DETROIT — The call has gone out!
The Catholic High School League — the only one of its kind in the United States — will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in the 2026-2027 academic year.
“In preparation for this historic milestone,” the CHSL has announced on its website, chsl.com, “nominations (are being accepted now through Jan. 31) for the '100 Greatest Male Athletes' and '100 Greatest Female Athletes' in league history … whose athletic accomplishments, leadership, and legacy left a lasting impact on their schools, their sports, and the Catholic High School League.”
Alumni, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, media members, and fans are encouraged to submit nominations. Athletes from all eras and all sports are eligible, and nominees do not need to have competed at the college or professional level to be considered.
Check the CHSL website for nomination guidelines.
Here are some possibilities:
Male Athletes
Cameron Amine (Novi Detroit Catholic Central 2019, Michigan and Oklahoma State) — Amine excelled as a wrestler at both Michigan and later at Oklahoma State. He was a four-time NCAA All-American. At CC, he was a three-time individual state champion.
Myles Amine (2015 Novi Detroit Catholic Central; 2022 Michigan) — A standout wrestler, he was a five-time NCAA All-American and two-time Big Ten champion. He was a bronze medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Dave DeBusschere (Detroit Austin, University of Detroit Mercy) — In his senior year of 1957-58 at Austin, he led the Friars to the state Class A high school basketball championship, scoring 32 points, to defeat Benton Harbor. DeBusschere’s career in the National Basketball Association covers 23 years including 12 years as a player for the Detroit Pistons and three years as a coach of the Pistons. He was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
Joe DeLamielleure (Center Line St. Clement, Michigan State) — An All‑American lineman at Michigan State, he played 13 seasons in the NFL: eight with Buffalo (1973-79) and five with Cleveland (1980-84). He was named to the first team of the Pro Football Hall of Fame All 1970s Team.
Kevin Glenn (Detroit St. Martin dePorres 1997 & Illinois State 2003) — He led the dePorres football teams to the 1995 and 1998 state titles and the basketball team to the 1996 state title. As quarterback at Illinois State, he set 25 school records and played 18 years in the Canadian Football League
Aidan Hutchinson (2018 Dearborn Divine Child; 2022 Michigan) — A unanimous All American his senior year at Michigan. He was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Hutchinson was selected with the second overall pick by the Lions in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft and named to the All-Rookie Team. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2025, and made his first All-Pro with a second-team selection in 2025.
David John “DJ” LeMahieu (Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice) — In the majors since 2011, LeMahieu's baseball acumen is impressive. With the Colorado Rockies, he led major leagues in batting in 2016 with .348. With the Yankees, in 2020, he won the AL batting title with a .364. He joined Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty (1899, 1902) as the only players to win batting titles in both leagues.
Mario McDonald (Novi Detroit Catholic Central 2020, Ohio State University) — As a swimmer at Ohio State, he was a five-time NCAA All-American. At Catholic Central, he was an eight-time All-American award recipient, All-State nine times, and a Catholic League champion on seven occasions.
Jeffrey Petry (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep, Michigan State University) — He is in his 16th season in the National Hockey League, currently with the Florida Panthers. On Nov. 17, 2025, Petry played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 413th player to reach the mark.
Frank Tanana (Novi Detroit Catholic Central) — Left-hander pitched 21 years (1973-93) in the majors for seven teams. Career: 240-236, ERA 3 66, 34 shutouts, 4,188 innings pitched, 2,773 strikeouts.
Elijah Venos (Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 2021, Denison University) — At Denison, he was a 14-time All-American at the NCAA Division III level. At Brother Rice, he was a nine-time all-state and three-time All-America swimmer.
Jonah Venos (Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 2019 & John Carroll University 2023) — At Brother Rice, he was a two-time state swim champion, two-time Oakland County champion and four-time All American. At John Carroll, he was a four-time conference champion, 10-time Division 3 All American, and 22-time all-conference honoree.
Female Athletes
Charli Atiemo (Farmington Hills Mercy 2021, Northern Illinois University) — Atiemo excelled as a volleyball player at Northern Illinois University, where she earned Mid-American Conference honors. At Mercy, she led the Marlins to the 2019 state championship and three consecutive Catholic League titles.
Daedra Charles‑Furrow (Detroit St. Martin de Porres, University of Tennessee) — She was an All-American at the University of Tennessee, a member of the USA’s women's team that claimed the bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Spain. Named one of ESPN's top 25 women's college players of all time.
Shannon Kennedy (Bloomfield Hills Marian 2021, Michigan State University) — At MSU, she played in the NCAA Division 1 championship tournament in 2023 and 2024. At Marian, Kennedy was a three-time individual state champion and won the “Miss Golf” Award in 2020.
Allison LaPoint (Royal Oak Shrine 2020, Central Michigan University) — As the goalkeeper on Central Michigan’s soccer team, she started all 60 games of her career. At Shrine, she led the soccer team to its first state championship in 2019.
Meg Mallon (Farmington Hills Mercy, Ohio State University) — Mallon attended Mercy High School in Farmington Hills. She won 18 LPGA Tour events, including two U.S. Women’s Opens and the 1991 LPGA Championship. Mallon was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017.
Amy Martin (Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Academy 2007, Holy Cross College 2011) — She led Sacred Heart to consecutive state championships in lacrosse 2005-06-07. At Holy Cross, she was 2011 team captain and goalie of the year.
Katie Minnich (2018 Farmington Hills Mercy; 2022 University of Florida) — At Michigan, she led the swim team to 2019 and 2020 Big Ten championships. At Florida, she was co-captain of the 2021 NCAA champions.
Jessica Mruzek (Farmington Hills Mercy 2020, University of Michigan, Penn State University) — At Mercy, she was named all-state all four years. At Michigan, she was named to the All-Big Ten teams her sophomore and junior years. At Penn State, she captained the 2024 national championships. On the international stage, Mruzik led the United States to the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship. In 2025, she joined the American professional women's indoor volleyball league.
Nikki Nemitz (Regina 2007, Michigan 2011) — She led Regina’s softball team to 2004-05-06 state championships. At Michigan, she was named to All-Big 10 first team four years in a row.
Isabelle Rae Scane (Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 2019, Northwestern University) — As a member of Northwestern's lacrosse team, she led the Wildcats to the 2023 NCAA championship and twice was named the best player in the country. She captained the varsity team at Cranbrook Kingswood, winning two state championships.
Jillian Smith (Farmington Hills Mercy 2021, University of Michigan) — At Michigan, she set a lacrosse career points record and single season record. At Mercy, she was the 2021 National Lacrosse Player of the Year.
Elena Welker (Dearborn Divine Child 2019 & Albion College 2023) — At Divine Child, she led the basketball team to the 2019 district title and the track team to four league championships. At Albion, in basketball, she was a three-time All-Conference honoree. In track, she earned Academic All American honors and qualified for the national tournament.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
