accommodations for students Dr. Weinzapfel shared with the faculty that kids have recovering from a concussion include attendance restricalways had concussions, but now they are being seen tions, workload reductions, extra time to take tests and much quicker by medical personnel and they are not even environmental adjustments in the classroom. These just treating the athlete but the student as well. accommodations are recommended by their physician.

“

”

Dr. Tom Weinzapfel, Director of the St. Mary's Sports Concussion Alliance, presents information to the Mater Dei faculty about students and concussions.

Mater Dei Sponsored Scholarship Recipients: Mater Dei Friends & Alumni Association Scholarship: Megan Weinzapfel

Mater Dei Softball Booster Club Scholarships for Seniors: Sydney Maurer

Mater Dei-ville Student Council Leadership Scholarship: Bennet Schmitt

Mater Dei Softball Booster Club Scholarships for Seniors: Allie Reker

Mater Dei Softball Booster Club Scholarships for Seniors: Megan Weinzapfel

Michelle Diane Greenwell Memorial College Scholarship: Madison Schuler

Mater Dei Softball Booster Club Scholarships for Seniors: Kayleigh Maier

Mater Dei-ville Student Council Citizenship Award: Morgan Goebel

Thomas O. Tighe Memorial Tennis Scholarship: Michaela Karcher

Thomas O. Tighe Memorial Tennis Scholarship: Brett Weinzapfel

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Supermileage Team Qualifies for European Eco-marathon

2007 Gas Prototype, 3rd place & 6th place 2008 Gas Prototype, 1st & 3rd place

by Canyon Zeman

2009: 1st year for Urban class Urban, 1st place Gas Prototype, 3rd place

The Mater Dei Supermileage Team won first place with their Urban Concept car in the Shell Eco-marathon in Detroit, Mich., this past spring which qualified them for the Shell European Eco-marathon in London, England June 26–July 3, 2016.

2010 Urban, 1st place Prototype, 2nd place

The Urban Concept car runs on gasoline and is street legal with brake lights, turn signals, windshield wipers and seat belts. The competition in London, the Driver’s World Championship, will be based on miles per gallon as well as miles per hour. The amount of gas allowed for the car will be the same amount it used when it won the Americas competition in Detroit. The first car to cross the finish line will be the winner. So the team’s strategy has to focus on how much gas they will have versus how fast they can drive and still finish the race without running out of gas.

2012: Four 1st places Gas Prototype Gas Urban Battery electric Ethanol Prototype

The Shell Eco-marathon is an annually run competition that was created and sponsored by the Shell gas company for several universities and select high schools. Mater Dei is among the top competing schools at these competitions. Since 2007, the team has done exceptionally well. Team members are Logan Pierce, Jacob Schapker, Joe Memmer, Canyon Zeman, Drew Henderson, Wade Wilmes, Ema Quinn, Grace Cox, Hope Peterlin, Mitchell Heim, Grant Weiss, Logan Riney and Ian East.

Mater Dei’s team spent this past year preparing a new gas prototype body to decrease the amount of weight it has and decrease the air resistance. This car saw its first action at the Indiana Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Alliance (IMSTEA) supermileage competition in Indianapolis. All three cars the team has worked on for the past couple of years—electric prototype, gas prototype, and urban concept—were entered in this contest. The urban car

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Eco-marathon results for Mater Dei:

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2013 Urban, 1st place Gas prototype 2nd place Battery electric, 1st place Ethanol Prototype, 2nd place 2014 Urban, 1st place Battery electric, 1st place Gas prototype, 3rd place 2015 Urban, 1st place Battery Electric, 1st place Gas prototype, 3rd place 2016 Urban, 1st place Qualified for London event

placed first with 595 miles per gallon, and the gasoline prototype place first with 548 miles per gallon. Weather conditions were poor due to rain, and the drivers of the gasoline car, Grace Cox and Ema Quinn, had to drive the entire day without a cover due to the windshield fogging.

Even with rain coats they were soaked!

Shell’s Eco-marathon competition consists of high school and college students who build the best fuel efficient car they can. In other words, racing these cars would be a bad idea. Each team has one year to bolster the car and get other vehicles ready for competition season.

Of course they have fun while they do it.

Here is what some of them have to say…

“Whole lotta work to do in a whole little time!” said Dave Weiss, a coach who helps the team out. Sophomore Logan Riney comments, “A lot of work, but a fun and rewarding experience. It’s a great experience for those who want to go into engineering. It’s fun to try and get the best mileage,” states junior Ema Quinn, who is also one of the drivers. Others, including Drew Henderson, shares the thing they like the most is the “hands-on stuff and actually building the car or making the old car better.” Lastly, “It’s awesome!” from Jacob Schapker.

The barn that the Supermileage team resides in is owned by Dan and Mary Ritter.

Mr. Ritter has assisted the Supermileage team since 2006. Mr. Ritter states about

the program, "It is a rewarding program and is fun to watch all the kids grow from freshmen to seniors. I get to watch their confidence grow as they learn problem solving skills. We averaged at least 25 kids a year for the last 10 years, which means a lot of kids have received exposure working with their hands, solving problems, and having fun while competing at a national level.”

Bob Neisen has been a head coach from 2001 until 2006 and a great assistant coach from 2007 to the present. “I would like to thank Dan and Mary Ritter for opening their home, and barn and family to host the Supermileage team for the past ten years,” states Bob. “The team has benefited so much from Dan’s skills and leadership and from the use of the Ritter barn and all of their tools.

I want to thank Mary and Danielle ’07, former Supermileage car driver, for getting out on those cold winter nights and going down to the barn and building a fire so the barn would be warm when we arrived.

What a blessing they have all been to Mater Dei and the Supermileage team.”

In 2006, Bob entered the team in their first Shell Eco-marathon in Fontana, California. Bob explains, "We would not have made it to the Shell events without Dan’s guidance and talents! God gives each of us different gifts, and Supermileage is a chance for students to see if

their talents lend them to engineering and problem solving. Each year we are challenged to learn, improve, and better the result of previous years. I enjoy being a part of this process and the students’ lives. The community support for the Supermileage team has been exceptional.

We would not be able to do this without the help of many people and businesses.

The abilities of Dave Weiss and Gene Young need to be acknowledged also. I need to thank our wives for supporting us as probably only coaches’ wives know!”

Gene Young, coach of anything and everything mechanical and electrical, has been assisting the team since 2012. He comments, “I think the Eco-challenge is good team building event. It challenges the students in a different way than the normal teacher/student, or parent/ child way, rather in a adult/adult way.

It’s a setup to encourage thinking of new ways to solve problems.”

Other coaches include Dave Weiss, who has been with the team since 2012. Dave acquires the construction tools and materials and helps with paperwork. The team would like to thank and recognize all of these individuals who have contributed so much time and effort to the team.

Canyon Zeman was a senior member of the Supermileage Team. He graduated this year and plans to attend Purdue University in the fall as a computer engineering major.

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SPORTS Highlights Wrestling The wrestling team finished as City, SIAC, Sectional and Regional Champions. They were Semi-State runner-up and sixth place in the IHSAA state finals.

Sophomore Joe Lee won his first IHSAA championship at 145 lbs. with a 41-second fall in the finals. He was the 23rd MD wrestler to win a state title.

Sophomore Joe Lee won his first state title this year at 145 lbs.

Junior Nick Lee was runner-up at 132 lbs., losing to four-time champion Chad Red, who was ranked #1 in the nation. This was Junior Nick Lee wrestling the #1-ranked wrestler in the naarguably the most tion, Chad Red, New Palestine High School, at the IHSAA hyped-up match in state tournament this year.

IHSAA history, as Nick was ranked #4 in the nation. According to Mater Dei wrestling coach Greg Schaefer, “After missing most of the season due to an injury, Nick was able to make it back under the lights by advancing to the finals. He lost by a close 6-5 decision in one of the most anticipated matches in the history of Indiana high school wrestling.”

Junior Kurtis Wilderman finished sixth at 195 lbs. and Kyle Luigs, Mitch Lehman and Austin Fleck were all state qualifiers.

In addition, Mater Dei won their 40th consecutive wrestling sectional this past season.

Girls Tennis

Left to right: Nicole Richmond, Victoria Zigenfus, Kristin East and Vanessa VanBibber.

Girls’ and Boys’ Track The Mater Dei girls’ track 4x400 relay team of freshman Vanessa VanBibber, sophomore Nichole Richmond, freshman Victoria Zigenfus and freshman Olivia Effinger broke the school record of 4:15.44 and set a new record of 4:15.31 earlier in the season.

During the City meet, the 4x400 team of Vanessa VanBibber, Nicole Richmond, Victoria Zigenfus and Kristin East broke the new school record with a time of 4:10.79.

The boys’ track 4x100 team of Chase Rheinlander, Clay Nosko, Tyler Effinger and Jared Strehl broke the school record with a time of 43.7 seconds.

The Mater Dei girls’ tennis team captured the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference (SIAC) title for the first time in school history in tennis.

Pictured left to right, Coach Cole Claybourn, Lauren Marx, Ellie Marx, Natalie Blair, Anna McAtee, Michaela Karcher, Alexa Elpers, Grace Cox, Coach Christine Clements.

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The boys 4x100 relay team of Jared Strehl, Clay Noskoi, Chase Rheinlander and Tyler Effinger set a new school record in the 4x100 of 43 seconds.

SPORTS Highlights Kristin East named Star Scholar Athlete of the Year Senior Kristin East was named the Indy Star Scholar Athlete of the Year, hosted by the Indianapolis Star. The ceremony featured Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck as the guest speaker paying tribute to this year’s high school athletes, as well as Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White as the master of ceremonies.

Kristin excelled in soccer at Mater Dei and won the Mental Attitude Award during the girls’ soccer state championship game this year. She helped lead the Wildcats to a second successive trip to the Class A girls soccer title game this fall.

Kristin is a National Honor Society member, four-time Academic All-City and 2015 Academic All-State honoree.

Steve Goans retires as Girls’ Basketball coach Steve Goans retired at the end of this season as the girls’ head basketball coach. He began his coaching career at Mater Dei in 1979 when he guided the Lady Wildcats to their first every win in school history. He returned after 18 years in 2007–08 as head coach.

Goans led the girls’ basketball team to back to back Class 2A state championships in 2012 and 2013, and state runner-up in 2014. He finished his coaching career with a 240-135 record.

Seniors sign letters of intent to play college sports Seniors Abby and Holly Schoenstein have both signed letters of intent to play college soccer at the University of Southern Indiana. The twins were both starters on

went to print, baseball awards had not yet been named for this season.

Senior Kristin East has signed with Rose Hulman to

the 2014 and 2015 IHSAA state runner-up Wildcat lady

continue playing soccer in college. Kristin helped lead

soccer team. Holly was First Team All-SIAC and All-

the Lady Wildcats to two consecutive state runner-up

City in 2014 and 2015, and Abby was Honorable Mention

titles. She was named Academic All-City for four years

All-SIAC in 2015 and Second Team All-SIAC and First

and Academic All-State this past year. Kristin received

Team All-City in 2014.

the Mental Attitude Award at the state championship

Senior Jackson Pokorney has accepted a scholarship to play baseball at Rend Lake Junior College. Jackson

game was named Indy Star Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Senior Devan Straub will play basketball at IU-Kokomo.

also played football at Mater Dei and was named Asso-

He was First Team All-Metro, All-SIAC, Honorable

ciated Press 2A All-State First Team, IFCA 2A All-State

Mention All-State, Academic All-City and Hoosier

First Team, All-SIAC First Team, Evansville Courier

Basketball magazine Top 60 Senior Workout Selection.

and Press All-Metro, Downtown QB Club All-City and

Devan was also a participant in the Indiana North/

2015 IFCA Academic All-State. At the time this issue

South All-Star Game.

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A Look Back at

By Mike Goebel

Editor’s Note: During his 29 years of coaching, Mike Goebel, named National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year twice and a member of the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, has many memories of Mater Dei wrestling. When asked about his most memorable moments in wrestling, his response was, “This is an impossible question to answer as each team had its own story and added its special mark to the tradition of Mater Dei wrestling. Even in the down years, Mater Dei wrestlers achieved at such high levels.”

The following, however, are those moments in Mater Dei wrestling that he could NEVER forget.

In 1980, Randy Helfrich and I celebrated our first individual state champion in Tim Boots, followed by the famous come-from-behind defensive pin in overtime by state champion Chris Wildeman over Decatur Central’s Richie Diggs in 1981.

In 1986, after so many years of high hopes followed with deep frustrations, Mater Dei was finally in the hunt for a team championship along with powerhouse Cathedral and five-time defending champion Delta. We were coaching matches side by side in Market Square Arena in the semi-finals when Mike Happe pinned Andy Parkinson of Delta simultaneously with Chip Elderkin’s decision over Cathedral’s Gilbert Durham.

The realization was that Mater Dei would win its first-ever state title in any sport.

I nearly fainted mat side. To finish that historical weekend with Chip’s individual title and Buzz Mieras come-from-behind four point move over Crown Point’s undefeated Jim Bogash at the buzzer to claim his title in 1986, we had so much cause to celebrate. While we did not win state as a team again until 1995, MD wrestling achieved much each year.

In 1987, Bret Schnur secured his state title in a last second flurry. In 1988, Gabe Zirkelbach overcame the “2-second early MD crowd countdown” that seemed to encourage Gabe to relax and allowed his Mishawaka opponent to tie and nearly steal the title. Gabe won his title by major decision in overtime. Matt Armentano overcame his superstitions of leaving his special wrestling shoes and headgear in Evansville and went on to claim the 1993 state title. That same season, Greg Schuble scored an improbable comefrom-behind pin in the meets final match, utilizing his patented move,

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Upper right: Chris Wildeman, 1981 undefeated state champion; Upper left: Mike Bishop, 1997 state finals; Lower: First state wrestling championship team, 1986.

MD Wrestling

Left: Head coach Mike Goebel celebrating another state champion; Right: Head coach Mike Goebel and JV coach Randy Helfrich.

“the Schuble,” at heavyweight to help defeat #1 ranked Belmont.

In 1994 before the largest crowd ever assembled in the Mater Dei gym, #6 Central vs. #2 MD, the Wildcats pulled off a huge dual meet win. Later in the postseason, in the team regional, losing by 17.5 points going into the finals to Central, Mater Dei’s seven remaining wrestlers overcame the nearly insurmountable lead and Central’s nine remaining wrestlers and won the title by 1.5 points.

In 1995, the Wildcats claimed the final team state championship under the individual scoring format when senior Andy McDonald pulled several upsets to take second place; freshman

Greg Schaefer avenged two earlier losses to David Combs of Bloomington South to win in overtime for his first state title. In 1996, being able to compete in the first-ever IHSAA Team State Duals, the Wildcats defeated New Castle to take the championship led by individual state champ Nick Mayer.

Mater Dei won a total of 10 IHSAA State Dual Championships before the IHSAA changed back to the individual scoring format.

It would be hard not to remember the heroic efforts of Mike Bishop and Tom Jankowski in the 1997 team state championship run. Both had been eliminated in the individual state series to torn ACLs that required surgery at

the season’s end. Neither was expected to compete in the state duals, but did they ever! Bishop was losing in the second period to his ranked Carmel opponent when he scored a pin that sent the MD crowd into hysteria. Jankowski was losing in the second period and he, too, recorded a pin, and the Cats won 31-24 over undefeated and favorite Carmel.

In 1998, Mater Dei secured its first ever two-time state champion with undefeated Greg Schaefer. Greg’s teammate, Dan Jankowski lost in the state finals to undefeated, #1 ranked, Jason Tabor of Portage 8-6. The very next week in team state duals championships, Jankowski defeated Tabor in a wild one by a 13-11 score in

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Upper left: Blake Maurer winning his fourth individual state wrestling title; Upper center: Greg Schaefer and coaches after Greg became Mater Dei’s first undefeated two-time state champion; Upper right: Coaches celebrating with Blake Maurer in 2004; Lower left: Sam Wildeman clinching the state title; Lower right: Zach Goebel winning at team state in 2005.

overtime. Thank you Mater Dei crowd for the roof-raising roars! In 1999, the Wildcats were losing to Hobart 30-12 with five matches remaining at team state. It appeared our streak would end. But the never-say -die seniors reeled off wins led by Nick Miller, Tony Unfried, Ryan King, Kevin Alvey and David Hisch to pull out a 33-30 win and another state title. I dare say that the noise level from the standing room only crowd at Center Grove gym would never be so loud again. Absolute pandemonium! In 2001, sophomore Craig Weinzapfel and his cousin, senior Allen Weinzapfel, claimed individual titles along with MD’s most prolific

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wrestler, Blake Maurer. (The Wildcats won state in football and wrestling and took second in boys’ basketball that school year).

Mater Dei’s 2003 Team was the best in Indiana history. Mater Dei secured four state champions with two-time champ Craig Weinzapfel, Dustin Nosko, Sam Wildeman (to complete Mater Dei’s first-ever father-son state champ combination of Chris and Sam) and Blake Maurer. Blake’s incredible ultimate overtime victory over Mishawaka’s undefeated Alex Dolly under the lights is arguably the best state championship match in Indiana history. The Wildcats had seven wrestlers finish in

the top three of their respective weight classes, including four-time top three finisher Craig Macke, and the team scored a non-sanctioned individual team total record of 158 points. Truly an amazing record that might never be eclipsed. Blake Maurer became Mater Dei’s only four-time champion in 2004, and Matt Coughlin added state championships in 2004 and 2005. Matt also became Mater Dei’s first-ever national high school champion.

Two of my most enjoyable years in coaching wrestling were my last, the 2006 and 2007 state championship seasons. It was particularly special for me because I was around a team in

Upper left: Tim Boots winning the state title in 1980; Upper right: Matt Coughlin winning individual state title in 2005; Lower: MD wrestling team celebrating as team state champions in 2006.

which I was able to be a parent, a fan and a coach. In 2006, Mater Dei was not expected to be in the hunt. The Wildcats defeated #1 Perry Meridian 2523 as Jerry Parkinson and Drew Lappe pulled out 4-3 and 3-1 decisions in the final two matches to seal the win.

Next up was undefeated #2 Mishawaka.

Another intense nail-biter, the meet included a “spladle” pin from Zach Goebel, who bumped up to heavyweight. The Cats held on to a 28-25 lead with only Alex Weinzapfel left. If Alex lost, the wrestler who scored the first points in that match, the 8th criterion to determine the team winner, would go on to become state champions. Alex

was tied 0-0 going into the second period when Mishawaka chose down.

But true to form, Alex recorded a near fall en route to a 5-0 victory. In 2007, with Nick Dewig leading the Wildcats, they did it again, this time with JV wrestler Steven Lovelace, inserted up a weight class, pinned a Mishawaka state finalist to spur the Cats to the victory and the title.

Obviously, the memories are too many, the individual matches and team victories too fulfilling, the travels, the excitement and the fun too great to single out the “best.” I have been so fortunate to be involved in a program that has generated so much pride. I was

surrounded by great coaches, particularly Randy Helfrich, who compiled the remarkable 450-0 national record as MD’s JV coach, who was named National Assistant Coach of the Year and a member of the Indiana High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Mater Dei is truly blessed to have the head coach they have now in Greg Schaefer. The school support, the crazy and boisterous MD fans, the parents and families are all part of the success.

But, in the end, the credit rests with the young men who put on the uniforms, practiced and performed daily, season by season, who deserve the praise and the recognition.

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Mater Dei Wrestling: A “powerhouse” for 40+ years and still on top Mater Dei’s success in wrestling has been remarkable and prompted state and local sports writers over the years to refer to Mater Dei as a “wrestling dynasty” and a “wrestling powerhouse.” This year marks the 30th anniversary of Mater Dei’s first wrestling state championship and the team’s 40th consecutive sectional championship.

The 2016 wrestling team finished as City, SIAC, Sectional and Regional Champions. They were Semi-State runner-up and placed sixth in the IHSAA state finals.

Sophomore Joe Lee won his first individual IHSAA championship at 145 lbs. He was the 23rd MD wrestler to win a state title. Junior Nick Lee was runner-up at 132 lbs., junior Kurtis Wilderman finished sixth at 195 lbs. and Kyle Luigs, Mitch Lehman and Austin Fleck were all state qualifiers.

John Johnson, in his book about Mater Dei wrestling, We Are...MD!, recalls that wrestling began at Mater Dei in 1950 when Gus Peters, a local businessman and assistant Mater Dei football coach, convinced head football coach Len Will that wrestling would not only help develop his football players but would keep them in shape after football season was over.

The first team, formed during the 1950–51 school year, included Bill Backes, Ed Bergwitz, Dave Buckman, Bob Drone, James Hardesty, Jerry Horstketter, Don Scheller, Tom Scheller, Bob Seibert, Jim Seibert, Urban Seibert and Jim Will. This was not only Mater Dei’s first wrestling team, but the first wrestling team of any Evansville high school. Two years later, Central and Reitz high schools added wrestling programs, with Bosse High School forming a team in 1954 (Johnson, 8).

According to Mater Dei yearbooks, Joe Gossman was appointed wrestling coach his first year of teaching at the school.

Gossman would serve as the head wrestling coach until the end of the school year in 1978 after winning 15 city wrestling titles and eight sectional titles. A young teacher at Castle and a 1970 Mater Dei graduate was hired to replace Gossman. Mike Goebel, over a period of 29 years from 1978–2007, would lead Mater Dei to 12 team state championships, including nine consecutive state titles and 22 individual state titles.

He coached the Wildcats to an amazing

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Greg Schaefer was named head wrestling coach at Mater Dei in 2008.

533-14-2 dual-meet record. One consecutive victory streak reached 135 matches, another 117. Mike’s incredible 0.974 winning percentage is a national record. He was named National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2003.

Randy Helfrich also set a record of his own while coaching the junior varsity team to an astonishing 450-0 record in 27 years. The streak ended the year after he retired. These are just a few of the numerous records held by Mater Dei in wrestling.

Mater Dei’s 2003 state champion team was one of the most powerful teams in the state’s history. Seven of the 14 wrestlers placed either first, second or third in the individual tourney.

Between 1996 and 2012, team championship was determined during a separate dual-meet format team tournament. During those years, Mater Dei won 10 team state championships.

Beginning in 2012–13, the IHSAA went back to crowning the state champion from the individual tournament. According to a press release from IHSAA Commissioner, Bobby Cox, interest in the team series had diminished over a period of years, and “the concurrent running of both the team

and individual tournaments created a hardship upon advancing student athletes and in some instances, produced undesirable results.” So beginning in 2012-13, regional, semi-state and state championship teams were determined through points scored by competitors at those respective levels of the individual tournament, reverting back to the system employed for decades prior to 1995-96 when the individual tournament split in two. Sectional champions have always been determined through the accumulation of points by individuals.

The IHSAA believed that this decision would enhance interest and enthusiasm in the individual series, allowing a greater number of schools an opportunity to experience success at higher levels of the tournament along with the potential of drawing record crowds to the individual tournament. The last team wrestling state tournament was held February 25, 2012, at Center Grove High School in Greenwood.

Following the decision of the IHSAA, the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association (IHSWCA) began sponsoring a dual-meet team state. This event allowed the coaches association to garner much needed revenue in their efforts to promote

wrestling, provide recognition to student athletes and allow 8,000 young people to participate in the sport.

According to Mater Dei wrestling coach Greg Schaefer, although emphasis is on individual scoring at the state tournament, the focus has always been on developing a strong team which is what makes Mater Dei wrestling so special. “Our high school program continues to try to develop and instill the values of hard work and discipline that are essential to being productive citizens in the world today. The expectation to win remains high, as does the opportunity to gain confidence in oneself and to develop trust in others. Often times wrestlers that may not get much recognition but continue to work hard become the backbone of the wrestling program.”

Coach Schaefer stresses that the hope is to continue the “Tradition.” Like many strong programs, the success depends on a dedicated community with tremendous parental support. “Our program continues to have strong numbers and will hopefully be able to encourage young men to be part of one of the most storied programs in the state.”

Mater Dei Athletic Director Joe Herrmann believes the future of Mater Dei wrestling is bright. “Coach Goebel took the program to a new level that was not only a state powerhouse but also a national powerhouse. Thanks to Coach Schaefer, his assistants and all of the wrestlers who are working extremely hard, Mater Dei remains a top five program in the state of Indiana.”

State Wrestling Championships 1986 1998 2002 1995 1999 2003 1996 2000 2006 1997 2001 2007 (from IHSAA.org)

Mater Dei Wrestling Records Most Sanctioned State Championships: 12 Most Sanctioned State Championships by a Coach: 12 Most Consecutive State Championships: 9 Most Semi-State Championships: 23 Most Consecutive Semi-State Championships: 14 Most Regional Championships: 36 Most Consecutive Regional Championships: 30 Most Sectional Championships: 46 Most Consecutive Sectional Championships: 40

Most Points Scored in a Semi-State Most Points Scored in a Regional Most Points Scored in a Sectional Most Individual Semi-State Champions Most Individual Regional Champions Most Individual Sectional Champions Most Points Scored at State Meet Most Consecutive Dual Meet Victories: 135 Most Regional Dual Meet Championships Most Semi-State Dual Meet Championships

National Records Held by Mater Dei Wrestling Career Dual Meet Winning Percentage by a Coach: Mike Goebel, 97.4% (533-14-2)

Reserve Team Winning Streak: Randy Helfrich, Coach, 450-0

(from We Are...MD: A History of Mater Dei Wrestling by John S. Johnson)

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Providing tuition assistance for students: A new direction

By Margaret Angermeier, CEF Administrative Director

Jamie Wicks

Jamie Wicks has been a member of the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) Executive Board for the past three years.

This year she co-chaired the 2016 CEF campaign conducted on behalf of Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial students in need of tuition assistance. In her letter to members of the Mater Dei community, Jamie told her personal story: “When I was a teenager, my family had the help of the Catholic Education Foundation so I could attend and graduate from Mater Dei High School. My Mater Dei experience gave me classmates and teachers which I still count as friends today. My experience gave me the educational opportunities I needed to go to college and have a career. My experience allowed me to learn more about my faith and how to live a life of service after I graduated.

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“Today, CEF is not the only source of tuition assistance, as it was when I attended Mater Dei. State supported programs are helping many students, but there are times when vouchers and other grants do not cover tuition costs. Many times, families don’t fall into the strict guidelines of a state program, but assistance is still needed for them to afford tuition. This is when CEF is needed most. Many times the grant awarded by CEF is the final piece necessary to attend Mater Dei High School.

“CEF helped make the Mater Dei experience a reality for me and my family. I invite you to support the CEF Tuition Assistance Program by making a contribution to the Annual Appeal.”

This year, Jamie joins Randy Hupfer as a spokesperson for CEF tuition assistance. In the letter he wrote for the 2016 campaign, Randy tells why he and his wife, Cindy, have been supporters of the Catholic Education Foundation for over 15 years.

Randy grew up on the West Side of Evansville, where he and his siblings were fortunate to graduate from Mater Dei High School. He has been able to see firsthand the success that a quality Catholic high school education gives those who are blessed with the opportunity.

“My personal appeal to you is that you will consider making a contribution this year so that CEF can also help the middle income families struggling to pay tuition. There are

Randy Hupfer

many parents in need of tuition assistance, yet they may not qualify for state-sponsored vouchers or grants. Their income might be slightly higher than allowed. Or they might have hardship not reflected by their most recent tax return. Please make a contribution if you are able,” states Randy.

Changes with CEF CEF has planned a new direction for its donors. Those who contribute to CEF now have the option of restricting their contributions to either Mater Dei or Reitz Memorial students. While many have chosen a restriction to one school, others prefer to support both, and have asked that their contributions be divided evenly between Mater Dei and Memorial students. For the past two years, both schools have conducted campaigns in support of CEF tuition assistance.

“Many times the grant awarded by CEF is the final piece necessary to attend Mater Dei High School.” —Jamie Wicks Change has occurred in the makeup of the Board of Directors. Updates to the bylaws were presented and approved at the Catholic Education Foundation full Board meeting this past February. The bylaws were revised, stating that the CEF Board of Directors would be reduced from seven to four ex-officio directors, and the elected Board would be reduced from 18 members currently serving to seven members.

The updated bylaws state that the following shall continue to serve by appointment as ex-officio voting directors: the Chairman of the Board, Most Reverend Bishop Charles Thompson; the Superintendent of Schools of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville, Dr. Daryl Hagan; the President of Reitz Memorial High School, Brother Lawrence Murphy; and the President of Mater Dei High School, Dr. Tad Dickel. CEF is blessed by their continuing leadership in these positions.

CEF is grateful for the service of the Priest Delegate for Mater Dei High School, Rev. Ed Schnur; the Priest Delegate for Memorial High School, Rev. Zach Etienne; and the Administrator of the Evansville Catholic High Schools Coordinating Council, Andy Goebel. Their ex-officio positions have been eliminated.

The bylaws specify that the directors may appoint up to ten Advisory Council members. Seven valued advisors who will continue in their positions are Bill Bussing, Ron Hollander, Robert L. Koch, James Muehlbauer, Larry L. Schultheis, Joe Theby, Sr. and Jerry Ziemer.

Six of the possible seven who have agreed to elected positions of leadership on the Board are Jay Adams, Jeff Anderson, Beth Clark, Matt Goebel, Michael Schopmeyer and Jim Will, Jr. Historically, a large Board was needed for fundraising efforts to benefit the two high schools; however, the schools no longer depend on CEF alone for tuition assistance. All awards, including CEF grants, are now determined at the high school level. Matt Goebel was elected as a first time member of the new Board. Matt and Shannon Goebel are the parents of five children, four attending St. Phillip School, and the oldest a sophomore at Mater Dei. Matt said, that as the third of 12 children, and a recipient of CEF tuition assistance himself, he appreciates more than ever the important role that Catholic education plays in a teenager’s life.

Robert Mehringer and Mark Schiff will move from the Board of Directors to the Advisory Council. CEF benefitted from their Board leadership for many years.

Bob Mehringer served as chair of the Investment Committee for over 15 years, treasurer for most of those years, and president/treasurer of the Board, for a total of five terms.

Thanks and Recognition Special thanks and recognition are due to retiring Board members who gave years of faithful service. They will surely be blessed for the many phone calls they made on behalf of CEF and for all the meetings they attended. Cathy Drake commented at the last Board meeting that she was

the oldest member. Regardless of her age, Cathy served on the Board for nearly 30 years and she was campaign chair for approximately ten years. Those retiring this year are: Ron Angermeier, Cathy Drake, Andy Goebel, Terry Keil, James Macke, Bob Mehringer, Dan Niemeier, Charlie Reising, Rose Sartore, Mark Schiff, Charleen Spear, Steve Walker, Jamie Wicks and Steve Witting.

Mark Schiff was chair of the Grants Committee for over 20 years, when CEF was the only source of tuition assistance for Mater Dei and Memorial students.

He guided the CEF grant awarding during those years. Mark’s invaluable service also included two years as president of the Board.

Past presidents of the Catholic Education Foundation, retiring from the Board this year are Andy Goebel, Bob Mehringer, Dan Niemeier, Charlie Reising, Mark Schiff, Steve Walker and Steve Witting.

May they be blessed for their selfless dedication and outstanding leadership.

In her closing comments at the February full board meeting, Beth Clark, a CEF board member and spokesperson for 15 years, recognized all who helped make possible the awarding of $5.8 million in tuition assistance since the inception of CEF in 1968. Bishop Charles Thompson, esteemed Chairman of the CEF board, spoke at the end of the meeting. He thanked all who support the work of CEF. He noted that, as a small diocese, we are very blessed to have such strong support for Catholic education.

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Ave Maria Morning 2016 Something good is happening

The annual Ave Maria Morning was held Thursday, April 8, in the Msgr. Wolf Chapel and Nunning Media Center. More than 40 Ave Maria Society members and guests celebrated Mass together and enjoyed a light breakfast. “We know something good is happening when we outgrow the space to hold Mass and pray the rosary. Next year we’ll need to have our gathering in a larger room!” welcomed Dr. Tad Dickel. Since 2010, the balance of all endowments has grown from $646,000 in 18 endowments to $1,945,000 in 46 endowments. In 2015, distributions from those endowments provided $77,000 in income to Mater Dei High School.

Members of the Mater Dei choir sang at the Ave Maria Society Mass.

For information about these and other events sponsored by the Mater Dei Office of Institutional Development, contact Sarah Wagner, Development Director, at swagner@evdio.org or Dr. Timothy Dickel, President, at tdickel@evdio.org or at 812-421-5727.

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Mater “Dei� of Giving a Success!

The first-ever Mater Dei of Giving was held over a 24-hour period on May 12, 2016.

The special event was a social media and communications occasion focused on encouraging greater participation and young alumni engagement in the Mater Dei Annual Fund.

The total raised from this event was $23,036.80 from individual donors. The Mater Dei Friends and Alumni Association contributed a $12,500 match on the first $12,500 raised for a total of $35,536.80.

We surpassed our original goal of $25,000.

We also had help from more than 65 years of alumni posting updates to Facebook and Twitter and sending emails. The current students and faculty at Mater Dei joined in too. They held a giveback day at school and raised $1,553.

Thank you to all who made this such a great success!

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MD is blessed with a dedicated maintenance staff

I

bilities of the facilities manager that summer. Although contractors were hired for the projects, the maintenance crew found themselves with plenty to do. They removed fencing and posts around the football field in preparation for the artificial turf.

After the installation of the turf, they sodded the areas around the field and watered those areas daily for two months. Following the entrance enhancement work, Dennis and a group of volunteers removed tree roots, glass, and metal from the disturbed soil before seeding and strawing the area. He and volunteers also gutted the kitchen for the new renovaPictured left to right: Larry Baehl, Kenny Miller and Dennis tion last summer.

Niemeier comprise the building and grounds crew at Mater Dei. Thanks to Dennis, the maintenance staff and volunDennis Niemeier ’70 had recently teers, projects were completed on retired and began volunteering in time when school started in August. the maintenance department. He Larry Baehl is a maintenance and Guy volunteered at their parish, employee who works part-time. AcSt. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancording to Dennis, “Larry is fantastic derburgh county, and were also good with the HVAC system,” which has been a challenge ever since it was installed in the late 1990s. Although he is not at school every day, Larry controls room temperatures from his computer at home and monitors the HVAC system nightly from home.

Larry is also extremely talented with anything electrical or mechanical.

Kenny Miller, a retired carpenter, began volunteering at Mater Dei several years ago and became an indispensible part of the maintenance staff. Dennis states, “Kenny does everything for Mater Dei. Carol Doninger spends every morning “Carpentry, framework, drywall, cleaning the athletic area. painting, repairing furniture, concrete, formwork, flooring. The list friends. So with Guy’s death, Dennis goes on and on.” He has built numerdecided “the best way for me to pay ous bookcases and several storage tribute to Guy and what he meant to areas around the school building, Mater Dei was to simply move forand mows grass when necessary. ward to the best of my ability” with “To say Kenny is multifaceted is an the work needed to be done. understatement,” adds Dennis.

Dennis assumed the responsin July of 2015, Mater Dei was suddenly without a facilities manager following the unexpected passing of Guy Smyth.

Several Capital Campaign projects such as the entrance enhancement, the artificial turf football field, the total renovation of the kitchen and the grading of the site of the future tennis courts were all in progress.

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Carol Doninger works during the day, and her primary responsibility is to clean the lower level which includes the gym area, locker rooms, restrooms and the cafeteria following lunch. However, Carol is seen all over the school building each day dusting and cleaning areas up high and down low. She also ventures outside in all kinds of weather picking up trash on the school grounds.

She keeps the school sparkling outside as well as inside.

Dennis Thomas, night maintenance, comes in when the school day ends, and his job is to clean classrooms, restrooms, sweep and mop hallways, vacuum, and empty the waste containers after the building has been inhabited by over 600 people that day. He also sets up for meetings, sports banquets and dinners in the evening. But Dennis’s job does not stop there.

He is the “on call” person for the security company and anyone else who needs anything after hours. He receives calls about Mater Dei late at night and on the weekends. After 16 years, Dennis can take care of any issue or he knows who to call.

Obviously, Mater Dei is blessed to have a maintenance staff of such dedicated individuals. They attribute their dedication to the fact that Mater Dei is a community of faithfilled people who want the best for the students and the school.

Dennis Thomas cleans the Media Center at the end of the school day.

Site of tennis complex

Mater Dei Capital Campaign Projects update Several projects around the school campus that are a result of the Full of Grace: Excellence for Tomorrow Capital Campaign are currently underway or near completion.

Work on the tennis complex began in May after a winter hiatus and should be complete in July. The Aichle Tennis Complex will include six post tension lighted tennis courts. A dedication event is scheduled for Saturday, August 13, at 9:00 a.m.

The entrance enhancement project will be completed later this summer with the addition of a new digital marquee and sidewalks.

The art room will receive a makeover, including new furniture, storage, sink, plumbing and other improvements.

The last major project of the campaign is the auxiliary gym expansion and renovation and is scheduled to begin during the next school year. This project will include renovation of the existing 30-year-old auxiliary gym, an expansion that will include a new wrestling practice facility, renovated locker rooms, a new training room, meeting space and handicap-accessible locker rooms.

Once the auxiliary gym project is completed, new lighting will be added in the main parking lot.

Art room before renovation

You are in vited Aichle Tennis Complex Dedication Saturday, August 13, 2016, 9:00 am.

Dedication and Activities Refreshments will be served RSVP requested but not required (812) 421-5727 or swagner@evdio.org

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Friends & Alumni News

Above left: Cindy Smyth plants flowers in the Guy Smyth Memorial Garden on Mater Dei’s campus. The garden is named after Cindy’s husband and Mater Dei facilities manager, who passed away last year.

Above right: Campus Cleanup takes place two times a year, in the spring and in the fall. During this past spring, alumni, friends, parents, students and staff members readied the campus for the end-of-school activities that brings visitors to Mater Dei.

Caroline Niemeier’s desire to help others takes her to Honduras Caroline Niemeier ’09, a registered nurse, traveled to Honduras this year through Catholic Medical Missions to work in a medical clinic in the city of Gumaimaca. She went on the invitation from her friend from Mater Dei, Mackenzie Riggs ’07.

For ten days, Caroline and Mackenzie put in long hours, where they had the opportunity to see non-traditional medical therapies at work. “One was magnet therapy.

I was surprised to see the positive results that many of the people had with this kind of treatment,” commented Caroline.

They were the only nurses in the group which included several nuns. One was a 72-year-old “dynamo” nun who told Caroline

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that she would work in the clinic until she dies.

Currently, Caroline is working as a traveling nurse. Travel nurses work for a specific amount of time in different hospitals throughout the United States. She worked recently at Stanford University Hospital, a teaching hospital, in Palo Alto, California.

Her real dream is to go to Haiti to the school sponsored by her parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Vanderburgh County. “I’ve been sponsoring a student at the parish school in Plaine du Nord, and it has been my dream to go on one of our parish mission trips to Haiti,” shared Caroline. “It will happen.

I’m just not sure when!”

Caroline and Mackenzie Riggs with one of their patients in Honduras.

Friends & Alumni News Class Reunions The Class of 1955 61st class reunion is scheduled for September 10, 2016, with a luncheon at Roca Bar North.

Social time will start at 11:00 a.m.; lunch at 11:30 a.m. Food will be ordered off the menu with individual checks. For information and reservations, call Willie (Rexing) Kain at (812) 476-7930 or email Rose (Brenner) Breivogel at rosemb12@ att.net or call (812) 985-2987.

The Class of 1956 60th class reunion will be held Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the Germania Maennerchor.

More details to follow. For questions, please contact Ann (Rollett) Schneider at (812) 424-5156.

The Class of 1959 annual class reunion Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the Evansville Owls Club. For more information, contact Shirley Diehl Ubelhor at (812) 476-7984.

Michael Niemeier in front of the cases he built to display MD band uniforms

Band uniform display cases preserve the past

by Joe Berendes In 2005, as part of an Eagle Scout project, Michael Niemeier ’06 decided to build a display case that would preserve former Mater Dei band uniforms that were currently being stored in a closet in the band room.

Michael sent out letters to band alumni in an effort to locate other uniforms. One was found as a result of the letters. However, the first Mater Dei band uniform could not be located. With the uniforms that he had, Michael researched their history by checking old yearbooks and speaking to former band members to determine the years the uniforms were used. The case was then constructed in the school cafeteria with tags identifying each uniform.

Five years later, the very first Mater Dei band uniform was found.

Rose Backes, a member of the class of 1964 and a former member of the band, was cleaning out a closet in her parents’ home and found one of the original uniforms. She called the Mater Dei Band Boosters and donated it to be displayed. She said this uniform was used by her brother, Clem Horstman ’66, when he was in the marching band. The band had received new uniforms in the mid-1960s and current band members were allowed to keep their old ones.

This past fall, a second band case was added to display this original uniform and also a color guard outfit that was worn in the mid-1980s.

This case was constructed and installed by Michael and his father, Dave Niemeier ’74.

Michael also made the MD logo that is in the hallway foyer by the side entrance. The logo has been the backdrop for many pictures with students from various Mater Dei activities.

The Class of 1964: SAVE THE DATE for the 70th birthday celebration at Twin Towers, September 18, 2016, 1–5 p.m. Invitations will be sent. For more information, contact Susie (Brock) Hawes at (812) 985-9476.

The Class of 1966: The 50th class reunion is scheduled for Friday, September 23, at Smitty’s, following the Mater Dei/Castle football game, and Saturday, September 24, 2016, at the Holiday Inn Airport, Highway 41 North—happy hour at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.

The Class of 1967: SAVE THE DATE for the 50th class reunion Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the Holiday Inn Airport, Highway 41 North.

Questions? Contact Barb Rexing at abrexing@twc.com.

The Class of 1976 40th class reunion is Saturday, October 1, 2016, at Smitty’s on Franklin Street. More details to follow.

Please send your Friends & Alumni news to Carol Nurrenbern at cnurrenbern@ evvmaterdei.org or 812-421-5727. Are you receiving the Mater Dei eNewsletter? If you would like to receive it, send us your email to cnurrenbern@evdio.org.

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In Memoriam The MD community remembers those alumni, parents and friends who have passed. May they rest in eternal peace.

Alumni

Raymond Murphy ’57, of Evansville, Feb. 28, 2016 Russell Niemeier ’66, of Evansville, May 10, 2016

Past Parents Clarence “Lefty” Altstadt, of Evansville, Feb. 5, 2016

Anthony Petitjean ’86, of Haubstadt, Ind., March 29, 2016

Helen Bengert, of Evansville, July 12, 2015

Larry Bennett ’56, of Evansville, April 10, 2016

Donald Reine ’66, of Newburgh, Ind., Feb. 19, 2016

Annette Happe, of Evansville, Jan. 16, 2016

Ryan Burns ’09, of Evansville, March 26, 2016

Michael J. Rexing ’76, of Evansville, May 11, 2016

Norma Herrmann, of Evansville, April 15, 2015

Ken Coudret ’55, of Crawfordsville, Ind., Jan. 19, 2016

Charlotte (Niemeier) Schapker ’50, of Evansville, March 23, 2016

Rosella Lankford, of Evansville, Jan. 22, 2016

James Glaser ’53, of Evansville, Jan. 21, 2016

Robert Seibert ’51, of Evansville, Jan. 3, 2016

Herman G. Rexing, of Evansville, April 30, 2016

William Harrison ’74, of Evansville, March 24, 2016

Verna (Paul) Titzer ’53, of Evansville, Dec. 1, 2015

Kenneth Robey, of Evansville, Jan. 28, 2016

Brian Herrmann ’71, of Mount Vernon, Ind., August 23, 2015

Charles Wagner ’61, of Evansville, March 17, 2016

Friends

Angela Hilakos ’82, of Louisville, Ky., Jan. 17, 2016

Clyde Winiger ’61, of Evansville, August 27, 2015

Richard Koressel ’52, of Evansville, March 29, 2016

Sandra Wuerth ’61, of Evansville, April 10, 2016

James Loehr ’54, of Evansville, Feb. 10, 2016

Nicholas Zenthoefer ’73, of Vancouver, B.C., April 1, 2016

Elgen (Rexing) Beckerle ’53, of Potomac, Md., Jan. 11, 2016

Luisa Duncan, of Bellevue, Wash., Feb. 5, 2016 Please email Carol Nurrenbern at cnurrenbern@evdio.org or or call (812) 421-5727 to share the passing of MD alumni, parents and friends.

Randal J. Dick Endowment Randy Dick ’78 taught science and math at Mater Dei for 15 years. He was a dedicated teacher who used many different teaching techniques to assure that all students learned. He was a pioneer in using Differentiated Instruction long before the concept was officially introduced to the faculty.

Randy, a 1978 graduate of Mater Dei, retired from teaching in 2005 due to health issues. He passed away August 17, 2013, at the age of 53. In his memory, and to honor his years of teaching at Mater Dei, his family has established the Randal J. Dick Science Endowment to support the Mater Dei Science Department.

Mater Dei science teacher Carl Voegel recalls, “Randy Dick was a well-respected faculty member both by his fellow teachers members and students alike. Years after graduating from Mater Dei, many of his past students have mentioned that Randy had such a positive impact upon their academic lives while they were here, and that it carried on with them in college. He taught them very well. His passion was to quietly help students while they learned the various concepts of both physics and math, and he did that in an exceptional manner. Randy’s sense of humor, his vast knowledge, and his loyalty and love for Mater Dei will always be missed by this community that he cared so much about.”

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Mater Dei social studies teacher Steve Rode reminisced, “Randy's unique combination of intellect and humor made him one of the most well-loved and respected teachers while he was with us. I will never forget a senior girl finding out on the first day of school that Mr. Dick had chosen over the summer to leave Mater Dei. The young lady actually broke down in tears, as she had looked so forward to having Mr. Dick for physics that fall. Randy was a great supporter of Mater Dei and has been greatly missed by us all!”

For those alumni who had Randy as a teacher and would like to remember him and show gratitude for his years of teaching at Mater Dei, we invite you to support this endowment. Checks can be made out to Mater Dei High School. Please include Randal J. Dick Science Endowment in the subject line.

Please support our fine sponsors!

ROYAL GOLD SPONSORS

LOYAL RED SPONSORS

ALTSTADT PLUMBING SERVICE, INC

GALLAGHER NIEMEIER INTERIORS, INC. Madonna Niemeier ’65

David ’75 & Chip ’03 CAPITAL ELECTRIC, INC Ben Wagner ’86, Marie Wagner ’86, Cliff Wagner ’88, Mark Wagner ’96, Brent Neitzke ’88 EDWARD JONES Roger A. Nurrenbern ’96, Andrea Dick Brown ’01 FEHRENBACHER CABINETS, INC. Bob ’71, Mary Kay ’71, Peter ’97, Zachary ’00, Patrick ’03 & Sarah ’05 FREEMAN, WILL & NIEMEIER, INC. FREEMAN, WILL, NIEMEIER & HESTON, LLC Patrick B. Freeman ’65, P. Evan Freeman ’90, Stephanie Helfrich Freeman ’91 Elissa Freeman Higgins ’94, M. Ethan Freeman ’00 Emily Freeman ’02, Lynn Will Reed ’78, & Jordan Raben ’05 HELFRICH REALTORS George P. Helfrich ’69, Sally Helfrich Green ’78, Stephanie Helfrich Freeman ’91, Peter D. Helfrich ’99, Jeremy Kempf, Bill Long, Carla Waelde KEMPF’S DONUT BANK Harold ’54, Chris ’77, Lindsey ’81, Ben ’85 & Joe ’91 PIERRE FUNERAL HOME Gary ’61 & Susie ’62, John ’88, Jim ’89 & Lori ’89 SCHNEIDER HEAT & AIR, INC. Jeff & Judith Siemers Schneider ’79, Catherine Schneider ’14 SIEMERS GLASS Jane ’81 & Mark Weinzapfel ’80, Jake ’06, Mac ’08, Ali ’11 & Jack ’13 MATT ZELLER ELECTRIC Matt Zeller ’09

LAPPE HEATING & A/C Ed Lappe ’82, Dan Lappe ’77 & Dave Lappe ’03 MORROW MECHANICAL SERVICES, INC. Tony Morrow MUENSTERMAN FIRESTONE, INC. Tom ’73, Steve ’76, Jerry ’79, Mark ’83 & Bob ’87 OHIO VALLEY INSULATION COMPANY, INC. Scott ’80, Beth ’80, Dustin ’05, Logan ’08, Faith ’10, Brooke ’11 & Joel Slaton PAUL’S MENSWEAR, INC. Steve ’73, John ’78 & Brian ’99 Eickhoff PROFESSIONAL EYECARE ASSOCIATES Todd Niemeier, O.D. ’91, Andrew Moore, O.D., Morgan Hussmann, O.D. PROREHAB, PC Andrea (Boots) Baumann ’96, Stacey (Stonecipher) Turner ’94, Alex Weinzapfel ’08, Drew Lappe ’08, Seth Brunner, Anne Basden ’86, Julie Buedel ’98, Tim Weinzapfel ’89 SCHROEDER’S LANDSCAPES AND AQUATIC NURSERY John ’78, Tammy ’80, Quinn ’11, Branson ’13 SOUTHWEST GRAFIX & APPAREL, INC. Rose Ann ’60, Mary ’82, Mike ’83, Michelle ’85 Mark ’89, Schelly ’89, Julian ’15, Brendan ’16, Nolan ’18 MARK A. TORNATTA, DDS Mark A. Tornatta ’69, Jeanne Tornatta ’69, Chris ’97, Jennifer ’00, Sarah ’02 TRI-STATE ORTHOPAEDICS SURGEONS Dr. Terrence A. Alvey ’80, Phil Rawley ’97 WILDERMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC dba ST. WENDEL AUTO PARTS & SERVICE Dennis Wildeman ’68

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