The inaugural class of the Bishop Garrigan Athletics Hall of Fame has been officially inducted after a ceremony honoring the inductees on Thursday, August 28th, as eight inductees were a part of the inaugural class.
The 1975 Bishop Garrigan boys golf team of Steve Winkel, Scott Winkel, Greg Winkel, Ron Lickteig, and Tom Geelan was the first team in any sport at Bishop Garrigan to capture a state title. The members of team team made several state tournament appearances and were credited with helping establish the school’s reputation as one of the top golf programs in the state.
Jim Geelan was Bishop Garrigan’s first athletic director, serving in the role until 1962. Geelan played a key role in navigating the many challenges associated with helping get new sports programs off the ground. Geelan also spent time coaching baseball, basketball, and football.
Paul Seiler, a member of the class of 1963, was a stalwart two way player for the Golden Bear football team as an offensive tackle and linebacker. Seiler would eventual go on to become an All-American at offensive tackle for Notre Dame, and eventually became a first round NFL draft pick of the New York Jets, later playing for the Oakland Raiders as well.
Jack Muller, a 1968 graduate, competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track, earning nine varsity letters. Muller set several early school records, going on to play offensive line for the University of Iowa and being drafted by the Green Bay Packers.
Eugene Meister led the Bishop Garrigan baseball team to nine conference titles during his coaching tenure, which spanned from 1988 to 2013. His resume also included 10 district titles and four state appearances, which included a runner-up 1999 finish. The Iowa Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee amassed 976 wins in his career.
Renetta Seiler, a member of the class of 1995, won four individual state titles in track and field during her career at Bishop Garrigan, three in the shot put and one in the discus. Seiler would win titles at the Drake Relays in both 1994 and 1995, earning Most Outstanding Female Athlete of the Meet in 1994. Seiler would add another Drake Relays title in college at Kansas State, where she eventually became a six-time All-American.
Tom Froehlich, from the class of 1970, was a four-sport athlete during his time at Bishop Garrigan. Froehlich returned to Bishop Garrigan in 1976, coaching football, basketball, track, and golf. As the defensive coordinator for the football team, Froehlich helped guide the Golden Bears to the 1985 state title, as well as six other playoff berths. Froehlich won 181 games during 15 years as the boys basketball coach, helping the team to their first state appearance in 1993, later helping the girls basketball team reach the state tournament in 2000.
