The Pacelli Hall of Fame welcomed 10 new members on Saturday, Sept. 22. The previous night, the inductees were introduced at halftime of the Pacelli Homecoming football game between the Cardinals and Weyauwega-Fremont at Goerke Field after some rode in the annual Homecoming Parade.
The inductees, Jim Shuda, Tom Tepp, Tom Cashin, Marilyn Omernick, Jackie Krutza, Steve Raczek, Kathy Lepak, Greg Wendorf, Red Smith and the late Warren Choudior, include seven student-athletes, one coach and two special contributors. The class was selected by the 10-member Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.
"As in the first two years, the Hall of Fame Induction has added a particular luster to the Homecoming Week festivities," said Pam Owens, director of development and alumni relations for the Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools.
Following is a quick sketch of the 2001 inductees:
JIM SHUDA, CLASS OF 1958: A standout in both basketball and baseball, Shuda earned All-Conference, All-Diocesan, Honorable Mention All-State and team MVP honors in basketball for the Cardinals. In baseball, he competed in the first two seasons of the sport at Pacelli, excelling as a pitcher and shortstop. While a student at St. Norbert College, he was signed to a professional contract by the Chicago White Sox. Shuda resides in Stevens Point and has owned and operated Shuda Funeral Chapel since 1967.
TOM TEPP, CLASS OF 1961: A standout in football, basketball and baseball for the Cardinals he earned All-Conference as a lineman as a junior in football, was a four-year letter winner in basketball, was named to All-CWCC Team as a junior and senior, was Second Team All-State as a senior while topping the conference in scoring and was a four-year starting catcher for the baseball team. Tepp resides in Lac du Flambeau with his family.
TOM CASHIN, CLASS OF 1971: A standout in football and track, Cashin was the All-CWCC running back in both 1969 and 1970 and finished his career with 1,463 yards. He was Honorable Mention All-State his senior year and also earned the Coaches Award. In track, he was a two-time CWCC long jump champion, winning the event in 1969 and 1971. Cashin resides in Plover and is co-owner of Journal Printing.
MARILYN OMERNICK, CLASS OF 1973: A standout in track before varsity sports for girls were offered, Omernick participated in various field events including long jump, shot put, discus and softball throw. In 1972 she broke the state discus record by almost 5 feet with a throw of 40-1.5. Omernick also placed first in '72 and '73 in the shot put. Omernick currently resides in Los Angeles.
JACKIE KRUTZA, CLASS OF 1983: A standout in volleyball, basketball and track, Krutza earned eight letters for Pacelli, including being a four-time letter winner in basketball. She was All-CWCC twice and the conference's Basketball Player of the Year as a senior. As a junior and senior, she helped anchor a squad that won CWCC and regional championships and finished as the WISAA state runner-up in 1983. She resides in Stevens Point and works at Canaland Christian Daycare.
STEVE RACZEK, CLASS OF 1985: A standout in football, wrestling and track for the Cardinals, Raczek earned 11 letters, including four in wrestling, where he was a three-time CWCC champion and two-time WISAA state champion. He was named the conference's Wrestler of the Year as a senior. In track, he was a three-time conference champion in the pole vault and won the state title his senior year. He came back to Pacelli as an assistant coach in three sports, working with the wrestling and track team for three seasons each. He continues to serve as an assistant football coach. He resides in Stevens Point.
KATHY ZELHOFER LEPAK, CLASS OF 1988: A standout in volleyball, basketball, cross country and track for the Cardinals, Lepak was a four-year letter winner for both teams. In cross country, she was a state individual runner-up as a freshman, helping lead the team to the State Championship. As a junior, she was a four-time state champion for the track team and won three more titles as a senior, also earning State MVP honors. She resides in Stevens Point.
GREG WENDORF, COACH: Wendorf served as athletic director and coached boys basketball, girls basketball and baseball for the Cardinals. He coached boys basketball for six seasons and served as co-head coach for girls basketball, helping lead that squad to the WISAA State Runner-up spot in 1974 with a 23-1 record. In baseball, he coached for 18 seasons, leading Pacelli to the 1974 state championship. In basketball, his teams won three regional and two CWCC championships. In baseball, his squads won six CWCC championships and made 10 state tournament appearances. In 1983, Wendorf coached in the first Wisconsin High School Baseball All-Star Game. He served as athletic director from 1979-1991. He resides in Ashwaubenon, where he works in administration for the Ashwaubenon School District.
WARREN CHOUDOIR, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR: Among his many contributions to the community, Choudoir served as president and treasurer for the Pacelli Athletic Committee while also helping with bingo, Panacea and numerous fundraisers. He also served on the La Crosse Diocese Pastoral Council, the Portage County Deanery Pastoral Council, director of Wisconsin Special Olympics and was coordinator of the Stevens Point Special Olympics Games, co-chair of the Community Parks Improvement Committee, Sentry Classic Tournament director, scorekeeper for University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Men's Basketball games, Board Member for the Stevens Point American Legion Baseball Club and general chair for the 1987 American Legion World Series, which was held at Bukolt Park. Choudoir died in 1991.
WILLARD "RED" SMITH, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR: Smith contributed a great amount of time to Cardinal Athletics over the years. Smith was president of the Pacelli Athletic Committee, a member of the Athletic Board, coordinator for the bingo fundraising program while also working as a runner and caller, participated in theatrical skits and other jobs at Panacea, volunteered for track and cross country meets as a timer and judge, assisted with Special Olympics Track for 15 years and provided transportation for participants and parents to various Pacelli sports events and state tournaments. The "Red Smith Family Award" is given annually to the Outstanding Pacelli Wrestler at the All-Sports Banquet. He resides in Stevens Point in the apartments adjoining the Pacelli Practice Fields.