Hall Of Fame

from Bishop McNamara Mustang Messenger/Annual Report Vol 29 No 1

In Loving Memory

AP

ATHLETIC PRIDE HALLOF FAME

The 25th Annual Bishop McNamara Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

On October 22, 2022, the Bishop McNamara Family came together for the 25th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held in the Andy Mona ‘82 Center. . . . . . Since 1997, Bishop McNamara has formally recognized the personal and professional accomplishments, community service and leadership of former Bishop McNamara and La Reine High School scholar-athletes. Members of Bishop McNamara‘s Hall of Fame exemplify the lessons they learned in athletics – teamwork, integrity, the dignity of labor, discipline and determination – in their work and community. . . . . . This year’s class of inductees was no exception.

Let’s meet and celebrate this year’s honorees!

Velveetta (Somerville) Battle LR ‘74 Girls’ Basketball

I am one of 14 children and the first of 4 girls in my family to attend La Reine High School. My parents worked hard and sacrificed for their children to obtain the best education they set before us. Believe it or not, La Reine was an opportunity I was hoping to pass by; however, my parents knew better. They stated that La Reine was an outstanding school and that was the school for me. ‘The school for me???’ I didn’t understand ‘WHY’ LaReine. Again, they knew what was best for me… education, doing our best, and giving our all to everything we do. La Reine was outstanding. "

Marcus Somerville ‘82 Football & Boys’ Basketball

My favorite memory was when I was a freshman - winning the basketball conference championship. The game ended in four overtime periods, and what it taught me was never to give up. That lesson carried me into my senior year when we won the WMAC Football Championship."

Danielle Bozeman ‘04 Girls Basketball & Cross Country

I think all sports teams strive to have a family-like atmosphere, but McNamara really made that a reality for us, from the President and Principal to the janitorial staff and security. When we won, they celebrated us. When we lost, they did their best to uplift us and encourage us to bounce back. We took such pride in representing our school and it was because everyone around us made us want to do it for more than just ourselves."

I can literally go on and on about all of the experiences and memories that I have from my time at Bishop McNamara but what it would all boil down to is that we are a family and that’s what made being a part of the team so meaningful. Coach Chapman, Mr. Johnson, and my parents Kenneth and Sandra moved heaven and earth when it came to us and because of that, we were able to accomplish so many great things as individual athletes and as a team. Without their support and guidance, we wouldn’t have made it as far as we did and for that, we will always be grateful to them."

Brandon Coleman ‘10 Football & Boys Basketball

Every home football game, my grandparents used to park near the scoreboard in the parking lot and watch the game on the hill. Every time I would score a touchdown my grandfather would blow the horn to sound off the celebration. Of course, the entire stadium knew that if I scored a touchdown then the horn would soon follow and it became a proud tradition that people still reference to this day. Little memories such as that made the whole experience priceless."

2006 WCAC Girls Track & Field Champions

Celebrating the 2022 Tony Johnson Unsung Hero Award: Susanne Mendiola

The Tony Johnson Unsung Hero Award is presented annually to a member of the Bishop McNamara High School community who most exemplifies all those characteristics demonstrated by Tony Johnson. Tony exemplified a servant heart, hard work, dedication, loyalty, mentorship, faith, academic excellence, stewardship, and a commitment to the growth and development of our student-athletes.

This year’s recipient is Susanne Mendiola! Ms. Mendiola, who most recently served as Executive Assistant to the Principal, helped to maintain our girls’ and boys’ tennis program through our dealings with COVID-19 as a school and as an Athletic program. Ms. Mendiola, who typically stays under the radar, was a constant at tennis practices and always brought a positive attitude coaching our young men and women. Additionally, she was (and is!) always ready to cheer on our Mustangs at their games. Congratulations and thank you so much, Susanne! We are so grateful for all of your wonderful service to Bishop McNamara.