- Class History - by Bill Bradford
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McBride High School
1962 – 1966
Class History
by Bill Bradford
In late August of 1962, one hundred and fifty-two young men came from all areas of St. Louis to attend McBride High School. They came from parishes in the city such as Most Holy Rosary and Epiphany to St. Francis of Assisi and Immaculate Conception in South St. Louis County to St. Paul the Apostle and Corpus Christi in North St. Louis County. They represented a diverse background of ethnicity in terms of race, ancestry, education, and wealth. However, they all shared the same goal. They yearned for an opportunity to achieve religious, intellectual, social, and emotional maturity. In four short years under the tutelage of the Marianists and the guidance of the Blessed Lady they would ascend into manhood. These young men represented the McBride spirit.
Rally round to the sound
Of our high school song.
The melody prolong.
Six hundred voices strong:
McBride was renown as a leader in education. Largely through the concept of Bro. Robert Godfrey, S.M. the system of Honors and Advanced Placement college credit courses were incorporated into the Major Learning Program at McBride. In addition, McBride initiated the awarding of academic letters for excellence in the classroom. Through the initiative of Bro. Albert Stein, McBride established a Fine Arts Week to show case the talents of its students. Excellence in education was further demonstrated by the forward thinking teachings of Bro. Victor Winkler, S.M. who taught students about DNA way before it was accepted in many circles. McBride’s commitment to leading the way in education was further illustrated through the implementation in 1966 of a closed circuit television system for teaching and learning.
While we attended McBride more for the academics than the athletics, that is not to say that McBride did not excel in sports. During our four year tenure, McBride won honors in Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, and Track. In 1963, McBride won its 8th consecutive CAC Track Championship. Among members of the track team were Bill Tierney, David Durst, Gary Day, Tim Krull, Mike Cissell, Jim Kelly, Jim Staley, and Don Pisoni. In 1964, McBride won only its second state championship in sports. The baseball team behind the excellent play of Mike Windish beat Springfield Central for the Missouri State Baseball Championship. In 1965, the Varsity soccer team with a record of 14-6-3 won the CAC Co-Championship. One of the key players on that team was Bill McDermott who became captain of the 1966 team. In 1966, the varsity basketball team posted a record of 26-3 and ran away with the CAC Championship. The starting five included Bob Brown, Bruce Ryan, Mike Windish, John Eresh, and Mike Brady. While McBride was not a perennial champion on the field, it was always competitive in athletics.
Coaches during our tenure included Bob Goodwin (Varsity Football & Basketball), Don Bagot (Varsity Baseball), Edward Perniciaro (Varsity Track & Soccer), Bill Rupp (Varsity Soccer), Bernard Arzu (Varsity Soccer), Tom Dill (Varsity Track), and Joe Mimlitz (Varsity Track).
The competitive spirit of McBride was best illustrated in 1964 when McBride won the State Baseball Championship. While the underdog, McBride dominated on the field. Who can forget the chant from the fans of St. Pius of Festus: “Take the Pride out of McBride!” McBride easily beat St. Pius and went to win the state championship, beating Springfield Central 4 – 2.
Give a cheer, loud and clear,
when our banners seen:
Make it loud, for we’re proud
of our orange and green.
The Arts were very important at McBride. Many Micks participated in band, drama, debate, speech, and worked on the Foreshadow, and the school newspaper and yearbook. One of the highlights of the year was the Fine Arts Festival which was held each spring. The Festival highlighted the talents of many Micks who participated in band, drama, and the fine arts. Who can forget Andreas Katsulas who co-starred in Cyrano De Bergerac in 1963 and went on to star in later years with Harrison Ford in “The Fugitive”. In 1966, Mike Gray and Mike Stellern achieved honors in the presentation of “Inherit the Wind”.
The Academic Honors Convocation was the highlight of the academic year. The convocation was designed to give some permanent, prominent, and public form of recognition to academic excellence. A varsity chenille letter was given to students of outstanding merit. Micks standing on corners waiting for buses to go home after school were seen proudly wearing their varsity letters. The honors convocation was noted for their guest speakers. Guest speakers included such notables as Dan Divine, Lt. Gov. Thomas Eagleton, Dr. Walter A. Younge, M.D., and Dick Rosenthal.
What would McBride be without its social life. The social life included field day, home coming, assemblies, and dances. Field day gave all Micks a chance to be athletes (sort of) for a day. The many wacky events enabled us to take our minds off studies for at least part of a day. Who can forget the awkwardness and stumbling of Jack Tevlin in trying to run a straight course after having spun around a spindle held to the ground several times. Not easy! Special assemblies held at McBride included the St. Benedict’s Continentals, The Brass section of the Symphony Orchestra, and Thurlow Spurr & His Spurlows. Pep assemblies were always something special at McBride. Each year, Miss Victory honored us with her presence. Her beauty and gracefulness was always special as witnessed by Joe Smith’s performance our senior year.
McBride was known throughout the city for its dances. Dances were the core of the school-sponsored social events of the year. Girls from Rosati-Kain, Xavier, St. Elizabeth’s, and Incarnate Word flocked to McBride’s dances. It was not unusual to hear Bob Kuban and the In-Man or Pete and Rick Faletti’s band performing.
Rah – rah – rah – rah boys, for our school.
Rah – rah – rah – rah, boys, may she rule
The cafeteria and library played a special role in our life at McBride. The cafeteria gave us a gathering place to meet with fellow Micks to talk about class work, sports, and girls. It was also a fun place as witnessed by Mike Stark chasing Bill Poole with the ketchup and mustard containers. The library was an unofficial meeting place for Micks during study hall. I wonder how many Micks were asked to leave the library by Bro. Jorn for talking?
Clubs and service workers played important roles at McBride. Clubs included the camera and radio clubs and the chess team. These clubs were very active during our years at McBride. In 1966, the McBride Chess Team came in third in the City-County League. Service workers consisted of those Micks who worked in the cafeteria and library. There would not have been lunch without the assistance of the cafeteria workers. And what about those many Micks who helped Brothers Jorn and Loehr in the Library. Without their help, we would not have found the books or research that we needed. At one time or another we all chipped in to help out at McBride. Activities included being a member of the stage crew, setting-up for dances or assemblies, to serving daily mass for Fr. George Scherer.
Rah – rah – rah – rah, boys, rah – rah – rah – rah, boys:
Rah – rah – rah – rah, boys, for our school.
Of key importance to our life at McBride was that of our spiritual leadership. During our years at McBride, the Marianists played a key role in molding us. Our life at McBride would have been incomplete without the availability of daily mass, the annual retreat, and the Sodality Society. Fr. George Scherer, S.M. was the school Chaplin during three of our four years at McBride. He was a special man who exemplified true charity and character. During our years at McBride, we also interacted on a regular basis with Fr. Paul Search, S.M., Fr. Paul Ryan, S.M., Fr. Donald Cahill, S.M., and Fr. Joseph Rasky, S.M. During our senior year, who can forget Fr. Rasky’s infamous quote of “You’ll have to take that on faith.”
Student Council officers for the first semester included Doug Roper, President, Bill Tierney, Vice-President, Pat Wiese, Treasurer, and John Bischof, Secretary. Second semester officers included Doug Roper, President, Pat Wiese, Vice-President, Jack Tevlin, Secretary, and Jim Huneke, Treasurer. Student Court officers for the first semester included Jack Tevlin, President, Dave Durst, Vice President, and Larry Hake, Secretary. Second semester officers included Tony Bandle, President, Mike Windish, Vice-President, and Larry Hake, Secretary.
Hail, hail, hail, McBride!
Hail, hail, hail, McBride!
Hearts of ours beat glad and true
when your glorious banner comes to view.
Our senior year culminated with the Senior Prom, Academic Honors Convocation, and Graduation. The prom was held in April with an oriental theme. An authentic pagoda was built on the stage by prom workers. The king and queen of the prom were Doug Roper and Bonnie Bourgois. The prom was enjoyed by all. The Academic Honors Convocation held in May. During the convocation, it was announced that the graduating senior class had accumulated more scholarships (based on dollar value) than any previous class. Graduation was held at the Cathedral in early June. One hundred and thirty-nine Micks received diplomas from Cardinal Joseph Ritter. The class Valedictorian was William Robinson and the Salutatorian was Gary Day.
During our four years at McBride we were provided with a quality education, ample opportunity to showcase our knowledge, talents, and skills, guidance in our spiritual life, and a head start socially in life. McBride encompassed all phases of our life. The Marianists and the Archdiocese of St. Louis provided us with gifts to be successful in life.
After forty years, it’s clear to see that the contributions of this class are many. While some chose to serve their country in the armed forces, others contributed through their roles in business, church, education, government, law, and medicine, just to name a few. Many have families, with children and grandchildren. As such, they are role models for their family. Congratulations to all. We hope to see many of you at the reunion activities in September where we can relive some of those moments we shared at McBride some forty-odd years ago.
Loyal sons, we gather near,
and ring the welcome far and wide;
For the orange and green we give a cheer,
and for our own dear McBride.
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