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Friday, October 3, 2008
Saint Thomas Academy Inagurates New Athletic Hall of Fame
St. Paul, MN
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An Olympic gold medalist, a former White Sox player, a Green Bay Packer draft pick and a football coach with one of the best records in high school football history were among those inducted as the inaugural class of Saint Thomas Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame in September. With a long list of athletic titles and recognition, Saint Thomas Academy’s new Athletic Hall of Fame honors individuals’ contributions to the school’s record books.
“Many outstanding athletes have competed for Saint Thomas Academy and went on to even greater achievements in college and pro sports, as well as community and business endeavors,” said Jack Zahr, athletic director of the Academy. “The Hall of Fame’s inaugural class reflects the high caliber of athletes and community members who have attended the Academy through the years. We’re proud to call them our alumni.”
Representing four decades of alumni, the inductees graced the gridiron, the baseball diamond and the swimming pool while at the Academy. Two inductees, Gerry Brown ’58 and Terry Flynn ’55, returned to the Academy after college to coach state championship teams in football, baseball and basketball. Several of the men were previously recognized with hall of fame honors by their colleges and local community organizations and businesses.
A 13-member committee received more than 115 nominations of 72 people for consideration for this first class. Any coach, administrator, Academy supporter or alum who graduated more than 10 years ago was eligible for selection. Nominations were sought from alumni and past or present coaches, faculty, staff and administrators.
Norb Winter, the Academy’s director of alumni relations, spearheaded the creation of the Hall of Fame. “We were one of the few schools that didn’t have a Hall of Fame – it’s long overdue,” he said. “It gives the school a chance to get alumni to think about their classmates who made sports exciting during their high school years. It engages our alumni with the school and each other in a new way.”
Winter said that choosing the first class was difficult because so many accomplished athletes have competed for the Academy. “I wish we could have chosen 25 people for the first class because there are certainly many who deserve the honor,” he said. “We felt that practically we needed to limit the number of men in the first class to preserve the honor of the recognition and to ensure viability of future classes.”
The inaugural class was recognized at a formal induction ceremony held Friday, Sept. 26 during the school’s Homecoming/Alumni Reunion Weekend and were introduced to the crowd during half-time of the Homecoming football game against Henry Sibley. A new class will be inducted into the Hall of Fame each year during homecoming festivities.
With its long history of athletic success, Saint Thomas Academy has a deep well from which to draw its future inductees.
Saint Thomas Academy Hall of Fame Class of 2008
• Edmund M. Krowka ’45, drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 13th round
• Joseph R. Sturdivant ’48, played for Chicago White Sox
• F. J. “Steve” Dolan ’51, named 1951 Outstanding Athlete
• Gerald E. Thomas ’53, winning pitcher in the 1956 College World Series
• Terrence P. Flynn ‘55 (player/coach), 126-24 career record as Cadets’ basketball coach
• Michael W. Wright ’56, first Cadet named Prep All-American (football), drafted by the Packers
• Gerald M. Brown ’58 (player/coach), had a .834 career winning percentage as Cadets’ football coach
• Michael J. Robertson ’65, played for the Texas Rangers and Washington Senators
• Thomas Malchow ’95, swimming; Olympic gold and silver medalist
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