Catholic Central inducts eight new members into Athletic Hall of Fame

Randy Larsen (middle) was one of eight new inductees into the Catholic Central Athletic Hall of Fame. Celebrating with him are Fr. Michael Buentello, CSB, director of mission and spirituality; athletic director Aaron Babicz; Edward Turek, Catholic Central president; Jim Gibbons, Hall of Fame chairman; and Fr. Patrick Fulton, CSB, principal. (Photo provided by Jake Marmul)

NOVI — Detroit Catholic Central High School added eight inductees into its Athletic Hall of Fame during the 13th ceremonies Sept. 29 as part of its Boys Bowl weekend festivities.

The new hall of famers include:

Robert Galvin (1949) — He was the first pure boxer to be inducted. As a sophomore, Galvin claimed the CYO 135-pound class novice crown. The next year, he went undefeated, won a $1,000 boxing scholarship, and was named the best all-around boxer. In his senior year, he brought Catholic Central its first individual CYO Class A boxing championship.

Galvin continued his boxing career at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was Fleet Champion in 1953 and 1954. He spent 20 years on active duty, including time as the academy’s boxing coach.

Ronald Gutkowski (1968) — He was co-captain of the Shamrocks basketball team in 1967 and 1968. He led the 1967 team to the MHSAA quarterfinals, and the next year, to the Catholic League championship and to the state semifinals. Despite a knee injury his senior year, Gutkowski averaged 28 points per game and earned the CHSL Sam Madden Award as the league’s outstanding scholar-athlete.

At Michigan State University, Gutkowski played varsity all four years and was co-captain his senior year. He was awarded the MSU Sportsmanship/Inspirational Leader Award in both 1971 and 1972, one of only two other Spartans to receive the award twice. He went on to an outstanding career in teaching, coaching and public-school administration.

Randy Larsen (1979) — He was voted both football MVP and Most Outstanding Offensive Back in his senior season, when he set Catholic Central’s all-time rushing record with 1,275 yards. He earned All-League, All-Catholic, All-State and All-American honors and, additionally, All-State honors in Track and Field. He attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship.

Larsen resides in Taiwan, where he played Taiwan International Rugby and built a successful business career. He is the chairman of the Taiwan Disabled Athletic Association and is impacting the lives of the less fortunate through a host of humanitarian causes.  

Marty Scanlon — He was recognized for his dedication and commitment to Catholic Central High School and Shamrocks athletics, serving in a variety of roles including Dads Club President, Boys Bowl chairman, Prep Kick-Off Classic chairman, Super Bowl Party chairman, Corn Roast chairman and Fall Family Fest chairman.

A graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit, Scanlon’s greatest contribution to Catholic Central is his family legacy that includes sons Mike ’76, Dan ’77, Jim ’78, Jerry ’81 Marty ’82, Tom ’88; son-in-law Dave Scott ’79; grandson-in-law Matt Towe ’00; and grandsons John ’06, Joe ’08, William ’09, Mike Scott ’15, Tom Scott ’18, and Dan Scott ’21.

1978 Wrestling Team — The 1978 squad earned legendary “Coach of the Year” Mike Rodriguez his and Catholic Central’s fifth Class A state championship. The team was led by senior state champ Nemir Nadhir, who finished the year a perfect 42-0, and Marty Moran, the first-ever Shamrocks freshman to win a state championship.

1979 Baseball Team — Led by coach Frank Corej, leading hitter Chris Sabo and ace pitcher Craig Herberholz, the 1979 CC baseball team (25-4-2) won the Class A state championship. Sabo and Herberholz earned All-Catholic and All-State honors.

1983 Wrestling Team — The 1983 Shamrock team brought coach Rodriguez his and Catholic Central’s sixth Class A state title, led by captains and individual state champions Jeff Alcala and Matt Raedle. 

1994 Hockey Team — Led by coach Gordon St. John and captains Jon Heady, Jeff Lachapelle and Mike Brusseau, the Shamrocks finished the season with a record of 24-1-2 and Catholic Central’s fifth hockey state championship and first since 1974.

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