Welcome to the Holy Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame
January 1999
7:30 p.m.  Induction Program

Welcome
Brother Philip Smith, C.S.C., Ed.D. President
Charlene Szumilas, Principal
Ted Poprawski, Athletic Director
Introduction Of Athletic 
Hall Of Fame Committee
  Chet Lis, '58 Chairperson
  Ron Sowizrol, '57
  Denis Zamorowski, '63
  Master of Ceremonies
  Dan Kezon, '52

 Induction Presentation
Donald "Tuffy" Balicki, Basketball, 
   Class of 1957
Henry Brandt, Basketball and Coach, 
   Class of 1927
Joseph " Herman" Gliwa, Football, 
Class of 1955
Brother Alfred Grilli, C.S.C., Band Director, 
1942-1987
Frank "Andy" Wodziak, Football, 
   Class of 1949

 Don "Tuffy" Balicki
 Basketball, Class of 1957

Presenter: Ron Sowizrol

Don was a member of the Juniors (5'8" and under) basketball team and major letter winner for four years.  As co-captain of the team, his performance and leadership guided the Junior Basketball team from an underdog team to 1956/1957 winner of the Catholic League North Section Championship.  They tied for third place in the Catholic League and took third place in the Fenwick Holiday Tournament.  His jump shots, rebounding and uncanny passing made him one of the leading scorers in the 
Catholic League. 
Don works for the United States Government Federal Supply Services Division as a Wide Area Technician.  He resides in Chicago, has one son, one daughter and four grandchildren.
 
  Henry Brandt
Basketball and Coach, Class of 1927

Presenter: Daniel Brandt (Son)

Henry was a basketball and baseball player/captain/coach at Holy Trinity High School.  After graduation, he was the first basketball and baseball coach at the new Holy Trinity High 
School, and he completed the new gym.  When the school joined the Catholic League in 1945, Henry was head coach of the new football team while remaining head basketball and baseball coach.  He was a positive influence on decades of athletes by teaching sportsmanship and fair play. 
He led Holy Trinity High School to its first championship at the 1948/49 Fenwick Junior Basketball Tournament.  He was President of the Catholic League Coaches Association and co-coach of the Catholic League/Public League Baseball All Stars.  He also played professional basketball. 
He was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame in 1963. 

Henry is retired from his successful law and banking career, and just celebrated his 90th birthday.  He and his wife, Jean, live at the Addolorota Villa in Wheeling, Illinois.  They have four children, eleven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
 


Joe "Herman" Gliwa
Football, Class of 1955

Presenter: Dan Kezon



Joe was known as one of the best running backs in Holy Trinity High School history.  As a junior, he was Athlete of the Year and made Catholic League All Conference.  As a senior, he was named All Catholic, All City, All State, All American Catholic League and was the Catholic League's 
second leading scorer.  He was awarded a football scholarship to Purdue University and later coached and was Athletic Director at various Chicago suburban high schools as well as a football coach at Holy Trinity High School.  He was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame in 1987.

In addition to graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree, Joe also received a Masters Degree in Education and Administration.  He is retired from a successful coaching and teaching career and lives with his wife, Barbara, in Palatine, Illinois.  They have 
two daughters and four grandchildren.

 

 
Brother Alfred Grilli, C.S.C.
Band Director, 1942-1987

Presenter: Brother Philip Smith, C.S.C.

To receive the award for Brother Alfred Gilli, C.S.C.: 
Eugene Grilli (Brother)
Frank Grilli (Brother)

Brother Alfred Grilli spent forty years at Holy 
Trinity High School where he became friend and 
mentor to hundreds of musicians.  The 1945 
introduction of football prompted Brother Alfred 
to organize a marching band to perform at games 
and pep rallies, an ensemble that proved to be 
highly regarded through the years.  He wrote the
Holy Trinity High School fight song and helped 
foster a sense of school spirit with the bands. 

Brother Alfred died in 1995.  He left us with 
this quote: "On the podium, in the treasurer's 
office, before a class --- a few ways in which 
I have spent my 50 years in Holy Cross.  I am 
grateful for the opportunities, experiences, 
and blessings.  My prayers for all those who 
have been a helpful part of my life."
 
 

Frank "Andy" Wodziak
 Football, Class of 1949

Presenters: Justin Olson (Grandson)
Drew Nordstrom (Grandson)

To receive the award for Frank "Andy" Wodziak: 
    Frank Wodziak (Son)
 

Frank, an outstanding end, made All North, All 
Catholic, All City, All State and was named 
Herald American's Prep Star of the Week.  After 
graduation, he was a prominent end at the 
University of Illinois and captained the team in 
his senior year.  At Illinois, he made All Big 
Ten, All Midwest and All American.  He played in 
the 1952 Rose Bowl Game, the Blue/Gray All Star 
Game and the Senior Bowl Game in 1953.  He 
played professional football for the Detroit 
Lions and the Cleveland Browns.  He played in 
two College All Star Games, in 1953 as a College 
All Star, and again in 1954 as a Detroit Lion 
football player.  He was appointed head football 
coach at Holy Trinity High School in 1958 and 
was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League 
Hall of Fame in 1971. 

Frank died in 1985 at the early age of 55.  His 
wife, Doris, resides in Florida.  Frank and Doris 
had one son and three daughters. Their son, Frank, 
lives in Raleigh, North Carolina; their daughter,
Andrea, in River Forest, Illinois; their daughter, 
Dawn, in Oak Park, Illinois; and their daughter, 
Joy, in New Jersey. There are three grandsons and 
three granddaughters.

Thank You

This booklet was put together with the teamwork of two former Tiger football Co-captains.  Chester Lis (58) E-mailed the text to Greg Lopatka (58).  Greg pasted the text to this booklet, and printed it on his home computer.
 
 

Congratulations

Congratulations to all of the inductees.  You may not realize how many people that you influenced in your days at Holy Trinity.  I can offer one example of how Joe Gliwa influenced me.  When I was a “hot Shot” basketball player in 8th grade, The coach at Weber was offering me all sorts of things if I would go to their school.  My brother Herb (class of 55) took me to all of the Holy Trinity football games.  Watching Joe and his team, made me a Tiger for life.  All of the inductees have influenced many others. 

 Congratulations!

Greg Lopatka(58)

 

 
Lopatka Links
 

  2002 Induction Ceremony 
www.lopatka.net/HTHS-Fame/2002.html

  2001 Induction Ceremony 
www.lopatka.net/HTHS-Fame/2001.html


2000 Induction Ceremony
www.lopatka.net/HTHS-Fame/2000.html
Lopatka's Home Page
http://www.lopatka.net/
Lopatka's Presentations: http://www.lopatka.net/presentations.html
Holy Trinity 1999 Golf Outing

Class of 1958 40th Reunion

 

To E-mail Web master, just click here! g.lopatka@comcast.net

Hit Counter