Laurence Freeman '82 Concludes Storied Service to Rockhurst

SPECTACULAR AUCTION SUPPORTS TUITION ASSISTANCE

For the first time in three years, Rockhurst High School was able to host its annual Spectacular auction as an in-person celebration. It was forced to be a livestreamed virtual event in both 2020 and 2021.

Returning to an in-person gathering, the co-chairs decided on the theme “Rock United.” More than 500 alumni, current and past parents, and friends of Rockhurst gathered for Spectacular on April 9, 2022. The evening consisted of a cocktail hour with live violin played by Carmen Dieker, dinner, silent and live auctions, live music by Wonderfuzz, and raising funds for the tuition assistance program at Rockhurst.

Nearly 50% of all families rely on financial aid to make the Rockhurst experience possible for their sons. The school committed $2.7 million in assistance for the 2021-22 year, and the proceeds from Spectacular account for about half of that. At print time, gross proceeds have surpassed $1.4 million and are still growing! “Spectacular is important to Rockhurst on so many levels!” said Moira Kelly Healy, Director of Engagement. “Most importantly, alumni parents, past parents and friends unite to raise funds that enable students to attend Rockhurst regardless of their families’ economic circumstances."

“An army of parents and student volunteers work tirelessly to produce the event and transform our school into an elegant event space. Listening to the moms and dads work and chat for the benefit of the boys is heartwarming. Uniting for the first time in three years, coming together ‘for the boys’ while acting as ‘men and women for others’ benefits our entire community.”

The annual success of Spectacular is attributed to the efforts of countless sponsors, underwriters, volunteers, item donors, attendees, and especially the co-chair couples. The 2022 co-chairs were Amy & Scott Francois, Lisa & Mark Hallier, Shannon & Patrick Lillis, and Whitney & John Sojka. Their selflessness and leadership in spearheading the event will aid many current and future Hawklet families.

Rockhurst also thanks Chris Igoe '93 and Heartland Chevrolet for again donating a new Trailblazer for the car raffle.

To see and hear from some of the students who benefit from tuition assistance, watch the 2022 Spectacular Fund-A-Future video at www.rockhursths.edu/future and please consider making a gift.

Scan to see how your support can Fund-A-Future.

The 2022 Spectacular co-chair couples between Rev. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ (far left) and David Laughlin (far right): John & Whitney Sojka, Lisa & Mark Hallier, Shannon & Patrick Lillis, and Amy & Scott Francois.

SPORTS HALL OF FAME

MEMBERS INDUCTED

Rockhurst Sports Hall of Fame members were celebrated on Oct. 1, 2021. Pictured with (middle) Rev. Vincent Giacabazi, David Laughlin, Larry Ruby, and Michael Dierks ’91: (left side) Coach Chris Lawson, Aaron Clevinger ’00, Doug Albers ’93, Ted Brooks ’93, Jim Houtson ’82; (right side) Sam Davidson ’01, Sean O’Donnell ’01, Tim Reidy ’02, Dan Boyd ’03, Tony Temple ’04, and Kevin Sears ’03. During the Alumni Reunion Weekend over Oct. 1-2, 2021, Rockhurst High School honored two classes of inductees. Given Rockhurst’s storied heritage of sporting excellence in the Midwest, selection to the Sports Hall of Fame means recognition among the “best of the best” in Midwestern athletic history.

Honorees are determined by a Selection Committee that reviews nominations by Alumni Class Captains, as well as recommendations from the public at large, before submitting a slate to the Rockhurst president for his approval.

The 2020 class included Jim Houston '82 (football), Ted Brooks '93 (football), Doug Albers '93 (golf), Jon Osgood '97 (tennis), Aaron Clevinger '00 (lacrosse), Matt Jewett '00 (soccer), John Mayberry, Jr. '02 (baseball), Will John '03 (soccer), and Coach Chris Lawson (soccer).

The 2021 class included John Morris '74 (coach), Sam Davidson '01 (tennis), Sean O’Donnell '01 (cross country/track), Kevin Kane '02 (football), Tim Reidy '02 (lacrosse), Dan Boyd '03 (football), Kevin Sears '03 (football), and Tony Temple '04 (football).

Currently, there are 130 alumni, 15 coaches, and three friends of the program who have been inducted as members.

Here is a bit about each of the 2021 inductees: COACH JOHN MORRIS '74

• Football, basketball, track & field coach since 1984 • Helped lead football team to 332 wins and 6 State Titles • JV basketball coaching record of 482-120 • JV football coaching record of 167-6, including 71-game win streak

SAM DAVIDSON '01

• Three-time All-Metro and

All-State in tennis • Member of three team

State Championships • Doubles State Champ in 1999, singles State Champ in 2001 • Postseason record of 36-1

SEAN O’DONNELL '01

• Led cross country team to first

State qualification in 16 years • All-State individually, placing 14th • Broke the 800-meter and 1600-meter school records • Placed 6th at State in the 1600-meter

KEVIN KANE '02

• 35-4 record as starting linebacker for three seasons • Two-time All-District, All-

Metro, All-State • Recorded 123 tackles and 3 INTs in perfect 14-0 junior season • 2021 Buck Buchanan Award winner - best lineman/ linebacker in KC

TIM REIDY '02

• Three-year starting defender in lacrosse • Led team to State Final

Four all three years • All-Conference, All-State, and All-American in 2002 • Program head coach since 2012, record of 130-47

DAN BOYD '03

• Two-year starter at offensive tackle • Record of 22-2; perfect 13-0 senior season • Offense averaged 37 points per game • All-District, All-Metro, All-

State in 2001 and 2002

KEVIN SEARS '03

• Recorded 71 tackles and 6

INTs as junior linebacker • All-State as senior in 13-0

State Title season • All-American honorable mention in 2002 with 122 tackles and 4 INTs • Also an All-Metro catcher in baseball

TONY TEMPLE '04

• First freshman to start under Coach Severino • Four-time All-Metro running back, career record of 44-5 • All-American and two-time All-

State, two-time State Champ • Still holds the career rushing (5,340) and scoring (480) records