StM News

Alumni sCHOLAR-ATHLETES SHINE AT HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

As all St. Martin's alumni know, Homecoming is a cherished tradition that draws together the entire StM community, from students and faculty, to alumni and parents, with events that encapsulate what it means to be a Saint.

During Homecoming Week, the campus came to life with excitement, joy, and school pride. As alumni, you can all probably remember the buzz and the special sense of community that is so unique to our Homecoming Spirit Week here at St. Martin's. All students, from the George Cottage to the senior class, participated in themed dress-up days. The Middle and Upper School hallways were decorated in this year's theme of favorite authors, from Dr. Seuss to L. Frank Baum. On Friday, the entire student body came together for games, cheers, and some whipped cream pies in the face at the annual Homecoming Pep Rally. 

One of the true highlights of the week was the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the morning of Homecoming Friday, welcoming Thea Casseri Papageorgopolous ‘84, the 1992-93 District Champion Football Team, and Nick DiMaggio ‘09 into this prestigious group. These inductees were honored in front of the seventh and eighth grade, and the entire Upper School student body. Local sports anchor, Fletcher Mackel, emceed the ceremony, as he has done for the past 12 years, and added personal memories of having competed against the 1992 football team during their prime, and growing up with Head of School Whitney Drennan '94. 

The first inductee to be presented was State Champion swimmer Thea Casseri Papageorgopoulos, of the Class of 1984. Longtime coach Warren Lind, who coached Thea along with Coach Dick Bauer, introduced Thea. He pointed out her leadership and prowess throughout her five years on the varsity swim team in the early 1980s, when St. Martin's was a dominant force on the state championship swimming circuit. When accepting her award, Thea thanked her parents  for the sacrifices they made to help her log such long hours in the swimming pool.

"Attending St. Martin's truly gave me the preparation of a strong academic background, while at the same time receiving exceptional coaching from a coach whose name was synonymous with Louisiana swimming at the time - the legendary coach, Dick Bauer," said Papageorgopoulos.

Thea also pointed out the impact swimming has had on her life beyond her time as a student athlete, and how it has led her to serve her community. 

"For me, swimming has actually transcended the realm of a mere sport," said Papageorgopoulos. "It has been a transformative force that has shaped my life. I passionately believe that swimming is not just a sport, but a life saving skill that possesses the potential to positively impact the life of others. Teaching swimming in a public school district in Maryland, has actually provided me the avenue to give back to the community by introducing underprivileged youth to the invaluable and life saving skill of swimming."

As she concluded her speech, Thea spoke directly to the students in attendance, having once been in their place, encouraging them to appreciate the "valuable skills and character development that dedicating oneself to athletics (can offer)."

Next to be inducted was the 1992-93 Football Team, who were District Champions and had strong leadership with 14 seniors and legendary St. Martin's football coaches, Chick McGeehan, Sam Dozier, Guy Farber '82, and Al Trevino. Coach Guy Farber introduced his team, and in his speech, he added so many personal memories of how this team "showed a lot of leadership, talent and intensity. We knew in eighth grade pretty much the same coaching staff throughout. We knew in eighth grade we had something special." Coach Farber also pointed out how these players were true leaders, saying that it "became clear at such a young age" that these student athletes would "become the fantastic professionals they are now."

Guy provided anecdotes and touching stories that added nostalgia and levity to the ceremony as he called up the coaches and players individually to receive their awards and be recognized on the stage. Players and coaches shared favorite phrases such as "hit or be hit," "the little things," and "the highs and lows."

Sam Dozier, who was named Coach of the Year during this season, also made some remarks after the team was introduced, saying how proud he always was of this group when they were student athletes and now as professionals.

"All their hard work on the field - the coaches getting on and pushing them hard - it led to them to be, not only successful on the field, but also in life," said Dozier. "I met [with] some of these guys last night, and all of them are successful because they learned the lessons on the football field."

Accepting the award on behalf of the team was co-captain Patrick Odom '93, whom Coach Farber introduced as "Man of Steel, number 52," which he said became the "cherished number," explaining that, "If you had number 52 following this kid, you were a ...leader, and you were a hell of a football player."

Patrick Odom started his touching remarks by remembering that "there was something special about this team," and went on to share specific memories about every one of his teammates, including those who were not present or are no longer with us. Odom wrapped up his speech by thanking the coaches, whom he described as "four incredible human beings." 

"I think the true great (coaches) do it primarily for the kids they are coaching, said Odom. "When you know your coaches love you and care for you like you are their son or little brother, it's amazing what you would do for them in return," he said. 

The final inductee of the morning was multi-sport athlete Nick DiMaggio, of the Class of 2009, who was introduced by coach Mike Odom '92. In his intro, Coach Odom pointed out that "what makes (Nick) Hall of Fame worthy to me is not his D1 baseball talent, but his toughness," citing that Nick was a starter for the Tulane Green Wave baseball team just five months after breaking both bones in his lower leg.

Coach Odom had the honor of coaching Nick during his St. Martin's basketball career, and years later, he has invited Nick to come back to speak to current students about "their opportunity to create their legacy."

In his remarks, Nick DiMaggio thanked his family for their dedication to him, and the school for the opportunities that St. Martin's afforded him, saying that becoming a Saint was "easily one of the best decisions that I've ever had in my life. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I am today, or who I am today, without having attended St. Martin's. The staff and the students, they create an atmosphere of success that instilled in me the work ethic that I needed to have the success in college and now in my career. So I want to thank the staff, the faculty, and the students."

As he concluded his speech, Nick encouraged current student athletes to "enjoy the present, and not to get too hung up on the future....Before you know it, it'll be you who are attending your 15 year reunion.....so embrace the day-to-day challenges, work towards setting a new standard of what StM Athletics can be, and enjoy your time."

Inductees were again recognized that evening just before kickoff of the Homecoming game at Tony Porter Field, where the Saints defeated the McMain Mustangs, 42-8.