2016 Cougar Honorees

A three-sport athlete at CC, George earned All-City and All-State honors as a football lineman. After his college career at Marquette University, Andrie was drafted by the NFL Dallas Cowboys and the AFL San Diego Chargers.

Signing with the Cowboys, George started on the Doomsday Defense for the Super Bowl VI championship team. He also played in the 1967 NFL Championship “Ice Bowl” in Green Bay, returning a fumble for a touchdown. Andrie played in five Pro Bowls and was Pro Bowl co-MVP in 1970 along with Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers.

After playing linebacker for the Cougars 1949 State Championship Football Team, Bill had a stellar senior year earning All-City and All-State honors. He went on to play for Central Michigan University earning his football letter. In 1970 he was also selected to the Grand Rapids Press 25-year Football Team.

Excelling in Cross Country and Track, “Becca” earned All-City and All-State recognition multiple times in her Cougar career. She remains on the girls track record board for the fastest 1600-meter
run in school history, and was selected by the Cougar coaches as the 2005 Ted Sowle Award winner. While earning her degree at Notre Dame University, Rebecca ran for the Irish cross country and track programs all four years.

An exceptional athlete, Fred represented the Cougars well in football, baseball, and Golden Gloves Boxing. Football accolades as a two-time All-State tackle led Boylen to Michigan State where he played off ense and defense. He became a Spartan team Co-Captain and was voted to the Big Ten All-Conference Team in 1960.

Passing, running, kicking FG’s and PAT’s, punting, and starting on defense for two seasons, Kevin led the Cougars to a #2 ranking in the State in 1969 and was an All-State selection. Casey’s basketball skills earned him three All-City selections and All-State his senior year. Adding his baseball contributions, Kevin finished his CC career as the Sowle Award winner. Kevin selected University of Michigan where he played football and earned his Varsity letter.

Behind the head coaches, the media coverage, and the spotlight of high school athletic departments, there exists a critical need for an ombudsman, an expediter, a problem solver who makes things happen. For many years, Lew Clingman has served that role at Catholic Central. As a life-long educator and facilitator, his network of acquaintances and his keys have opened many doors to resolve issues. Clingman has served the CC community as a Cougar assistant coach and event manager of football, basketball, and track. As General Manager of the annual MHSAA Track and Field Championships for all high schools in the Lower Peninsula, Lew organizes four Championship meets which occur on the same day and bring thousands of visitors to the Grand Rapids area.

Twice selected to All-City in the competitive City League Basketball Conference, Jeremy’s athletic, academic, and citizenship performance gave him the Sowle Award for the 1992 graduating class. Advancing to Kalamazoo College in the MIAA Conference, he remains the college’s record holder for Most Games Played (107) and remains 2nd in Career Scoring with 1,644 points. Cole was First Team All-MIAA Conference for three years and the Conference Most Valuable Player in 1996.

Renowned for his slap shot at opposing goalies, Danny elevated the brand new Cougar hockey program to the level of excellence that remains in our program today. Leading the 1975 team to City and Regional Championships with a 15-1-1 record, Dillon was the first CC hockey player to earn All-City and All-State honors.

As a student-athlete, Jim was a leader in football, basketball, and track competition. A year after graduation a tragic accident confined Jim to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Adjusting to his new lifestyle, and well-skilled in many track events, he found a niche coaching distance running and pole vault. In his wheelchair, Coach Gardiner was there for his athletes regardless of personal pain or nasty weather. His cross country teams won three State Championships.  A number of his Cougar athletes won individual event State Championships. Coach Gardiner’s Pole Vault clinics drew athletes from around the Midwest for years. By personal determination and leadership, Jim inspired others to greatness. The annual Jim Gardiner Award is presented to two senior athletes who overcame significant adversity to compete in Cougar athletics. 

Truly a lifetime Cougar, Joe Godleski excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at CC in the early 1930’s with All-City and All-State honors. He continued his athletic success at Notre Dame and CMU. He served in the US Navy during WWII before returning to Catholic Central to teach and coach. As head baseball coach, he compiled a 166-105 record over 21 years. Joe was well known as the Assistant Head Football Coach for Ted Sowle for 20 years and became Athletic Director in 1967. The Downtown Campus Gym and Convocation Center is dedicated to Joe and Ted.

Cougar athletics were the launching point for Ted’s exceptional basketball career as he was selected for All-City and All-State recognition. Following graduation, Hillary played for St. Joseph’s College, Indiana. He was drafted by the NBA before turning his attention to refereeing the game. As an NCAA official, Ted rose to the highest performance level and selection as a Final Four referee on four occasions. Ted also coached the Cougar Boys golf team for several years, leading them to League and Regional Championships and multiple State Finals appearances.

A three-sport Cougar performer, Ted won the Sowle award after earning All-City and All-State recognition in football. His basketball and track performances solidified his standing in the Class of 1981. Hollern went on to play football for the Central Michigan Chippewas before beginning his on-going career in high school administration in the Grand Rapids area.

Developing a strong swimming discipline while attending Catholic Central, Bill established several school records including the 100-meter butterfly. He earned All-State status for his performance in the MHSAA State Finals. Following graduation he was a key member of the Notre Dame University swim team for four years.

As a Cougar tackle, Mike earned football All-City and All-State Honors. He was selected for the Grand Rapids Press 25-year team in 1970. At Notre Dame, Kadish was a three-year starter on defense, leading the team in tackles and selected as an All-American in 1971.  Following a year with the NFL Dolphins, he played eight seasons for the Buffalo Bills and was the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1977. 

Setting the bar very high for future Catholic Central golfers, Kristina made the All-City team each of her four years and in her senior year was the MHSAA State Finals medalist with the lowest score of all Division 3 golfers. Continuing her golfing success at Grand Valley State, Langton was prominent throughout her college years and was ranked #8 in the NCAA Division 2 national rankings.

Arriving in the Grand Rapids area in 1971 from Chicago’s Brother Rice High School, Ray had a stand-out basketball career at Aquinas College before joining the Catholic Central staff as teacher and boys basketball coach. His 146 wins and 68% win record were the highest of any boys coach in school history. The 1985 Cougar team won the City Championship. Ray also served as Assistant Principal at CC. Following his Catholic Central departure McCahill continued his strong support for athletic events in the Grand Rapids area and was selected to the Aquinas Hall of Fame for his achievements. 

Finishing a strong Catholic Central career in cross country and track, Anne established school records in the 3200-meter run and the 3200-meter relay which still stand in 2016. McGrath earned All-City and All-State honor in both sports. She also was the MHSAA 3200-meter State Champion her senior year.  While earning her degree at the University of Notre Dame, Anne competed in the cross country and track programs.

The Cougar Girl’s Basketball Team was a strong force during Molly’s varsity career. The team advanced deep into the Class B State Tournament in 1992 and 1993. She earned All-City twice and All-State honors. Murray was second in Michigan voting for the Miss Basketball award.  Heading to Ann Arbor, she played in 108 games for the Wolverines, established a school record of 98 3-point shots, and was selected team Co-Captain. 

As a football, basketball, and track athlete, Mike earned nine varsity letters and All-City twice in both football and track. In the shot put, Neuman threw for school and City League records, and earned All-State honors. He was selected for the Grand Rapids Press 25-year football team in 1970. Mike graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point, NY where he played tackle and threw the shot put. After 28 years in the US Army he returned to Catholic Central as Athletic Director in 1995.

An outstanding diver for the Cougar Swim Team, Joe holds the school record for a diving score in a meet. This record, established 42 years ago in his senior year, still stands today. O’Brien continued his career at the University of Tennessee where he was a diver on the NCAA National Championship team.

Excelling in golf and tennis, Ottenweller earned All-City and All-Area honors multiple times in both sports. Focusing on golf, Ottenweller’s performance against the highest competition earned him All-State selection three times. Playing for the University of Michigan in his college years, Brian won four Varsity letters and was named Team Captain for the 2008 season.

As a member of the Catholic Central tennis team, Jim was undefeated and the City League Singles Champion for three years.  He won the MHSAA Class A Regional Championship in 1970. He was also selected All-City in basketball when the team won the Regional Championship. At Aquinas College, Payne completed the 1975 regular season with an undefeated record, playing against many of the state's larger schools. Jim won the NAIA state singles championship that year and is now a member of the Aquinas Hall of Fame.

An all-around athlete at Catholic Central, Dan’s football running skills earned two All-City selections. In track he achieved All-City selection in three events: long jump, 100-yard dash, and shot put. He added Regional Champion in shot put. A Purdue University graduate who also attended and played for Michigan State, Pobojewski scored the winning touchdown in the Boilermakers 1953 upset of the undefeated Spartans.

Receiving multiple year All-City awards in basketball, volleyball, and softball, Lyndsay was selected as the Ted Sowle Award winner for her class. Continuing her education at Aquinas College, she had an exceptional academic and softball career. Szczepanek was an Academic All-American two years, became a season and career leader in numerous Softball statistics, and was named Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Ted Sowle’s leadership established traditions and a demand for excellence that guides Catholic Central athletics to this day. From 1942 to 1963, Ted inspired students, and his coaching staff, to seek perfection in each and every task they faced. He accepted nothing less than maximum mental focus and physical effort. Each and every detail was important to the team’s success and personal achievements.

Ted’s CC football teams won eleven League Championships and four State Championships with an overall record of 136-30-7. Coaching track & field also, his Cougars won seven City Championships and six Individual State Championships. Coach Sowle’s exceptional coaching career was acknowledged by induction into the Michigan Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame.

Annually, the distinguished Ted Sowle Award provides recognition to a graduating Man and Woman who best exemplify the Athletic, Academic, and Citizenship qualities expected of a Catholic Central student. 

As an All-City, All-State football player, “the Great Daane” quarterbacked the Cougars to the State Championship game his junior year and an 8-1 record his senior year. Combined with his basketball and baseball success Spielmaker was selected by the CC coaches as the Sowle Award winner. Attending Notre Dame University, Daane played on the Fighting Irish football team four years for Catholic Central.

One of the most decorated Cougar swimmers, Kathy’s performances earned her several school records, and she made All-City and All-State each of her four years. At Oakland University, Vanhouten excelled in multiple swim events, achieving All-American designation 12 times. While swimming for Oakland, Kathy’s team won the NCAA Division II National Championship three times.

Imagine a high school coach who has coached the same sport, at the same school, for 72 seasons. Pat Williams is that coach. A Marywood Academy and Aquinas graduate, she remains the only Girls Tennis coach CC has ever had, and continues as the Boys Tennis coach after 29 seasons. Williams has amassed over 500 match victories, multiple League and Regional titles, and numerous trips to the State Finals. Coach Williams keeps every student on the team roster who follows her program rules.  Patricia has been inducted into four Halls of Fame: the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches; Michigan High School Coaches; Grand Rapids Catholic Central; and Aquinas College. Additionally she coached all eight of her Catholic Central tennis-playing children.

Performing in three sports at Catholic Central, Leo prepared well for his college career. In Central Michigan’s baseball program, he had a career batting average over .400 in four seasons. He was a starter for three years in basketball as the Chippewas achieved a 40-18 record. In four football seasons as quarterback, Wisneski’s teams were 18-5-1 and he was selected as CMU’s first All-American player. Leo was inducted in the inaugural class to the CMU Hall of Fame.