Ignatius Men Forever

09/23/2026

More than a century ago, Fr. Frederick L. Odenbach, S.J. was conducting groundbreaking scientific research right here at Saint Ignatius High School!

Fr. Odenbach arrived at Saint Ignatius in 1892 as a professor of physics and chemistry and soon turned his studies to meteorology and seismology. From the top of the legendary Saint Ignatius tower and a vault under the Main Building, he operated revolutionary scientific instruments capable of detecting earthquakes from thousands of miles away.

In 1901, his work and vision expanded well beyond Cleveland. Fr. Odenbach helped organize Jesuit colleges and universities across North America into a network of seismic stations, allowing scientists to collect essential earthquake data from locations across the globe. This was named the Jesuit Seismological Service.

In 1906, the Cleveland Plain Dealer devoted a full page to his research with the headline, “Father Odenbach Invented What World’s Scientists Have Striven For.” In fact, the Plain Dealer turned to Fr. Odenbach often as a local scientific expert. They would reach out to him to help explain weather events, earthquakes, and even accounts of insects new to the area, like termites.

His work and legacy is an incredible piece of our rich history. On the same campus where generations of Wildcats have studied, prayed, and grown, a Jesuit priest was helping advance our understanding of the Earth and natural disasters.

Fr. Odenbach’s legacy reminds generations of Wildcats what can happen when curiosity is matched with discipline, attention to detail, and a desire to serve something greater.

09/15/2026

Alumni & Friends!

Do you plan on joining us for our first home Football game back on Wasmer Field this Friday?

Stop by the Alumni Association Tailgate outside of the Carfagna Family Magis Athletic Center for food and camaraderie from 5pm to kickoff!

Purchase your tickets below now, we anticipate this game to sell-out! We look forward to seeing you!

https://ignatiuswildcats.com/sports/2024/6/24/purchase-tickets.aspx

09/09/2026

Saint Ignatius is heading back to Progressive Field! Join fellow students, faculty, alumni, and families as the Guardians take on the Oakland Athletics on Friday, September 18 or Sunday, September 20.

Tickets purchased through the Saint Ignatius offer include a co-branded Slider Bobblehead Special Ticket Package while supplies last.

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/STIGBOBBLE
Offer Code: Wildcats26

Hope to see some Wildcats at the ballpark!

09/08/2026

Saint Ignatius Football Alumni & Enthusiasts!

Chuck Kyle ’69 will be featured on an upcoming episode of EWTN’s Living Right with Dr. Ray, where he’ll reflect on his decades of coaching, teaching, mentoring, and the role faith played in his approach to forming young men.

The program will be taped live on Thursday, September 24 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish in Avon Lake, and EWTN is inviting former players and friends of Coach Kyle to be part of the studio audience for this special occasion.

If you played for Coach Kyle, we hope you’ll consider joining us as we celebrate his remarkable impact on Saint Ignatius and generations of Wildcats.

Former players and alumni can reserve a spot in the live audience here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FA9A822A0F5CF8-64859105-living #/

09/01/2026

Shoutout to Brendan DeVenney ’17, whose reflection was recently featured in America: The Jesuit Review

Drawing from his experience as a Little League umpire, Brendan shares how the baseball field has become a place to practice humility, justice, discipline and joy - and to "find God in all things".

Read his reflection here:

Amid the pressure-packed culture of competition in youth sports, my Catholic faith helps me to be humble, forgiving and joyful.

08/25/2026

Saint Ignatius High School “Founders”

In 1998, Murlan J. “Jerry” Murphy ’36 became the first person to be designated a Founder of Saint Ignatius High School, recognized for his extraordinary loyalty, generosity, and influence on the future of his famed alma mater. Jerry and his wife, Margaret, were tremendous believers and supporters of Saint Ignatius, helping make possible projects including Saint Mary’s Chapel, the Murphy Field House and supporting the school for generations to come.

One year later, Rev. Robert J. Welsh, S.J. ’54 became the school’s second Founder. Fr. Welsh served as President of Saint Ignatius from 1979–2000, but his impact began well before that. In the 1970s, at a time when there were discussions about moving Saint Ignatius out of Ohio City, Fr. Welsh helped lead a $7.5 million capital campaign that allowed the school to remain in its historic near-west side home. He also launched the school’s first Annual Fund to provide scholarship assistance for students in need.

Together, the Murphys and Fr. Welsh helped shape the Saint Ignatius we know today, not only through buildings and financial support, but through a shared belief in the Mission of the school and the young men formed here.

Their legacy lives on today through the Founders’ Award, presented annually by the Saint Ignatius Alumni Association to an alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding service to the school.

If you walk through campus, you can still find reminders of their impact, including the Founders display pictured here and Fr. Welsh's iconic question on the mall.

What is your favorite memory of Fr. Welsh, the Murphys, or the Saint Ignatius campus they helped shape?

08/20/2026

Four members of the Saint Ignatius Class of 1981 are putting the call to be Men for Others into action on Cleveland’s near west side.

Bob Lempke ’81 and Nick Haas ’81 have been working alongside the team at Embody Youth Academy, a faith-based organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth feel known, heard, and empowered through mentorship, leadership development, and skilled training.

Recently, Bob and Nick enlisted the help of longtime classmates and friends Martin Sweeny ’81 and Leo Serrano ’81. Together, the foursome is working to expand Embody’s network and build greater awareness and support for its Youth Center at West 58th and Clark.

They’re also inviting fellow Saint Ignatius alumni to get involved with them in support of Embody’s mission.

Learn more about Embody Youth Academy and ways to help at https://www.embodyyouthacademy.org/.

For additional information, contact Bob Lempke ’81 at [email protected] or contact Embody directly at [email protected].

08/12/2026

Alumni in Action!

For Zack Valletta ’13, teaching English at Yichang Junior High School in Hualien, Taiwan, is about much more than vocabulary and grammar. His seventh and ninth grade students learn through cultural experiences, creative activities, and lessons that help them better understand the world around them.

“I like building relationships with students and helping people learn and achieve their goals,” Zack said.

That interest in education began at Saint Ignatius. Following his older brothers Pat ’05, Kevin ’07 and Anthony ’09 to West 30th & Lorain, Zack became involved in soccer, pole vaulting, the Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership, and the Bigs and Littles program. His experiences at Arrupe helped him realize that teaching could become a career.

Saint Ignatius also helped Zack discover what he was capable of creatively. Fine Arts teacher Julianna Burrows challenged him to take his talent seriously, eventually helping lead him to national recognition through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in New York City.

Those experiences taught Zack a lesson that has stayed with him: You can do more than you think.

After beginning his teaching career in Ohio City, Zack took that lesson overseas, moving to Taiwan without knowing anyone there. Today, he creates his own curriculum and textbooks, develops cultural programming, and helps train fellow foreign teachers.

He even spent a year studying Mandarin at Tzu Chi University through a Taiwan Scholarship. Becoming a language student himself gave Zack a new appreciation for the challenges his own students face and made him a more thoughtful teacher.

Although thousands of miles from Cleveland, the lessons Zack learned at Saint Ignatius continue to shape his approach to education, relationships, and life.

His advice to today’s Wildcats?
“See the world… Get out of your comfort zone.”

Read Zack's full Alumni in Action story here: https://www.ignatius.edu/give/alumni-relations/alumni-stories/zack-valletta-13

Know a deserving alumnus for an Alumni in Action story? Submit their name here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGJGm-MLBD1zHf9WZt8lW79m2YzUAeqA1RsJDE6PdQYYjsOQ/viewform

07/29/2026

Join us for the annual St. Ignatius Young Lawyer Happy Hour!

Whether you're a practicing attorney, recently finished the bar exam, currently in law school, or considering a career in law, we'd love to see you for an evening of networking, reconnecting, and celebrating the strength of the Saint Ignatius legal community.

Wednesday, August 12
5:00–8:00 p.m.
Masthead Brewing Co. - 1261 Superior Ave., Cleveland
Food & drink provided

A special congratulations to our alumni who completed the bar exam this week!

Please RSVP by August 5 to help us provide a headcount. Walk-ins are welcome, but an RSVP is appreciated.

RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdM-CQ7FAgnTj9UfK8bsmt7FBa1h1hdzssxgovQvrFNZlRiBg/viewform

07/22/2026

Congratulations to Fr. James Gartland, SJ ’76, on being named interim president of the Cristo Rey Network.

Fr. Gartland’s decades of service to Cristo Rey reflect the very best of Jesuit education: faith, leadership, and a commitment to creating opportunities for young people. It was especially meaningful to welcome him back to Saint Ignatius this past year, when he celebrated our All-Alumni Mass during his 50th Reunion Weekend. Congratulations, Fr. Gartland!

Fr. James Gartland, SJ, has been named interim president of the Cristo Rey Network, effective August 1.

There are few individuals whose story is more deeply intertwined with Cristo Rey than Fr. Gartland’s. More than 30 years ago, as a newly ordained Jesuit, he conducted the original feasibility study that ultimately led to the founding of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago. Since then, he has served as a founding team member, theology teacher, president of the flagship school, member of the Cristo Rey Network Board of Directors, and, currently, chief mission officer, helping deepen the Catholic formation and identity of all 41 Cristo Rey campuses.

Read more: https://buff.ly/Ieduxgw