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St. Mary's-Colgan Catholic High SchoolAthletics - History |
Father A. Dziemian helped organize the program in 1937-1940. During this time St. Mary's went out only for basketball and softball. The athletic program at St. Mary's was put in charge of Paul J. Stenger who served as physical educator from 1940-42 and started the long sports tradition of St. Mary's-Colgan High School.
Basketball was the new high school's first sport, beginning in 1940 under Coach Paul Stenger. The Mineral Belt League was organized December 1, 1943 and St. Mary's was one of the charter members. Early successes included the basketball co-championship of the Mineral Belt League (MBL) in 1945. Throughout this decade, SMC basketball teams continued to establish winning records, capturing many district and regional wins.
Mr. Cahil succeeded Mr. Stenger, but resigned in 1942 and was succeeded by Charlie Leamon that same year and remained until the 1943 September school year when he was succeeded by Gerald Smith. Then Adolph Spigarelli appeared on the scene until he enlisted in the U. S. Marines. When "Spig" left to serve his country, Father Herbert N. Hertel and Dun Grimaldi took over the coaching at St. Mary's. The two coaches centered on basketball and had some interesting winning games.
 (JB, photo: 1954) |
After his discharge from the Navy, Spig took over the physical education department along with teaching some subjects at the high school. In Ocotber 1945, Father R. T. Dennis and Jerome Marschallinger became coaches. From this coaching team, football at St. Mary's became a reality and St. Mary's beat Mineral 18-6 in October 1945. ????? Football began in 1945 under the leadership of Coach Arkie Hoffman. Two years later in 1947 Adolph Spigarelli became head football coach and the Panthers won the MBL championship for three straight years. Mr. Spigarelli remained at St. Mary's until the end of the school year 1954-55, when he took the coaching position at the Columbus Public High School. |
In the spring of 1956, the first baseball team took the field under Coach Lon Farrell.
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Coach Farrell |
As the school grew, facilities became an important focus of the 1950s. In 1951, the first basketball game in the "new" gymnasium (current "old" gymnasium). Football teams captured five MBL championships, including the fall of 1949, 1954, 1956, 1957, and 1958. "Spig" continued as both football and basketball coach until the arrival of Lon Farrell in 1955, formerly coach at St. Agnes High, Kansas City. Lon brought with him an enthusiasm that would last for many years. In 1957, the basketball team won the MBL championship and followed with another in 1958. |
Sports continued to play a big role in our school in the 1960s. Lon Farrell coached the 1959 football team to its fourth consecutive MBL championship, followed by the same in 1960, making it six consecutive MBL wins. Lon left in 1961 to assume other coaching duties, but he was followed by another great tradition in the person of Frank Crespino, who won his first MBL championship in 1961. The rest of the sixties saw some great winning seasons for Frank and his teams. Interest in baseball grew rapidly. The Panthers won their first state baseball championship in 1964, followed by another in 1967 and 1968.
Basketball, too, saw a great comeback during the 1960's. When Lon Farrell left in 1961, his basketball coaching duties were assumed by Frank Crespino for the next three years. In 1963 the basketball team placed second in the state tournament. The following year Pat Forbes took the helm as head basketball coach and remained as coach until 1975.
The 1970s was a decade that brought continued success and tradition to St. Mary's-Colgan High School. Organized girls' sports began in the 1970s. Track for girls began in 1973, followed by tennis in the fall of 1973 and both volleyball and basketball in 1974. In 1978 the girls' tennis team had a state champion, followed by a state runner up in 1979.
The decade was a memorable one for football, winning back to back state championships in 1974 and 1975. Coach Frank Crespino was named 1975 Kansas Coach of the Year with an unbelieveable 33 game winning streak. We earned the title of CNC league champs in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1979. At the close of the 1979-80 school year, after 19 years of coaching, Frank Crespino retired as football coach, posting a record of 153 wins, 37 losses, and 4 ties.
Basketball had some good years during the 1970s. In 1969-70 under Pat Forbes, the basketball team won all of its games except one. However, that was at a time when we did not belong to a league; therefore, there was no league championship to garner. The team, however, did go to the state tournament that year.
Baseball had some exceptional years during the 1970s. The teams won the state championship in 1971 and 1976. We were state runners up in 1973, 1977, 1978, and 1979. The 1971 and 1973 teams were coached by Frank Crespino, and the later teams were under the leadership of Jim Flax. Colgan began golf in 1978 under the direction of Pat Forbes.
Boys' golf continued in the 1980s under the direction of Father Eck, and it was later taken over by Ed Martin. Track and cross country had many regional wins during the 1980s, which qualified runners for state competition on numerous occasions. In 1986 the girls' 4 X 400 relay team placed second in the state. The girls' volleyball team, under Coach Ed Martin, was the 1981 CNC league co-champs and the CNC league champions in 1982.
The 1980s brought the end of the era of longtime coach, teacher, and vice-principal Frank Crespino in 1987 after 26 years of service to our school. In 1979-80 we became district champs in football, then Frank Crespino resigned his coaching duties at the close of the season. Frank later became Principal of the grade school and in 2000, was inducted into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame.
The 1980s brought the end of the era of longtime coach, teacher, and vice-principal Frank Crespino in 1987 after 26 years of service to our school. In 1979-80 we became district champs in football, then Frank Crespino resigned his coaching duties at the close of the season. In the fall of 1980 Chuck Smith assumed head coaching duties for football. In 1983 and 1984 the team was once again district champs. We won three straight CNC league championships in 1983, 1984, and 1985. In 1984 the football team went on to win the state champions. Still under the coaching of Chuck Smith, the team won district championships in 1988 and 1989.
In the 1990s, league championships were won in 1991, 1996 and 1999. We were substate runner-up in 1996 and won substate in 1996 and 1999. In 1996 and 1999, we finished second in state.
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In 2000, the Colgan football team won the state 2I-A championship on top of the CNC championship. The team had an AA-BB record and Coach Smith brought his overall record to 16_ and 4_. top left: award ceremony held Nov. 29, 20000. From left to write: Fr. Tom Stroot, Mr. Forbes, Coach Smith and Coach Cichon with senior co-captains, Nick Smith, Pat Schiefelbein, Eric Schiefelbein, and Joe Taylor.bottom left: same senior co-captains unveil the new banner - and there's room for more |
Boys' basketball became strong once again in the 1980s with the arrival and patience of Wayne Cichon as head coach. In 1985 the team went to the state tournament for the first time since 1971. In 1986 we were the CNC league champions. The team made a return trip to state in 1986 and in 1988.
Baseball, too, posted many wins during the decade, going to the state tournaments in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, and 1989. Chuck Smith coached the team from 1981 to 1984, and in 1985 Mike Watt took over as head baseball coach and has remained in that position.
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Football
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Basketball (Boys)
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Baseball
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Basketball (Girls)
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Softball
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Volleyball
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Golf
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Track
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Football
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Baseball
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Basketball (Boys)
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Basketball (Girls)
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Golf
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Volleyball
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Boy's Track and Field
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Girl's Track and Field
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CREDIT: Alumni History (1999) and other sources
