Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022

"All Irish" since his days as a student on the Elliston Place campus, Bill Brunner '77 has worn just about every hat there is to wear for Father Ryan. After graduating from MTSU with a degree in economics, Bill returned to his alma mater to teach and coach. In 2002, as Head Coach, Bill led the Irish Baseball Team to their first-ever State Championship. He now works as the Athletics Fields Manager for Father Ryan and continues his work in the classroom. A lifelong educator and "numbers guy," Bill teaches math and AP microeconomics, and was selected as the Bishop Smith Teacher of the Year in 2021.

An active supporter of Father Ryan during his high school days, Father William Fleming '49 became one of the Irish's most devoted, vocal, and supportive fans during his tenure as Religion and History Teacher from 1958-1971 and as principal from 1971-1974. In addition, he served as the head tennis coach for the Irish from 1961-1964. 
 
Father Fleming made one of the largest gifts of funds to Father Ryan High School upon his death in the late 1990s, creating two scholarships at Father Ryan for those needing assistance in order to enjoy and benefit from a Catholic education. While not specified for athletes, the scholarship proceeds have served to make Father Ryan accessible to numerous student-athletes. To date, those funds have provided more than $1 million in financial assistance to students at Father Ryan.  
 
For his lifetime of support and his engagement with students across his 15-year teaching career, the Father William Fleming awards are presented each year to the top athletes - male and female - for their achievements in athletics and their accomplishments in and out of the classroom. 
 
Father Fleming passed away in 1999. 

From 1955 to 2009, with the exception of just a few years, Everett "Hosey" Holzapfel '59 could be found at Father Ryan. He was the starting QB and captain for the Football Team and point guard for the Basketball Team.  After graduating from college, Hosey returned to his alma mater and spent two decades as a teacher in the Math Department, with a focus on statistics. During this time, he was the official statistician for the Father Ryan Athletics, and rain or shine, Hosey was on the sideline at every game, recording stats and keeping notes in his trademark trench coat and fedora. At a time before computers, when analytical breakdown of sports was still in its infancy, Hosey was ahead of his time.  
 
In the early 2000s, Hosey stepped up and became the school's Athletic Director, leading the department during an exciting time that led to the construction and opening of Giacosa Stadium. Hosey retired in 2008 and remains a passionate fan and supporter of the Irish.

In just their fourth season as a sport at Father Ryan, and playing in one of the largest and most competitive divisions at the time, the 1973-1974 Girls Basketball Team advanced the Irish girls athletics program in a significant way. Their performance introduced Father Ryan to the state's powerhouse programs, and produced a memorable season that established their longstanding record of basketball excellence. 
 
Coached by Father Ryan Athletics Hall of Famers John Gorham '54 and  Jinx Cockerham, and featuring Hall of Famers Karen Harris Russell '74, Kay Batey '74, Paula Holloran '75 and fellow 2022 inductee Jocelyn Robertson Thomas '76, this squad was truly an Irish "dream team" and the result of a serendipitous assembly of talent, determination, and grit. They were District Champions and finished third in the TSSAA State Playoffs, losing to eventual runner-up Warren County, who fell to Shelbyville, a longtime Girls Basketball powerhouse.  
 
The season was a major milestone for the Irish, as Father Ryan represented one of the smallest schools in their division and held their own against large city- and country-wide schools. The Lady Irish finished with a 23-7 record.