The Irish Pride

A Magazine for Alumni & Friends of Gibbons Hall, St. Augustine, Msgr. O’Brien & Hackett Catholic Central

April 2011

Rita O’Brien O’ConnorSt. AugustineClass of 1943

Colleen O’Connor Schmidtendorf

Hackett Catholic CentralClass of 1979

Morgan SchmidtendorfHackett Catholic Central

Class of 2009

Connor SchmidtendorfHackett Catholic Central

Class of 2007

Robert Van Dam1st Grader at St. Augustine School

Future Hackett Catholic Central Grad Class of 2022

Pictured Below:Bridget Schmidtendorf Van Dam

Hackett Catholic CentralClass of 1997

Four Generation

Legacy Family

see story on page 11

Athletic Hall of Fame 201119th Annual Kalamazoo Area Catholic Schools

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Nancy Springate graduated from Hackett Catholic Central in 1978. She was a standout in the early years of competitive women’s sports. Nancy played on the basketball, volleyball, softball, and golf teams for Hackett High School from 1973 – 1978. She earned nine varsity let-ters as well as four junior varsity letters in all four sports during that time. As a senior in 1978, Nancy was recognized by the Kalamazoo Gazette as a Greater Kalamazoo All Star for her skills as a “setter” in volleyball. In 1978, she was also awarded dual varsity letters in softball and golf during their concurrent spring seasons. Nancy’s passion for sports inspired her to coach the St. Monica girls’ basketball team to an undefeated season in 1977.

Art Redmond graduated from St. Augustine in 1950. He was a member of numerous championship teams in football basketball and track. He won 10 varsity letters while in school and as a hurdler, he set records that stood for years. Art gave of his time throughout his life to the Catholic Schools in-cluding serving on many fund raising campaigns. He was an Area Catholic School Board member and he spent years as a chain gang member for his alma mater.

Kate Gilbert Christian graduated from Hackett Catholic Central in 1991 and went on to serve as a teacher and coach in the Kalama-zoo area. She received the Rita Hane Long award in her senior year and won eleven varsity letters in tennis, softball and volleyball while at Hackett. She also received the U.S. Marines Distinguished Athlete Award in 1991. Kate was an all KVA selection all four years in tennis and once as a softball player. She played tennis for four years at Aqui-nas College, where she was a two-time national tournament qualifier and twice named to the all conference team. She also served as the assistant tennis coach and assistant softball coach at Hackett.

Hackett Catholic Central High School is proud to announce the 2011 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2011 Inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at Hackett Catholic Central H.S. on April 29, 2011. Tickets are priced at $20 until April 25th ($30 April 26-29). Social hour begins at 6:00pm and dinner at 7:00 pm, with the induction ceremony to follow. Please join us in honoring these standouts for their accomplishments. Call the main office at 269.381.2646 for more ticket information.

2

Save the date for the The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at Hackett on April 29, 2011.

Tickets are priced at $20 until April 25th. ($30 April 26-29). Call 269-381-2646 for more ticket information.

Dr. Joseph Kincaid is recognized for his service and dedication to the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo. Joe graduated from St. Augus-tine in 1950. He was a student manager for the football team from 1947-49 and served the same role as at WMU from 1950-52. Dr. Kincaid has been a life long supporter of CSGK, serving as team physician and voluntarily conducting physical exams for student athletes for nearly 50 years. Joe served as a member of the Hackett School board from 1985-87.

Tim Halloran’s record, accomplishments and long list of accolades speak to the success he produced at Hackett Catholic Central H.S dur-ing his coaching tenure from 1992 through 2010. His combined record as head coach for men’s and women’s soccer is 304-101-29. His teams won 10 KVA championships, 13 district championships, 7 regional titles and were twice MHSSA State Runners Up. Tim coached three women’s teams to State Championships, in 2002, 2006 and 2009. With honors ranging from the district to state level, he was honored a staggering 25 times with coach of the year recognition, including three Michigan High School Soccer Coach of the Year awards.

Richard Niesen graduated from Manistee Catholic Central the same year Hack-ett Catholic Central opened. He went on to earn a varsity letter in basketball at NWM College in Traverse City. He served Hackett Catholic Central as athletic director for 22 years. One of his proudest professional moments includes the Irish women’s soccer team winning the state championship and sportsmanship award in the same year. He was instrumental in the creation of the KVA football classic held at WMU. During his tenure the Irish added 7 varsity sports. He hosted dozens of MHSAA playoff tournaments. And under his leadership, the Irish won hundreds of invitational tournaments, 85 league championships, had 8 state runner up finishes and 12 state championship titles.

3

As part of the Catholic Schools Week celebrations at Hackett Catholic Central High School, Jane Knuth was awarded the Bishops’ Award. Created in 2001, this award is given annually to an outstanding adult member of the Hackett Catholic Central school community who has embodied the spirit of caring and volunteerism that makes the home of the Irish a very special place. The award is presented in honor of the Bishops of the Diocese of Kalamazoo whose collective vision is lived out through the mission of the school.

Jane is a graduate of the former St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and Msgr. John R. Hackett High School. She has remained a strong supporter of Catholic education and a committed volunteer and employee of the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo and Catholic service organizations in Kalamazoo.

“Jane’s selection for this award should serve as a reminder of the impact that one person can have on so many others,” says Tim Eastman, principal of Hackett Catholic Central High School, and a member of the selection committee for the award. “Her work with the clients of the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store serves as a not-so-subtle example of how Christ would want each of us to live.”

Knuth says she is “honored and humbled” to receive the award from her alma mater. She says it was her experiences at Hackett, in particular, “that invited me to take my first steps on the road to volunteer work..”

“When we serve the poor, they help us as much as we help them”.

Congratulations, Jane!

The 2011 Bishops’ Award

Shamrock Auction 2011 - A Grand Success

Thank you to the many parents, alumni, friends and volunteers who enjoyed an evening of bidding, social-izing and fun, all in support of the Hackett Catholic Central’s mission of promoting and developing faith, character and academic achievement in its students. The Hackett Catholic Central administration and staff is grateful to the many volunteers who planned the wonderful evening for our school community, especially Shamrock Auction co-chairs, Jane Clark and Betsi English.

Jane Clark and Betsi English enjoy a quiet moment before the 2011 Shamrock Auction!The Bog Road (Dan Erving HCC’86 & Ed Amat ‘83) perform

“Irish music with attitude” at the Shamrock Auction

4

Class Reunions

First Graduating Class of Msgr. HACKETT HIGH SCHOOL& Msgr. O’BRIEN HIGH SCHOOL

FRONT ROW (L to R) —Suzann (Fisher) Albright, Ed Gustas, Richard Randall, Richard Glassman, Bill Clark, Martha (Koestner) Geomundo, Sidney (Kozar) Brush, Jeanie Olach, Ellen (Bannigan) Zainea

2ND ROW — Rosemary (Stanton) Gardiner, Kathy (Shields) Parker, Mary (Decker) White, Carol (Lester) Seiser, Beth (Cooper) Robbins, Judy (Branson) Carpin, Joanne Christine (Knapp) Carow, Martha Rogers, Linda (Sweeter) Johnston

3RD ROW — Walter Topoll, Tom Biber, Sandy (Westrick) Beiter, Diane (Newton) Foghino, Kathie (Haas) Dekker, Linda (Coleman) Shirkey, Carolyne (Jacques (McKinley) Byrne, Kathleen (O’Donnell) Effler, Nancy (Lattin) Blossey, Allen Lewis, Dianne (Loftis) Engen

BACK ROW — Pat Comerford, Robert Burke, Paul Beiter, Tom Lucking, Joe White, Tom Hoffman, John Vander Poel, Mike Holton, Gary White, Dick Bragagnini, Dave Gardiner

Class of 1965 - 45 Year Reunion

Over 40 classmates from the 1965 graduating classes of Msgr. Hackett and Msgr. O’Brien High Schools came together at Gull Lake Counrty Club on September 18, 2010 to celebrate their 45th class reunion.

Classmates arrived from Schoolcraft, Three Rivers, Martin, Richland, Grand Rapids. Additionally, alumni returned from as far away as Nevada, Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois, and the East Coast to cel-ebrate. As one classmate said “Our class always has been, is, and will continue to be the best and brightest (and the most fun loving)! We truly share something special.”

This group is already looking forward to our next celebration in 5 years!!!

5

Irish Class Reunion Information

Class of 1986

The Class of 1986 will be holding a 25th reunion in early August, 2011. For details, please join our Facebook group “Class of ‘86 - 25 year reunion”, or contact Theresa Miller at tamiller@charter.net

or Vicky Munk Moisa at vickylynn0708@hotmail.com

The Alumni Office is looking for the class Presidents for the following years:

1972 and 19741985 and 1988

1991 1993 1994

2003 2005Please contact the alumni office at

269-381-2646 ext. 108

Class of 1961

Inquiries regarding plans for a reunion in 2011 have been coming our way. If you have an

interest in acting as chair, please contact Pe-ter Jordan @ 231-832-5646 or via e-mail @

paj_jtk@juno.com.Also, please forward you current contact infor-mation to the alumni office at www.alumni@

hackettcc.org

Class of 1966

Plans are underway for the reunion August 12, 13 & 14. Inquires should be directed to Linda

Stein (Backus) at curtandlinda@sbcglobal.net.

Watch the web site for additional information.

Don’t Miss Your Reunion!Please keep the Alumni Office informed of a change

of address. Contact the Irish Alumni Office: 269-381-2646 or you can e-mail alumni@hackettcc.org

We can help you get the word around. Ask us how!

Classes of 1936, 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006

Let the Irish Alumni Office help you announce and publicize you class reunion!

The Hackett Irish Alumni Office maintains an alumni database through the Irish Pride alumni newsletter and

e-mails. This database is available for reunion organizers to announce and publicize their

class reunion.

Class of 1991

Please contact Anne Swank atbrilliantsky4@gmail.com

if you are interested in helping to plan your 20th year

class reunion or if you need to update your information.

Class of 1981

Inquiries regarding plans for a reunion in 2011 have been coming in. Please contact the

Alumni Office if you are interested in acting as a chairperson.

Class of 1976

Tentative date of August 20th at the Radison Plaza in Kalamazoo. Cost will be about $55 per

person for dinner and a cash bar will be available. To be part of the planning, join our facebook

page! Go to facebook.com and search Monsignor Hackett High School, Class of 1976

or contact Helen Bunce Goyings at helengoyings@charter.net

Class of 2001

Please check out Facebbok page“2001 Hackett Class Reunion”

for information on your 10 year reunion

6

Hackett Students Receive Star Award

On the 25th anniversary of the STAR (Sharing Time and Resources) Award, the Hackett Catholic Central Alternative Spring Break students of 2009 were recog-nized as the winner in the Youth Volunteer Category. Logging approximately 2100 hours in April 2009, the 70 students and 10 adult volunteers continued to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans. This was the 5th year students from Hackett Catholic Central have traveled south to help, led by Pat (Kamaneck) Byrne ‘72. The first year was only 10 months after the storm. Over the past 5 years the students have worked gutting, hauling, building and helping restore people’s lives. This is a special group of students that give up their spring break to go and work for people they don’t know and in a community that is far from home. Some of the students have gone three years in a row. The cost of the trip has been around $500 per student. The group sponsors fund raisers to help finance some of the cost of the trip.

This year the students will again travel south to Gulfport, Mississippi, another area still devastated by the hurricane. Mississippi has not received the attention that Louisiana has, and the students are hoping to share their hard work with the residents there. These students will learn the lesson that the groups before them have learned. They are very grateful for what they have and are building a future of volunteerism.

First Communion picture taken May 22, 1938. This picture was submitted by Marilyn Jones and Mary Catherine Red-mond Johnson.

The boy’s First Communion photo will be published in the next issue of the Irish Pride

Pictured Above: Pat Kamaneck Byrne ‘72 holding the STAR award.

STAR Award Winners

7

On Saturday November 7, 2011, Hackett Catholic Central gave a long awaited “thank you” to the men and women who graduated from a Catholic school in Kalamazoo and served in the military. The day started with a blessing by Fr. James Richardson in the chapel attended by veterans and fami-lies of active duty service men and women. Fr. James then processed to the Wall of Heroes in the main hallway by the office and prayed for all those listed on the wall.

It was a great celebration and I thank everyone who attended or sent in a name. We have had an amazing number contact me and I am so grateful that, in this one small way, we were able to thank those from our Catholic Schools who have served our country. The response to the recognition was very heartfelt as many veterans (especially the Vietnam Veterans) mentioned that NO ONE had ever thanked them before this.

The wall was started in memory of some tremendous people who have touched my life deeply. I will never be the the same because of the impression they have made on me. Please know that the wall is intended to be an ongoing work, so that if you have served in the military or know of someone from our schools who has served, those names can be added to the list along with their branch of service.To the veterans listed, thank you for your service to our country - you are all heroes!

Please contact Ree MIllard at 269-720-0510 or mmlady11@gmail.com if you have any questions or names to add to the wall.

Wall of Heroesby Ree Millard

Alumni Basketball Returns

New Year’s Eve is always cold. But on December 31, 2010, Hackett’s gym was on fire.

This year over 30 men, ranging from the Class of 1972 to the Class of 2009, returned to Hackett Cath-olic Central for an afternoon of fun and some serious basketball at the 2010 Hackett Catholic Central High School alumni basketball game.

New head coach, Kevin White, grew up watching Hackett basketball. When he took the position in July of 2010, one of the many traditions he wanted to bring back was the alumni game. In this first year of the resurrected event, the Class of 2001 had the most players return (4). Tyler Boyd (‘01) lead all scorers with 28 points to take the 2001-2010 alumni team to a victory over the 1972-2000 alumni team.

Former coaches joined the players on the court including Don Shafer, Brian McManus and former head coach, Nib Reisterer. Current Hackett Catholic Central basketball team members officiated the game.

It was an awesome reunion of Hackett Alumni, reconnecting through some great basketball. Coach White extends his gratitude to all those who came to play and those cheering them on from the stands. Look for more information for the 2011 game from Coach White in the Fall 2011 Irish Pride. Save December 31, 2011 for the next alumni game.

8

Alumni Jottings

Mary (Huguenard) Hollander, 1969, she reports that she retired from Grandville High School li-brary. She enjoys visiting 5 year old granddaugh-ter, Lindsey, and son Andy and Jeanette who live in Christiansburg, Va. (Aquinas College grads). Oldest son, Matt, is a CPA and lives in Michigan City, IN. (graduate of WMU/Masters from I.U.) Steve is employed at Dawn Foods, Jackson MI. (St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN graduate).

Ben Thayer, 2006, is a senior tight end for East-ern Michigan University. He was named the John Mackey Award winner for his game winning touch-down catch over Ball State.

Daniel Thomas Field, 1966, brother of Sheel-agh,1963, David,1968, Samuel,1970, Matthew, 1973 and Joseph, 1975

Suzanne Zipple Miller, 1965, sister of Karol, Judy and Mindy

David Veenhuis, 1958

Correction:

MeMoRials

The Alumni Office would appreciate a phone call or e-mail if you would like to have the name of a deceased member of your family in the next Shamrock. e-mail: alumni@hackettcc.org

Please remember in your prayers the following recently deceased members of the Irish Alumni family.

Richard (Dick) Hayes, 1944, passed away on May 5, 2010. Father of Cathy Hayes Hicks (72), Beth Hayes DesJardin (73), Joanne Hayes (74), Michael Hayes (77) and Mary Hayes Williams.

Classmates traveled from seven states

including Michigan.

The class of 1960 held their 50th Class Reunion the weekend of August 20-22, 2010. It was a wonderful weekend that was shared with 80 people which in-cluded 54 grads. The week-end started with golf and then a get together at the Knights of Columbus on Fri-day, followed by a hog roast on Saturday and Mass and breakfast on Sunday.

More ReunionsClass of 1960 - 50th Class Reunion

9

Legacy Family - Spotlight on the Liggins

Greg Liggins said he didn’t realize the benefits of being educated at St. Augustine School and Hackett Catholic Central High School until just a few years ago. “Even though it was hard sometimes and I wished I was somewhere else, I re-alize now and I’m so thankful for having gone through St. A’s and Hackett and how it has affected me,” Greg said. “I wasn’t a real bookworm so having that extra attention, smaller classrooms and teachers who gave me one-on-one time, it made a world of difference.”

However, things could have turned out much differently for Greg, 27, and his brothers Steve, 29, and Tim, 31, who also attended St. A’s and graduated from Hackett.

Greg and Steve said they remember speaking with their father about going to public school once they had finished their stud-

ies at St. A’s. Greg, who played football, said he wanted to go to a bigger school where he would have a better chance of getting a scholarship. His brother, Steve, had his reasons as well.

“When I first went to Hackett I did have friends who finished up at St. A’s who had gone to public school,” Steve said. “I was thinking of four more years of the same rules and expectations and at the beginning I told my dad I wanted to go to public school.” Their father, John, refused and reminded them of their late mother’s wish that her sons all graduate from Hackett. Barb Liggins, who also had attended St. A’s, passed away when Greg was in third grade. She had been a volunteer at St. A’s for many years and her loss was felt deeply by teachers and staff at the school who immediately stepped in and put their collective arms around the three brothers.

“I think my mom, with what she did through the school, was known by quite a lot of people,” Steve said. “When she passed, everyone went above and beyond helping us to get through and handle things.” “It felt more like a close-knit family than just a school,” Greg said.

Jim Miner, who was principal at Hackett when the Liggins’ were there, said John Liggins knew his sons would be better off in the Catholic schools. “Dad was busy working so I think he needed support in raising his sons and he wanted a good environment and one where he could trust that his kids were going to get a fair shot,” Jim said.

Greg said he knows the staff and teachers at St. A’s had all reserved a special place in their hearts for him and his brothers. Their vigilance was not misplaced.

The brothers each went on to college and achieved success in their chosen fields. Greg, currently living in North Carolina, begins basic training in February with the United States Air Force. He said he and his wife, Nicol, who he credits with helping him to realize his potential, are ready for this new chapter in their lives.

Steve is a Chartered Public Accountant in Irvine, Calif. He graduated from WMU with a Bachelor’s degree and also has a degree in Accounting. Older brother, Tim is a Foster Care Specialist with the Department of Human Services in Kalamazoo.

Greg said he has no doubt that his younger years would have been a bit rougher and his life may not have turned out as well had his father allowed him to go to a public school. “Going to a public school, there’s no doubt it can get you into more trouble,” Greg said. “Being at a Catholic school keeps you grounded.”

Steve said teachers and staff notice when “you’re absent from class or question why they didn’t see you sitting where you normally sit at lunchtime.” These are the very hallmarks of a Catholic education the brothers say they appreciate now, even if they didn’t realize it at the time.

The Liggin brothers are part of the Johnson family who have a generational connection to the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo. Many Johnsons have attended CSGK Schools, starting with Robert Johnson, sho graduated from St. Augus-tine in 1939.

“I realize now and I’m so thankful for having gone through St. A’s and Hackett and how it has affected me.” Greg said

10

Greg, Tim and Steve Liggins

Distinguished Alumni AwardThe Irish Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award was created to recognize alumni from Kalamazoo’s Catholic high schools who have made significant contributions to society. This annual award is an attempt to say “thank you” to those individuals who take the best of what Catholic education has to offer and shares it with others.

Award Eligibility:•Attended a Kalamazoo Catholic high school for at least one full academic year.•Has not already received the award•Has made significant contributions through donations of time, talent or treasure to Kalamazoo’s Catholic high schools, the Catholic Church or community organizations.•Contributions have been through individual, family or religious life rather than athletics.

To Submit a Nomination, please provide:•Your relationship to or contact with the nominee•Brief biographical information (Catholic education, current employment, etc.)•Description of the contributions made•Other honors, awards or recognition received by the nominee•Any other supporting documentation.

Please submit nominations by July 30th, 2011 to:

Hackett Catholic Central High SchoolC/O Alumni Office1000 W. Kilgore Rd.Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Katie Caldwell Hudson, 1970, and Jim Barnum, 1980 after accepting the award for Distinguished Alumni at a presentation in the Hackett Catholic Central Gym on February 18, 2011. Jim Barrnum received the award in memory of his aunt, the late Sr. Marilyn Sullivan,1949.

Legacy FamiliesWe are proud of our “legacy families!” Thank you for sharing your gift of faith! The following families have a student currently attending St. Monica School, St. Augustine School or Hackett Catholic Central. They also have family members whose generations are part of the 138 years Catholic education has been enriching the Kalamazoo community.

A Legacy... Cover Story

Joseph and Margaret (O’Niell) O’Brien educated their 5 children at St. Augustine High School. This is the CSGK legacy of their daughter, Rita N. O’Brien, St. Augustine Class of 1943.

Rita O’Brien married Edward J. O’Connor, (Detroit St. Dominic, Class of 1939) at St. Augustine Church in 1953. Together they educated 5 children in the faith with the help of St. Ambrose Catholic School and St. Mary’s Catholic School, with all graduating from Hackett Catholic Central. The legacy does not stop there. Rita was given 11 grandchildren, all graduates of our Caholic Schools, with some still attending. Colleen (O’Connor) Schmidtendorff, Hackett Class of 1979, is featured on the front cover with her three children, Bridget Anne(Schmidtendorff) Van Dam, ‘97, Connor , ‘07 and Morgan,’09. And the legacy continues....a star is born! Robert Alan Van Dam, a St. Augustine 1st grader and future HCC graduate, Class of 2022.

Rita’s attitude of quiet faith and Edward’s unwavering conviction sum up the family’s response to Jesus’ re-quest to “Let the children come to Me”.

11

The IrIsh PrIdeIrIsh AlumnI OffIce

alumni@hackettcc.org

Hackett Catholic Central High School1000 W. Kilgore Road

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008

Change ServiCe requeSted

NON-PROFITU S POSTAGE

PAIDKALAMAZOO MI

PERMIT # 77