A link to ALL the Hall of Fame inductees is found below. The Holy Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame was chartered in September, 1997 to honor the greatest names in Holy Trinity's past - the men and women who have demonstarted a playing/coaching/administrative ability that has brought a degree of athletic fame to himself/herself and to the school -- and has demonstarted good citizenship after high school. The nomination procedure is a follows: Nominations are made through the Trinitarian. The Athletic Hall of Fame committee discusses and completes the selection process. The presentations are made. The inductee's name, photograph and accomplishments are engraved on a plaque and displayed in the Athletic Hall of Fame on the third floor, outside the gym. The plaques are presented to the inductees at the induction ceremony. Originally, in the first three years, a reception was held at Holy Trinity High School the third Saturday of January. In June of 2002, that was altered slightly, as the dinner and ceremony was held at the Cafe' La Cave in Des Plaines, Illinois. The HT Alumni Association and the HT Athletic Department are committed to continuing this special process into the future. (as of 7.7.02) LOOKING BACK THROUGH THE FIRST FOUR YEARS: 1999 For the first year of Hall of Fame consideration (1998-1999), thirty nominations were received. From the nominees, five were elected to be inducted into the first Athletic Hall of Fame group. The four athletes and one administrator were: Donald Balicki, Basketball, class of 1957; Henry Brandt, Basketball and Coach, class of 1927 (deceased); Joseph Gliwa, Football, class of 1955; Frank (Andy) Wodziak, Football, class of 1949 (deceased); and Brother Alfred Grilli, Band Director (deceased). 2000 On January 22nd, 2000, the second Athletic Hall of Fame group was inducted. The individuals honored were: Donald "Red" Amidei, Basketball and Baseball, class of 1945; Leonard "Len" Czarnecki, Basketball and Football, class of 1948 and August "Gus" Pasquini, Football and Basketball, class of 1951. 2001 On January 21st, 2001, the third Athletic Hall of Fame class was inducted. The individuals honored were: Stephen Kubiatowski, Bsketball and Golf, class of 1953; John "Jack" Krol, Baseball and Basketball, class of 1953 (deceased) and Michael Salzinski, Basketball, class of 1956. 2002 On June 17, 2002, the fourth Athletic Hall of Fame class was inducted. Individuals honored were: Richard "Honey" Starzyk, Basketball, class of 1938 (deceased); Brother Thomas R. Henning, C.S.C., Athletic Director, Faculty & Staff, HTHS 1958 - 1970, 1989 - 1992 and Belinda Williams, Volleyball & Track and Field, class of 1993. Background on ALL Inductees to the HT Hall of Fame (starting with the most recent class). Fourteen indivudlas have been honored through June, 2002. Class of 2002 Richard "Honey" Starzyk -- Basketball, Class of 1938 (deceased) Presenter: Richard Starzyk (son). To receive the award for Richard "Honey" Starzyk, Stephen Starzyk (son). The 1938 Yearbook said the following about Richard: "Captain "Honey" Starzyk has to be rated as the most aggressive and dependable player on the basketball squad. He is no doubt, one of the greatest Tiger athletes to terminate a scintillating career in sports at Holy Trinity High School." Richard played varsity basketball for 4 years, was captain of the basketball and baseball teams in his junior and senior years and was listed by the Chicago Tribune as one of the Outstanding Catholic High School seniors. After graduating from HTHS, he played basketball for the Division Street YMCA Clippers, which won the YMCA International Championship two years in a row. He then played on the De Paul University basketball team, was a two-year major letter winner, and along with George Mikan, was a member of the De Paul NIT Championship team. In a 1945 newspaper article, De Paul Coach Ray Meyer rated Starzyk as one of the top guards in the country. Richard's De Paul basketball career was interrupted by World War II. While in the Army -- Air Force, he was awarded several medals including the Victory Air Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also played basketball for the Salt Lake Air Base Wings where his team was number one in the service league. He was rated as the top Air Base Defensive cager. He returned to De Paul; and after college, he played professional basketball in the National Basketball League. Richard died in 1990 of lung cancer. His wife, Laura, resides in Addison, Illinois. Richard and Laura had two sons and four daughters. Their son, Richard, lives in Houston, Texas; their son Stephen in Batavia, Illinois; their daughter, Teri (Shuman), in Warrenville, Illinois; their daughter Julie (Wagner), in Elmhurst, Illinois; and their daughter, Ellen (Bachner), in Lombard, Illinois. One of their daughters died in an accident at age 18 months. There are seven grandsons and two granddaughters. Richard and Laura married in 1953 and would have been married forty-eight years this year. Richard was an avid golfer. Brother Thomas R. Henning, C.S.C. -- HTHS 1958 -- 1970 and 1989 -- 1992 -- Athletic Director, Faculty & Staff Presenter: Brother Robert Fillmore, C.S.C. Brother Tom was on the faculty of HTHS from 1958-70 returning for a second tenure from 1989-1992. He served as Athletic Director during some tough times from 1963-1970 during which he kept the athletic program together and strove to have a competitive sports program that included football. He kept students interested in sports, maintained a great coaching staff, inspired sportsmanship from the students and engineered a very credible athletic program. Brother Tom was extremelly well respected not only by athletes, but the entrire student body for his sportsmanship, his passion to build school spirit, his dedication to help students gain confidence in themselves and his ability to encourage athletes and students to become the best possible. Students describe Brother Tom as a tremendous individual who was constructive, had a great attitude and a great disposition. He was a surrogate father to a lot of students. Brother Tom held many offices in the Chicago Catholic League including Secretary, Vice President and Treasurer and President. He rewrote the rules of the Chicago Catholic League. As HTHS Development Director, 1989-1991, he reorganized the Alumni Association. Brother Tom resides at the Helen D. Schubert Villa, Notre Dame, Indiana. Belinda Williams -- Volleyball and Track and Field -- Class of 1993 Presenter: Ted Poprawski, Holy Trinity Athletic Director, Faculty & Staff Belinda excelled in volleyball. She was a member of the volleyball team for four years and a major letter winner in her sophomore, junior and senior years. She was an individual standout and true team players. In her junior and senior years, she was named All-Conference 1st team in the Chicago Prep Conference and CPC Player of the year her senior season. She helped lead her team to the first-ever, school record 16 wins season which included a CPC championship. The team also reached the title contest of the IHSA regionals that year. She set numerous individual school volleyball marks and was named MVP and HTHS Female Athletic of the Year as a senior -- the first time in school history that a female athlete was so honored. Also during her senior year, she was named as HTHS's 1992 Willye White Women's Athlete of Special Recognition, an award given annually to female athletes in the Chicago-area acknowledging their contributions both in the classroom and on the court/field of play and presented on Women's Day in Sports. Belinda was a member of the Track and Field team, earning major letters in both her sophomore and senior seasons. After graduation from HTHS, she continued her volleyball career playing for North Central College as a freshman and sophomore. She graduated with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Arts. She works for Little Friend in Naperville specializing in working with mentally ill adults and currently lives in Warrenville, Illinois. Class of 2001 Stephen Kubiatowski -- Basketball and Golf, Class of 1953 Presenter: Lucia Kubiatowski Stephen was actively involved in sports and band at HTHS. He was a major letter winner in basketball (3 yrs), baseball (1 yr), and band (3 yrs). His achievements in basketball (Juniors) were outstanding. In his senior year, he was the Chicago Catholic League Junior Team basketball scoring champion and was named to the All Catholic League Juniors First Team as well as the All City Juniors Team. In golf, he entered the Catholic League Golf Tournament as a single entry representing HTHS in the Catholic League Golf Championship and won the Individual Golf Championship with a 36 hole score of 151 (75 and 76) in his senior year. In addition to his athletic achievements, Stephen earned three Scholastic Monograms for his scholastic achievements. Stephen received a B.S Degree from Northwestern University in 1957 and a J.D. Degree from DePaul University in 1963. He is a partner in the Przybylo and Kubiatowski Law Firm in Chicago. He and his wife Carole have been married for thirty-six years and live in Chicago. They have two children, Stephen A. Jr. and Lucia. John "Jack" Krol -- Baseball and Basketball, Class of = 1953 Presenter: Frank Szwedo. To receive the award for John "Jack" Krol: Frank Szwedo. Jack excelled in both baseball and basketball (Seniors). He was a major letter winner in both baseball (4 yrs) and basketball (3 yrs) and captain of the baseball team and co-captain of the basketball team in his senior year. He was third team All-Catholic and Honorable Mention All-City in basketball and played in the Catholic League All Star game. After graduation from HTHS, he signed a professional baseball contract with St. Louis and played 12 full seasons of minor league baseball compiling a lifetime average of .267 while playing at each infield position. He was a six-time All-Star in the minor leagues. He managed in the Cardinal chain for 11 years, was an All Star Manager twice (Midwest League and Texas League), won three minor league titles, and was Manager of the Year at St. Petersburg. He also served twice as interim manager of the St. Louis Cardinals (1978 and 1980), manager of the San Diego Padres (1981-1986); manager at Las Vegas (1986), and manager at Charleston, SC (1987-1990). Jack died in of cancer on May 30, 1994. His wife Liz, resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Jack and Liz had two daughters and one son. Their daughter, Toni, lives in Winston-Salem; their son, John, also lives in Winston-Salem; and their daughter, Sharon, lives in Atlanta, Georgia. There are two grandsons, Benjamin (10) and Matthew (8) and two granddaughters, Michelle (13) and Jackie (5). Michael Salzinski -- Basketball, Class of 1956 Presenters: Paul Szczurek and Len Pawlowski. Mickey excelled in basketball (Seniors) at HTHS. He was a major letter winner in basketball (2 yrs) and captain in his senior year. In his senior year, he was named to the Chicago Catholic League All North Section Senior Team and played in the Catholic League All Star game. He was awarded a basketball scholarship to DePaul University and played basketball for 4 years for "The Coach", Ray Meyer. At DePaul, he started 1st team as a sophomore, was named Honorable Mention All American, and was voted by the Notre Dame University players as best they had played against. He played in the NCAA Tournament in 1959 and 1960 and his team made the final 16. He was awarded the DePaul University Basketball Sportsmanship Award as a senior. Mickey received a B.A. Degree from DePaul University in 1960. He went into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1960 and finished his Army career 7 1/2 years later as a Captain. He worked for 35 years in advertising sales as Chicago Manager for Ziff-Davis Publishing and later as Chicago Manager for Knapp Communications (Home Magazine). He is currently self-employed. He and his wife, Rosalie, have been married for thirty-four years and live in Chicago. They have two children, Samantha and Michael. BACKGROUND ON CURRENT INDUCTEES -- Class of 2000: Donald "Red" Amidei -- Basketball and Baseball, Class of 1945 -- Don excelled in both basketball (Juniors & Seniors) and baseball at HTHS and was a major letter winner in both sports for four years. In his senior year, he was captain and MVP in both basketball and baseball and was HTHS Most Outstanding Athlete. He was awarded a basketball scholarship to De Paul University where he started in basketball but switched to intercollegiate boxing. He was a major letter winner in boxing in his junior and senior years and received the Sports Writers' MVP Boxing Award and John S. Clark Boxing Award in his senior year. He was a successful Head Track & Field coach at St. George HS, De Paul University and Northwestern University. He was inducted into the Illinois State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1976, De Paul University Hall of Fame (Boxing and Track Coach) in 1979, and the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame (Track Coach) in 1984. Don is retired and lives with his wife Therese. They have two children and two grandchildren. Leonard "Len" Czarnecki -- Basketball and Football, Class of 1948 -- Len was actively involved in sports and band at HTHS. He was a major letter winner in basketball (4 years). His achievements in basketball (Juniors -- 5' 8" and under) were outstanding. In his junior year, the HTHS Junior team took 2nd place in the Catholic League and he was the HTHS and Catholic League North Section MVP; led the HTHS Junior basketball team in scoring; was the third leading scorere of the Catholic League (Junior Division); and played in the Catholic League All Star game. In his senior year, the HTHS Junior team took 2nd place in the Fenwick tournament and Len was voted MVP of that tournament. His team made the Catholic League championship semi finals that year.. He was selected to the Chicago Catholic League First Team and played in the Catholic League All Star game. He received a basketball scholarship to St. Ambrose College where he started for three years and was an All Iowa Conference and Catholic All American guard. He was inducted into the St. Ambrose College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. Len served in the US Air Force for twenty years. He was a demonstration pilot with the Air Force Thunderbirds from 1962 - 1964 and flew one hundred and fifty-five combat missions during the Vietnam War. He retired a Lieutenant Colonel in 1973. After retirement from the Air Force, he was a certified flight instructor in Las Vegas; built a successful basketball coaching record and was Dean of Students at Eldorado HS in Las Vegas, Nevada. His basketball team won the State AAA Chacmpionship in 1985. He later served as Assistant Principal at Rancho HS in Las Vegas for five years. Len retired in August, 1998. He and his wife Sylvia live in Las Vegas, Nevada. August "Gus" Pasquini -- Football and Basketball, Class of 1951 -- Gus was a three year starter in both football and basketball. He was 2nd team All-Catholic quarterback as a senior and received the New World Football Award for the Catholic League All Star team as a junior and senior. On the Junior Basketball team, he was captain and 1st Team Catholic League in both his junior and senior year, was 2nd place scoring champion in his junior year, led the Catholic League in scoring and was HTHS MVP in his senior year. He was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame as a basketball player in 1991. He was a teacher and coach at various high schools, a basketball, baseball and football coach at St. Procopius College, and principal at Lake Park HS in Rosselle, Illinois. He is retired from his successful teaching, cpaching and high school administration career. He is a member and former president of various professional associations and has conducted various seminars pertaining to education. He and his wife, Rose Marie, have been married for forty-four years and live in Kingwood, Texas. They have two children and four grandchildren. BACKGROUND ON INDUCTEES -- Class of 1999: Don "Tuffy" Balicki -- Basketball, Class of 1957 -- Don was a member of the Juniors (5'8" and under) basketball team and major letter winner for four years. As co-captain of the team, his perfmrmance and leadership guided the Junior Basketball team from an underdog team to 1956-57 winner of the Catholic League North Section championship. They tied for third place in the Catholic League and took third place in the Fenwick Holiday Tournament. His jump shots, rebounding and uncanny passing made him one of the leading scorers in the Catholic League. Don works for the US Government Federal Supply Services Division as a Wide Area Technician. He resides in Chicago, has one son, one daughter and four grandchildren. Henry Brandt -- Basketball and Coach, Class of 1927 -- Henry was a basketball and baseball player/captain/coach at Holy Trinity HS. After graduation, he was the first basketball and baseball coach at the new Holy Trinity HS, and he completed the new gym. When the school joined the Catholic League in 1945, Henry was head coach of the new football team while remaining head basketball and baseball coach. He was a positive influence on decades of athletes by teaching sportsmanship and fair play. He led Holy Trinity HS to its first championship at the 1948-49 Fenwick Junior Basketball Tournament. He was President of the Catholic League Coaches Association and co-coach of the Catholic League/Public League Baseball All Stars. He also played professional basketball. He was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame in 1963. Henry is retired from his successful law and baking career, and just celebrated his 90th birthday (1998-99). He and his wife, Jean, live in Wheeling, Illinois. They have four children, eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Joe "Herman" Gliwa -- Football, Class of 1955 -- Joe was known as one of the best running backs in Holy Trinity HS history. As a junior, he was Athlete of the Year and made Catholic League All-Conference. As a senior, he was named All-Catholic, All-City, All-State, All-American Catholic League and was the Catholic League's second leading scorer. He was awarded a football scholarship to Purdue University and later coached and was Athletic Director at various Chicago suburban high schools as well as a football coach at Holy Trinity HS. He was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame in 1987. In addition to graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree, Joe also received a Masters Degree in Education and Administration. He is retired from a successful coaching and teaching career and lives with his wife, Barbara, in Pallatine, Illinois. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Brother Alfred Grilli, C.S.C. -- Band Director, 1942--1987 -- Brother Alfred Grilli spent forty years at Holy Trinity HS where he became friend and mentor to hundreds of musicians. The 1945 introduction of football prompted Brother Alfred to organize a marching band to perform at games and pep rallies, an ensemble that proved to be highly regarded through the years. He wrote the Holy Trinity HS fight song and helped foster a sense of school spirit with the bands. Brother Alfred died in 1995. He left us with this quote: "On the podium, in the treasurer's office, before class --- a few ways in which I have spent my 50 years in Holy Cross. I am grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and blessings. My prayers for all those who have been a helpful part of my life." Frank "Andy" Wodziak -- Football, Class of 1949 -- Frank, an outstanding end, made All-North, All-Catholic, All-City, All-State and was named Herald American's Prep Star of the Week. After graduation, he was a prominent end and the University of Illinois and captained the team in his senior year. At Illinois, he made All-Big Ten, All-Midwest and All-American. He palyed in the 1952 Rose Bowl game, the Blue/Gray All-Star game and the Senior Bowl game in 1953. He played professional football for the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns. He played in two College All-Star games, in 1953 as a college All-Star, and again in 1954 as a Detroit Lion football player. He was appointed head football coach at Holy Trinity HS in 1958 and was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame in 1971. Frank died in 1985 at the early age of 55. His wife, Doris, resides in Florida. Frank and Doris had one son and three daughters. Their are three grandsons and three grandaughters. |