The Warrior Chronicles

This is the second part of our interview with Mr. Tom Moushey '69 and Mrs. Pat Kraninger.  After covering everything that went into the decision to go co-ed in the first part of the interview, we take a look at the aftermath and fall-out of the controversial decision, once it was announced in the spring of 1991.Student walk-outs (involving your host), parent and alumni discontent, everything you could want in this fascinating story as told by two people who lived it first hand.On top of the discontent, we talk about the concern that the decision would have on other schools in the diocese, especially Our Lady of the Elms.   We also discuss the impact of the decision to make Bill Ricco the principal, permanent, in the time frame immediately before the co-ed question was taken up had on the process.It was a crazy time to be at WJ and no two people could help capture what it was like than our guests.  I hope you enjoy this edition of the Warrior Chronicles!

Tom Moushey '69 and Pat Kraninger are the guests for this edition of the Warrior Chronicles.  In the first of a two-part episode, Tom and Pat discuss their roles in the decision to go co-ed.Pat was assigned to the feasibility committee that was commissioned early in 1990 and was tasked with researching the question of co-education and making a recommendation to the WJ Board of Trustees, which they did in December of 1990.Tom as the Board of Trustees President at the time, took the recommendation, and eventually, the Board took the historic vote to go co-ed in January of 1991.  In this episode, they discuss the decision to form the feasibility committee.  The work that committee did and the shift in the mindset of many of the members of the committee from the beginning of the process to the end.  The Board of Trustees discussed and vote to go co-ed.   The secrecy from the time the board voted until all approvals from the Jesuit Community and Bishop were granted, as well as the numerous factors that went into the decision.It is a fascinating look back at the biggest decision in WJ history with two of the people who were front and center when it came to making the decision.I hope you take a minute and enjoy the program!

In today's episode we speak with Fr. Don Petkash SJ.In our conversation with Fr. Don, we talked about his decision to join the Jesuits right out of St. Ignatius H.S.  As he approaches his 80th birthday (almost impossible to believe for those that know him) he discussed the 13 year lead-up to becoming a Jesuit priest, his time at the Jesuit high schools in Detroit and NE Ohio, as well as the impact the sabbaticals to France and India had on his life.  At the end of the podcast he speaks to his optimism in the continuing excellence of Jesuit education despite the current shortage of men entering the priesthood.I hope you enjoy listening to the experiences he has had during his incredible life of service to others. Thanks for listening to the Warrior Chronicles.

Sam Subity from the class of 1994 stops by to tell us all about his journey to the publication of his first book "The Last Shadow Warrior" out now on Scholastic Press.Sam talks about coming to WJ from public school in Green, moving on to John Carroll where he studied English and Economics, earning a Fulbright Scholarship, and his start in books at the bottom of the publishing industry. All the while, writing and searching for his break.A departure from the historically based episodes we have done so far. I encourage you to pick up a copy of "The Last Shadow Warrior" and thanks for listening.

Dr. Bob Sturkey '71, the first student of color at WJ stops by the podcast today.In our conversation with Dr. Sturkey, we will talk about his parent's influence on his educational goals, his decision to attend WJ, what it was like being the only student of color at WJ during the late '60s, the lessons he took from Walsh Jesuit and where it led him after graduation.Thanks for listening to the Warrior Chronicles.

Today we welcome Mr. Grant Conzaman, the longtime WJ Director of Athletics to the podcast. We discuss, among other things, his beginnings at WJ as the College Guidance Counsellor, his transition to the role of Athletics Director, the school's decision to go co-ed, and the building of the Ricco Field House.Thanks for listening.

A conversation with a true Walsh Jesuit legend, Coach Gerry Rardin.  Since 1968 Coach has not been at WJ, in some capacity, for only one year, his freshman year in college.  He came back to start helping with the football team during his sophomore year at Akron and has been here ever since.Today we get to hear coaches' insights on what it was like being a student at, coaching at, and working at Walsh Jesuit for all of these years.  Thank you for joining us and I hope you enjoy listening to Coach Gerry Rardin as much as we did.

The second in our two-part inaugural edition of the Warrior Chronicles with Fr. King and Mr. Cardone.In this episode, we continue to discuss the important people in the early part of the school, including a more in-depth look at the influence of Clem Caraboolad.  We discuss the naming of the school nickname, the newspaper, etc.  We talk about the first varsity football game as well as how the position of the Alumni Director came into existence.  We also get to hear more about the lives of our distinguished guests, and much more!Thank you for listening.

In the very first episode of the Warrior Chronicles, we speak with Fr. Jim King and Mr. Tom Cardone '69 about the earliest days of WJ.  In order to keep the runtime to a fairly uniform 30 minutes (give or take), this premiere edition of the Warrior Chronicles has been split into two parts.They discuss:How the school was founded (hint: we are lucky the school was even built)How they came to Walsh Jesuit in the fall of 1965 What it was like teaching at and attending a school that had not finished construction yet.  How do you get a Cross the size of the one on top of our chapel, on top of our chapel.Who were the people they remember as the most important in shaping the vision and character of the school.And much more.

Welcome to the Warrior Chronicles, your bi-monthly podcast about all things Walsh Jesuit.  The idea for the podcast revolved around wanting to document an oral history of WJ.  But, we'd like it to also inform people of the current events at the school, as well as putting a spotlight on some of the notable achievements of our alums.  We will have our first episode featuring Mr. Tom Cardone and Fr. Jim King, speaking about the start of the school next  Monday, March 15. We hope this will be a new and exciting way to engage all of our great alums and friends of Walsh Jesuit.