Saint Viator inducts members to Hall of Fame
Talk about a slam dunk.
This year's Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony had it all - an emotional tribute to former longtime athletic director Bob Artman, as well as honorees whose records and state championships have stood the test of time.
While it was the 18th year for the induction ceremony, guests found a slightly different tribute from years past. For starters, one of the forces behind the event, former dean of men and development director Patrick Mahoney, turned over emcee duties to Jim Bristol, '73.
"Mahoney is truly the face of the Hall of Fame," Bristol said at the outset. "I now have to keep the event going strong as Mahoney turns it over to me."
Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, former president of Saint Viator, helped open the event as he dedicated the Hall of Fame hallway, located between the Boler Center and the Cahill Gym, in memory of the late Robert C. Artman, who served as athletic director for 26 years before he passed away in 2005.
His wife, Georgeanne, and children, Robert, '89, and Meg, '92, were in attendance for the occasion Saturday, Oct. 3.
"He loved his family and this school," Georgeanne Artman said. "Those were the two things he lived for."
After the dedication, guests moved to Querbes Hall for the start of the induction ceremony. In the past, the ceremony has taken place in Mahoney Court, the school's second gym, but the more than 130 people who attended found the newly renovated dining facility a more intimate venue for the event.
During the evening, they learned of the accomplishments of five individuals, two teams and the Artman Award winner.
Bristol was able to congratulate his classmate, Thomas Chapman, '73, on being this year's Artman Award winner. Chapman has served as a volunteer coach and role model to members of the baseball team for the last six years.
Also inducted during the evening were Daniel Klingberg, '68; Mary Krause Orr, '80; Mike McManus, '87; Jennifer Kohnke Davis, '97; and Mike Hare, '97.
The two teams inducted into the Hall of Fame included the 2002 Girls Basketball team, which established a school record for wins, and the 2003 Boys Soccer team, which won the IHSA Class A Championship.
Each year, five to six alumni are inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. With the recently completed renovations to the school, committee members opted to move the induction ceremony and dinner to Querbes Hall, where inductees were able to choose who would introduce them.
"It's great to see everyone mingling and sharing stories from the good old days," Mahoney said.
Assistant athletic director, head baseball coach and committee member Mike Manno, '94, agreed, adding, "We have you to thank for all this, Mahoney. You bring us together every year to celebrate."
• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.