By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden Catholic High School will induct its 2022 Hall of Fame class of three individuals and a state championship team on Saturday at Hayden.
Hayden will honor Father Tim Haberkorn for Alumni Achievement, Jerry Simecka for Staff Achievement, Tim Morrisey for Contributor Achievement and the 1982-83 boys basketball team as the inductees for Hayden Student Athletic/Activity Achievement.
Former Hayden coach and administrator Jerry Simecka (left) visits with Wildcat coaching legend Ben Meseke during Hayden's 2021 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Simecka and Meseke's 1982-83 boys basketball team will be inducted Saturday night as part of the 2022 Hayden Hall of Fame class. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden High School and the Hayden High School Foundation serve as the sponsoring organizations of the Hall of Fame.
Nominations for the 2022 were accepted from the public at large from December 4, 2021, thru July 31, 2022.
Doors for Saturday's festivities will open at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30 and the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m..
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.
Several team members went on to play college basketball, including at Washburn, which won the NAIA National Championship, and the University of Kansas, which played
in the Final Four.
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.
