Gonzaga Preparatory School

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Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame 2025
 
Gonzaga Prep is pleased to introduce the 2025 inductees to the school's Hall of Fame. Please join us in celebrating these inductees who made their mark through excellence and in service to others at the school and in the world beyond.
The selection committee is pleased to introduce the 2025 inductees:
 
Fr. Peter Byrne delivered an inspiring homily at the Hall of Fame student Mass
on Thursday morning at the Chapel of the Three Companions.
 


FR. PETER BYRNE, S.J. `61

With a lifelong calling to serve those at the margins, especially in Native ministry, Fr. Peter Byrne, S.J., `61 embodies a gentle spirit and a compassionate presence with all he encounters. He served at Gonzaga Prep and St. Aloysius Parish from 2015-2018, and his homilies still live in the hearts of all who heard them. Whether ministering among the homeless on the streets of Old Town Portland or serving the people of Sacred Heart and the Rocky Mountain Mission,  Fr. Byrne's humble dedication to love and service are a shining example of Gonzaga Prep’s core commitment to be persons for and with others.


JOHN RUDOLF `66

After studying at Gonzaga Prep, Notre Dame, and Columbia University, John built a dynamic life around his personal mantra: “Live Life Large… and Get Involved!” Balancing a fulfilling personal and family life with a global professional investment career, he is known for his active spirit of adventure, exploration, and philanthropy, from cycling across continents to scaling the world’s highest peaks. As a person for others, John’s philanthropic efforts span decades. As a volunteer, coach, mentor, board member, and leader, he has supported education, youth activities, sports, the arts, and healthcare across the country. He is especially proud of his work with Gonzaga Prep, where he has established seven student scholarship endowments. 




THE 1986 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM

The 1986 state champion football team embodies Gonzaga Prep’s tradition of excellence, hard work, community, and faith. Returning half of their starters from the 1985 state finalist season, the 1986 Bullpups were ranked #1 in the state all season and steadily improved their USA Today national ranking to #7 on their way to winning the state championship game over Juanita in the King Dome. Led by Gonzaga Prep and Washington State Hall of Fame coach Don Anderson, and with the support of the entire Gonzaga Prep community, these Bullpups won every game and shut out seven of twelve opponents while averaging over 36 points per contest. Most importantly, they won as a team by relying on their friendship and faith in each other, playing with inspired passion and execution at every position in all three phases of the game. Their brotherhood was and will always be special, reflecting all the best of Gonzaga Prep.


TERRI GIVENS `83:

Since earning her BA from Stanford University and PhD in political science from UCLA, Professor Givens has become a highly regarded speaker, consultant, and author. She was the first African American woman vice provost at the University of Texas at Austin and provost at Menlo College. Her book, “Radical Empathy” combines her personal experiences and research as a scholar to address racial injustice and social change. Blazing fast, Givens was a record-breaking track athlete while at Prep. She returned to serve on the School Board as a voice from higher education and an advocate for first-generation students.



JOHN WALK †

John Walk taught more than music at Gonzaga Prep for nearly 25 years, from 1981 to 2005. Known for his relentless pursuit of perfection as choir teacher, he was loved for creating a space of belonging where all his students were welcomed, valued, and appreciated in all their uniqueness. John’s sense of humor, enthusiasm, and “can-do” participation in the life of Gonzaga Prep epitomized his friendships with colleagues on campus. His lasting impact resonates as powerfully as the words to a song his students all knew, “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.”   


VINCENT DE FELICE `86

A renowned sculptor, De Felice’s iconic works have become synonymous with the institutions that display them. His standout creations include the bronze Bulldog outside Gonzaga University McCarthey Athletic Center and the statue of the Three Companions gracing the Gonzaga Prep chapel of the same name. After earning a professional degree in design from SFCC, he was awarded the prestigious Governor’s Scholarship to further his artistic pursuits. He holds degrees in fine art and art history from Eastern Washington University. One admirer notes, “It is profoundly moving to stand near one of Mr. De Felice’s sculptures and feel the quiet vibrancy of the passion and energy that distinguishes every piece.”

 
 
 


 

HOW TO MAKE A HALL OF FAME NOMINATION
 
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Gonzaga Preparatory School Hall of Fame is to maintain the heritage and tradition of the Gonzaga Prep community and recognize, preserve, and honor the alumni, athletes, coaches, individuals, and teams that made significant contributions to the school and their community.
 
CRITERIA
Anyone (alum, parent, current or former employee, and/or friend of Prep) may submit a nomination. There are two categories under which a nominee may be considered for selection to the Hall of Fame:
  1. Athlete/Team/Coach - who distinguished themselves while at Gonzaga Prep.  Primary criteria should include athletic ability and contribution to his/her team.  This may include individual honors and records, team honors or legacy of excellence for a determined period of time.  Secondary criteria may include any post-Prep accomplishments, both collegiate and professional.  Can only be eligible for selection 10 yrs after graduation.
  2. Alumni/Individual/Jesuits - who has made significant contributions to the Gonzaga Prep community, or in the case of alumni, have distinguished themselves in their field after graduation from Gonzaga Prep.  Alumni can only be eligible for selection 10 yrs after graduation.
All nominees must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and Ignatian character.  Anyone (alumnus/alumnae, parent, current/former faculty/staff member, and/or friend of Prep) may submit a nomination.
 

MEMBERS OF THE GONZAGA PREP HALL OF FAME 

1931 Football Team

1963 Football Team

1982 Football Team • watch video

1999 Wrestling Team

2013-2015 Girls Basketball Teams • watch video

Don Anderson

Joey August `34

Jim and Beth Brasch `76

Fr. Dick Case, S.J.

Fr. Joseph Cataldo, S.J.

Joanne Cipolla

Tim Cronin `70

Bing Crosby `20

Joseph Danelo, Sr.

Jack Delehanty `60

Scott Eaton `91 • watch video
Tim Egan `73

Frank "Ginge" Etter `63

Al Falkner • watch video

Ray Flaherty `26

Fr. Paul Fitterer, S.J.

Thomas Foley `46

Founders of Fair Share • watch video

Bill Frazier

Ganz Brothers:
Mark, `79, Bill `77, & Rick `72

Steve Gleason `95

Fr. Robert Goebel, S.J.

Sam Grashio `36

Fr. Bill Hayes, S.J.

Henry (Hank) Higgins `47

Fr. Harry Jahn, S.J.

Terry Kelly `76

Kurt Kromholtz `55

Fr. Steve Kuder, S.J., `60 and Phil Kuder `68 • watch video

Donna Lenseigne

Ron Long `65

John Luger `64

Mark Machtolf `83

Carl Maxey `42 • watch video

Lt. Col. Anne McClain `97

Trish McGonigle `84

Marilyn McKenna

Dan Murphy `58

John W. Murphy `30

Lisa Oriard `84

Michael Oriard `66

Kathy Perko `79 • watch video

Frank M. Rotando

Mike Redmond `89

Paul Redmond `55

Mary Reilly Tait `88

J. Merton Rosauer

Nicholas Scarpelli `42

Molly Schemmel `76 • watch video
Denise Schlepp • watch video

Bill Shanks `54

Harold "Joe" Smead `43 • watch video
Dick Sprague `49

Darryl Stephens `79 • watch video
Jack Stockton `45

John Stockton `80

Terri Stroschein `80 • watch video

D. Michael Strong `59 • watch video

The Tag Brothers • watch video
Hon. Phil Thompson `52

Fr. Gordon Toner, S.J.

John Traynor

Fr. Joe Weitensteiner `50

Tim Welsh `63

Fr. Victor Zehnder, S.J

The Gonzaga Prep community gathered on January 30 for a day of celebration, reflection, and gratitude as we honored the newest inductees into the Hall of Fame.

The day began on campus with Mass, where we had the privilege of hearing from inductee Fr. Peter Byrne, S.J. `61. Following Mass, the inductees and their families enjoyed a lunch in the Barbieri Student Center. Campus tours followed, with the 1986 State Championship Football Team reminiscing on the field where their unforgettable season unfolded nearly four decades ago.

Later, over 450 guests gathered at the Bing Crosby Theater for the main event. The big screen illuminated the inspiring video stories of our inductees.

Each inductee took the stage following their video tribute, sharing heartfelt words of thanks, wisdom, and reflection:

Fr. Peter Byrne, S.J. `61 shared a poignant memory of his mother and the simple yet profound lesson he learned from her, saying: "Would you just accept her love? I think that's the hardest thing to do—just to accept each other's love and kindness."
John Rudolf `66, reflecting on his late brother Jim’s influence, encouraged everyone to “live life large”, saying: “Swing the bat in life. Get it off your shoulder, take the shot… magic happens when you get out there.” Dr. Terri Givens `83 spoke about the mentors who shaped her journey and how she hopes to do the same for others, sharing: “So many people saw more in me than I saw in myself.”

The 1986 State Championship Football Team honored the coaches and teammates who shaped their journey, "The G-Prep community provides the resources and creates the opportunities for kids from all different backgrounds to come together and build relationships that encourage them to do extraordinary things."

Vincent De Felice `86, reflecting on his work as an artist, reminded us that artistry is not limited to a single craft, but rather “God calls all of us to work as artists,” urging us all to approach our vocations with creativity and passion.

Emily Walk, the daughter of the late John Walk, spoke on behalf of her father, the beloved choir director, saying: “Even though I was an only child, I never felt like one, because my father loved each and every one of his students as if they were his own.”

The evening ended with a moving tribute, as over 25 former choir students honored John Walk by singing his arrangement of Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, a song that has lived on in the hearts of many.