Xavier Golf Classic a Great Success!
On Friday, September 6, the 42nd annual Xavier Alumni Golf Classic took place at Portland Golf Course. The weather could not have been better as 144 alumni and friends teed off for the shotgun start.
(Members of the Class of 1975 who played in the Classic)
The Classic was held in honor of Mike Cunningham, a long-time faculty member and coach of the Xavier wrestling team. Mike has coached his teams to 12 SCC championships, 6 class titles, and 4 state open championships. He has also coached over 30 wrestlers to individual state championships.
The tournament was also held in memory of former faculty member and assistant football coach Frank Rudini, and Xavier graduate John "Rusty" Larson from the Class of 1968. Frank was a history teacher and assistant football coach at Xavier for 25 years, and an integral part of the very successful teams of the '70s and '80s when Xavier had 6 undefeated teams and set a state record (at the time) with 34 consecutive wins. Frank passed away on March 31, 2024. Rusty passed away suddenly last September after playing in the 2023 Alumni Golf Classic on Friday and attending his 55th reunion on Saturday. Those who knew him remember his sense of humor and devotion to his immediate family and to the Mercy and Xavier communities. Because of the overwhelming response from those who secured tournament sponsorships for these men (in excess of $25,000 each), the Alumni & Development Office is proud to announce that Endowed Scholarship Funds have been created for both, ensuring their memories will live on in the Xavier High School community in perpetuity.
Low net winners of the Open Division (scramble format) were Geoff DeVille '80, his sons Geoff '12 and Ryan '14, and Jim Caturano '72, with a score of 57. Steve DiMugno '69 and classmates John Heffernan, Bruce Wollschlager, and Tom Tokarz won the Senior Division with a score of 66.
Sincere thanks to John '80 and Laurie Kelley for hosting the event and for all the help they and their staff provided in conducting this major fundraising/friend-raising event!
Of special note, Mike Shukis '75 recorded the first hole-in-one in tournament history! He aced the 157-yard, par-3, 14th hole while playing with classmates Larry Cacciola, Tommy Wrinn, and Tom Sweeney. Congratulations, Mike!
Most importantly, the event netted over $220,000, all of which will be used to provide tuition assistance to Xavier students and families who qualify and have need. At least 20 young men who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to attend Xavier will benefit from this funding. Sincere thanks to all the businesses, alumni, and friends who secured sponsorships for the 2024 Xavier Alumni Golf Classic!
The Search for Missing Alums Continues:
The Xavier Alumni & Development Office is conducting an all-out effort to find alumni from every class for whom we have no contact information. We would like to be able to reach them with this E-Newsletter and provide regular information regarding reunions and special alumni events. XHS has never been notified of their death, so we presume all are still living.
If you know the whereabouts of any of the alums from the Classes of 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 listed below, please contact Suzanne Berry, Rich Feitel or Greg Jaskot in the Alumni & Development Office (860-346-7735, Ext. 737).
We will publish a list of as many Classes as space provides in each issue of the E-News going forward.
1974
Terry Callinan, John Conway, Mike Debari, Joe Delehanty, Greg Donahue, Jim Flynn, Tom Guarino, Peter King, Leo Kokoszka, Sal LaBella, Ed Lombardi, Steve O'Connor, Charles O'Connor, Robert Roberts, Joe Smolen, Ed Staskelunas, and Bill Wojtowicz.
1975
Tom Chlasta, Bill Hill, Brian Kabatznick, Mark Kearney, Paul Kollias, Angus McDonald, Bob Pape, Raffe Pirruccio, Dave Rarey, Dave Salonia, and Paul Voelker.
1976
Sam Cornwall, Ken D'Aquila, Theron Kearney, Chris Kopet, and Dave Pagano.
1977
Jim Carey, Jim Coughlin, Jim Daniels, Tom Donahue, Burt Doolittle, Richard Fazzino, Charles Fuller, Joe Gilbert, Dale Gooder, Tom Gosselin, Dennis Hoffman, Steve Kelly, John Kostacopoulos, Gerald Maffeo, Peter McKay, Bill McNamara, Tom McVerry, Hugh Meadows, Dan Patton, Rich Sarcia, Scott Sherwood, Rich Splain, Mike Squicciarini, Dave Tringali, and Andrew Walker.
1978
Bob Christensen, Doug Deciccio, Jim Doolittle, Martin Dykas, Mike Eigel, Jim Fales, John Finnegan, Pat Fitzgerald, Mike Fredericks, Mark Hollister, Barry Howlett, John Kearns, Dan Kelsey, Bill Mastroianni, Paul Meoni, Dan Netto, Allen Sagan, Mike Smith, John Smoloski, John Taylor, John Thomas, David Wharton, and Brendan Wood.
1979
Mark Carbone, Jim Curley, Dean Donahue, Brian Gagnon, Dave Makuch, Dave McGannon, Joe Pieta, Pete Santostefano, and Dave Sepowski.
