St. Catherine's Memorabilia
Rick Podoba, a ’93 Park grad whose daughters attend SCHS, wanted to donate a unique raffle item to the 2019 Black & White Ball. He began collecting SCHS Sports Memorabilia on Craigslist and eBay. As the items grew in number, he had a Treasure Chest made with the SCHS Shield on the top. Dan Horton ’73 was the highest bidder on the Treasure Chest at the Black and White Ball and donated it to Siena Catholic Schools.
Brenda White, President of Siena Catholic Schools, felt it would be best displayed at the Alumni House for alumni and friends to view. Monday, May 13th, the SCHS Treasure Chest of Sports Memorabilia was turned over to the Alumni House for display.
Memorabilia items included:
• Rocke Calvelli ’61 letter sweater with a patch from the 1960 Knights of Columbus National Invitational Tournament
held at Georgetown University. The Angels placed 2nd that year in the National Tournament, losing in the
championship game 54-52 to Archbishop Carroll.
• Programs from the ’59, ’60, ’61 National Invitational Basketball Tournament in Washington DC
• Sports Cards: Jim Chones Rookie Card, Jim McIlvaine NBA Card, Jerry Martens signed NFL Card,
Vinnie Rottino MLB Card, Tom & Don Peterson signed Michigan Cards.
• Journal story on the 1929 Undefeated Football team.
• Photos of Jim Haluska ’50, Coach Eddie Race, Coach John McGuire, Coach Bob Letsch, Ralph Thomas ’48, who
played in the NFL for the Cardinals and Redskins.
L-R Dan Horton ’73, Rick Podoba ’93, Brenda White
When Dan Horton took the Treasure Chest home to view the items, he came across a Football program from 1946. In the program was his uncle, who played for the Angels. He then sent the program on to his cousin in the Carolinas as a remembrance of their father. It was an emotional story that Dan shared with fellow alumni that day.
Dick Petersen ’53 was surprised to find photos and a University of Michigan sport card of his brothers Tom ’44 and Don ’48. Tom and Don played in the same backfield on Michigan’s 1948 National Championship team. Don was later drafted by the Green Bay Packers.
Bill Mueller ’72 shared that Ralph Thomas ’48, who played in the NFL, was his uncle.
Pete Jackel ’77, Racine Journal sports editor, stopped by in hopes of possibly doing a story down the road on the SCHS Sports Memorabilia Treasure Chest.
When Dan Horton took the Treasure Chest home to view the items, he came across a Football program from 1946. In the program was his uncle, who played for the Angels. He then sent the program on to his cousin in the Carolinas as a remembrance of their father. It was an emotional story that Dan shared with fellow alumni that day.
Dick Petersen ’53 was surprised to find photos and a University of Michigan sport card of his brothers Tom ’44 and Don ’48. Tom and Don played in the same backfield on Michigan’s 1948 National Championship team. Don was later drafted by the Green Bay Packers.
Bill Mueller ’72 shared that Ralph Thomas ’48, who played in the NFL, was his uncle.
Pete Jackel ’77, Racine Journal sports editor, stopped by in hopes of possibly doing a story down the road on the SCHS Sports Memorabilia Treasure Chest.
L-R Jim Poulsen ’60, Dan Bentz ’58, Bob Letsch ’61
Three SCHS Legends accepted the Treasure Chest on behalf of the Alumni House for display.
JIM POULSEN ’60, who played on both SCHS
first State Basketball and first State Golf
Championship teams.
DAN BENTZ ’58, the center on SCHS first State Basketball Championship team '58,
All-American End on Undefeated ’55, ’56, '57
Football teams and SCHS first 9-letter winner.
BOB LETSCH '61, three-sport athlete, 9-letter
winner and the #2 Winningest Basketball
Coach in Wisconsin with over 661 wins.
Three SCHS Legends accepted the Treasure Chest on behalf of the Alumni House for display.
JIM POULSEN ’60, who played on both SCHS
first State Basketball and first State Golf
Championship teams.
DAN BENTZ ’58, the center on SCHS first State Basketball Championship team '58,
All-American End on Undefeated ’55, ’56, '57
Football teams and SCHS first 9-letter winner.
BOB LETSCH '61, three-sport athlete, 9-letter
winner and the #2 Winningest Basketball
Coach in Wisconsin with over 661 wins.
Three SCHS Legends accepted the Treasure Chest on behalf of the Alumni House for display.
JIM POULSEN ’60, who played on both SCHS
first State Basketball and first State Golf
Championship teams.
DAN BENTZ ’58, the center on SCHS first State Basketball Championship team '58,
All-American End on Undefeated ’55, ’56, '57
Football teams and SCHS first 9-letter winner.
BOB LETSCH '61, three-sport athlete, 9-letter
winner and the #2 Winningest Basketball
Coach in Wisconsin with over 661 wins.
Three SCHS Legends accepted the Treasure Chest on behalf of the Alumni House for display.
JIM POULSEN ’60, who played on both SCHS
first State Basketball and first State Golf
Championship teams.
DAN BENTZ ’58, the center on SCHS first State Basketball Championship team '58,
All-American End on Undefeated ’55, ’56, '57
Football teams and SCHS first 9-letter winner.
BOB LETSCH '61, three-sport athlete, 9-letter
winner and the #2 Winningest Basketball
Coach in Wisconsin with over 661 wins.
SCHS 1939 Boxing Team
3rd Row L-R:
Marvin Wirtz, Joe Sladky, Bob Doonan, Clarence Ptaschinski, Bob Rooney
2nd Row L-R:
Coach Joe Kores, Paul Wiesner, Hall Wallace, Myron Miller, Bob Christman, Joe Hronda, Harold Sullivan, Jim Murphy
1st Row L-R:
Tom O’Malley, Ed Renguette, Steve Kramar, Don Miller, Frank Cetrano, Earl Toutant, Gene Cramer
Seated on Floor L-R:
Tom Dickert, Joe Thiessen, Lawrence Ludwig, Jim Hawes
Paul Weisner - Debbie (Ricchio) Weisner’s ’68 father-in-law. (Debbie provided boxing photo)
Tom Dickert - Dickert Brothers Plumbing
Marvin Wirtz - Earl Wirtz's ’58 older brother
Clarence Ptaschinski - Father of Mike Ptaschinski ’68, SCHS State Wrestling Champion
Gene Cramer - Father of Jim Cramer ‘59
Bob Rooney - Father of James Rooney ’53, Racine County Board Supervisor
Don & Myron Miller - NCAA Boxing Champions while at University of Wisconsin in 40’s