DETROIT — The Catholic High School League and Catholic Coaches Association are anticipating the 47th Hall of Fame induction ceremony June 13 will be one of the grandest in a while.
“We will be inducting a long list of very accomplished athletes, coaches and administrators,” said Vic Michaels, director of the Catholic League.
Over the decades, the event regularly attracts a sell-out audience at the Fern Hill Country Club in Clinton Township who have an opportunity to meet up close and personal athletes they admired from the sidelines and recognize those behind the scenes who contributed to their success.
Yet, as he perused a copy of the evening’s program, Michaels couldn’t disguise his disappointment.
“Aidan won’t be here,” he said. “It’s unfortunate.”
“Aidan” is Aidan Hutchinson, a 2018 graduate of Dearborn Divine Child, a hulking 6-foot-7, 265-pound defensive end who was All State in high school, All American at the University of Michigan, runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, and the first-round, second choice in the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
On May 13, he signed a $35.7 million, four-year contract that included a $23.15 million signing bonus with the Lions.
Michaels explained that a questionnaire and a request for a photo was sent to each of the dozen athletes who will be honored at the banquet.
“I was told Aidan wouldn’t be attending," Michaels said. "He is only doing events for the Detroit Lions.”
The preference, of course, is that inductees attend the banquet. If circumstances prevent this, Michaels said, a parent or other family member can substitute.
This will be the case for golfer James Piot (2017 Novi Detroit Catholic Central/Michigan State), the 2021 U.S. Amateur champ. “He’s in the middle of qualifying for the U.S. Open,” Michaels said. “He said he’d try to fly in and attend, but if not, his father will speak for him.”
Linebacker Josh Ross (2017 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s/Michigan) and safety Scott Nelson (2017 University of Detroit Jesuit/Wisconsin) will be represented by their respective fathers. Both are at NFL rookie camps.
Basketball standout Stanley Grayson (1967 All Saints High/Holy Cross College) will be flying in from New York. “He may be bringing his 100-year-old father with him,” Michaels said. Grayson is a retired corporate attorney, a deputy mayor of New York and an investment banker.
Others who will be inducted include:
Wrestler Myles Amine (2019 Catholic Central/Michigan), a 2020 Olympics bronze medalist; softballer Anna Dixon (2018 Farmington Hills Mercy/Toledo); lineman Ralph Holley (2017 OLSM/Western Michigan), soccer star Maria Kaschalk (2017 Bloomfield Hills Marian/Central Michigan); swimmer Katie Minnich (2018 Mercy/ Florida); long snapper Jeremiah Riordan (2017 U of D Jesuit/Buffalo); and quarterback Michael Sims (2017 U of D Jesuit/Morehouse College).
Four coaches will be inducted: basketball coach John Fenbert and wrestling coach Mitch Hancock, both of Catholic Central; dance coach Sarah Leonard of Divine Child; and Marian volleyball coach Loretta Vogel.
Mike Evoy, associate director of the CHSL, will be inducted in the administrator category, and official Mike Dempsey as a Legend of the League.
Bob Artymovich, owner of E. A. Graphics, will be honored as the “Person of the Year.”
His company, together with the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, recently presented a check for $310,000 to Oxford High School representing funds raised during February's “Oxford Strong” efforts in support of Oxford Community Schools in light of the tragic shooting at the high school Nov. 30.
Distinguished service awards will be given to Nate Hampton, longtime assistant director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Rich Rychcik of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, official Mike Schram, Athletic Director of the Year Carlos Calderon of Wixom St. Catherine of Siena, and Cranbrook Kingswood as School of the Year.
However, with less than three weeks before the Hall of Fame induction, Michaels, in football parlance, is hoping for a “Hail Mary” that Hutchinson will be part of the ceremonies.
Anyone interested in playing in the golf scramble that morning and/or participating in the banquet in the evening, log on to chsl.com to register or call the CHSL office at (313) 237-5960.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
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