Athletics Hall of Fame

Catholic Memorial High School
Athletic Hall of Fame

The Catholic Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame was founded during the 2009-10 school year, to honor outstanding athletes, coaches, managers, and other individuals who have made contributions to the winning tradition of the CMH Crusaders.

Nominate An Individual or Team for the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame Awards!

Nomination Form

Selection Criteria for Catholic Memorial’s Athletic Hall of Fame

The minimum requirements for election into the Hall of Fame are as follows:

The candidate must have excelled in one or more sports while a student at Catholic Memorial High School.

Alumni must be a graduate for a minimum of ten years prior to being considered for induction into the Hall of Fame.

Coaches must be retired from the position at which they served, or been actively coaching at CMH for a minimum of 10 years before being considered for induction.

Athlete/Coach must have been in good standing while participating on or coaching an athletic team. Must have conducted self in such a way as to reflect honor on the school and must have exhibited these qualities of character and standards of conduct consistent with their status as a role model to the community after graduation or retirement from CMH.*

There are no restrictions placed on the maximum/minimum number of inductees. Nomination forms will be kept and reviewed annually if candidate is not inducted.

*Catholic Memorial reserves the right to remove any individual from the Hall of Fame for personal conduct which reflects discredit upon the school.

Bylaws of the Athletic Hall of Fame

Candidates for selection to the Hall of Fame shall be proposed by CMH leadership, faculty and staff, alumni, students, and friends of Catholic Memorial High School. Solicitations of recommendations shall be accomplished through CMH publications and the online nomination form.

The selection committee will accept nominations for induction of Catholic Memorial High School graduates who have excelled in one or more sports, as well as CMH coaches. Candidates must have distinguished themselves and CMH in their athletic endeavors while a student or a coach at Catholic Memorial.

The committee will also entertain recommendations of others to be recognized for outstanding services to the Crusader program. This category may include, but is not limited to, athletic directors, trainers, team physicians, as well as others whom the committee may approve.

The final selection of the inductees will rest with the committee which will review the proposed candidates and others the committee members might recommend.

Final inductees will be confirmed by the President of CMH.

Recognizing outstanding athletes & Teams

As a direct result of making athletics a vital component of its educational program, Catholic Memorial High School has developed many outstanding athletes in a variety of sports. Further, as a part of its commitment to excellence in athletics, Catholic Memorial High School has relied on the talents of coaches and athletic directors, who have been instrumental in the school's successful athletic program.

In order to preserve CMH’s athletic history, the Catholic Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame was founded during the 2009-10 school year to honor outstanding athletes, coaches, managers, teams and other individuals who have made contributions to the winning tradition of the CMH Crusaders.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee

Current Hall of Fame Committee Members

The selection committee consists of up to 14, but no less than 10, members. Alumni and/or previous staff are represented by up to 10 members, and current school staff/faculty by three members. The athletic director of Catholic Memorial High School will be a permanent member of the committee.

The current alumni and/or previous staff committee members include Joe Vitale '56, John Gabelbauer '66, Carol Kennedy '67, Steve Houk '68, Deb Fitzpatrick '80, Tom Bray '84, Mark Tomchek '89, Billy Seidel '92, Kyle Stoehr '92, Dolores Ocampo Brown '95, Fred Kinateder Jr. '98, Coach Alex Glorioso '04, Coach Bill Young, and Coach Steve Plechaty '74. Current CMH faculty/staff members include Athletic Director, Matt Bergan, Director of Strategic Giving, Jeffrey Mazurczak, Coordinator of Alumni Relations/Internships, Katie Warns Riesch ‘98 and Junior Crusaders Youth Sports Coordinator, Joe Drees.

While there are no explicit qualifications for appointees to the committee, care shall be exercised to select members who have knowledge of the athletic history of Catholic Memorial High School and are representative of the various periods of that history. Members of the committee must abstain from voting if a member of his/her immediate family or relative is proposed.

For more information, please contact the Development Office at alumni@catholicmemorial.net.

Dr. Paul S. Fox Service to Memorial Award

The selection committee will accept nominations for induction of Catholic Memorial graduates who have excelled in one or more sports, as well as CMH coaches. Candidates must have distinguished themselves and CMH in their athletic endeavors while a student or a coach at Catholic Memorial.

The final selection of the inductees will rest with the committee which will review the proposed candidates and others the committee members might recommend.

Final inductees will be confirmed by the President of CMH.

Past Hall of Fame Inductees

2023

2020

2018

2016

2014

2012

2010

2023

Jeff Gosa

Jeff Gosa was a Varsity member of the Basketball team from 1971 to 1972 and Football team from 1970 to 1972. During his time at Catholic Memorial, Gosa earned many All-Conference accolades in both football and basketball. He was the Waukesha Freeman Play of the Year for Football in 1971 and was voted to the United Press International All State Team as a Wide Receiver in 1972. Following his time at Catholic Memorial, he went on to play football at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

Mike Kanter

Mike Kanter was a Varsity Football and Baseball player at Catholic Memorial. He was a member of the Varsity football team in 1981 and 1982 and Baseball in 1982 and 1983. Mike was part of the State Championship Baseball team in 1983 and received numerous All Conference, County and State accolades in 1983. Kanter shined in football as well earning Team MVP in 1981 and 1982 as well as the Waukesha Freeman Player of the Year in 1982.

Michael Kleber

Michael Kleber was a member of the Varsity Football team from 1998 to 2000, Varsity Wrestling in 1998 and 2000 and Varsity Track & Field 1999 and 2000. Throughout his career at Catholic Memorial, he left his mark not only on the offensive line but as a part of the defense as well. He earned top honors in all three sports that he played and went on to earn a Varsity letter in 2002 from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

TJ Bray

TJ was a member of the Varsity football team in 2009, but more notably, he was a four-year member of the Varsity Basketball team during his time at Catholic Memorial from 2007 to 2010. Bray was named the Conference Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010 and he was also the Waukesha Freeman and Journal Sentinel Player of the year in 2010. Following his time at Catholic Memorial, TJ played basketball at Princeton from 2011 through 2014. He continued his success in basketball by playing professionally from 2014 through 2021.

Mike Sampon

Coach Mike Sampon truly developed the fencing program at Catholic Memorial and coached the team for 39 years. Sampon led the team to 12 Midwest Championships throughout his time at Catholic Memorial. He was the Co-Founder of the Great Lake Conference and earned an “A” National rating by USFA. Mike has served as a private fencing coach for an Olympic Fencer and has also been the fencing master for the Milwaukee Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet.

Pat Dillon

In gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the Crusader Athletic Program as a faithful coach, Athletic Director, Administrator, guidance counselor and supporter, we honor Pat Dillon as our Dr. Paul S Fox Service Award Inductee. Pat originally joined Catholic Memorial in 1961 as a teacher in the Math Department, while also becoming the Varsity track and field head coach, JV basketball coach and Varsity assistant football coach. In 1976, Pat coached his last game for CMH so that he could devote more time to his role as guidance counselor. Pat provided 40 years of service to Catholic Memorial service as an educator, coach, athletic director, Dean of Students, vice principal and ultimately guidance counselor. His legacy at Catholic Memorial lives on.

1953 Baseball

A team that paved the way for Catholic Memorial baseball. Three-time Milwaukee Catholic Conference Champions and the 1953 State Champions led by Coach Alan Elger. 1953 was a big year for the baseball team. The CMH men won all of their conference games and had ten wins, two losses and one tie for the season. Their record earned them a trip to Menasha to compete in the annual Wisconsin high school tournament. The Crusader’s beat Green Bay Central, defending champs, and won the state championship. The team finished the year undefeated in conference (6-0) and overall 10-2-1. This was done in the school’s fourth year of baseball, and it’s first season fielding a varsity team and admission into the Milwaukee Catholic Conference.

2000 Girls Soccer

Under the tireless leadership of Coach John Burke, the ladies of the 2000’s Soccer team succeeded in an undefeated season, and they went on to be both National and State Champions in 2000. In the final 19 games, Memorial played 11 teams that were either ranked in the state poll or a national poll and gave up just two goals during that stretch

Memorial finished #5 in the final NSCAA poll the previous year, so at the first practice that spring, the Crusaders’ goal was to finish atop the national rankings after defending their 1999 WISAA state title.

When star forward Leslie Osborne injured a ligament in her knee, some doubted Memorial would be able to continue its dominance. Not only did the Crusaders go undefeated during the seven games that Osborne missed, the 2000 WISAA state champions didn’t allow a goal. In fact, 19 of 24 victories were shutouts.

They beat DSHA 3-0 in the state final and also beat the public-school state champions 6-1 in the Laura Moynihan Tournament. The 2000 Girls Soccer team scored 106 goals on the season and only had 6 goals scored against them. CMH Junior Leslie Osborne led the team’s stats with 22 goals and 21 assists.

Burke felt that tradition as much as anything else helped the Crusaders win the title. The girls’ soccer program at Memorial had lost seven games in 6 years at that point. Truly an outstanding season for Catholic Memorial Girls Soccer.

2004 Boys Basketball

The 2004 boys’ basketball team not only achieved back-to-back Classic Eight Conference Championships, but they also secured the WIAA State Championship in 2004. This team was led by Coach John Burns.

These Classic 8 champions won 25 games, their only loss - by 1 point came in a double overtime game with three starters on the bench. They played the most difficult schedule of any Wisconsin high school team - defeating seven Wisconsin conference champions and eight top ten ranked Wisconsin teams.

This team had an average margin of victory of 20.3 points. Offensively averaging 72.5 point per game while giving up 52.3 points. Seymour High School coach Jon Murphy, one of the WIAA all-time best coaches, called this team “an offensive juggernaut”.

This team was ranked #1 and won the 2004 WIAA state championship in one of the best and most exciting games ever played in state championship history. This team brought home Catholic Memorial’s first WIAA state championship. Seven of the teams’ players went on to have very successful collegiate athletic careers. They were an unselfish group and love to play with and for each other….. they defined the word team.

2020

Marcie Bomhack Wolbeck, 1998

Marcie Bomhack Wolbeck was instrumental in leading Catholic Memorial to its first state volleyball title in the program’s history in 1997 being named the tournament MVP. Upon conclusion of her CMH career, she was first in all time kills, 1301, and blocks, 225. Marcie was named 1^st Team All-State three times and 1^st Team All-Conference and 1^st Team All-City 4 times. Marcie’s accomplishments didn’t end at CMH. She went on to play at Notre Dame where she had an outstanding career. Marcie was the 13th player for the Irish to reach the 1,000 career kill mark. She played professionally in Spain before returning to the states and coaching. She holds a BA in Business in marketing and psychology and an MBA with a sport management concentration from Loyola University.

Gary Witkowski, 1965

The name Gary Witkowski evokes much emotion around the halls of Catholic Memorial. During his high school career at CMH, 1961-1965, Gary received 10 varsity letters in 3 sports: football, basketball, and baseball. Gary was also a member of the Letterman Club his junior and senior years. Gary returned to CMH in 1977 as a member of the maintenance staff for 39 years never missing a day of work. Not only did he oversea facilities and grounds he also coached Jr. High and Freshman football. Sadly, Gary passed away in 2016 and truly left his mark on Catholic Memorial.

Mike Reuteman, 1981

During his time at CMH, 1978-1981, Mike Reuteman made his name known as a Crusader athlete. He was a 3-sport star receiving 8 varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. Reuteman was instrumental in the football team’s success in the 1979 and 1980 WISSA State finals being named MVP both years. Mike was named to All-Conference, All-County, and All-State teams in football and was named Waukesha Freeman Player of the 1980 season. Mike not only excelled in football he was also a stellar baseball and basketball player. Notably scoring 36 points with a buzzer beater against Brookfield Central just one week after playing in the state finals for football. He was also named the 1981 Fr. Smith Senior Athlete of the Year. He continued his football career as a walk on at the University of Minnesota and finished his college career at UW-Stevens Point playing all 4 years.

Lisa Gamalski Walsh, 2000

From 1996-2000 Lisa Gamalski Walsh represented the Catholic Memorial Volleyball and basketball teams earning 8 varsity letters. Lisa led the volleyball team to two state titles in 1998 and 1999 and was named 1^st Team All-Conference and 1^st team All-State in ’99 and ’00. Walsh was the Classic 8 Conference Player of the Year in volleyball both her junior and senior years. Lisa rounded out her high school career being awarded the Monsignor Gearheard Senior Athlete of the Year for her accomplishments on and of the courts. Lisa went on to play division 1 volleyball at the University of Michigan being named 1^st Team All Big 10 Women’s Volleyball in 2004.

John Spytek, 1999

One of John Spytek’s nominators writes, “…a model of good behavior, respect, emotional and academic intelligence, and a solid team player.” “His work ethic was second to none,” pens another. During John’s time at CMH, 1995-1999, he earned 6 varsity letters in football and basketball. He showed his leadership

John continued his career at the University of Michigan

2018

Chris Andacht, Coach
Since 1982, Chris Andacht has been making a big impression on students in the classroom, on the track, and on the stage. His influence on CMH and his tireless leadership of the successful cross country and track programs are unparalleled. Coach Andacht’s lessons on focus, commitment and hard work transcended the sport. Andacht has been the coach of eight State Champion Track Teams, seven State Champion Cross Country Teams, and holds the record for the longest string of consecutive relay team qualifications at the State Meet in the history of the State Track Meet (43 consecutive years). Andacht currently serves as a part-time faculty member at CMH.

Stephen Plechaty '74, Coach
Coach Steve Plechaty is not only a winning coach, but most importantly, he exemplifies what a good coach should be. He teaches his players character, sportsmanship, work ethic, teamwork and fair play. He coaches with class and is admired and respected by fellow coaches, players and their families. As a CMH student 1970-1974, Plechaty lettered six times in four sports. He started coaching Boys Golf in 1992 and Girls Golf in 1997, and still currently serves both programs. Among many other accomplishments, Coach Plechaty is a five-time All State coach of the Year, seven-time All Area Coach of the Year, and has seven golf State Championships to date. Plechaty currently serves as the Dean of Students at CMH.

David Pitsch '67, Former Athlete (posthumously)
From 1963-1967, David Pitsch was the star of the basketball team that was ranked in the top 10 in Wisconsin, he played catcher on the baseball team and demonstrated strong leadership skills on and off the court and field. He lettered three times in football, four times in basketball, four times in baseball and once in cross country. According to his friends, “Dave won every award for sports at CMH and was voted the top athlete in the Class of 1967.” Pitsch passed away in April 2016 and his wife, Starr Pitsch plans to accept this award on his behalf.

Theresa Lefebvre Worrall '86, Former Athlete
Theresa (Lefebvre) Worrall’s nominator called her one of “CMH’s first absolutely phenomenal female athlete[s].” As a CMH student 1982-1986, she was on the track, cross country and cross country ski teams. She served as captain for the track and cross country teams and was named MVP of the cross country team her junior and senior years. In 1983, Worrall earned All-State in cross country by the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association.

Mark Biebel '87, Former Athlete
As a three-sport athlete, soccer, baseball and basketball, Mark Biebel was a true class act on and off the field. He earned multiple letters while at CMH 1983-1987. He played on the state championship teams for both soccer (1983) and basketball (1987). Biebel was named All-Conference and All-State Player in soccer, and held the title of leading scorer for the first 30 years of the CMH soccer program. Biebel went on to play Division I soccer at UW-Milwaukee for four years.

Peter Fox '92, Former Athlete
The names Peter Fox (1992) and Jamie Vanderveldt (1992) are so often said together, that the Committee insisted they be inducted during the same Hall of Fame year.

Fox held a 4.2 grade point average throughout his academic career while earning nine letters playing football and basketball and participating in track. He was named All-State Football Quarterback in 1991 and 1992, Offensive Player of the Year in Wisconsin in 1992 and Senior Athlete of the Year at CMH in 1992. Fox led the CMH football team as quarterback to two State Championship Runner-up Finishes. He was known to be guarded by his teammate Vanderveldt on the football field.

Jamie Vanderveldt '92, Former Athlete
Vanderveldt started as a sophomore and went on to help carry the football team to three straight appearances at the State Championship game, winning once and runner-up twice. His physical size, speed and talent single-handedly forced opposing teams to change their blocking scheme to double- or triple-team him. He was named All-Conference and All-State. He also played basketball and ran track and excelled at those sports too. Vanderveldt went on to become an offensive lineman at UW-Madison. After his collegiate career, Vanderveldt went onto play in the NFL as an offensive lineman for 3 seasons.

Karen Scherwinski Evans '93, Former Athlete
During her time at CMH in 1989-1993, Karen (Scherwinski) Evans proved herself a track and cross country “superstar.” She still holds Girls Track Records at CMH. Her records, set in 1992, are displayed in the hall of the school as the 100-meter dash at 12.31, 200-meter dash at 25.14 and the 400-meter dash at 57.0. Evans was on the cross country team that won State Championships four consecutive years 1989-1992 and served as captain her senior year. She was named the Metro Conference MVP as a freshman for track in 1990, was part of the 1993 State Championship track team and served as captain her junior and senior years.

Greg Gamalski, Dr. Paul S. Fox Service to Memorial Award
The Dr. Paul S. Fox Service to Memorial Award is a special honor given to someone who has demonstrated exceptional service to CMH, especially in the Athletics Department while exemplifying the CMH motto Caritas in Omnibus, or “Charity in All Things.” Greg Gamalski served CMH from 1974 until his retirement at the end of the 2017 school year. He taught in the social studies and physical education departments, and coached baseball, track and football. He also simultaneously served as athletic director. CMH earned 90 state championships under Gamalski’s tenure. He has always been an advocate of every sport and treated every athlete fairly and with respect. Gamalski’s love for CMH and the athletes have earned him this award.

2016