CLINTON TOWNSHIP — “In our Hall of Fame, we have many nuns and priests and one cardinal. I am now honored to induct our first archbishop.”
That was the introduction CHSL director Vic Michaels used to announce the induction of Archbishop-emeritus Allen H. Vigneron in tribute to his distinguished service into the Catholic High School League Hall of Fame on June 9 at Fern Hills Country Club.
“What I think my being here is about,” the archbishop said, “is to underscore for coaches how important your service is in the lives of young people. It's about helping young people learn to live lives of integrity, striving for excellence, learning to deal with failure, and above all being in solidarity and acknowledging that they are part of a larger group, and they have to support one another.
“I want to always encourage all of you who are engaged in coaching to continue to help young athletes, such as we've seen here this evening, because it's not only about their being successful in this life, it's about helping them succeed in the life to come and being judged generously by the Lord at the end of time,” Archbishop Vigneron said.
Born in Mount Clemens, the eldest of six children, Archbishop Vigneron grew up in Immaculate Conception Parish in Anchorville. He graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary high school and college. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1975, and will celebrate his 50th priestly jubilee on July 26.
Following ordination, he was appointed academic dean of Sacred Heart Seminary and became a key member of the team working to realize Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka’s vision for transforming the institution into a “major seminary” offering graduate theological education.
In 1991, he returned to Rome to serve as an official of the Administrative Section of the Vatican Secretariat of State.
In 1996, then-Fr. Vigneron was named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit by Pope John Paul II, receiving his episcopal ordination from Cardinal Adam J. Maida, who had been honored by the Hall of Fame as a “Person of the Year” in 1991, and whom he succeeded as archbishop of Detroit in 2009.
During his episcopacy, Archbishop Vigneron led a missionary transformation of the Church in Detroit. The fruit of those efforts was his pastoral letter, Unleash the Gospel, which gave the roadmap for the missionary transformation of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
As required by Church law, Archbishop Vigneron submitted his resignation to the Holy Father when he turned 75 on Oct. 21, 2023. That resignation was accepted on February 11, 2025, and he was succeeded on March 18, 2025, by current Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger.
Ed Lauer Person of the Year 2025
Dr. Cheryl Delaney Kreger, Ed.D., president of Farmington Hills Mercy High School
In introducing Dr. Kreger, Michaels said she is a member of the Mercy Education System of the Americas, visits other Mercy-sponsored schools and researches best practices in high schools nationwide.
Her research resulted in the creation of a new strategic and operational plan to ensure Mercy High School’s long-term sustainability. She accomplishes goals by aspiring enthusiasm, encouraging employees to be life-long learners and creating opportunities for staff and students.
In recent years, Dr. Kreger brought Mercy to a stable financial position, hired talented key administrators, increased focus on fundraising, strengthened local governance and transitioned the school into a new external governance structure.
“Sports has been part of my life forever,” Dr. Kreger said in her response, “as has been the Catholic League … My fondness for sports began when every Sunday, I watched my dad coach football at Sacred Heart in Dearborn when it was a high school. We started with church, then breakfast with grandparents, followed by the game itself. My dad (Herb Delaney 1977) is also an inducted coach into the Catholic League Hall of Fame. After the football season, I looked forward to basketball …
“I can't imagine a school without athletics. And I am proud to tell you that 72% of Mercy students play at least one sport, and 26 play two or three sports," Dr. Kreger said. "That's quite an experience that is offered to these students through our 24-varsity sports … Sports offers opportunities for friendships, joy, success, overcoming disappointments, and the life lessons of hard work, putting others first, making the most of God's talent.”
Tom Kelly Athletic Director of the Year 2025
Emily Frikken, Athletic Director at Warren Regina High School
“We have all heard the adage that it is tough to be ‘the man that follows the man,'” Michaels said, “or in this case ‘the woman that follows the woman (legend Diane Laffey)’ as the AD at Regina in 2023.”
A 2009 graduate of Regina High School, where she played basketball and softball, Frikken graduated from Albion College in 2013 with a major in English. And in 2020, she graduated with her master’s degree in educational leadership-administration from Wayne State University.
Frikken served as athletic director at Livonia Ladywood High School for four years before it closed its doors in 2018. She returned to Regina, where she taught freshmen and junior English and headed the alumni relations office until she became the athletic director.
“Emily has been one of the most cooperative and supportive athletic directors of the Catholic League office and our schools,” Michaels said. “One of her many strengths is in being a great ambassador for all Catholic League member schools not just Regina. She has demonstrated that we are about much more than good sports in our schools. We are about good people.
“I have watched Emily, first-hand, in very difficult situations exhibit the highest character and integrity in her work and she always has all athletes and all schools in mind as she makes decisions.”
James O'Leary School of the Year 2025
Wixom St. Catherine of Siena Academy
This award is presented annually to the league school that best exemplifies spirit, sportsmanship and cooperation. Named after St. Catherine of Siena, an Italian mystic and pious laywoman, the school’s mission empowers each student to live an impactful life in the classroom, on the field, and in chapel with hearts for service and minds for changing the world.
“The young women of St. Catherine,” Michaels said, “learn holistically the ideals of the St. Catherine of Siena, so that they may become productive members of the Church and society. The quality of their education and the quality of the young people at the school are just two of the reasons that St. Catherine is being honored here tonight. There are many other reasons.
“Under the leadership of president Lia Johnston, Hall of Fame principal Judy Hehs, and athletic director Carlos Calderon, this school, with over 16 sport offerings, encourages young women to explore their interests in team settings that build character.
“In addition, St. Catherine is one of the most cooperative and helpful schools in the Catholic League. The athletic program has become one of the best in the league.”
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
