2016 Inductees

Sara Baron

Notre Dame Prep, Vanderbilt University

Ms. Sara Barron was a standout track athlete at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (2012) and Vanderbilt University (BA, music, management and marketing, 2016). At Vanderbilt, she qualified for the NCAA regional contest four times in the 1500m event and earned Academic All-American honors four times, all SEC honors, and all South Region honors. She holds four all-time Vanderbilt records.

Ms. Barron has served as a member of the Vanderbilt Student Athlete Advisory Council and volunteered at the YWCA domestic abuse shelter. The daughter of Bruce and Lisa Barron, she is a member of Lake Orion’s St. Joseph Catholic Parish and “Vandy Catholic”. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in marketing while continuing to compete nationally as a sponsored middle distance runner and write/perform music professionally.

Kylie Birney

Livonia Ladywood High School, University of Detroit Mercy

Ms. Kylie Birney is a graduate of Livonia Ladywood High School (2012) and the University of Detroit Mercy (MBA, 2017). At Ladywood, she served as team captain, helping lead her team to two straight MHSLA Regional Championships. While at U of D Mercy, Kylie was voted first team All-Atlantic Sun twice and was named the 2016 IWLCA Division I Scholar – Athlete of the Year.

Ms. Birney is the daughter of Mike and Lisa Birney; she is a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth.

Kyle Cooper

Detroit Catholic Central, Hillsdale College

Mr. Kyle Cooper was an outstanding basketball player at Detroit Catholic Central (2012) and Hillsdale College (BA, accounting, 2016). At CC, he served as the captain of the basketball team, leading the team to the 2012 CHSL championship. He also played football, serving as the team captain and leading the team to the 2009 state championship and 2011 Prep Bowl AB championship. He was the 2012 winner of the CC Whalen Award. At Hillsdale, he won the Hillsdale College President’s Scholar-Athlete Award, GLIAC Commissioner’s Cup, Academic All-American honors and numerous conference honors. He served as the basketball team captain for two years and was the fall 2015 Hillsdale Rhodes Scholar applicant.

Mr. Cooper is the son of Steve and Karen Cooper; he is a member of St. Edith Catholic Parish in Livonia. Following graduation, he plans to play professional basketball overseas.

Madeline Doyle

Mercy, George Washington University

Ms. Madeline Doyle is a graduate of Farmington Hills Mercy High School (2012) and George Washington University (MS, exercise and nutrition science, 2016), leading the volleyball squads at both schools While at Mercy, she was named “Miss Volleyball” of Michigan and the Gatorade Player of the Year. While at GW, she was repeatedly named A-10 defensive player of the week. Ms. Doyle notes that both of her older sisters attended Mercy High School and played volleyball for four years, inspiring her to do the same.

The daughter of Doug and Joyce, Ms. Doyle is an active member of St. Fabian Parish in Farmington Hills. She has volunteered with Honor Flight, area retirement homes and local middle schools. Following graduation, she plans to work as a physical therapy assistant before applying to physical therapy school.

Chelsea DeLamielleure

Regina, Central Michigan University

Ms. Chelsea DeLammielleure was a standout softball player at Warren Regina High School (2011) and Central Michigan University (BS, sports management and advertising, 2015). At CMU, she led the team to the 2013 MAC championship, earned the 2015 Nan Harvey Sportswoman of the Year Award and served as the team captain. At Regina, Chelsea was a three season athlete, playing volleyball and basketball in addition to softball. She earned all-state honors and was named team MVP and team captain. She was also named CHSL Bazy Female Athlete of the Year. She had the particular distinction of pitching the 1000th win for Coach Diane Laffey.

The daughter of Terry and Tracey, Ms. DeLamielleure has volunteered at the Commission on Aging, the Humane Society and the Isabella County Soup Kitchen. After graduation, she plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado to pursue a master’s degree in sports administration while working as an academic advisor to student- athletes.

Mary Bridgid Henry

Marian, Duquesne University

Ms. Mary Bridgid Henry was an outstanding volleyball player at Bloomfield Hills Marian HS (2012) and Duquesne University (BS, nursing, 2016). At Marian, she led the team to the 2008, 2009 and 2010 State Championship titles, earning all-state honors. At Duquesne, she led the team to the 2013 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship title, earning numerous conference honors.

Ms. Henry is the daughter of Mike and Patty Henry and the younger sister of Katie, Matt and Michael Henry- all CHSL athletes and graduates of Catholic universities. The family attends St. Hugo Catholic Parish in Bloomfield Hills. Ms. Henry has volunteered with the Best Buddies program and served as a member of “It’s On Us” and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in nursing in Chicago, IL.

Lindsey Lerg

Mercy, University of Michigan

Ms. Lindsey Lerg was an outstanding volleyball player at Farmington Hills Mercy HS (2012) and the University of Michigan (BA, sports management, 2016). While at Mercy, she led the team to four district championship titles, three regional championship titles, a state finals appearance and a state semi-finals appearance. While at Michigan, she led the team to the 2012 NCAA regional championship title. She was named to the 2014 and 2015 Academic All-Big 10 team and earned the 2014 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and 2014 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award.

Ms. Lerg is the daughter of David and Janice Lerg. She has volunteered at C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital and served as a mentor within the University of Michigan Athletic Department.

Jerry Ashe

Mercy

Mr. Jerry Ashe has been a dedicated assistant softball coach at Farmington Hills Mercy HS for 20 years, helping earn 6 CHSL championship titles. He has also coached baseball at Farmington Our Lady of Sorrows, earning two CYO City titles. He received the 1985 Ed Crowe Award and the 1993 and 1994 CYO Coach of the Year honors.

Mr. Ashe is a graduate of Oakland Community College (Associates in Data Processing, 1975) and is employed as the owner of JA Sportswear and Printing. Together with his wife, Fran, he is the proud father of Scott, John and Steve. The couple volunteers with Worldwide Marriage Encounter; they are currently presenters for retreat weekends in the Detroit area, but have also held numerous local, regional and national leadership positions. Mr. Ashe is a member of the American Friends of the Vatican Library and the NFHS Coaches Association. He is an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Parish in Farmington.

James Austin Ross III

St. Mary's Prep, University of Michigan

Mr. James Austin Ross III was a standout football player at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory (2012) and the University of Michigan (BA, African American studies and community action/social change, 2016). At OLSM, Mr. Ross led the football team to a state championship title and two state championship runner-up titles, earning 1st Team All-American honors, and a spot on the Detroit Free Press Dream Team. He was also named the team MVP for the 2011 season. At Michigan, all-Big Ten Freshman Team honors, was named all-Big Ten Freshman player of the week and participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

The son of James and Shantel Ross, he is a member of True Rock Church. Following graduation, he plans to play football in the NFL.

Connor Barwin

U of D Jesuit, University of Cincinnati & Philadelphia Eagles

Connor Barwin is the youngest of four sons of Thomas Barwin and Margaret Bailey. He was born deaf and endured numerous surgeries to remove a benign tumor until age 12, which gave him complete hearing in his right ear and limited hearing in his left ear. Barwin attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. As a senior he was an All-state selection and earned All-League and All-Catholic in both football and basketball. At the University of Cincinnati, Mr. Barwin earned First-team All-Big East honors and honorable mention All-America, as well as the Claude Rost Award, given to the team’s Most Valuable Player. A second round NFL draft pick, Connor led the NFC in sacks in 2014 and has been named to the All-Pro team twice.

A true “man for others”, Connor started the Make The World Better Foundation (MTWBF), a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Philadelphia's youth by providing safe and fun places for artistic and athletic development. Just ten days ago the MTWBF raised over $200,000 for Waterloo Playground project at their 3rd Annual Benefit Concert. Connor will be entering his eighth season in the National Football League this fall.

John Goddard Jr.

Shrine

Mr. John Goddard Jr., has an assistant football coach at Royal Oak Shrine HS for 20 years, helping earn three CHSL championship titles and qualifying for the state playoffs 17 times. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University (BBA, business communications, 1998) and employed as the owner of Goddard and Associates in Novi. He is also a graduate of Redford St. Agatha HS, where he earned all-league and all-Catholic honors as a football player.

Together with his wife, Shawn, he is the proud father of Ava and Ty and proud son of Catholic League Hall of Fame coach John Goddard. He is a member of St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Brighton.

Robert Stempien

Gabriel Richard

Mr. Robert Stempien, Jr. has coached bowling at Riverview Gabriel Richard HS for 5 years. He has coached the squad to two CHSL championship titles, a MHSAA regional championship title and a MHSAA state championship title, earning 2012 and 2015 coach of the year honors.

Together with his wife, Pamela, Mr. Stempien is the proud father of John, Ron, Amanda, Zachary and Austin. He is a member of Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish in Lincoln Park.

Ken Stefanski

Mr. Stefasnski has served as an official in the CHSL for 21 years, adjudicating numerous MHSAA quarter-final, semi-final and final football games, five CHSL Prep Bowl games and one MHSAA boys lacrosse quarter final game. He is a graduate of Macomb Community College (Assoc of Fire Sciences, 1998; fire academy graduate, 1990; fire and emergency management leadership studies, 2013). He has served as a firefighter for the City of Warren for 26 years and is a member of the Warren Firefighters Benevolent Fund and the Union Local 1383 Board of Representatives.

Together with his wife, Connie, he is the proud father of Paige and Brett. He is a member of St. Anne Catholic Parish in Warren.

Jim Joseph

Mr. Jim Joseph has been a basketball official in the Catholic League for 26 years, adjudicating eight CHSL finals, six MHSAA quarterfinals, two MHSAA semifinals and one state final game. Mr. Joseph is a graduate of Henry Ford College (ABA, 1983) and works as a district sales representative for the Dart Container Corporation.

Together with his wife of 32 years, Laurie, the proud parents of Nick (Bridget) and Rachael- both standout CYO and CHSL athletes at Allen Park St. Frances Cabrini. Mr. Joseph himself attended Cabrini Schools and participated in CYO and CHSL athletics. His sister, Gloria Joseph, is a 1989 CHSL Hall of Fame inductee. His father, Julian Joseph, co-founded the CHSL Prep Bowl.

Rev. Joseph Mallia

Cabrini

Rev. Joseph Mallia, pastor of Allen Park St. Frances Cabrini Parish, has served as a teacher, coach, admissions director, chaplain and/or administrator at numerous present and former CHSL member schools, including Wyandotte Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, Pontiac Oakland Catholic, Warren DelaSalle, Warren Regina, Redford St. Agatha and Allen Park Cabrini. He has also worked in youth ministry since 1982, served as chaplain to the Maltese-American community in the Archdiocese of Detroit since 1992 and served as a vicar for 14 years.

Father Mallia is a graduate of Sacred Heart Major Seminary (BA, philosophy), St. John’s Seminary (MTS) and Sacred Heart-Hales Corners (M.Div.). He was named a canon to the Archbishop of Malta for the Church of the Immaculate Conception in 2007. He is also the founder of the Allen Park Unity Walk.

*Deacon Wyatt L. Jones Jr.

Loyola

Deacon Wyatt Jones, Jr. was instrumental in founding Detroit Loyola High School, a unique joint venture of the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Detroit Province Jesuits. He later served as the dean of students, taught theology, counseled students and parents and led the school in morning prayer each day. He also served as a parish administrator of Annunciation and Precious Blood Catholic Parishes.

Deacon Jones entered eternal life on June 19, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Deborah, and their four children: Wyatt III, Thomas, James and Marion. He is also survived by a legacy of faith and service that continues to grow as Loyola High School serves young men in northwest Detroit “for the greater glory of God.

Charles Gumbel

University of Detroit Jesuit

Mr. Charles Gumbel has been of dedicated service at University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Bishop Foley Catholic High School and various parish elementary schools since 1967. He has earned the Thomas Coyne Distinguished Service Award from UDJHS (2015) and the Distinguished Service Award from Bishop Foley (1983). He was instrumental in re-establishing the hockey program at UDJHS in 1995, after a 56 year hiatus for the program.

Mr. Gumbel is a graduate of UDJHS and the former University of Detroit, now the University of Detroit-Mercy (AB, 1968; MATM, 1974). He is employed as a math teacher at UDJHS. With his wife of 46 years, Judith, he is the proud father of Matthew (Colleen), Christina, and David (Maureen); he is also the proud grandfather of Brendan, Jacob, Ava and Ryan. Mr. Gumbel is a member of Christ Our Light Parish in Troy.