For the first time ever, star athletes and teams will be honored for their accomplishments while at Villa Maria Academy with the start of an Athletic Hall of Fame. It will coincide with inductions for Cathedral Prep’s latest class on Thursday, September 21. The event begins at 6:00pm in Prep’s H. David Bowes Auditorium and is free and open to the public. There will be a reception following the inductions, and tickets for that can be purchased online at: bit.ly/AHOF23. One night later, this group will be honored again at halftime of the football game vs. Clarkson North.
The following will be inducted:
Cathedral Prep
Pat DeMarco '84- won Prep’s first state tennis championship in 1984 as a doubles participant. Star player in Erie who saw all three of his children win state crowns for Prep & Villa.
Charlie Heidelberg (coach)- for more than 30 years, a coach in football, track & field and strength and training. Countless students were impacted by his teachings.
Jim Keim '56- can lay claim as one of Erie’s finest golfers. Played at Prep and collegiately before turning professional.
Paul Mihalak '57 – a two-sport star in football and baseball, where he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. Would later officiate for 28 years in the NBA.
Keith Nies '96- an outstanding guard in basketball, he was part of three Prep teams who went to the state championship game, winning in 1993.
Ryan Nietupski '98- a difference-maker in both football and baseball, hit one of the more famous walk off homeruns in District 10 history in 1998 to claim the crown vs. McDowell.
Damion Terry '13- the record-setting quarterback who led the Ramblers to their first state football title in a dozen years in 2012. Later played at Michigan State.
2001 Soccer Team- this team won Prep their first-ever team state soccer championship, going 21-2-1.
Villa Maria Academy
Georgia DeMarco- an outstanding coach and teacher, she spent more than 30 years at Villa Maria Academy.
Sister Susan Doubet '65- one of the top basketball coaches in Erie County history, she paved the way for future school success in this sport.
Kathy Lynch '77- one of the star athletes of her time, she parlayed an outstanding high school career into the same kind of success at St. Bonaventure, where she made their hall of fame. Was later an outstanding Division I official.
Kayla McBride '10 – in the discussion for greatest professional athlete to ever come out of Erie. Prior to her fame in the WNBA and at Notre Dame, she led Villa to a pair of basketball state championships in 2009 and 2010.
2009 Basketball Team- this squad won Villa Maria their first-ever team state championship, finishing at 27-3.
**For $100 you can add a congratulatory message to an honoree that will be printed in the program. To submit your message, click here.**