Hall of Fame

University of Detroit Jesuit 2004-2005 Varsity Hockey team is being honored with the Ring of Honor induction, recognizing their remarkable season and unforgettable playoff run. Despite finishing the regular season with a 10-13-1 record, the Cubs captivated fans in a standing-room-only crowd at the Detroit Skate Club.

In a dramatic playoff game, tied 2-2, goalie Matt Paletta ‘06 delivered an outstanding performance, keeping the Cubs’ hopes alive through two intense overtime periods. In the third overtime, defenseman Dominic Recchia ‘06 scored a goal, propelling the Cubs for the first time in program history into the Frozen Four. The team’s incredible journey to the Frozen Four was further highlighted by their recognition as one of the tournament’s top three academic teams. Their induction into the Hall of Fame celebrates not only their athletic achievements but also their dedication to excellence on and off the ice.

The 1999 U of D Jesuit football team was one of the best in school history. The '99 Cubs finished the regular season with a 7-2 record, including a six-game winning streak. They secured the school's first-ever Prep Bowl victory and earned a spot in the State Playoffs—another first in school history. The season was capped off with the school's inaugural district and regional titles.

The 2001 varsity football team continued this success under Coach Scott Merchant, finishing with a 10-3 record. The Cubs dominated their non-conference schedule, delivering a decisive win against Detroit Cooley and staging a thrilling comeback to defeat Toledo St. John. In the playoffs, they opened with a resounding victory over Ferndale and went on to claim their third straight District Championship by defeating Royal Oak Kimball. The pinnacle of their season came when the Cubs triumphed over Brother Rice, marking their first victory against their rival in 29 years. The Cubs also brought home the Regional Championship trophy.

For all of the baseball that has been played in the 140 year history of U of D Jesuit High School, only one team can claim the title of Detroit Catholic League City Champions. A special group of Cubs made up the team that was coached by Ralph Owen in 1960. This would be the last year that Owen would coach at U of D Jesuit. Immediately following the conclusion of that season, he would leave U of D Jesuit to become the Assistant Director of the Detroit Catholic League working side by side with the legendary Catholic League Director Walt Bazylewicz.

The Cubs made their goal of winning the City League Championship a reality by defeating St. Patrick’s 5-1 in the league semi-final and St. Ladislaus 3-1 in the championship game at the Briggs Stadium. The day of the final, Cub ace pitcher Jim Bobel ’60 took the mound for U of D Jesuit. In the bottom of the first inning the Cubs struck first when Bobel scored off a single from Chris Schearer ’60.

St. Ladislaus rallied to tie the game in the second inning. Bobel’s arm had given the Cubs everything it could, helping them to a league regular season record of 8-2. Owen felt he was forced to change pitchers and handed the ball to Don Barnhorst ’61. Bobel conceded and moved to third base for the remainder of the game. “Barney” as his teammates called him, took over and held the Greyhounds scoreless the rest of the way.

It was John Leffel ’60 who ultimately broke up the tie with a line drive to right field that scored Pat Jones ’60. Later in the same inning, Jim Farrell ’61 scored on a wild pitch giving the Cubs three runs, which is all they would need to secure the League City Championship.

Throughout the season, contributions were made by everyone on the team that was anchored by players including the aforementioned, as well as, Charlie Shewe ’60, Norm Osinski ’62, Jerry Dumon ’60, and Jim Stenger ’60. The 1960 Cubs Baseball Team will always be one for the ages in the history of U of D Jesuit High School.

1954 "Goodfellow" Champions

There have been many great teams in the history of U of D Jesuit High School, but only one of them is known by name. The 1954 Goodfellow Championship Football Team has forever etched their story into the limestone of The High. Led by legendary U of D Jesuit Athletic Hall of Fame Coach Bob Tiernan (Hall of Fame Class of 2014) the Cubs would forever be know as the team to defeat Redford St. Mary’s. At that time, U of D High was the champion of the Metropolitan Public School Athletic League after defeating Detroit Pershing.

The two teams clashed on a Friday night in mid-November in front of a crowd of 33,000 fans at old Briggs Stadium. The Cubs struck first when Bruce Maher took off for a ninety yard touchdown run. The point after was converted by Mike Lodish and the Cubs led 7-0.

The Cubs and Rustics would trade blows throughout the game, but the Cubs would prove to be too powerful. Maher would score again in the second quarter. Later quarterback Thomas McCarthy directed the attack that led to U of D High’s final touchdown when he connected on a seven yard pass to Moe DesRosiers. McCarthy then passed the ball to Bruce Maher for the extra point making the score 20-13 with the Cubs holding the lead at the half.

The third quarter was a total stalemate with neither team scoring. It was not until early in the fourth quarter that the Cubs drove the ball down the field to the Rustic’s 7 yard line. Mike Lodish sent a kick through the uprights for what was thought to be an insurance field goal, but St. Mary’s wasn’t done yet. With time running out, the Rustics moved the ball to the Cub’s 3 yard line with the help of a fifteen yard penalty. St. Mary’s pushed the ball across the goal line for a touchdown and extra point, but it wasn’t enough. The game ended 23-20 with the Cubs being crown champions of the city.

1927 State Champions

The names are distant at The High now, but in 1927 William Ferguson ’27, Mancourt “Bud” Cummiskey ’27, Peter Monaghan ’27, and Louis Fisher ’28 represented U of D High in the 1927 Michigan State High School Golf Tournament. While the stories of their historic rounds are mostly lost to the past, their state championship title remains the oldest known team state title in U of D Jesuit History.

What has become almost as much a thing of legend is the story of the trophy the fearsome foursome brought back to Detroit 88 years ago. It seems that at some point their state championship trophy was auctioned off. After the original purchaser passed away, the trophy was eventually returned to U of D for a short period of time until it was, believe it or not, sold again and this time never to be seen again.

2001 State Champions

The 2001 MHSAA State Soccer Championship never saw the U of D Jesuit Cubs coming. The Cubs were predicted to lose practically every game throughout their run to the state championship game. The men who took to the pitch for U of D High were determined not to be denied. In the district quarterfinals, the Cubs won with an overtime goal against Dearborn. In the district final, U of D Jesuit thumped the Shamrocks from Catholic Central. The Cubs would then send Garden City packing in the final game of the regular season, before defeating Ann Arbor Pioneer on Angel’s Night.

The team had achieved several major upset victories throughout the season, including a tremendous win over Rochester Adams High School in the state championship game. The final score was 2-1 in favor of U of D Jesuit. Adams was ranked fourth in the nation at the time. Other major victories included beating Livonia Stevenson, ranked first in the state of Michigan at the time, and a shut-out victory over the Brighton Bulldogs.

The Cubs were led by All-state First Team member and Michigan Mr. Soccer award winner Ryan Alexander. Dan DePaulis merited Second Team All-state honors, while Jacob Zammit and Trevor Lyman both received Third Team All-state recognition. The Cubs finished their magical run with an impressive record of 18-6-2.

1993 State Champions

The first Saturday in June is track and field championship day in Michigan. In 1993, it was the Cubs’ championship day when they won the MHSAA Class B Track and Field Team Championship in Grand Rapids at historic Houseman Field. A week earlier U of D Jesuit avenged their narrow loss to Catholic Central at the Catholic League Championships, as well as the entire Detroit Public School league, by winning the Operation Friendship Track and Field title. Going into the state championship weekend it appeared U of D would have to find a way to upend defending state champion, Flint Beecher, who had bested the Cubs by a mere two points at the state regional track meet.

The Cubs earned their first points, as William Brooks placed third in the high hurdles with a school record tying time. Next the 4x200 meter relay of William Brooks, Jim Krol, Edzra Gibson, and Chris Polk amazed the crowd with a combination of speed and deft baton exchanges as they set a new state record of 1:28.23 in winning the event.

Chris Polk, arguably the best 400 meter runner in the state, showed why, as he easily won the event. Next William Brooks set a new school record of 38.6 seconds and placed second in the intermediate hurdles.

Despite these record performances, the Cubs still trailed Beecher with only three events left. Chris Polk and Edzra Gibson then turned the tide as they finished first and fourth respectively in the 200 meter dash. Going into the final event, the Cubs held a slim two point lead over Flint Beecher. The 4x400 meter relay team of Edzra Gibson, Kareem Dillard, William Brooks, and Chris Polk shut down Beecher’s last hope when they won the event by over 40 meters. Beecher placed a distant third. When the final scores were tallied, the Cubs had 59 points to Flint Beecher’s 53.

This marked the first state championship for the Cubs in any sport since the 1927 golf team. After being showered with ice water, a wet but elated Coach Jerry Myszkowski ‘67 reviewed the season by saying “During the course of the season we were just missing the winner’s circle. In the last two weeks of the season everything came together and we took home a big prize. Our whole training philosophy is geared for these championship meets. It worked.”
adapted from the 1993 Cub Annual