St. Mary Catholic Schools (SMCS) inducted four former SMCS Zephyrs student-athletes and one championship team into the SMCHS Athletic Hall of Fame earlier this month.

George Arvan ‘54, Matt Swiecichowski ‘80, Robert Frozena ‘07, Melissa Michalkiewicz ‘08, and the 1998 State Girls Basketball Championship Team officially received their honor and were welcomed into the hall of fame, as the class of 2020, at a ceremony surrounded by family and friends on September 4 at Holiday’s Pub and Grill in Neenah. Honorees were also announced and recognized in front of hundreds of Zephyrs fans at halftime of the Zephyrs home football game on Friday, September 3 at Zephyr Fields.

Arvan was a standout basketball player while at SMCS and a member of the 1953 Boys Basketball State Championship Team. In addition to playing basketball, Arvan also played baseball and football while at SMCS.

Swiecichowski was honored for his stellar football career while at SMCS. He was named All-Conference Linebacker and Conference Linebacker of the Year during his SMCS football career. He also played for the SMCS baseball and basketball teams.

Frozena lettered in three sports – basketball, football, and baseball – while at SMCS, excelling especially on the basketball court. He ended his SMCS career with a total of 1,226 points and was named to numerous all-conference teams, an honorable mention all-state selection as a senior, and a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star honoree. He went on to play basketball as a walk-on with the Marquette Golden Eagles.

Michalkiewicz excelled at soccer, basketball, and volleyball while at SMCS. In addition to earning multiple all-conference honors, she was a member of the 2007 Girls Soccer State Championship team and a member of the Girls Basketball State Runner-Up team while at SMCS. She went on to play soccer at University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

The 1998 Girls Basketball State Championship Team, led by Head Coach Jeff Chew, was inducted into the hall of fame this year. The team first beat Pacelli in the state tournament and then went onto beat Wisconsin Lutheran Prep in the state championship game. Emily McClone was named MVP. Betsy Chew was named defensive player of the year, and Sarah Letourneux was named offensive player of the year.

The school’s athletic hall of fame was established nearly four decades ago to celebrate and recognize the rich history of SMCS athletics and student-athletes. Since its founding, about 150 former Zephyrs student-athletes have been inducted into the school’s athletic half of fame. The nomination for induction into the SMCHS Athletic Hall of Fame requires that the individual or team brought recognition to the high school through athletic accomplishments, is currently respected in the community, and models Christian values. The nominee(s) must have graduated from SMCHS at least ten years ago. The SMCHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee then selects honorees based on the nominations.

The COVID pandemic affected plans of the class of 2020’s induction last year, so SMCS inducted those class honorees this year and will induct both the class of 2021 and 2022 honorees next year. Class of 2020 honorees, families and friends will be invited to next year’s celebration and ceremony as well.

Pictured: Matt Swiecichowski ‘80 and SMCHS Athletics/Activities Director Matt Schoultz at the SMCHS Hall of Fame Ceremony on September 3