Father Menke

Blog #10--(Only 1066 to go!): Fr. Menke
     After nearly fifty years of association with Saint Ignatius High School/College Prep, I have met, and enjoyed the friendship of many Jesuits, but none more so than Father George Menke, S.J. I was excited when I received an email from Mike Ulmer (’72), containing a newspaper article about Fr. Menke. Mike lives in Indianapolis and found this article in the Indianapolis Star.
     The following is a brief summary of Mr./Fr. Menke‘s history at Saint Ignatius:
Mr. Menke, as he was called in 1967, came to Ignatius as a scholastic. He left in 1974 to complete his studies for the priesthood. After ordination, he returned in 1977 for 20 years before taking on his next assignment at Brebeuf in Indianapolis. Over those 30 years, he was the freshmen basketball team coach for one year, my assistant as athletic director for two years, and soccer coach for underclass boys and girls teams for many years, all the while teaching Spanish.
      He was pure Cincinnati, saying, “Please?”, when he meant, “What?”, and hassling me about why the Cincinnati Reds were VASTLY superior to the Cubs. Our friendship grew rapidly when he was the freshmen basketball coach and as assistant athletic director. My years as AD were interesting. The school was low on funds. I had neither the training nor experience for the job, and I was suppose to be the “boss” of Dr. Malliard, Fr. “Moos” and Bob Gabric, among others. Each was a very successful coach, but very demanding. George, bless his soul, was there to back me up and, not infrequently, pick me up. It wasn’t pretty, but we survived...barely.
      Over his years, there were many stories told...lovingly...about Father, but one of my favorites will probably have the most meaning if you knew him; it's an example of his spirit and loyalty. After "Mister" Menke stopped coaching the freshmen b-ball team, he became a permanent fixture at the scorer's table during the games. Terry Smyrniotis ('72) reminded me of how George would holler, "Judas Priest, Ref!" after a questionable call. Since George was sitting near the announcer's "mike", his dulcet tones would fill the gym "from on high", as if it were the Lord Himself speaking. When the assemblage finally realized what they had just heard, and they were able to get their heart rates below 150, there was a round of giggles and smiles from everyone but the refs.
     In 1977, he returned as “Fr. Menke”, taught Spanish and became the soccer coach for the underclassmen, then went on to Brebeuf. According to the article, Fr. Menke has taken on an iconic status at Brebeuf High School.
     It seems to be a part of the human condition that, when people's paths separate, they lose contact. Having read the article reminded of what a good friend Fr. George Menke was to me and to Ignatius, and I'm pretty sure that I never told him that while he was here. I think I'll write him a note and tell him.


     (I’ve included the code for the attachment, but I doubt that it’s going to be enough to allow someone to pull up that article. Maybe those of you more versed in electronic technology will be able to find it.
                 http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011102030340