A Letter of Thanks.
I can still remember the first time I heard it. The Sullivan Gymnasium was shaking. I was sitting with my Dad just staring at those two doors in the northwest corner of the gym. That big bass drum banging away as the crowd chanted, "We Want The Wildcats,” over and over. The anticipation was palpable.
Seeing guys like Roggenburk, Harmody, Kalish, O’Toole, Saxon, Harubin, Mangan, Nairus, Miller, Hanna, Spellacy, Ehretsman, Spicer, Neitzel, Rey, and Lewandowski run through the line formed by the junior varsity team while the pep band played its version of When the Saints Go Marching In, I was hooked. From 1983, twelve years before graduating from St. Ignatius High School, I dreamed of becoming a Wildcat, and since graduating in 1995, I have never stopped being one.
To now be a part of this one hundred and thirty-six year old institution in such a special way is one of the great honors of my life, something that never could have been possible without the love, guidance, sacrifice and support of so many.
My older brother Pat graduated as a member of the class of 1986. He was a runner in both cross country and track. I was certain that I wanted to follow in his footsteps and wear that navy blue track jersey with gold shorts. He instilled in me a love for sports and is the kind of big brother every person deserves. Without him, I definitely would not have earned this honor. My hero led the way to West 30th Street and Lorain.
My younger brother Peter graduated with the class of 1998. During his standout career on the hardcourt, I watched him excel for three years as a varsity starter with great pride. To this day, my favorite St. Ignatius memory will always be watching him lead that improbable run to the 1998 State Championship Game. His decision to come play at St. Francis of Pennsylvania with me gave us the chance to finally play on the same floor together. They are moments I will cherish forever.
Having two brothers-in-law that played Wildcat Football with toughness and distinction in Jack Ruddy ‘86 and Chris Spear ‘89 motivated me to play with the same heart they did. Guys like Brian Spear ‘90 and Mark Ruddy ‘90 who wore the blue and gold were guys I idolized from the 1989 National Championship Football Team.
Without Coaches Brian Becker, Chuck Kyle, John Cooney, Tim Vala, Mark Harmody, Kevin Cook, Al Arida, Mark Warmuth, Billy Hahn, Marty Eynon, and Hank Gaughn, this honor is not possible. You helped me develop as a player, but more importantly, a person. Your examples and the time you sacrificed for so many Ignatius student- athletes through the years have left indelible marks on this hallowed institution. Thank you doesn’t even begin to cover it.
I am forever indebted to all of my teammates and managers from 1991-1995 in both basketball and track and field. No way I am on this wall without you. Thank you for teaching me how to lead and what being a good teammate is all about. Thank you to members of the class of 1995 for being the best support any student-athlete could ask for. I treasure our four years together more than I can say.
There was no doubt I wanted to enter the education profession after being a student at St. Ignatius High School. To faculty and administration past and present, please know that all of you have impacted how I have taught for the last twenty-two years. I especially want to thank Mr. Joe Toner for igniting my passion for writing and Mr. Tom Healey for his Lessons from Loyola Hall both then and now. These extensions of his classroom inspire and reinforce what being a Man for Others is all about.
I am blessed to have four of the kindest and most supportive sisters anyone could ask for. They have always been there through the good and bad. The hours they spent coming to games was incredible. To Julie, Ellen, Katie and Mary, thank you.
Coming back to the Sullivan Gymnasium to watch my nephews Michael Spear ‘17, Tommy Spear ‘20, and Timmy Ruddy ‘22 play with toughness and dedication was very special. As was watching my nephews Danny Ruddy ‘18, Jimmy Spear ‘20, and Billy Spear ‘20 on the gridiron. The success of my oldest nephew Jack Ruddy ‘16 in track and field as a hurdler and member of the State Championship Team brought more joy to our family than I can say.
To Vinny Heiman class of 1952—I wish you were here to be a part of this. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. You loved me like a son while teaching me how to play the greatest game in the world. This honor is as much yours as it is mine. What I wouldn’t give for just one more 6 AM workout with you at Clague.
Finally, I am grateful to my parents, John and Jean. Simply the best two human beings I know on this Earth. Your sacrifice helped me reach my dreams, and your love was the driving force behind everything I have ever accomplished, including this great honor of being inducted into the St. Ignatius High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
St. Ignatius High School has and always will be a part of who I am. The lessons I learned during my four years go far beyond the classroom and athletic courts or fields. A Jesuit Education teaches many things. Most importantly, that Christ should be at the center of all we are and all we do.
AMDG.
-Tom Fox, St. Ignatius Class of 1995
Congratulations Tom. So well deserved.
We are all so proud of you!
Thanks Shane! Honored to have gone in with your Dad!