St. Catherine's High School is a

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Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...

high school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., ...

Racine, Wisconsin Racine ( ) is a city in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River (Wisconsin), Root River, south of Milwaukee and north of Chicago. It is the List ...

. It is a member of Siena Catholic Schools of Racine and the Catholic Schools of the

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee The Archdiocese of Milwaukee () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in southeast Wisconsin in the United States. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is the metropolitan see of the ecclesiastical province of ...

History

St. Catherine's traces its origins to the fall of 1864 when the

Racine Dominican Sisters The Congregation of Sisters of St. Dominic of St. Catherine of Siena is a Catholic religious institute for women founded in 1862 in Racine, Wisconsin, USA, in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Racine Dominicans, as they are known, are a community ...

established an all-girls' day and boarding academy. In the fall of 1864, the Racine Dominican Sisters opened a day and boarding school for girls on property they purchased at Twelfth Street and Park Avenue. The school was named St. Catherine's Academy. In 1874, the Academy was chartered by the State of Wisconsin, with the power to confer academic honors. In 1907, the facilities of the Park Avenue building were no longer able to accommodate all the young ladies who made application for study there. Accordingly, the Sisters erected a boarding school, known as Holy Rosary Academy at Corliss, (Sturtevant), Wisconsin; day students continued to attend St. Catherine's Academy. Holy Rosary was closed in 1917. In 1924 St. Catherine's (coed) High School opened and the all-girl academy was closed. A statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, the great Dominican saint and scholar, was enshrined in a niche above the main entrance, for the institution was originally to be named in his honor (to be known as St. Thomas High School.) The academy girls, however, convinced authorities to retain the name of St. Catherine's. In the fall of 1945, in order to accommodate all the students seeking admission, St. Catherine's inaugurated a double-shift schedule. Excavation for a new wing was begun in March 1947, and Archbishop Kiley of Milwaukee dedicated the building extending 175 feet south on Park Avenue in August 1949. The lot on the east side of Park Avenue is now used as an athletic field by the school. It was given to the school to use when the Dominican Sisters built their new motherhouse, Siena Center, and had the old convent building which stood on that property demolished. The North Central Association has accredited St. Catherine's High School since 1937. On August 1, 2018, St. Catherine's became part of the newly-founded Siena Catholic Schools in Racine operated under the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and is no longer a sponsored ministry of the Racine Dominicans. However, a member of the Racine Dominicans will sit on the board of trustees for the indefinite future.

Basketball program

St. Catherine's is well known in the state for the success of the boys' basketball program. 3 of the team's coaches, Bob Letsch, John Mcguire, and Jim Kersten, have been inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (WBCA). The Angels own a total of 15 state championships, nine from the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association (WISAA) and its predecessor, the Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association (WCIAA), and six championships since joining the

Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) is the regulatory body for all high school sports in Wisconsin. Its history dates to 1895, making it the earliest continually existing high school athletic organization in the country. ...

(WIAA) in 2000 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2021). Coach John Mcguire, (1951-1962,1965-1979) finished his career with team with a record of 511–112, six WISAA state championships, five runner-up finishes and nine conference titles. His teams went undefeated in 1960, 1968, and 1970. He was inducted as a charter member into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 1979 and into the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Coach Robert "Bob" Letsch, (1979-2016) finished his career with a record 661–250, as the second-winningest high school basketball coach in Wisconsin's history. During his tenure, his teams compiled eight state championships in 1985, ’92, ’93, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’09 and ’10. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. His 2005-06 team went undefeated and holds the record for the largest victory margin in a state-title game, when the Angels pounded Westby 69–29 in the Division 3 championship game. Letsch was named Associated Press All- State Coach of the Year twice, in 1992 and 2007, and Racine All-County Coach of the Year 5 times: 1985, 1992, 2000, 2003 and 2005. In 2016, the team named Coach Nick Bennett to replace Letsch. He earned a state title in 2021, and was named Racine All-County, Associated Press All-State, and WBCA Coach of the Year. In July 2021, Bennett announced he was stepping down as coach of the Angels. He finished his career at St. Cat's with a record of 106-20. On August 7, 2021 Coach Ryan Thompson was chosen to take over the basketball program as head coach.

Athletics

St. Catherine's High School is a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association(WIAA) and the Metro Classic Conference. The school offers the following sports: Fall: football, boys' cross country, girls' cross country, boys' soccer, girls' volleyball, girls' swimming, girls' tennis, girls' golf, girls' pom pons Winter: boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys' bowling, girls' bowling, boys' swimming, girls' pom pons Spring: baseball, boys' track & field, girls' track & field, boys' tennis, boys' golf, girls' soccer, girls' softball

Early history

St. Catherine's athletic program began in 1926 with the hiring of Coach and Athletic Director Fred "Bud" Beyer, a law student from Marquette University. The first sports introduced were basketball, football, and coed bowling. The first competitive game played was basketball, versus St. John's Cathedral of Milwaukee on Friday, January 8, 1926, in which St. Cat's lost 24 to 15. Beyer resigned in February 1927 and Eugene “Scrapiron” Young, a law student from the University of Notre Dame, was hired that March to fill the position. Baseball was introduced the same year with the hiring of Coach J. George Fay, a former Wausau Lumberjacks player from Milwaukee. Milwaukee Catholic Conference In 1930, former Chicago Bear and Green Bay Packer, Thomas “Red” Hearden, took the reins of the athletic program. That same year St. Cat's joined the Catholic Conference; which originally consisted of Pio Nono, St. Bonaventure, Messmer,

Cathedral A cathedral is a church (building), church that contains the of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, Annual conferences within Methodism, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually s ...

, and Marquette High Schools. In 1938, Don Bosco was added to the conference, and in 1948,

Pius XI Pope Pius XI (; born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, ; 31 May 1857 – 10 February 1939) was head of the Catholic Church from 6 February 1922 until his death in February 1939. He was also the first sovereign of the Vatican City State u ...

and St. Benedict's joined; making a total of 8 teams. WCIAA In 1957, the school joined the newly formed Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association (WCIAA). At that time, private schools were barred from the WIAA, so the WCIAA was formed to sanction tournaments to determine their own state champions. WISAA In 1968, St. Cat's joined the 58 member Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association (WISAA) which combined all private schools. In 1972, the WISAA launched the girls' sports program, which officially sanctioned volleyball, basketball, tennis, and track state tournaments. WIAA In 1997, the WIAA members passed a vote which paved the way for St. Cat's (and all private schools in the state) to join the association in 2000. Originally nicknamed the "Saints," the school's team nickname was changed to the "Angels" beginning in the fall of 1940 in order to avoid confusion with other local high school teams with the same name.

WIAA State Championships (2000-present)

WISAA State Championships (1968-1999)

WCIAA State Championships (1958-1967)

Milwaukee Archdiocesan High School Athletic " Catholic Conference" Titles (1931-1957)

Notable alumni (year graduated)

* Dexter Baker (1967)-

MiLB Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National ...

professional baseball player * Christopher Barker (1978) -

professional baseball player * Gene Beery (1955) - American painter and photographer * James Caspers (1950) - 1959 World Archery Championships Gold medalist * W. Richard Chiapete (1983) - Racine County district attorney (2012–2016) *

Jim Chones James Bernett "Bunny" Chones (born November 30, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player, and current radio analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers. A 6'11" forward/ center, Chones starred at Marquette University, where he earned ...

(1969) -

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professional basketball player *

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(1991) - American film and television director, author * Thomas P. Corbett (1933) - Wisconsin state legislator, Wisconsin circuit court judge (1969–1979), Racine County judge (1962–1969) *

Angelina Cruz Angelina M. Cruz (born 1979) is an American public school teacher, union leader, and Democratic politician from Racine, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 62nd Assembly district since 2025. She ...

(1997) - Wisconsin state legislator * Howard DuRocher (1931) - Wisconsin circuit court judge (1956–1962), Racine County judge (1962–1978) *

Marcel Dandeneau Marcel Dandeneau (June 28, 1931February 9, 2017) was an American educator and Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party politician. He served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing northern Racine County, Wisconsin, Raci ...

(1950) - Wisconsin state legislator * Margaret Danhauser (1939) -

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professional women's baseball player *

Victor DeLorenzo Victor DeLorenzo (born October 25, 1954) is an American musician, actor and filmmaker who was the founding drummer for the folk-punk band Violent Femmes. Biography DeLorenzo was born in 1954, the son of Victor and Charlotte DeLorenzo, grew up i ...

(1973) - drummer for the alternative rock band, the

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(1976) - cinematographer *

John Dickert John T. Dickert (born December 6, 1962) is an American Democratic politician and was the 57th mayor of Racine, Wisconsin. He subsequently served as administrator of the Division of State and Local Finance in the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, ...

(1981) - 57th mayor of Racine (2009–2017) *

Margaret Farrow Margaret Ann Farrow (; November 28, 1934 – March 8, 2022) was an American Republican politician from Wisconsin. She was the 42nd lieutenant governor of Wisconsin and the first woman to hold that office. She previously served twelve years in ...

(1952) - first female lieutenant governor of Wisconsin * Gregory A. Feest (1974) - Major General, U.S. Air Force (retired), former USAF Chief of Safety * Paul Fervoy (1988) - CEO, Siftia * Dennis J. Flynn (1960) - Wisconsin circuit court judge (1978–2002), Racine County judge (1976–1978) * Gerald T. Flynn (1928) - U.S. representative ( WI-01, 1959–1961) * Eugene A. Gasiorkiewicz (1967) - Wisconsin circuit court judge (2010–present) *

George N. Gillett Jr. George Nield Gillett Jr. (born October 22, 1938) is an American businessman. Originally from Wisconsin, he lives in Vail, Colorado. Biography Gillett graduated from Lake Forest Academy in 1956. He attended Amherst College and is a 1961 graduat ...

- American businessman * Robert Goebel (1941) - Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired), WWII Double Ace, author of ''MUSTANG ACE, Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot'' * Marvin E. Grant (1935) - Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired), First Ace from Racine, recipient of the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross * Allen E. Gramza (1940) - U.S.

administrative law judge An administrative law judge (ALJ) in the United States is a judge and trier of fact who both presides over trials and adjudicates claims or disputes involving administrative law, thus involving administrative units of the executive branch of go ...

(1970–1985) * Jim Haluska (1950) -

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professional football player, legendary coach * James E. Held (1956) - Wisconsin state legislator *

Kevin Henkes Kevin Henkes (born November 27, 1960) is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for '' Kitten's First Full Moon'' (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, ''Olive's Oce ...

(1979) - noted children's book author and illustrator * James Herzog (1969) -

professional baseball player *

Chad Harbach Chad Harbach (born 1975) is an American writer. An editor at the journal ''n+1'', he is the author of the 2011 novel '' The Art of Fielding''. Early life and education Harbach grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. His father was an accountant and his mot ...

(1993) - author, ''The Art of Fielding'' * Kenneth Huck (1954) - 52nd mayor of Racine (1969–1973) * Donald G. Iselin (1940) - Rear Admiral, United States Navy (retired), former Commander of NAVFAC and Chief of the Civil Engineer Corps * Richard A. "Rick" Jackson Jr. (1963) -

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professional baseball player * Thomas S. Johnson (1978) - Chairman and CEO of GreenPoint Financial Corp. and GreenPoint Bank * Harvey Knuckles (1977) -

Continental Basketball Association The Continental Basketball Association (CBA), originally known as the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League, and later as the Eastern Professional Basketball League and the Eastern Basketball Association, was a men's professional basketball m ...

professional basketball player * Richard J. Kreul (1955) - Wisconsin circuit court judge (1992–2012) * William Letsch (1971) -

professional baseball player *

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(2003) -

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professional basketball player * Ralph Malicki (1982) - Racine County Executive (2025–present) * Ben May (2000) -

umpire *

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(1990) -

professional basketball player and Marquette radio announcer * Jerry Mertens (1954) -

professional football player *

Harry Mares Harry Mares (December 21, 1938 – August 5, 2018) was an American educator and politician. Biography Mares was born in Racine, Wisconsin. He graduated from St. Catherine's High School in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1958. He received his bachel ...

(1958) - former mayor of

White Bear Lake, Minnesota White Bear Lake is a city in Ramsey County, Minnesota, Ramsey County in the U.S. state, state of Minnesota, United States. A small portion of the city also extends into Washington County, Minnesota, Washington County. The population was 24,88 ...

, Minnesota state legislator * Tip McGuire (2005) - Wisconsin state legislator * Bob Milkie (1957) - legendary Semi-Professional football coach, Racine Raiders HOF and Racine County Sports HOF inductee, 2 National Championships * Andrew Elvis Miller (1985) - American actor, director, early member of

Blue Man Group Blue Man Group is an American performance art company formed in New York City in 1987. It is known for its stage productions that incorporate many kinds of music and art, both popular and obscure. Its performers, known as Blue Men, have their ...

* F. Don Miller (1938) - Colonel, U.S. Army (retired), Executive Director of the U.S. Olympic Committee (1973–1984), 1943

NCAA Boxing Championship The NCAA boxing championships were discontinued by the National Collegiate Athletic Association after 1960. The popularity of college boxing peaked in 1948, when 55 colleges participated in intercollegiate competition. The popularity of college b ...

welterweight champion, Purple Heart recipient *

Don Penza Donald Francis Penza (February 4, 1932 – April 8, 1989) was an American football player, coach, and politician. Education and playing career Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Penza attended St. Catherine's High School and was a graduate of the cla ...

(1950) - former mayor of

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, legendary football coach *

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(1946) - college football player * Michael Petit (1969) -

professional baseball player * John "Jack" Rogan (1950) - founder of

Rogan's Shoes Rogan's Shoes is a shoe store chain headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin. It operates 29 stores in three Midwestern states: Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In 2024, what had been a family-owned business was purchased by national retailer Shoe C ...

* James F. Rooney (1954) - Wisconsin state legislator, former chairman of the Wisconsin Waterways Commission *

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(1998) -

professional baseball player *

Howie Ruetz Howard Peter Ruetz (August 18, 1927July 2, 1999) was a professional American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Racine, WI, he was the son of George "Babe" Ruetz, coach of the Racine Legion. He ...

(1947) -

professional football player * Charles Rutkowski (1956) -

professional football player * Kyle Schlachter (1999) - Mayor of

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(2021–present) * Stephen Simanek (1963) - Wisconsin circuit court judge (1980–2010), chief judge of the 2nd district ( 1990–1996) *

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(1952) - Catholic

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* Don Smiley (1973) - President and Chief Executive Officer of

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and former

executive *

Ralph Thomas Ralph Philip Thomas (10 August 1915 – 17 March 2001) was an English film director who directed the Doctor (film series), ''Doctor'' film series. Thomas cast the actor James Robertson Justice in many of his films. He often worked with the pr ...

(1948) -

professional football player, member of the 1951 San Francisco Dons football team * Mary E. Triggiano (1981) - Wisconsin circuit court judge (2004–2023), chief judge of the 1st district (2020–2023) * William Troy (1971) - Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (retired), former director of the U.S. Army Staff, Chief Executive Officer of

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* William "Bill" Weiss (1959) - Chief of police for

Menasha, Wisconsin Menasha () is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, Winnebago and Calumet County, Wisconsin, Calumet counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 18,268 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Of this, 15,144 were in Winn ...

(1979–2002) * Jim Welsh (1956) -

professional football player *

Paul Weyrich Paul Michael Weyrich (; October 7, 1942 – December 18, 2008) was an American conservative political activist and commentator associated with the New Right. He co-founded The Heritage Foundation, the Free Congress Foundation, National Empowerm ...

(1960) - American religious conservative political activist and commentator * James Wilbershide (1936) - Wisconsin circuit court judge (1978–1989), Racine County judge (1971–1978) * Leonard W. Ziolkowski (1963) - Racine County Executive (1982–1989), Racine's Harbor Park is named in his honor

Notable faculty

* Bill Greiten - WCCCA, WTFCA Hall of Fame coach * Tom Hearden -

professional football player, legendary coach * Jim Kersten - WBCA Hall of Fame coach * Bob Letsch - WBCA Hall of Fame coach * John McGuire - WBCA Hall of Fame coach * Eddie Race - WFCA Hall of Fame coach * Tom Scheller - WCCCA Hall of Fame coach * Eugene "Scrapiron" Young - author, professional trainer, coach and attorney

Notes and references

External links

School website

WCCCA website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Catherine's High School, Racine, Wisconsin Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee High schools in Racine, Wisconsin Catholic secondary schools in Wisconsin Educational institutions established in 1864 Private middle schools in Wisconsin 1864 establishments in Wisconsin