Don was in his Senior year at CC when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Playing Football and Basketball for the Cougars, Don was basketball team Captain and scored the game-winning points to give the Cougars their first-ever City Championship. After World War II military service in the Navy Air Corps, he played football while a student at the University of Detroit and Western Michigan. Returning to Catholic Central, Don began a long career of service as a 3-sport coach for the Cougars. As Head Basketball Coach he won the 1957 City Basketball Championship. He was a very successful JV Football coach for the powerhouse Cougars, and also assisted with Track & Field through the 1950’s and early 60’s.

When West Catholic High School began an athletic program Don was selected to become the Athletic Director and first Head Coach of the Falcon football team. A 14-2-1 record in their first two years established a very high standard of excellence for the West Catholic programs. Don Lennon was inducted to the Catholic Central Hall of Fame in 1994 prior to his death in 2006.

Bob excelled for the Cougars as World War II raged around the world. In his Junior and Senior years his football performance on offense and defense earned him All-City Conference honors. As a running back he led the team to a two-year record of 13-0-2, two conference championships and the 1943 State Class “A” Championship. As a Track & Field sprinter Bob was the City Conference Champion in both the 100 and 200-yard sprints, an accomplishment seldom achieved.

Following CC graduation Bob attended and played football at Marquette University. He also spent time on the Great Lakes Naval Training Center team. Returning to Grand Rapids, Bob began a long and successful career in local school districts, much of that time in the Forest Hills school district.

Bob Polakovich, class of 1968, is a PROUD Cougar. He understands the goal to keep the Tradition available for students at Catholic Central. Bob earned nine Varsity letters during his years at CC. This is the most one could earn at the time, as Freshmen were not allowed at the Varsity level. He earned 3 Varsity letters in Football, 3 in Wrestling, and 3 in Track.

In football, Bob started every game for 3-years while playing offense and defense. From the May, 1968 CC High School Blue and White newspaper football Coach Jerry Sieracki stated, “Bob is the most underrated player in the City League.” As a 3-year Varsity wrestler Bob finished his career by setting a school record with 16 pins in his senior year. A co-captain on the track team, Bob earned shot put All-State honors, finishing 2nd in the “Class A” State Finals. His high school career earned him a scholarship to Central Michigan University for football and track. He graduated from CMU in 1972.

Bob, his wife Terry, and family returned to Grand Rapids in 1980. Their children attended Immaculate Heart of Mary and Catholic Central schools. All three, Kevin, Sarah (Krajewski), and John, were active in CC sports. Bob has four grandchildren, (Ian Polakovich, Danny, Jack and Katie Krajewski) currently attending CC with Max Polakovich already graduated. They too are active in CC sports with their grandpa proudly cheering from the bleachers. Future Cougars include Oliver (class of 2035 and Luka (class of 2037)

Not only an athletic supporter from the stands, Bob has been active in the Cougar Open golf outing since it began 35 years ago. He also supports the Quarterback Club and the basketball program. Bob currently owns Michigan Office Environments, a Haworth dealership, providing quality commercial office furnishings.

Pat lettered in 4 different sports at CC: Basketball, Football, Golf and Track. He was All-City and All-Area in football in 1977. In 1978 he made the All-City team in basketball and was voted by the Grand Rapids Press one of the five best basketball players in the area. In 1978 track for the Cougars he placed 2nd in the City Championship in hurdles and fourth in the 440-yard run. He lettered in golf in his Junior year. His memories include playing on the basketball team coached by Ray McCahill which finished the season ranked 5th in the state and gave Muskegon Heights High School (defending two-time state champions) their only defeat that year.

Pat continued his football career at Grand Rapids Junior College where he was an All-American wide receiver. He then played on the MAC Champion Central Michigan football team. He continues to support Catholic Central by participating annually in the Cougar Golf Outing! He is married to Pam (35 years now) who is also a great athlete: an elite athlete at CMU who once finished 3rd in the Grand Rapids River Bank Run. They have four children and are life-long members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Pat has been a Sales Rep. for the Lane Furniture Company for 38 years.

Amy had an almost unbelievable tennis career at Catholic Central with 99 career wins and an undefeated record in the City League. She was awarded All-Conference and All-Area in all four years of competition as well as All-State honors in three of her four years.

Amy continued her tennis career at the University of Detroit Mercy, a Division 1 school in the Horizon league, where she served as team captain for three years. She was a member of the university’s honor roll, the Horizon League honor roll, and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association all-academic team in all four seasons. Amy’s career record places her 8th highest in singles wins in UDM women’s tennis school history. She furthered her education at Marquette University School of Dentistry. Amy and her husband Tim (CC ’04) are both practicing dentists in the Grand Rapids area.

Obi earned All-Area and All-Conference Honors in football in 2004 and 2005 while at CC. He played on the State Championship Rugby teams from 2003 to 2005. A three-star prospect upon graduation in football from Rivals.com, he accepted a scholarship to the University of Michigan where he excelled in football and was a four-year letter winner. He started 38 games at the inside linebacker position and played in 50 games during his career. He posted 293 career tackles. He was voted to the Freshman All-American team in 2007. In 2008 Obi earned All-Big Ten Conference Honorable Mention and was a semi-finalist for the Dick Butkus Award. He was voted Captain of the Wolverine football team in 2010. Obi continued his education at Aquinas College where he earned a Masters Degree in Management.

Annalise was a three-sport star at CC. She was All-Conference in track for low hurdles and high jump twice, and an excellent All-Conference volleyball player. However, basketball was her passion. Pickrel was a 6-foot-3 All-State guard for the Cougars who could play all five positions on the basketball court. In her senior season Annalise led the Cougars to the MHSAA Class B state championship, and finished runner-up in the Miss Michigan Basketball voting. She also keyed Catholic Central to a 27-1 record and state runner-up in 2009. After receiving collegiate offers in all three sports, Pickrel signed with Michigan State basketball and played all four years with the Spartans. She played in 93 games, was selected as Co-Captain, and ended her college career as one of the ten best 3-point shooters in Spartan history. Annalise went on to play professional basketball in Australia (2014-16) and Russia (2016-17). She currently is the strength and conditioning coach for the Spartan Women’s Basketball program.