I know that this is not a "reminiscence" in the standard sense, but it's worth mentioning. It's been a pretty busy time of year, alumni-wise. On Friday, Feb. 15, a fairly large group of alumni from the '60's and '70's met in the alumni hall. It was just an opportunity for some from that period to reacqaint themselves with Ignatius, perhaps for the first time in a long time, and see some of the changes that have taken place. Those who wanted to, were then invited to watch the 2012-13 edition of the St. Ignatius Boys' Basketball Team in action.
On Friday, February 8, the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall-of-Fame induction was held in Tully Hall, formerly the "commons".
Listed below are the names of the recipients and the activities for which they were recognized:
Teams:
The Class of 1920 Football team
Deceased Alumni:
Mr. Richard L. Free (Dec'd) '40 (track) (accepted by son, Richard Free, Jr. ’63)
Alumni
Mr. Michael C. Fountain '90 (track)
Mrs. Meghan Gilhooly Burke '96 (track and field)
Mr. Richard Gray ’93 (tennis)
Mr. George W. Groble '53 (football)
Hon. Russell W. Hartigan '64 (student athlete, coach, referee)
Dr. Arturo T. Menchaca '71 (track and cross country)
Mr. Malik T. Murray '92 (basketball)
Ms. RaKina P. Payne '93 (tennis)
For the last several years, the induction ceremony was held before or at half-time of one of the school's athletic contests. This year, while there was a basketball game in the gym that night, the induction ceremony was held separately from the game. Family and friends were invited for a meal and an opportunity to visit with one another. Then the formal induction ceremony was held. There was no distraction by those students who were not interested in the athletes from "days of yore".
I had a particular interest in this year's selection. Two of my former Tennis players were inducted. They were Richie Gray and RaKina Payne, both of the class of '93. Besides posting outstanding records in tennis at Ignatius, they continued to participate in tennis after graduation, playing in college and beyond. Richie is now a teaching pro, having coached several top players throughout the USA. Rakina continues to play competitively while working in the family business.
There is temptation to start to name all of the outstanding tennis players that were on the teams during the 15 years that I coached the girls' and 13 years that I coached the boys' teams, but this is risky. I would NOT want to omit the name of someone as deserving as the names listed. As time goes along, I'm sure that more will join Richie and RaKina.
By the way, stay alert to the invitation to nominate other alumni or coaches that you feel are deserving for consideration in the St. Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame.
Finally, on March 1, the annual Saint Ignatius Law Society's Luncheon will be held at which time the Hon. Thomas Hogan ('72) and Justice Mary Jane Theis will be honored.
