Crusader Corner

Greetings Crusaders!

Watching the "sandlot" that was a big part of his childhood deteriorate over the last few decades did not sit well with this Crusader. From the 1940s to the 1980s, Hubbard Park was a magnet for activity. Ice skating in the winter months, a traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial and home to the circus, not to mention world-class fast pitch softball in the summer. After a few decades of minimal activity and upkeep, it’s been restored to its original glory. One major reason: The vision and leadership of Bishop Heelan Class of ’78 alum Pete Sandman.

Softball fans have been enjoying Hubbard Park since 1940.  In fact, nearly 4000 fans showed up in July of 1940 on opening night.  Once home to world-class fastpitch softball, a group of volunteers led by Pete, joined forces in 2021 to bring the park back to its former glory.  Over the last two years Hubbard Park has seen more than $350,000 in improvements and softball has returned to Hubbard Park and Hard Rock Field.  

“I literally grew up here. I lived nearby at 2814 Jennings Street and played softball down here. Softball players were my heroes. I used to be a batboy in the dugout,” Pete said. Pete became one of the world’s most feared fastpitch softball pitchers with Penn Corp and the Gateway Soos. An Iowa Softball Hall of Fame inductee, known as a "flame thrower", Pete will also be inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame this October in Oklahoma City. While his playing days are over, his love for the game and this park are not. “A few years back I was there and it was like Hubbard Park was just going to become history. I just thought it was time to get something done and an opportunity for me to give back to the game I love,” said Sandman.

So, Sandman, longtime park caretaker Steve Hauge and legendary umpire Delbert Christensen hatched a plan to bring the unique ballpark back to life. The goal was eventually putting the park on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2022, they approved the park’s recognition. That registry is maintained by the U.S. Interior Department and Park Service. 

It was a labor of love for these three who not only raised funds for the project but invested their own blood and sweat. The work started almost immediately, and support came nationwide. A rededication was held last summer with an alumni reunion game. Former Hubbard Park fast pitch softball icons traveled from near and far to participate and celebrate the rebirth of the park they all called home. Finishing touches continue to this day for “old glory.”

Christensen, who passed away in the spring of 2023 before seeing the renovation completed, reflected, “In Iowa, this is comparable to Wrigley Field. This is the Wrigley Field of softball and darn near as old.” There were many former players from high above smiling down at what had transpired. "Delbert not seeing this project completed was one of the saddest things in the world" said Pete."

As the Hubbard Park facelift continues, so do the opportunities to put the park back on the softball radar. Plans are for more summer youth and high school games being played there as well as creating more opportunities to promote this sport that has been a part of Sioux City for so long. Pete, a longtime coach of the youth softball team P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude), continues to give back to the game that was introduced to him by guys like Steve Maguire and Dan "Boone" Simon.

Thank you to Team Sandman for your passion and commitment to bringing life back to a place that created lifelong memories for so many of us, AND for your P.M.A.!

Good morning Crusaders,

I participate in a “men’s group” that meets the first Tuesday of every month where we talk about growing our faith and other “stuff.”  Topics can go anywhere and everywhere, but I always leave refreshed and usually learn something. Our goal, to use each other’s experiences to help ourselves in this journey called life and grow in our faith.  This past Tuesday, discussion took us to the Catholic church and locally, where we are heading.  What does our future look like?

There are challenges for sure, but I want to share some updates of hope in the future and PRIDE that all Crusaders should feel good about. Four of our recent alumni are following a calling to religious life and one whose story made such an impact on him and his wife that he finds himself “speechless” when he speaks of his encounter with her.  By the way, this man is never “speechless!”

Recently, Dave and Sue Ferris embarked on a winter getaway to Sarasota, FL. While planning their trip, they planned an excursion to Hanceville, AL to visit the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament. In addition to visiting this holy place, they also were hopeful to see current candidate Mary Kate Fitzsimmons ’21 at the nearby Our Lady of the Angels Monastery.

Mary Kate, now known as Sister Mary Kate, a first-year postulant on her road to an eight-year novitiate and a new life dedicated to the contemplation of our Lord, particularly in the Blessed Sacrament. The nuns at Our Lady of the Angels are Franciscan sisters, members of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. They seek to adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament at virtually every moment of the day.  Sister Mary Kate’s official name is Sister Mary Incarnata of the King of Glory.

Dave and Sue were able to meet with Sister Mary Kate for about 45 minutes.  They talked about Sioux City, her journey, and the pure “joy” in her heart. She was “beaming” and that smile that we all knew of her in Sioux City was cheek-to-cheek. She offered to pray for them and any intentions they may have. When they left, they were able to get a hug from Sister Mary Kate through the divider bars.  As Dave says, “when we walked out, we both just sobbed tears of faith."  As Sue said, “I believe we just met with a future Saint.”

Sister Mary Kate was Co-Valedictorian of her 2021 graduating class at Bishop Heelan.  She was a standout soccer player as well as a member of two state tournament girls’ basketball teams in 2018 and 2019(State Champs in ’19!).  The daughter of John and Lindy Fitzsimmons, Sister Mary Kate grew up just outside of Sioux City in Jefferson, South Dakota, and attended Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools. Her brother Jimmy ’13 is a seminarian for the Sioux City Diocese.  She also has three older siblings who are married (Jack '10, Pete '11, Annalise '15) and one younger brother Joey '24.

In addition to Sister Mary Kate, three young alumni are also currently in seminary.  Alex Solsma ’07, son of Jim and Kelli Solsma ‘82 is currently in Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Alex, a graduate of the University of Iowa and thee eternal sports enthusiast was involved in broadcasting for years before entering the seminary.  Lee Noel, 10, son of Beth and the late Dr. Stephen Noel is currently a seminarian at Mundelein Seminary of the Diocese of Cheyenne in Mundelein, IL. Lee is a Creighton grad and was working on graduate studies in Colorado when he got involved in the local Catholic Church and felt the call to the seminary. Lee also spent some time as a assistant baseball coach for your Heelan Crusaders.  As mentioned above, Sister Mary Kate’s older brother Jimmy is a seminarian with the Diocese of Sioux City. Jimmy graduated from Creighton University with a degree in accounting and did ROTC.  He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and served as an officer for 4 years at Fort Bragg with the 82^nd airborne. Three young men who are some of the finest Heelan has seen.

What a testament and example of our young alumni listening to his call.  We are grateful they had their internal phones on!

https://www.olamshrine.com/

https://www.lumenmedia.org/sister-mary-kate.html

For nearly 20 years, I have had the privilege of working in the alumni office at Bishop Heelan High School.  I have had the opportunity to become friends with many of you through class reunions, get togethers in your cities or on visits to Heelan. So many of you bleed blue and gold and it shines through.  Today, I want to highlight someone who might outdo us all in that regard: 1961 graduate Tom Duggan.

I first met Tom at an alumni event in Omaha back in the early 2000’s.  Tom stands about 6’6”, so I, at 6’8”, was fond of him from the start as he was someone who saw “eye to eye” with me.  I also loved his infectious smile!(see attached photos :)) I would soon find out Tom had a passion for Bishop Heelan High School beyond others. He had such fond memories of his time as a student there and that passion has never left him.  He valued the faith instilled in him and his classmates through the religious and lay people who taught at Heelan.  I discovered that he and his classmates held Father Dale George in very high regard especially. 

Throughout the years, Tom has helped organize the Class of ’61 reunions. You can also count on seeing Tom at any Heelan gathering that might pop up.  In 2010, Heelan hosted a fundraising event in Omaha to gather support for the NEW Heelan High School. We asked Tom to speak about what Heelan meant to him.  A little out of his comfort zone maybe, but I don’t believe those in attendance had ever heard someone speak with such conviction that the impact Heelan not only had on him and his class, but also that it still does today. Tom’s heart is as big as he is.

Tom, like he has done for years, makes sure his class stays connected.  Tom is known for keeping the “Crusader Connection” alive with these classmates and friends through his “email updates.”  Whether someone is sick and needs a prayer or celebrating a milestone, Tom knows.  He keeps each and every classmate (and all Crusaders) close to his heart and in his daily prayers. He travels endlessly to funerals to give Crusaders a proper send off.  He is Heelan.

Tom grew up just 4 miles west of Jackson, NE in Willis, the second oldest of seven kids.  He went to a one-room school until 8^th grade.  Then it was on to Epiphany and Heelan High School where he learned the art of "hitchhiking."  Loras College would be where he would earn his degree.  He has called Omaha his home for most of his adult life with his wife Lizbeth, who he met and married a little later in life, in 1990.  When asked if he has children, Tom reflects “I tell them we have 23.  .................. nieces and nephews, all of whom are terrific!" Both are very involved with their parish St. Leo’s. I don’t believe Tom’s mark on this world will not be measured by personal wealth or career accomplishments. Tom’s life will be measured by the friendship that he has shared with everyone he has touched in his life. He is one of a kind in that department.

An email from Tom Duggan might end like this. “I hope all is well with each of you.... or getting better at least!  Thanks again for caring about each other.  Seems like everyone I talk to in our generation is grateful for the period in which we grew up.  Good Times for sure!”

Thank you, Tom, for caring about all of us and for your passion for Bishop Heelan. “For true Crusader Spirit, you’ll always stand!”

The beginning of Lent is the 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that prepares us to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.  Now, unlike Christmas, giving and receiving gifts isn’t usually a big part of this, but today I want to share a story of a friend of mine that ties into Lent.  The gift of forgiveness that was given to him a few years ago.

The old tv show “Dragnet” began each episode like this, “The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." Well, this story begins decades ago for these two Crusaders.  “John” and “Jane” were classmates since the day they began at Bishop Heelan High School. Their lockers were always near each other’s, and they also sat by together in a lot of classes because of where their names were in the alphabet.  John was more well known while at Heelan, while Jane was quiet and reserved.

For four years, John, unfortunately like a lot of immature high school students, would take opportunities to pick on and needle Jane.  She couldn’t do much to defend herself, as after all he was more a part of the “in” crowd. At the time, John neither couldn’t admit nor didn’t realize the negative impact that he was having on Jane. Unfortunately, he was in his own world.

Following graduation from Heelan, they each went their separate ways. John eventually began to wonder often how Jane was doing. His conscience would take him back to those days in high school often and for decades would tell himself “if I ever run into Jane, I will tell her just how sorry I am.”  Nearly forty years after their graduation, John decided it was time to “run into Jane.”  He had to find her.  In a world of social media, you would think this would be easier than it was. It wasn’t.  Jane, it turns out, lives a more private life.

Finally, John located Jane’s parents and gave them a call.  After, a brief introduction, Jane’s mother told John, “oh, I know who you are!” The response was not unexpected. John, explained that he was not nice to Jane in high school and would welcome an opportunity to ask for forgiveness. John, a parent himself, appreciated how Jane’s mom felt.  When our own children suffer, we suffer alongside them.

Jane’s mom agreed to take his phone number and leave the decision to her daughter if she wanted to talk.  That afternoon, John also wrote a letter to Jane.  One that he delivered to Jane’s mother for her to deliver to Jane on an upcoming visit.

About a month later, John received a text message from Jane asking if he had time to talk.  Obviously, John made the time.  That day, they reconnected over the phone.  Neither knew what to expect. The conversation included tears, laughter, honesty, humility and thankfully for John, forgiveness. For a few hours, these two classmates shared where they were in life and how they got there. Jane shared much of what she had been through, but let John off the hook a little bit.  “You weren’t the only one” to bully Jane.

Since that day a few years ago, John and Jane (and her husband) have become dear friends. They have reconnected in Sioux City and stay in touch often. John has shared with me how much he wished he hadn’t done what he did, and how he wished he would have tried to find Jane earlier.

This Lent, in addition to the three traditional pillars of Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, maybe add a fourth.  If there is someone that you have hurt, ask for forgiveness. You might find a few special gifts in return. The gift of forgiveness as well as the blessing of a new friend.

As we know, love comes and is shown in many ways. Today we want to share a story of the “love of a classmate.”

A few weeks ago, Dan Burrows, ’67 stopped by our office.  Dan is a longtime friend of mine and many others.  He had a special project for a special classmate, Kathy Walding.  Kathy was involved in an automobile accident that left her paralyzed for the past twenty years. When her accident occurred, many people stepped up to support her with a wheelchair that would improve her quality of life. Dan 's new project was to replace that original wheelchair.

Dan, a dear friend of Kathy, and I put together a letter sent to the class of '67 asking them to support this project for their friend and classmate.  Any amount over the cost would be put toward tuition assistance for Heelan students with special needs.  This idea brought tears to Kathy’s eyes.  Heelan's new high school is fully handicapped accessible and has had multiple students who use wheelchairs. The 2023 Valedictorian, Grace Nelson, who is wheelchair bound, thrived at Bishop Heelan and is now a freshman at the University of Iowa.

Within days of mailing the letter, support started coming in. In just over a week, the $4,500 needed has been raised and any additional money received will continue to make a difference. Kathy is eternally grateful. As Dan would say, “Kathy is the most courageous person I know.”  Well, the Class of '67 might be some of the most loving and generous ones that I know.

The many notes from classmates that accompanied gifts could do nothing but warm your heart. It is obvious that Kathy's circumstances do not define her, but rather, how she has handled them do and how she continue to inspire others.

Next week, many people will be celebrating Valentines Day with their significant others.  You might go out for dinner, exchange a card and share some of your favorite chocolate treats. If you get a chance, I encourage you to follow the lead of the Class of 1967 as well. Reach out to a former classmate that might need a little extra love on Valentines Day. As Crusaders, it’s what I witness everyday. " Once a Crusader, Always a Crusader!"

Happy Friday Crusaders, and Happy Valentines Day as well!

Good morning Crusaders,

The Dash, a poem by Linda Ellis begins like this:

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone

from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth

and spoke of the following date with tears,

but what he said mattered most

was the dash between those years!

That was Ann Rehan Goebel!  As her obituary read “Ann not only did a lot of things, but she was a lot of things. She knew when to be serious and when to be funny. She was fierce but also deeply kind. She was the antidote to a boring party. She had all the answers. She erased your worries. She was a big hugger.” 

Ann loved being a doctor and helping people – and she did it with her own brand of care and personality. She wove a deeply human element into her medical practice, creating unforgettable connections with her patients and colleagues.

When Ann passed away from cancer in 2023, her family and friends felt like her life’s work wasn’t done yet. As her daughter Mary Goebel shared with me “we decided that we weren’t going to let her die.”  That’s how the Ann Rehan Goebel Foundation was formed.

It’s annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarship is inspired by Ann’s passion for the field and sharing her gifts with others. By helping students realize these similar aspirations, Ann’s spirit will continue to shine forever!

Ann’s husband, John, called Ann his bullfighter after the Hemingway quote, “Nobody ever lives their life all the way up except bullfighters.” We hope the Ann Rehan Goebel Foundation scholarship provides a stepping stone to future generations of STEM students to pursue a life-changing career and live their lives “all the way up.”

Ann, a distinct graduate of the Bishop Heelan Class of ‘79, served as the school’s first female student council president and first female valedictorian. Ann's "dash" at Bishop Heelan was amazing as she was involved from fine arts to athletics and student council to mission club. She went on to Carroll College in Helena, Mont., where she graduated as valedictorian of her undergraduate class. It was also where she met the love of her life, Dr. John Goebel. 

Ann earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and pursued pediatrics. After starting her family and beginning her career in Bakersfield, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev., Ann returned to Sioux City and cared for families at Prairie Pediatrics. Her practice was personal. She eased stressed parents and made her young patients feel heard and respected. Ann cared for thousands of children, but her own kids – Katie '10, Mary '11, and Danny '14 – were the center of her universe.

The Ann Goebel Foundation had the inaugural Ann Rehan Goebel 5K on November 5^th in Dakota Dunes with over 150 participants! The Ann Rehan Goebel Foundation Annual Winter Gala will be at the Marriott Riverfront in South Sioux City, NE on February 24, 2024. What a phenomenal way to keep Ann's spirit alive and to support her scholarship that will help so many that emulate Ann. Click on the Link for more information!

Ann's classmates at Heelan would say "she made other people feel comfortable and welcome. She had a talent for that. She always knew the perfect thing to say no matter if it was to lighten the mood, or to mend a broken heart."

A life of Impact!  Yep, that was Ann.  Thank you for sharing your dash with us Ann!

https://www.argfoundation.org/events

Bishop Heelan High School recently graduated its 75^th class of seniors. Where does the time go? I have had the opportunity to get to know a lot of them over the years and I will say that they left their mark at Heelan. For many of them, that opportunity was helped through assistance or a scholarship to attend the Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.

Attending Bishop Heelan has always been about sacrifice.  In the early years, that “sacrifice” was in the form of the many religious Priests and Sisters who provided the education at little to no cost to families.  Throughout the years we have seen classrooms change and that education that was once easily affordable has become more of a financial challenge. Today, one option for assistance is through merit scholarships that are available for students to apply for.

These scholarships in many cases were created in honor of a family member who has passed on. Each one is a little different but is so significant.  When families contact Bishop Heelan about creating a scholarship, they typically want to award the scholarship to someone who emulates the deceased in some fashion.  We have scholarships for service, music, science, Heelan spirit, single parents, families with members with a disability and yes, even one for a senior boy who as they say “pushes the envelope a little bit and might know where 318, the Dean’s office is.”  Fred Lennon would be proud! There seems to be something for everyone.

The Michael Kuehl Scholarship was first awarded in 2011.  Michael graduated from Heelan in 1999 and passed away in 2009. Michael’s family and pack of friends like Kevin Schultz, Grant Wetz, Tom Fitzpatrick, Nate Foulk, Chris Haugen, Saul Gomez. and Joe Malsam wanted to honor his life and his passion for Heelan. To fund the endowed scholarship, Mikey’s Chili Fest has been held each fall in Kansas City at the home of his brother P.D. The past few years, Mikey’s Open golf outing has been played in Dakota Dunes.  This year’s event is scheduled for this coming Monday. These family events not only have raised significant money for students to attend Bishop Heelan, but celebrate friendship and family, something Michael was all about.

To date, the Michael Kuehl Scholarship has raised over $125,000 and over 80 scholarships have been awarded! Applicants must show a financial need, get a recommendation letter from a teacher, have a positive and friendly attitude who puts others first. Oh, and bleed blue and gold... like Michael!  An update on the first ever recipient, Zach Ziesler ’14, “I was honored to be the recipient of the Michael Kuehl Scholarship. I’m currently a first-year grad student at Seton Hall University studying Diplomacy and International Relations. I received my undergrad at Nebraska Wesleyan where I played football all four years.”

For Michael’s parents, Pat Kuehl ‘72, Joanie Rizk ’72 and brothers P.D. ‘92, Nick ‘94, Chris ’03 and Daniel ’06, this scholarship allows Michael’s spirit to carry on and make a positive impact. “We are humbled and honored that so many people have generously contributed to Michael's memorial scholarship and through that generosity it has helped so many young people through Heelan. Michael loved Heelan and his legacy lives on through his scholarship fund,” said Pat. Joanie echoed that in addition to “Words cannot fully capture the depth of emotion and meaning behind the scholarship in honor of our beloved son and friend. This scholarship represents a continuation of his legacy, a way to keep his spirit alive, and a tangible expression of the love and impact he had on our lives."

I know I speak for the students of Bishop Heelan when I say “Thank you!”  Many times these scholarships are the difference these students need to make attending Bishop Heelan a reality.  I know they are honored to represent the people who these scholarships memorialize.

Last week's story was about the impact of scholarships at Heelan. Well, how about an update on a recipient? In 2014, I received a call from Patty Lohry.  Patty wanted to establish a scholarship for a female senior at Heelan in honor of her late mother Norma Jean McGowan.  This would be a scholarship for someone who was going to do "great things."  Someone who lived like Norman Jean, who was described in her high school yearbook as a "small tornado coming fast."

As usual, we had a fantastic group to pick from. Our winner that year was Jessica Brown, ’15.  I ran into Jessica after the Heelan State Championship football game last fall and had to get her update!  Jessica, like Norma Jean, would take on the energy of a small tornado and her post Heelan years as a "Cyclone" at Iowa State University.

Jessica attended Iowa State after graduation from Heelan and is now officially Jessica Brown, PhD.  This degree was 4.5 years in the making for Jessica, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State in December of 2019.  She began graduate school at Iowa State in mechanical engineering in January 2020 and cherishes what it provided.  “I had a great number of exciting memories of graduate school, from designing and running chemical reactors, showcasing my research at the Pentagon, giving demonstrations about biofuels to U.S. Congressman, cofounding a Brew Lab to do research in beer production on Iowa State’s campus, and helping secure a million dollar grant in carbon sequestration from Elon Musk. Between it all I got to do what I loved: playing rec soccer, running the Chicago marathon, riding RAGBRAI with my ISU buddies and my parents, competing in national beer brewing competitions”

“My parents made education a top priority in our house and worked closely with the teachers and administration at BHCS to ensure that I was constantly challenged. Many teachers from Kindergarten to 12 grade took valuable time out of their schedule, including those precious planning periods, to do so. From the daughter of a 5^th grade teacher, I realize just how much work this required.”

“My education at BHCS laid the foundation for me to pursue meaningful science with enthusiasm. I often find myself quoting Mr. Ken Strouse, my high school chemistry teacher, “Grab Mr. Erlenmeyer by the neck and swirl!” I also fondly remember early mornings where a group of us from the Class of 2015 would gather in the 4^th floor conference room in the old Heelan building to study advanced chemistry. I believe our meeting time was at 6:30 am, before early bird classes began. We had to enter the building through the CYO because the only other people there at that time were janitors and those who were weightlifting. Between these mornings and athletic practices after school, long hours were spent in the halls of Heelan, where I learned so many important lessons that I carry with me to this day.”           

Jessica’s next adventure takes her to Boulder, Colorado, where she will be working as a senior research engineer for Alder Renewable Fuels, a start-up company that converts agricultural waste to sustainable aviation fuels. “One of my best friends from Heelan currently works out there – Dan Breiner ‘15, a research scientist in pharmaceuticals – and we are so excited to catch up!” 

“If I could share anything with ALL the teachers and administrators at Heelan: Thank you! Your hard work and dedication to your students does not go unseen nor unremembered. Know that the lessons you taught me and my classmates are still talked about when we reunite. Also, a huge shoutout to all the Heelan coaches who instill discipline and humility in their student-athletes.”

The list of teachers to thank mentioned by Jessica would fill another page.  Congratulations Jessica!  I am sure Norma Jean McGowan is proud of you as are all of us at Heelan!