By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden Catholic High School is accepting nominations through July 14 for its 2023 Hall of Fame class, which will be its third induction class since launching the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Hayden will recognize individuals in four categories -- alumni achievement, student athletic/activity achievement, staff achievement and contributor.
Hayden's 1982-1983 boys basketball team, which posted a perfect 25-0 record en route to the Class 4A state title, was inducted into the Hayden Hall of Fame last December. [Submitted photo]
Mark Turgeon (right) visited with Hayden athletic director Bobby Taul, an assistant coach during Turgeon's Wildcat playing career, before the 2022 Hayden Hall of Fame induction ceremony. [File photo/TSN]
Former Hayden state champion and Washburn Univerity national champion Tom Meier (right) joked with former Wildcat teammates during the 2022 Hayden Hall of Fame induction ceremony. [File photo/TSN]
These individuals will serve as role models and examples of achievement for future students, staff and supporters.
Hayden Catholic High School and the Hayden Catholic High School Foundation serve as the sponsoring organizations of the Hayden Hall of Fame.
Nominations for the 2023 Hall of Fame may be submitted by anyone.
Nominee notifications and announcements for the 2023 Hayden Hall of Fame will take place in mid-September of 2023.
A Hall of Fame dinner will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
The nomination form can be found at haydencatholic.org.
Hayden's undefeated 1982-83 boys basketball team was part of Hayden's 2022 Hall of Fame induction class for Student Athletic/Activity Achievement along with Father Tim Haberkorn for Alumni Achievement, Jerry Simecka for Staff Achievement and Tim Morrisey for Contributor Achievement.
2022 Hall of Fame inductee capsules:
The 1982-83 boys basketball team, Hayden Student Athletic/Activity Achievement
The 1982-83 boys basketball team was the first in city history to go undefeated, posting a perfect 25-0 record.
Hayden won the Class 4A state championship and defeated the 5A and 6A state champions during the regular season.
Members of the team included head coach Ben Meseke, assistaht coaches Bobby Taul and Jerry Simecka, players Charlie Appelhanz, Gary Fangman, Chris Gomez, Mike McGreevy, Tom Meier, Wes Meier, David Proctor, Rob Reilly, Chris Reyer, Mark Thompson, Mark Turgeon and Gavin Wittman and manager Jerry Volz.
Jerry Simecka, Hayden Staff Achievement
Simecka served in many roles at Hayden from 1981-2003, including teacher, assistant principal, athletic director, facilities manager, head football coach, assistant boys basketball
coach, assistant girls basketball coach, and principal.
Simecka is a humble and an unassuming Catholic man, always recognizing achievement is not due to the efforts of just one person, but from the grace of God and teamwork.
Father Tim Haberkorn, Hayden Alumni Achievement
A priest for 30 years, Haberkorn, Hayden Class of 1984, has served at Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park, St. Joseph's Parish in Olpe, St. Mary's in Hartford, and Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish in Topeka.
Haberkorn enjoys being among the people in his parish and serving them in whatever way he can, whether it's helping to set up a table for the nuns' farewell reception, celebrating the outdoor Mass at Germanfest or anointing someone in the middle of the night. He lives out the motto of Hayden, "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve,'' on a daily basis.
Tim Morrisey, Hayden Contributor Achievement
Morrisey, class of 1971, was the middle of five children born to Vincent J. and Virginia Morrisey. His father attended Maur Hill High School in Atchison and his mother was a
convert to the Catholic faith. Both of his brothers and a sister attended Holy Name Grade School and graduated from Hayden High School.
Like his older and younger brother, Morrisey played basketball for Coach Ken Buetel and was a class officer all four years while at Hayden. Tim embraces the Hayden spirit in a remarkable fashion that remains with him. Even though he has not lived in Topeka for most of his life, Morrisey has continued to be faithful and an involved member of the Hayden community. His commitment to the Hayden traditions eventually led to his philanthropic service to Hayden after his retirement.
