Central Catholic to Honor Veteran Graduate at Friday’s Football Game

At halftime of the Fighting Irish football game on Friday, September 5 at Gallagher Stadium, Central Catholic High School will honor Mark Wagner, a 1975 graduate who served in the military.  Students will be dressed in red, white, and blue for Military Appreciation Night.  The Scarlet & Gray will entertain Detroit Catholic Central at 7 p.m. in its Catholic High School League (CHSL) opener.

Mark was a Huey helicopter crew chief in the Army from 1975-78.  He served in the 101st Airborne division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and in the 8th Aviation division in Germany.  Following his time at Fort Campbell, Mark returned home and graduated from the University of Toledo with a degree in mechanical engineering.  After a 33 year career, he retired in 2016.  Mark will be back on campus celebrating with his class for their 50-year reunion.  His wife, Lynn Danyko, also from the Class of 1975, is set to join Mark on the field during the halftime recognition.

History teacher, Hank Wetzel, introduced the idea of honoring Central Catholic alumni veterans during home football games.  “I think it’s important for our students to see what these veterans have done for our country and to have an opportunity to interact with them,” he said.  Hank teaches a World War II class at Central Catholic, as well as American History and American Government, and he has many family members who are veterans.

Click HERE for a complete list of Game Day Information for tomorrow’s conference showdown, including directions, tickets, and parking. Please note, cash sales to enter the contest will take place from 6-7 p.m.

This is the fourth year that Central Catholic has honored a veteran.  Previous honorees included:

Ron Glick, Class of 1957 - Honored in 2024, served in the US Army, assigned to the Military Police in Heidelberg, Germany to work as a bodyguard for the Commanding General for the US Army in Europe

Ron Zak, Class of 1957 - Honored in 2024, served in the Marines, was active for six months and had infantry training at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune, and was then in the reserves for six years

Harold Hoffman, Class of 1943 - Honored in 2023, World War II veteran who served aboard a ship that went to Pearl Harbor

Bill Rhodus, Class of 1975 - Honored in 2022, served in the Army and worked as a police officer for 35 years, retiring as chief of the Sylvania Police Department in 2019