ALUMNI AWARDS INDUCTION CEREMONY
Join us in celebration of our fellow Crusaders!
Alumni Awards
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Noon
(Doors open at 11 a.m.)
Canisius High School – Scaccia Auditorium
Dress Code: Formal
*Individual Tickets: $110 (before 10/24)
$125 (after 10/24)
Past Inductee Tickets: $90
Children 12 & under: Free
Online registration closes on Monday, Nov. 3. You must be registered to attend. Tickets will not be available at the door.
*Tickets include the awards ceremony and brunch in the Kennedy Field house immediately following
The Alumni Awards honor extraordinary people from the Canisius Community whose pursuit of excellence personally, professionally and on the field of play embody the Jesuit ideal of “men and women for others.” They are accomplished leaders and athletes from all walks of life, whose dedication to the greater good represents the highest ideals to which all Canisius alumni aspire.
All proceeds from the Alumni Awards benefit the Jesuit Promise Fund. The Jesuit Promise Fund ensures that current and future Crusaders with financial need can be provided the opportunity for a Jesuit education.
This year’s inductees include:
Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor
Mr. Peter Augustine ’83 – Business
Rev. Michael Corcoran, S.J. ’76 – Religious
Rev. Jack Mattimore, S.J. ’76 - Religious
Dr. Michael McPhaden ’68 – Science
Rev. James Miracky, S.J. ’77 – Religious
*Hon. Patrick NeMoyer ’70 – Law
Mr. Phil Perna ’70 – Business
Rev. Thomas Slon, S.J. ’75 – Religious
Rev. Michael Tunney, S.J. ’76 – Religious
Rev. James Van Dyke, S.J. ’77 – Religious
*posthumously
Service Award
Vincent Mancuso ’64
Joseph Michael ’64
John F. Barnes Award:
Timothy Kane ’80 – Soccer
Athletic Hall of Fame
Michael Bielecki ’06 – Wrestling
John Boland ’66 – Football, Basketball
Chris Curran ’97 – Football
Rod Nickson ’76 – Football, Basketball
Alec Pokornowski ’11 – Swimming
Greg Shea ’92 – Basketball, Baseball
Paul Steinig ’10 – Hockey
Cole Townsend ’11 – Cross Country, Track & Field
Joe Zera ’01 – Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field
CONTACT: Jay Josker ’01 at (716) 200-0264 or josker@canisiushigh.org
Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor
The Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor was established to permanently recognize graduates of Canisius High School who have distinguished themselves in their careers or in their activities in a manner which exemplifies the highest ideals to which Canisius is dedicated. These gentlemen have brought lasting recognition to themselves and to their alma mater. Enshrinement in the Hall of Honor is the highest recognition that Canisius can bestow on its alumni.
Peter Augustine ’83 - Business
Augustine started his career as an accountant at New Era Cap Company before being named president in 2003. Under Pete’s leadership New Era became a global sports and fashion brand headquartered in Buffalo. Since leaving New Era, Pete has lent his expertise as a board member for many local organizations including The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation and NativityMiguel School. Augustine was recently named chairman of the CHS Board of Trustees after serving as vice-chair for nine years.
Rev. Michael Corcoran, S.J. ’76 – Religious
Corcoran – a teacher by trade who taught math and religion at CHS for 10 years – served as the Superior of the Jesuits in Yap and Palau Micronesia. During that time he simultaneously served as the inaugural Principal and Director of Yap Catholic School, overseeing its establishment and growth from 35 students to an enrollment of 100 today. He is currently the superior of the Murray-Weigel-Kohlmann community at Fordham University, the health care community of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.
Rev. Jack Mattimore, S.J. ’76 – Religious
Mattimore has spent the majority of his career in service to those on the margins. After serving as the principal of Canisius High School he was simultaneously named chaplain of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Holy Angels Academy. He then served as the chaplain of the federal detention facility in Batavia before being named director of Yap Catholic school. Upon his return to the U.S., Mattimore continued his prison ministry at Riker’s Island and at the Thrive for Life Prison Project – a non-profit that provides assistance to current and former inmates.
Dr. Michael McPhaden ’68 – Science
Dr. McPhaden is a leading National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate scientist studying large scale ocean dynamics as the Director of the Global Tropical Moored Buoy Array. For his work, McPhaden has been awarded a U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal, a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service and a shared Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the Assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Rev. James Miracky, S.J. ’76 – Religious
Miracky began his career at Holy Cross where he taught English literature before serving as chair of the English department and then as the Associate Dean for Faculty Development. He was named Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Loyola University Maryland in 2010. In 2014 he was appointed Provincial Assistant for Higher Education for the Maryland and Northeast Provinces before they merged into the USA East province. He is currently the VP for Mission Integration at St. Peter’s University.
Hon. Patrick NeMoyer ’70 - Law (deceased)
NeMoyer served as the Erie County Attorney from 1988 to 1993 before being appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. In 1997, he was elected to the New York State Supreme Court. He was appointed to the 4th Department of the Appellate Division in 2016. He was named Judge of the Year by the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Western District, in 2006, by the bar association’s Commercial and Bankruptcy Committee in 2001 and by its Family Law Committee in 2000.
Phil Perna ’70 – Business
Perna began his career as an associate at Hodgson Russ and M&T Bank before assuming the role of President and CEO of Supermarket Management – a company that franchises and operates four Tops Markets. In 1999 he became the Director and Executive Vice President of 7680 Transit Road, overseeing 16 Tim Horton’s locations. He still holds both of those roles today. He is a past president of Leadership Buffalo and has served on the boards for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Volunteer Lawyers Project and Sisters Hospital Foundation.
Rev. Thomas Slon, S.J. ’75 – Religious
Slon is an architect by trade who began his career focusing on Church renovation after Vatican II. He was named Socius of the USA East Province where he served as the second in command overseeing daily operations. He then returned to Buffalo to serve as the Superior of the Jesuits. In 2024 he was named Socius of the Jesuit Conference US, overseeing the six Jesuit provinces of the United States and Canada.
Rev. Michael Tunney, S.J. ’76 - Religious
An influential and renowned art teacher, Tunney founded the Studio Arts program at Canisius University and guided its merger with three other arts programs to create the Fine Arts department. Tunney then chaired the department before being named Superior of the Jesuits at Fairfield University. Since 2021 Tunney has served as the Provincial Assistant for Higher Education at the USA East Province.
Rev. James Van Dyke, S.J. ’77 – Religious
Van Dyke began his career as a beloved English teacher and rowing coach at Canisius High School. He served in similar roles at Xavier, McQuaid and Fordham Prep. In 2013 he was named principal of Cristo Rey Atlanta High School. Since 2018, Van Dyke has served as the president of Georgetown Preparatory School where he has led the expansion of the school’s athletic and dormitory facilities through a $70 million capital campaign.
The Canisius High School Service Award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the Canisius community through their time, actions, talents, dedication and leadership.
Honorees serve as role models for the Jesuit educational motto of “Men and Women for Others,” by giving of themselves in service to Canisius for the greater glory of God.
Vince Mancuso ’64
For more than a decade, Mancuso has activated his classmates as the Class of 1964 class agent by planning class reunions, weekly golf outings and hosting an annual Christmas party. Since 2016 he has served on the Legacy Fund Committee, raising more than $1 million for scholarships and capital athletic purchases. In 2024 he served as the chairman of the committee, adding new board members and setting a record for sponsorships and money raised. In 2019, Vince and his wife Pat established a family scholarship to provide tuition assistance for Crusaders in need.
Joseph Michael ’64
Michael’s influence on Canisius High School athletics spans five decades. He has been a member of the football, basketball and baseball coaching staffs. In 1987, Michael established the Sports Hall of Fame and served as its first chairman. Beyond athletics, Michael has chaired GAMBIT, served on the Board of Trustees and established a family scholarship providing tuition assistance to Crusaders in need. In 2016, he founded the Downtown Priest Committee to establish a scholarship in honor of Rev. John G. Sturm, S.J. ’35. Joe chaired the committee for nine years as it became the Legacy Fund Committee and raised more than $1 million for scholarships and capital athletic projects, including the new baseball fields and Koessler Field turf at the Stransky Athletic Complex.
Athletic Hall of Fame
The Athletic Hall of Fame honors individuals who achieved excellence in their scholastic athletic careers at Canisius. These individuals have been measured not only by their achievements, but by their sportsmanship, character, and leadership. Inductees must meet the following criteria:
- Must be an alumnus who graduated at least 10 years prior to nomination
- Only achievements during nominee's Canisius High School career will be considered
- Nominee should be recognized not only by Canisius, but within his respective league and geographic area, i.e. All-Catholic, All-WNY, etc.
- Nominees cannot nominate themselves
The 2025 recipient of the John F. Barnes Award is Tim Kane '80, a tremendous supporter of the Crusaders' soccer program.
The Barnes Award, named for the dedicated 42-year coach and faculty member, recognizes alumni or other members of the CHS community for outstanding contributions to Canisius High School athletics.
Tim Kane '80 – Soccer
Tim was a member of the inaugural CHS soccer team – which was founded by his father, Dr. Leo Kane ’50 – and was a two-time All-Catholic selection and a first-team All-State pick as a senior. He earned league MVP honors as he captained the 1979 team to an undefeated league season and Monsignor Martin Athletic Association championship in just the program’s second year of existence.
Since his time on the pitch, Tim has been an avid supporter of the soccer program, helping to fund capital expenses including new turf. With his support, the program has grown from a single team of 20 players to a program with four teams and 70 athletes.
Kane also started the Leo A. Kane, MD ’50 scholarship in his father’s honor to support current students.
Tim and his father are the first father-son duo to receive the Barnes Award.
Mike Bielecki ’06 - Wrestling
The four-year varsity wrestler and captain was named Monsignor Martin Athletic Association Wrestler of the Year in 2006 on his way to a Catholic High School Athletic Association state championship. He is one of only three CHS wrestlers to win the CHSAA Iron Man award – given to wrestlers who place in the top six at the state tournament four years in a row.
John Boland ’66 – Football, Basketball
The team MVP, Burke Division All-Star and unanimous All-Catholic tight end played offense, defense and special teams for the Crusaders, recording 10 sacks in eight games during the undefeated 1965 season. On the hardwood, he led Canisius to a Manhattan Cup championship.
Chris Curran ’97 - Football
A captain and three-year member of the varsity football team, Curran was named team MVP and WNY Lineman of the Year after a senior year in which he recorded 68 tackles – including 12 for loss – and 15 quarterback pressures.
Rod Nickson ’76 – Football, Basketball
The All-WNY lineman played three years of varsity football, was a member of the undefeated streak teams, and earned first-team All-State honors as a senior. Nickson was also a three-year member of the varsity basketball team.
Alec Pokornowski ’11 – Swimming
The four-year member of the swim team is a three-time All-American, three-time New York State top 10 swimmer, 12-time All-Catholic champion, three-time Team MVP and two-time CHS Athlete of the Season. He set multiple school and league records.
Greg Shea ’92 – Basketball, Baseball
The 1992 CHS Athlete of the Year was an All-Catholic selection and All-WNY Honorable Mention in basketball. As a catcher for the baseball team, he led the Crusaders to a Georgetown Cup and Mayor’s Cup while earning All-Catholic second-team honors.
Paul Steinig ’10 – Hockey
Steinig is the most decorated hockey player in program history. In 2010 the team captain was named New York State MVP, Monsignor Martin MVP, CHS Winter Sports MVP and Team MVP while leading the Crusaders to back-to-back Monsignor Martin, Varsity Federation, and Catholic state championships. As a coach, he led the Crusaders to a third state title in 2014.
Cole Townsend ’11 – Cross Country, Track & Field
The All-American is one of the most prolific runners in CHS history. As a senior he earned All-State honors for indoor and outdoor track. He set the Western New York record in the 3,200 meters and holds school records for both the 3,200 and 3,000. He claimed a Catholic state championship and went on to place fifth at the overall NYS Federation meet and sixth at the New Balance national meet. Townsend was also an All-WNY Cross Country runner who set the CHS record for the 3-mile.
Joe Zera ’01 – Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field
The All-Catholic guard tallied 607 points as a senior and finished fourth all-time in scoring at Canisius with 1,197 points while leading the Crusaders to back-to-back state championships. Zera was also a three-year All-Catholic starter for the volleyball program who led the team in kills as a senior. On the track, Zera claimed All-Catholic titles in the 800 meters and 4x800.