AQUINAS GREATS HUMBLED ON SPECIAL KNIGHT
By Ben DiCola
Since its inception in 2004, all those enshrined into the athletic Hall of Fame at St. Thomas Aquinas have accepted the honor humbly and with unmeasured appreciation. However, this year's class seemed particularly moved by the recognition they so richly have earned.
Dennis Underwood from the Class of 2005 was literally in tears at the podium as he accepted his award. He made sure he mentioned that his parents and brothers share a portion of his award with him. It was clear that Aquinas changed Underwood for the better. He owns his own
healthcare business today and at least in his mind, that would not be the case had he not attended STA, received the guidance and instruction he received and connected with so many others in the Aquinas community. They helped formulate and shape his future. They helped set his feet upon a path that would lead to a successful future. "I met so many great people at Aquinas," Underwood said. "There are so many who I share this award with and I've waited a long time for this to happen. There are so many people I need to thank for making this day come true for me." A standout in football and track, Underwood rushed for over 1,800 yards and scored 32 touchdowns his junior season.
Emotions swung to lightheartedness when special contributor Mike Impagliozza took the stage. A 2005 classmate of Underwood, Impagliozza brought props to accept his award. First, he pulled out an old football jersey, then a baseball cap, then a bowling shirt and
finally a basketball jersey to wear to the crowd. "I'm not being inducted for athletics," he said. "I'm not even the best athlete in my own family!" Impagliozza's entrance to the school's HOF is due to his contributions following graduation. He and his cousin Rocco Leno, a Central Catholic grad, have successfully hosted an alumni golf outing each year since 2012. Proceeds from the 18-hole event held each June at Sable Creek Course in Hartville are evenly divided with the money raised going back to each parochial high school. Over a 13-year period, the joint effort has swelled to 29 golf teams, 320 participants and $65,000 raised.
Jacob Paul, '16 and Katie Hiestand,'18, would make any school's athletic pinnacle. Paul is the all-time scoring leader in boys' basketball at St. Thomas with 1288 points in just three seasons after transferring from rival Central Catholic following his freshman year. Hiestand's 1437 points is tops on
the list in girls' basketball at the school. In volleyball, she leads the school with most solo blocks, and most kills in a game, season and career.
Josiah Moore, '13 was All Ohio in football and track while track coach Randy Crawford coached 45 girls to the state tournament in 73 events. Two other inductees were unable to attend the ceremony. Kalee Soehnlen, '17 could not attend. She was an All-Ohioan 16 times in track and an eight time
record holder coached by Crawford. One other inductee, Ted Fabrizio, '71 is deceased. He won a football scholarship to Iowa State following graduation and finished at the University of Akron. Fabrizio died in 2015 at age 62.
Overall, the event kindles new friendships and promotes goodwill. Without a gathering such as this, one former Aquinas athlete would never make another one's acquaintance. It's unlikely that Underwood, who graduated in '05 would ever meet Paul for instance, who graduated 11 years later. The ceremony over its 20 years has served as a mini reunion. Even those in attendance get a chance to meet fellow grads who they otherwise would never have met without a gathering such as this one to bridge the gap between families and friends who attend to support their respective enshrinees.
The Aquinas motto is 'Truth, Scholarship and Excellence.' On this night each year, you could add 'Fellowship' as well.
Thank you to Lora Geisse Oyster for the photos!