22 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SPRING 2023 Alumni News 2022 INDUCTEES THE SADLER FAMILY Distinguished Family Shortly after Dennis ’62 and Karen (BK ’67) Sadler’s wedding in 1972, Dennis was hired by Aquinas to teach Theology and Health Education. Fifty years later, they are still actively involved in the school with six daughters who know and live the Aquinas tradition. Dennis was the athletic director and assistant principal when Aquinas became coed in 1982. Faced with academic, athletic, and facility challenges, his primary focus was providing female students a seamless academic transition and opportunities to participate in athletic and other co-curricular activities. At this same time, Karen founded the Aquinas cheerleading program, as the school’s varsity cheerleading coach. She was instrumental in helping to grow the program to field freshmen, junior varsity and varsity teams, all competitive in Section V. Karen continued her role at Aquinas as a library assistant, and then counseling center administrative assistant for 20 years. She retired in 2015. Though Dennis accepted a position as assistant principal at Gates Chili High School in 1995, he did not lose his connection to Aquinas. Dennis returned to Aquinas in 2005 to accept his dream job as principal, until his retirement in 2011. He currently serves as the school’s Director of Campus Safety. When Aquinas become co-ed, each of the Sadler daughters – Tricia ‘91, Jennifer ‘92, Katie ‘95, Carrie ‘98, Kelly ‘01, and Tracy ‘04 – took full advantage of what Aquinas had to offer participating in cheerleading, theater, basketball, softball, peer ministry, and student government. Over the years the Sadler Family has been, and continues to be, involved in Aquinas. Dennis’ mother, Alice, was a member of the Aquinas Parent Association and worked Bingo on a regular basis. His dad, Gerard, worked security/supervision and his brother, Roger, continues to work part-time security at Aquinas, a position he has held for over 30 years. Kelly ’01 worked in the Aquinas enrollment office and coached freshmen cheerleading at Aquinas. Tracy ‘04 was a substitute art teacher at the school. Tricia ’91 currently teaches 6th grade at Aquinas, and was an integral part of the first TEAM 6 in 2015. Katie ’95 works part-time for Aquinas security, and with the summer grounds team. COACH HARRY “MICKEY” CONNOLLY Athletics Early on, the Aquinas football program made the decision to play only the best high schools and prep schools in the U.S. To compete at this level, Aquinas hired renowned coaches; Coach Mickey Connolly was the second coach to fit the bill. Aquinas became a national powerhouse and Coach Connolly’s 1950 team was ranked #1 in the nation. His credentials were almost legendary. He was a five-sport star in high school, making All-State and All-New England teams for two years. He moved on to Boston College where he was selected All-Eastern, received mention on several All-American teams, and played in both the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl games. After college, Coach Connolly was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy serving on a destroyer. After his discharge, he played professional football on the Brooklyn Dodger team in the All-American Conference and later became their head scout. He then started and coached a high school football team in Connecticut before coming to Aquinas. Coach Connolly’s overall record for his three years (1949-1951) was 21-3, as the Li’l Irish played teams from Texas, Nebraska, Michigan, New Jersey, and other parts of the country, often in front of 16,000+ fans. Bob Niermeyer ‘52, one of his players, stated in a biography on Don Holleder ‘52, “a total of 31 players earned full, college scholarships”. Three of his players, including Don Holleder ‘52, Frank Varrichione ‘51, and Jack Lee ‘51, earned All-American honors, while two of his players went on to play in the NFL; Frank Varrichione ‘51 for 11 years, including four Pro Bowls, and Lee Riley ‘51 for six years. Coach Connolly passed away in 2006 at age 85.
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