Season 1 - Gonzaga Heroes and History

On Friday April 1st, 2022, another group of Gonzaga students returned to Eye Street after making their first Kairos Retreat. That group joined 165 others in a fraternity of faith, that has now spanned 38 years.

This week we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit with some Kairos Pioneers who share their memories of the beginnings of the retreat program that has become a cornerstone of faith formation at Jesuit and Catholic schools across the country.

Longtime member of the Gonzaga community, Mary Ellen Whitcomb was there at the beginning. She joins along with two of the earliest student leaders, John Goetcheus '85 and Pat O'Neil '85 to share their memories of the program. Special thanks to Dave Dugan '98 for technical assistance.

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As the Gonzaga Spring Musical, Into The Woods, gives its final performances this weekend, S1E25 of the Echo Ever Proudly podcast is the second part of our Spring salute to the Gonzaga Theater.

Last week, we heard GDA Hall of Fame memories from cast members from the 1972 production of Damn Yankees. This week, the spotlight shifts to three women whose talents have helped the Gonzaga Dramatic Association reach new heights over the last two decades: Meghan Goldsmith, JZ Zaeske, and Sarah Frances Hope Williams.

All three women have added their unique talents, perspective, and leadership, to raise the bar for the drama students on Eye Street. Longtime Gonzaga faculty member, as well as GDA Club moderator, Paul Buckley '86 joins the conversation and shares his appreciation for how these three women (among other recent additions to the program) have improved the student theater experience on Eye Street.

What was each woman's path to Gonzaga? What moments and performances stand out from their favorite shows? And why are active parents so important to the GDA?

Hear their inspiring answers, insights, and more in Episode 25 of the Echo Ever Proudly podcast. Follow, Subscribe and Share with anyone who you know loves Gonzaga!

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The Gonzaga Dramatic Association Spring Musical, Into The Woods opens with shows this weekend and next. Before Saturday's performance (Mar12) the GDA Hall of Fame ceremony will take place with the induction of Howard Dent '65, and the casts and crews from the 1979 production of Guys and Dolls, and the 2002 production of 42nd Street.

In S1E24, we celebrate the Gonzaga theater and hear the memories of previous Hall of Famers: Katie Fleury Ryan (Visitation '72), Cathy Cronin (Academy of Notre Dame '72) and Gonzaga’s own Dan Warren '72.

Cathy also was one of the first women from the Academy of Notre Dame to take classes at Gonzaga (Fr. Woodward and Fr. Wheeler). Great stories, endearing moments, and a palpable friendships forged on Eye Street over 50 years ago.

Anyone who has ever been on the Warman Stage, or part of the crew, will love these stories. And if your daughters are considering auditioning for future roles at Gonzaga, I think they'll find great messages inside S1E24.

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As we celebrate the Heroes and History of Eye Street, episode 23 celebrates the legendary Coach Joe Kozik (1914-1995). When Kozik arrived at Gonzaga, in the early 1940s, he brought with him a passion for sports and physical education, and a strong moral conviction.

As we’ve chronicled in earlier episodes, while on Eye Street, the tough former Penn State running back, took key stands against discrimination. To get a better sense of what shaped Joe’s worldview, our special guest this week is Joe’s son, Randy Kozik.

What it was like as a youngster growing up riding the Gonzaga team bus that his dad was always driving everywhere? Who did his dad consider to be his favorite student? Who was the best athlete his dad ever coached? What's one coaching moment Randy witnessed that he still laughs about? Randy Kozik shares these answers and also adds a very poignant personal story about his mom; a revelation very few members of the Gonzaga community knew. It sheds light on just how special Joe Kozik was as a dad.

Judge Bill Rowan '57 was part of the alumni group that organized the Joe Kozik Testimonial Dinner in November 1980 at the Shoreham Hotel. Bill shares his memories of Joe in the classroom, the pep rallies, and how Joe would go the extra mile to help the Men of Eye Street.

God Bless Joe Kozik, and God Bless Gonzaga!

AMDG

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Among the many Jesuits who have left their mark on Gonzaga, a name that comes up a lot from students during the mid 1950s and 60s was Fr. Anthony McHale, SJ, (1920-2006).

From 1955-1967, Fr. McHale was the revered headmaster of Gonzaga. When he passed in the Fall of 2006, it was clear from the notes of appreciation sent to the alumni office how special he was, and we share a portion of the remembrance from Glen Slocum '59 in S1E22.

Next up previous podcast guests (S1E19) Michael Dolan '68 and Paul Warren '68 share their recollections of Father McHale. But the main part of our visit this week, is with Bill Bennett '61. The former Secretary of Education has vivid memories of Father McHale. How did Bill sum up Fr. McHale, the man?  And how did Bill's interactions with Fr. McHale shape him into the public servant he became?

Bennett also shares fond memories of his time on Eye Street: the challenging course load, the legendary homework, (one memorable role in a play), sports and more.

After laboring at Gonzaga, everything academically for Bennett seemed easy, even Williams College, and Harvard Law School. Eye Street has changed a lot since the days of Headmaster Fr. Anthony McHale, SJ, and over sixty years ago, when a young Bill Bennett walked the halls, but McHale's impact still ripples today.

During our visit, I quote the June 1985 Washington Post series Elsa Walsh did on Gonzaga. If you would like to read more (including her quotes from Bennett about Fr. McHale) use this link.

Another student who was a contemporary of Bill Bennett was the late Pat Conroy. The prolific writer shared his encounters with Fr. Anthony McHale with such beautiful prose in his book "My Losing Season."

An excerpt from the book appeared in the Washington Post in December of 2002, that I was moved to read, find whole excerpt at this link.

As Gonzaga celebrates 200 years, God Bless the work done by Jesuits like Fr. Anthony McHale, and God Bless Gonzaga!

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AMDG

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Over 200 years, Gonzaga has seen new course offerings, and clubs created to meet the needs and interests of students. As Black History Month continues, we celebrate this week, a little-known hero of Gonzaga, the African-American student who co-founded WZAG: Chuck Lewis ’77.

How did Chuck’s father’s advice after a setback, inspire him? And what local TV station helped Chuck in those early days? We’ll also hear from Chuck's co-founder, Danny Costello '72, with his memories as a longtime WZAG moderator of the fun, and the challenges of those early days.

Special guest, former Gonzaga faculty member, Fr. Mark Scalese,S.J., talks about his role in the evolution of WZAG in the early 90's, as it made the jump from club to class. Alums Dave Konschik '94 and John Guccion '92 add their appreciation for the Mark Scalese era.

Finally, we catch up with recent graduate, Derrell Bouknight '15, who now works with CBS Sports Network. Derrell shares his WZAG memories, and experiences, and how the education at Gonzaga helped steer him into media as a career.

But, the ripple effects of this "club" that evolved into a course, all started 46 years ago, with a curious Chuck Lewis '77. Chuck took his dad's advice and found an outlet for his talents and creativity.

Special thanks to Dave Konschik '94 for his behind the scenes help on this Episode!

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In June 2021, as part of back-to-back commencement exercises, Gonzaga’s 36th President, Fr. Stephen Planning took the opportunity at his final graduation ceremony to award a special Doctorate for the first time during his tenure.

As many of you know, Gonzaga College High School’s historic charter allows for the awarding of honorary degrees.

The recipient: Gabe Smith '54, the first African-American to graduate from Gonzaga. As Black History Month is being celebrated this February, this week in S1E20, we celebrate Dr. Gabe Smith.

Just how did the young student from St. Peter Claver’s Parish, in Southern Maryland end up, 80 miles away on Eye Street? And how was Gabe treated once he arrived? And after the rigors of four years at Gonzaga, did the future pharmacist feel prepared for Howard University?

Gabe’s shares the answers, and his appreciation for God and Gonzaga in Episode 20 of the Echo Ever Proudly podcast.

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This week in Episode 19 of the Echo Ever Proudly podcast, we examine how Gonzaga came to have the iconic address for the last 150+ years at "19 Eye Street." 

The 1871 decision to move from F Street was widely viewed as a disaster. Enrollment plummeted. What had motivated the Jesuits to take such a risk, and what changes were eventually made to try to bring enrollment back up?

And who was the Father Dooley of his day who got the Gonzaga Hall (now the Sheehy Theater) built in 1896? We’ll get answers from two accomplished guests from the Class of ’68: Paul Warren and Michael Dolan.

Together they compiled the 2005 Book “Echo Ever Proudly: Gonzaga in The Press 1821-1899.” It's available thru the Gonzaga bookstore or perhaps, like me, you own a copy.

What inspired Paul to go in search of the origins of Gonzaga? And what part of Gonzaga history did their "field research" on F Street in 2004 find and preserve?

Find out in Episode 19, of the Echo Ever Proudly Podcast.

To order your copy of "Echo Ever Proudly - Gonzaga in the Press 1821-1899" proceeds benefit the Michael Kelly '75 Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Gonzaga Bookstore Link for the Book

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Former Gonzaga Headmaster, Dr. Joseph Ciancaglini famously said the arrival of three things factored into saving Gonzaga: Tom Sluby '80, Father Dooley, S.J., and the Metro.

And what a renaissance grew out of that confluence.

Joe explains his assessment of three factors as well as his personal connection (you may not have known) to the late Fr. Allen Novotny, S.J., and how important he was to keeping Fr. Dooley's momentum going.

Ciancaglini's journey to Eye Street almost ended as quickly as it began. It's an all-time Opal Bell story you won't forget. Joe passes a lot of credit for the success under his leadership to his capable contemporaries, but his impact as a teacher, to admissions director, then headmaster, was profound. (If you need an example - listen to S1E13 and listen to his impact on Helen Free)

Dr. C. presided over major growth in enrollment. He witnessed dramatic improvement in athletics, academics, spiritual and extra curricular offerings at Gonzaga. But the big life lessons and takeaways he shares at this stage of his career will remind you of the warmth, heart and humility you knew from his time on Eye Street.

Since the taping, we learned that Dr. Joseph Ciancaglini just announced last month (12/14/21) his intention to retire from the Convent School of the Sacred Heart in NYC at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year. We wish him all the best. And thank him for all he did for Gonzaga.

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This week we continue celebrating the Heroes and History of Gonzaga Basketball in Episode 17 of the Echo Ever Proudly podcast. Part two of our visit with 5 Gonzaga Basketball Icons: Coaches Dick Myers and Bill Wilson, and legendary players from the class of 1980, John Williams, Marty Favret, and Tom Sluby.

On February 1, 1980, Gonzaga became only the third school to ever win a game against DeMatha on their home court on Madison Street in Hyattsville, Md. What was the atmosphere like? What did Coach Bill Wilson say at halftime? Why did Coach Myers get a technical? And just how special was the picture of Tom Sluby in the Washington Star the next day?

The answers are in Episode 17. Get set to enjoy a laughed-filled conversation with five guys, who describe what they remember about that one special Friday in February 42 years ago. As Gonzaga celebrates its bicentennial, the great basketball legacy at Gonzaga that we enjoy today, can be traced back to two program game changers: Coach Dick Myers and Tom Sluby '80.

Be sure to rate and review as well. (5 stars please) Feedback is always welcome [email protected] Follow Subscribe and Share with anyone who you know loves Gonzaga.

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