Rebel 5ive is an interactive interview with Roncalli alumni, parents, past parents and friends. Five questions regarding how lives have evolved and how key connections of experience, opportunity, and alumni networking have propelled them to where they are today. Find out how they have been challenged, how they have overcome those challenges and what they’ve learned at each juncture along the way.
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This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Paul Corsaro R’07. Following in the footsteps of his athletic parents, Greg R’83 and Susan (Kuntz) Corsaro, R’83, Paul entered Roncalli as a decorated athlete and student his freshman year. He would not disappoint, leaving four years later as a football state champion, a football state runner-up and the all-time leading scorer for the basketball team, among many of his accolades. All this was accomplished while overcoming a serious bout with cancer early in his high school career. Paul was recently named the new head men’s basketball coach at the University of Indianapolis.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Paige (Weber) Tapp R’07. This St. Mark Lion entered Roncalli High School in the fall of 2003 and almost immediately began to make her mark on our volleyball program. Four years later, she graduated and traveled out west to play for the Arizona Wildcats, but not before earning the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award, a 3A Volleyball State Championship and being named Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year. These accolades don’t even scratch the surface of all Paige’s accomplishments. This summer, she is finishing her third year of law school at the University of Chicago. This Rebel dynamo is sure to do great things as she contemplates her future in law.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Dr. Chad Huck R’77. In the mid 70’s, Roncalli High School was widely known for our outstanding marching band while athletic success was modest. That reputation changed in a big way when the Fountain Square native, Chad Huck, would quarterback the Rebels to the school’s first of 20 football sectional championships at the end of the 1976 season. Dr. Huck still has a significant presence in the Rebel football record book, holding six offensive records. He would graduate from Roncalli and head to IU to play for Lee Corso and the Hoosiers. Today, Dr. Huck is the Clinic Director at The Eye Center of Southern Indiana. He and his wife, Dr. Patricia Henderson, have two children and reside near Bloomington.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Phil Anderson. The Franklin Central alum came to Roncalli in 1998 after graduating from Anderson University, and he’s been creating magic on the Roncalli stage ever since. The limitations of staging productions on the old gym stage were nothing more than opportunities to overcome challenges for Phil and his students. With the opening of the “new” auditorium in 2006, the bar was raised even higher, and we Rebels have been the beneficiaries of wonderful theater productions ever since. The Roncalli theater department has made stars on the stage and behind the scenes under Phil Anderson for 22 thrilling years.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Phil Milroy. Raised in Columbus, Indiana it was a Roncalli alumna who introduced Phil to our school as his youth minister. Thirteen years later, after graduating from Notre Dame and serving in its 2-year ACE program, Phil is celebrating his eleventh year at Roncalli. His devotion to his students, his faith and Roncalli are unique and undeniable. This week we discuss E-learning, anticipating fatherhood in June, forming young minds, reflecting on the Roncalli pilgrimage and the significance of his senior retreat contributions.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Gerard Striby. His voyage to Roncalli began over 28 years ago, talking to Dr. Joe Hollowell around a campfire in Colorado on Summer Field Study. Gerard’s career at Roncalli coincides with the school’s exemplary service programs, which he helped to implement, including mission trips to Appalachia and service as part of the curriculum. He coached in our softball program for 17 years and has been awarded Roncalli’s most prestigious trophy, the St. John XXIII Award. Listen this week to Gerard Striby’s inspirational journey from Little Flower Trojan, to Latin School Cougar to Roncalli Rebel.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Ben Stallings R’81 and Ben Briggeman R’92. This week’s episode is a story about overcoming great personal tragedy at a very young age, taking life’s opportunities and sharing them with the community, making Roncalli and the Southside a better place. Both of these Rebels took on life’s challenges and didn’t blink. We are fortunate to call them our own and appreciate their contributions to our school and community.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Lori Paul Taylor. This 1999 Roncalli graduate has been building an empire as the founder and CEO of Produce Moms. She’s a lobbyist, blogger, podcast host, cook, and most importantly of all, mom to her two sons Joe and Mac. She routinely sits in Fortune 500 boardrooms, visits national and international growers all over the western United States and South America and has been to the White House twice, advocating for the fruit and vegetable industry. Listen this week to our very inspirational story Lori Paul Taylor.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Joey Mulinaro. Since graduating from UIndy three years ago, this 2012 Roncalli graduate has been working at local media outlets. He’s produced weekend radio shows for Emmis Broadcasting, worked high school basketball wrap-up shows on AM-1070 The Fan and worked for the Colts. He hosts a local podcast with his dad Joe and also produces sketch youtube videos, but recently Joey has gone national with his viral videos that include impressions of Ed Orgeron, coach of the LSU Tigers and Nick Saban, coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. We finish this week’s episode with the Rebel 5ive questions.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with the Science Department Chair, Ben North. Eighteen years ago, Ben began teaching at Roncalli, developing his craft to where he is now one of the most respected teachers in the building. Listen this week as he discusses hobbies a chemistry teacher is likely to have, developing young minds while inspiring our youth, keeping an open mind to change and planting the seed of success for so many Rebels he has taught over the years. We finish this week’s episode with the Rebel 5ive questions.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with the “Queen of the Kitchen”, Lani Cummings. Over her 22-year career leading the cafeteria at Roncalli, she and her hard-working cafeteria ladies have been responsible for lovingly preparing over 4 million delicious school lunches. Her motto is, “We shall not rest until we are the world’s finest school cafeteria,” and she means it. Listen this week as Lani discusses her appreciation for her Our Lady of Grace education, the work ethic instilled in her at a young age, her passion for feeding people and her Italian heritage.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is a very special episode. We visited with Vic Sahm, Sarah (Hurrle) Kegerreis, Kevin Kirkhoff and Stan Benge to discuss the life and coaching career of Bob Kirkhoff. Documenting the 50 year history of Roncalli would not be complete without interviewing Hall of Famer Bob Kirkhoff. He was the longtime girls basketball coach of the Rebels, Roncalli parent and honorary alum. Unfortunately, a year ago this week, Bob passed away before we could interview him. He and his bride Susie have both passed from this earth, but we wanted to remember the Kirkhoffs this week. They were both wonderful Rebels and great examples to follow.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with two very familiar faces at Roncalli, Jan and Chick Lauck. Chick shares some memories from his playing days at Notre Dame under the tutelage of coach Ara Parseghian, and Jan discusses how fortunate she is to have taught at Roncalli for 21 years. Their gifts to the Roncalli community are many, but they are most proud of their 5 children, all Rebels, and their 19 grandchildren.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is a brief 15 minute bonus episode with Bill Kuntz and Ed Tinder. We had a few minutes between their individual episodes recently and took a moment to visit with both of these former Roncalli teachers and head football coaches to talk family, Butler connections and football program traditions.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Kerrie Schludecker. This St. Jude Raider is a member of Roncalli’s second state championship softball team that won the title in 2001. She would leave Roncalli for St. Joe’s College but after just one year, she would make a name for herself as a Marian Knight where she graduated three years later playing softball for the Knights and finishing her degree. Wanting to be an Athletic Director after graduation, her first stop was Michigan City, Marquette High School and then off to Boone Grove High School where Kerrie would be noticed by the IHSAA for her creativity and determination. Today she is the Assistant Commissioner of the IHSAA traveling the state promoting high school sports. We conclude this week’s Rebel 5ive episode with Kerrie’s final thoughts and what it means to represent not only the IHSAA but Roncalli High School all over the state.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with Bill Kuntz. He would lead the Rebels to our first State Championship game in 1983, where the Rebels fell just a little bit short. Two years later, though, Bill and the Rebels would be back to win the school’s first football State Championship! Over 30 years after stepping away from the head coach’s position, the “Bill Kuntz Way” is still the Roncalli standard from the sidelines at every Rebel contest. Moving to the corporate world in 1987, Bill’s positive impact on Roncalli High School would go way beyond the football program, as he continued to be an advocate for the school wherever he traveled. We conclude this week’s Rebel 5ive episode with Bill’s final thoughts regarding the Roncalli student “handbook.”
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with retired Executive Director of the Catholic Youth Organization, Ed Tinder. Ed graduated from Bishop Chartrand High School in 1967, and off to Butler University, he went to play football and study to become a teacher/coach. Teaching and coaching were always on the horizon for Ed, and being around Butler legends Tony Hinkle and Bill Sylvester helped to cement his future career. When the CYO knocked on his door in 1980, Ed was quick to go to work for another legend, Bill Kuntz Sr. For 37 years total, and 33 years as the Executive Director, Ed Tinder would oversee the expansion of the CYO all over the archdiocese until his retirement in 2016. We conclude this episode with Ed describing what it means to be intertwined in the Roncalli community all these years.
This week’s Rebel 5ive podcast interview is with 20 year teaching veteran, Pat Crosley. Over his 20year career, the very likable Pat Crosley has been an admired mainstay in the Social Studies Department. Outside of the classroom, he spent many years on the boys’ basketball coaching staff, but is most widely known for being the PA Voice of the Rebels at every Friday night home game. We conclude this episode with a heartfelt thank you from Pat for all the support his family received after losing their home in the Richmond Hill explosion on this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with John Wirtz. The St. Pat’s product took an indirect route to Roncalli, but through hard work and diligence, began his Rebel coaching and teaching career in 1974. Starting as the boys basketball coach, he soon took over the baseball program as well. John coached both sports for seven years before continuing to coach baseball for 28 years, including leading the 1982 Rebels to the state finals. Peers, friends and family played a huge role in the formation of this Indiana Baseball Coaches Hall of Famer. Currently living on the south side, where he also grew up, he remains close to his grade school friends. We finish this episode with John answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Summer Field Study Veterans Chuck and Taylor Roach, Fr. Rob Hausladen, Linus Horcher, Dave, Joe and Sam Gervasio, Tim Crissman and Chris Belch. This Roncalli institution has changed many lives during its 37 years of history and challenged students and staff members alike to achieve goals never thought to be attainable before making the trip west. Part retreat and part adventure, Summer Field Study has tested over three thousand students over two generations and 40 trips. The veterans interviewed this week share why they come back each year, what their challenges have been and how different leadership after 37 years might affect the trip in the future.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Michael Wantz. The Union City, Indiana product came to Roncalli 17 years ago, and the boys basketball program became a mainstay in the win column becoming one of Marion County’s most consistent winners. He has coached the only boys basketball sectional, regional and conference championship teams in school history. Michael is Roncalli’s longest-tenured active coach, and he discusses some favorite woodshed moments and moving into the new gym soon to make new memories. We finish this episode with Michael answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Andy Niewedde. For 21 years Andy has been one of Roncalli’s most respected educators. He strives to make learning enjoyable and rewarding for his students but is never hesitant to raise the bar well beyond the average. Growing up and working on a farm in southern Indiana set the stage for Andy’s work ethic making hard work the expectation and not the exception. This mindset translates to his coaching and teaching style where he continues to inspire his students each and every day. We finish this episode with Andy answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit live from the Roncalli Summer Social with Jimmy “Mad Dog” Matis R’76 and the Voice of the Colts, Matt Taylor R’04. Working in local radio following his graduation from IU, Jimmy Matis began carving out a career, which would lead to hosting the # 1 drive-time show on Q95 and then eventually becoming Corporate Partnership Manager for the Indianapolis Colts. Matt Taylor graduated from Franklin College in 2008 and worked play by play for every sport on the school’s radio station except for football, where he played in the defensive backfield. After graduation, he continued as the Voice of the Rebels until switching over to WIBC’s Game of the Week. Indianapolis Colts sideline reporter became his next job until this past season when he was officially named Voice of the Colts. We finish this episode with Jimmy and Matt answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Roncalli’s retired chaplain, the treasured, Fr. Jim Wilmoth. The eastside was his home growing up in St. Philip parish, but the southside is where this universally loved and admired priest has ministered to virtually every person in the Roncalli community at some point during his career. Whether it was a baptism, wedding, first communion, weekly Mass or funeral, Fr. Jim has been there celebrating his priestly ministry and showing others the way to a faith-filled life in Christ. This week we discuss his life and many of the wonderful contributions he has made to our Roncalli community during his priesthood. We finish this episode with Fr. Jim answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we’re at Chris Park shelter house in Durango, Colorado talking with the founding fathers of Summer Field Study. Thirty-seven years and 40 trips later, Dr. Joe Hollowell, Scott Fangman and Darryl Slevin share stories of humble beginnings, favorite moments, shared challenges and triumphs that have made their friendship lifelong. The unique trip out west changes every year but this trio has been one of the steady constants of this Roncalli institution. Summer Field Study has tested over 3000 students to reach inside themselves and discover the beauty of God’s marvelous creation in the mountains of America’s great western frontier and inside their own hearts as well.
This week on Rebel 5ive we visit with retired Roncalli College Counselor, Mary Hall. Her teaching career at Roncalli began in 1979 as the head girls’ basketball coach while assisting with the volleyball program, teaching physical education and health. A pioneer in the development of girls’ sports and balancing both coaching and teaching, Mary would eventually change careers in the early 1980s and become a trusted and valued guidance counselor at Roncalli. Many years later she would become Roncalli’s very first College Counselor embarking on the development and implementation of the school’s college preparedness initiative. We finish this episode with Mary answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with retired Roncalli Dean of Students, Tim Puntarelli. His teaching career began at Roncalli in 1976 when he taught English, Religion and coached the freshman football team. This Old Cathedral and Notre Dame alum would soon make his mark known at Roncalli and for 40 years he motivated and inspired Rebels in the classroom and on the field of play. In 1990 he took over as Dean of Students and for 29 years was chief of discipline at Roncalli. This week we discuss growing up in the shadow of Bishop Chartrand / Roncalli, following his dad, Sal’s mandate, and Tim’s contributions to our community during his distinguished career. We finish this episode with Tim answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
This week on the Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Marilyn Miles. Her teaching career spanned two schools and three generations. Marilyn’s life uniquely connects with the earliest days of Bishop Chartrand, all the way through her final retirement from teaching eight years ago from Roncalli. Marilyn was married to Bernie Dever, a teacher, coach, dean and principal during the first 20 years at Bishop Chartrand and Roncalli High School, until his tragic and untimely death on June 5, 1983. We discuss those early years and some of the very real challenges that were overcome, including post-merger fallout, fundraising, marching band success and proud volleyball moments. We also chat about Marilyn’s teaching career at Manual and Roncalli and how she held her students accountable like no other. We finish this episode with Marilyn answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
On this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with teaching veteran and Roncalli alumna, Erin Bohn. The Nativity product began her Roncalli teaching career 20 years ago, and she is one of the most respected and loved teachers in the building today. She discusses the importance of following in the footsteps of past Rebel instructors, Deb Sachs and Elaine Jerrell, holding her students accountable and inspiring high achievement in her classroom. We also discuss the spirit behind Rebel pep sessions and how Summer Field Studies changed her career path. We finish this episode with Erin answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with the Captain of the Division, Jim Ratliff. The well-respected instructor and former coach began his teaching career at Bishop Chartrand in 1966 after a ten-minute interview in the school’s front lobby. Fifty-three years later, he is still inspiring young minds in the classroom. We discuss a love for baseball, traveling and a legacy of national champions, along with real-life building projects on our beautiful campus. We finish this episode with Jim answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with retired long-time Roncalli volleyball coach Kathy Nalley-Schembra. Kathy started working at Roncalli in 1972, before girls’ sports were recognized by the IHSAA. She and her 1981 volleyball team earned Roncalli our very first State Championship, and she would go on to record two more State Championship trophies. The Irishman from Fountain Square continues today to motivate and inspire Rebels in the classroom, like she has done successfully for three generations. We finish this episode with Kathy answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
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During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with long-time Roncalli Vice President of Finance and Facilities, Dave Gervasio. Dave started his work career as a bat-boy for the Indianapolis Indians and has continued to be a steady and influential part of the Roncalli leadership team for 28 years. His influence has been instrumental in not only leading Roncalli through financial decisions, but he has helped the school acquire and maintain our beautiful campus over the years. Dave discusses Roncalli growth, hosting events on campus and what motivates him to new heights. We finish this episode with Dave answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with retired, long-time Roncalli head football coach, Bruce Scifres. The Plainfield Quaker began making his mark on the gridiron in the westside community and then off to Butler he went, where his first Roncalli connections began to occur. In 1990, Bruce took over the head coaching duties at Roncalli. Seven state championships later, over twenty-seven seasons, he is now the Executive Director of the CYO. This week’s Rebel 5ive episode dives deep into the world of coaching expectations, big upsets and early coaching lessons. We finish this episode with Bruce answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast we visit with 2012 Roncalli graduate, Cole Toner. This one-time OLG Eagle now makes his living moving defensive linemen out of the way for Philip Rivers in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers. Cole discusses his aspirations to be in a rock band, going to school at Roncalli with both his parents in the building and answering the call with the Harvard Crimson. We also talk about living in southern California and life as an offensive lineman in the NFL. We finish this episode with Cole answering the Rebel 5ive questions.
During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast we visit with the “Voice of the Rebels”, Rob Brown and his football broadcast partner, Dan Bauer. We relive audio clips from the march to the 2016 State Football Championship beginning with the Miracle on Banta all the way to Lucus Oil Stadium and placing #9 in the trophy case. With landmark stops against Bishop Chatard, a scary visit to Lebanon and hospitality in St. Leon, you won’t want to miss this entertaining look back at Rebel perfection.
Bob Tully discusses in part II of his interview the first years of Roncalli High School, his appreciation for our strong leadership over the years and leading 8 State Championship teams downtown to big wins (driving the bus). Bob emphasizes the importance of prayer in his life and how prayer has helped Roncalli over the years and helped him overcome some recent health issues. He also gives thanks to the mentors in his life.
Bob Tully talks to us about the early years at 3300 Prague Road before the merger with Bishop Chartrand and Kennedy Memorial High School forming Roncalli High School. “Rambunctious”, the Sisters of Providence and living on the third floor are all discussed. Bob speaks of his 57 years in the building and the one year when he almost left the school which ends Part I of our interview. Stay tuned for next week and Part II with Bob Tully as we discuss the “new” Catholic high school on the Southside named Roncalli; Home of the Rebels.
For more than three decades Angie Toner has inspired Roncalli students both on the court and in the classroom. She started as a Columbus North Bulldog but will always be admired and loved by the Roncalli family for her sense of humor and enthusiasm for Rebel Nation. Angie discusses her introduction to Roncalli sports, why she wanted to be a teacher and how much she appreciates student dedication in the classroom and on the field. Angie finishes this episode with the Rebel 5ive questions and advice for the future.
One of Roncalli’s most challenging instructors, Ben Grimes, discusses how he went from high school at Ben Davis to college instructor at IUPUI and then being introduced to Roncalli for the first time. Today, he is one of the schools most highly regarded teachers. Ben talks to us about how he motivates his students and what it means when his past students have success at the next level and beyond. Ben finishes this episode with the Rebel 5ive questions and thoughts for the future.
Rebel 5ive is presented by Steve’s Flowers.
Roncalli’s new Assistant Principal for Student Life, Kevin Banich R’09, joins us for our inaugural Rebel 5ive podcast. We discuss Kevin’s favorite Roncalli moments including an unexpected victory over the Cathedral Irish his senior year, how he helped inspire a state champion and what the future holds for he and his young family. Kevin also has some fun answering the Rebel 5ive questions.