Athletics

2010 Inductees - Ed Korzep, Joe Maselter, 2001 Boys Soccer State Champions

2009 Inductees - 1984 Volleyball State Champions, 1994 Baseball State Champions

Leslie Brown - '90 - Volleyball, Basketball, Softball – Inducted 4/16/2008 – One of the first exceptional three-sport female athletes at Bishop Verot.  4-year varsity letter winner in basketball and softball.  3-year varsity letter winner in volleyball.  Co-captain of ’89 district champion softball team.  Co-captain of volleyball, softball and basketball teams, ’90.  MVP of the SW Florida All-Star Basketball Game, ’90.  1st Team All-SWFL Basketball, ’90; Softball, ’89, ’90.  All-State honors in softball, ’90 while hitting .517.  Selected for the FACA North/South FL All-Star Team, ’90.  Her unselfish involvement, commitment and leadership provided inspiration for other female athletes while helping to establish the successful girls athletic programs currently enjoyed at Bishop Verot.

 
Carl Kistel - Volunteer, Benefactor, Athletic Booster President – Inducted 4/16/08 – Decorated hero of WWII.  On 4/26/45 at age 19, an exploding German shell claimed his legs but did not stop him from establishing a communications post and relaying orders.  This “Non-Excidet” spirit and energy were shared generously with family and friends after the war.  An inspiration and a true Viking pioneer during the formative years of BVHS.  A driving force that started the athletic program and oversaw the creation of original athletic facilities enjoyed by generations of Verot athletes.  Instrumental in forming the Athletic Booster Club, serving as the 1st president ’65-’67 and ’73-’74.  Named “Lifetime Member in ’72.  Husband of Maggie and father of 4 sons, all Verot grads – Daniel, John, Tim and David.

2007 Inductees

Father John Beattie, OSFS - Coach, Girls Cross Country and Track - Inducted 4/18/07 - Founded girls BV track program in 1988 and girls cross country team in 1991.  Head coach of girls track for 16 years and head coach of girls cross country team for the past 15 years.  Coached five girls teams to district titles and over 80 girls to state finals in track, including 3 state champions.  Guided three cross country teams to district championships and eleven cross country teams to state final appearances.  Has served as chaplain to the Viking football team since 1986.  Named Sportsmen Club of Southwest Florida coach of the year in 1999.  Exemplar of the “non-excidet” spirit.

Father Joe Beattie, OSFS - Coach, Boys Cross Country and Track - Inducted 4/18/07 - High school coach for over 35 years, including 21 years as track and boys cross country coach at BV since 1986.  Led boys track to four district titles and boys cross country to five district titles.  Coached over 60 track athletes that qualified for the state finals in distance and pole vault events. 12 boys cross country teams have made state appearances under his guidance.  Coached four cross country state champions including BV’s 1st male state qualifier.  Named Sportsmen Club of Southwest Florida Coach of the Year in 1999.  Named a charter member of the Delaware Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1988.

Dwayne Thomas - '90 - Football and Basketball - Inducted 4/18/07 - Four year varsity letterman in both football and basketball.  Starter on second-ever district champion 1990 basketball team.  2nd team All-State football selection in 1989.  Led football to state final appearance in 1990, shattering school rushing and scoring records along the way.  Holds school records for single game rushing with 365 yards, single season rushing with 2672 yards, and 5117 yards in BV career.  Selected 1st team Southwest Florida and 1st team All-State in 1990.  Attended Virginia Tech and rushed for 2697 yards in his collegiate career, leading the Hokies in rushing for three consecutive seasons.  Ranked 22nd on the All-Millennium Southwest Florida Athletes by the News-Press in 1999.  The most decorated and accomplished athlete in a golden age for BV athletics.

Donny Overholser - Volunteer, Benefactor, Athletic Booster President - Inducted 4/18/07 -A true Bishop Verot legend that has contributed countless volunteer hours in support of Bishop Verot and Viking athletics. Began announcing JV football games in 1984, later moving on to varsity football and basketball.  Instrumental in re-energizing the Athletic Boosters.  Elected Booster President in 1988, an office he holds to this day.  His tireless leadership efforts have helped the Booster Club raise over one million dollars to fund athletic programs and help BV build the Nevins Gymnasium and Santini Center.  Universally acclaimed as running the finest concession stand in Southwest Florida.  Bishop Verot’s most valued, selfless, and reliable volunteer for more than 20 years.

2006 Inductees

Mike Gill - '68 - Football, Coach, Athletic Director - Inducted 4/5/06 - Defensive tackle and fullback on BV’s 1st football team in 1966.  1st team All-Southwest Florida and 1st team All-State selection in 1967.  Began teaching/coaching at BV in 1972 and has been a head or assistant coach for 23 years.  Assistant coach in 1974 of the only undefeated BV football team in school history.  Instrumental in founding the freshmen football program in 1994.  Varsity baseball head coach for three years and JV head coach for two years.  A.D. from 1979-1989.  Has taught and coached more than 3000 students in a distinguished career spanning more than three decades.

Duane Swanson - Benefactor - Inducted 4/5/06 - One of Bishop Verot’s most generous supporters and benefactors for 20 years.  Husband of Cookie Swanson and father of four children:  Emily, Shelley, Duane Jr. and Mark.  His contributions, both financially and through hours of sweat and hard work, have resulted in the finest athletic facilities in Southwest Florida.  His continued commitment to BV has provided for the needs of students many years after his own children graduated.  His generosity has set a standard for new generations of BV parents to follow and his loyalty exemplifies the BV Spirit.

Kim Grabowski - '85 - Volleyball - Inducted 4/5/06 - Three-year varsity letter winner in volleyball.  Named the Viking’s MVP in 1983 and 1984.  Named as a Coral Coast Conference 1st team selection in 1983 and 1984.  Named 1st team FACA and 1st team All-State in 1984.  Honored as the News-Press Female Athlete of the Year in 1984.  At a time when women’s sports were recently established and seeking respect, she pioneered a new era for young women at BV by gaining admiration as an athlete and a fierce competitor.  A standout player and captain of the first team in BV history to win a State Championship in 1984.

Jay Shepard - '75 - Football - Inducted 4/5/06 - Four-year varsity football letter winner.  Excelled as a linebacker, running back, kicker and returner.  Captain of the only undefeated BV football team in 1974.  Two-time Class 1A All-State 1st team selection.  Two-time Class 1A All-Region selection.  Two-time All-Southwest Florida 1st-team player.  Leading rusher and co-leader with most touchdowns in Southwest Florida in 1973.  Honored as News-Press Football Player of the Year in 1974.  Held school records for touchdowns, rushing yards and points scored for almost 20 years.