ALUMNI AWARDS INDUCTION CEREMONYCongratulations to the 2023 inductees!
Join us for the Alumni Awards induction ceremony at noon Saturday, Nov. 18 at Canisius High School's Scaccia Auditorium.
Semi-formal attire preferred. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Tickets include the awards ceremony and brunch immediately following in the Bernard J. Kennedy '49 Field House.
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 strive.
Proceeds from the Alumni Awards benefit need-based scholarships for deserving Canisius students who embody the same ideals as our inductees. With your support those ideals will continue on with the next generation of Crusaders.
This year’s inductees are:
Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor
Dr. John M. Canty ’72 – Medicine
Hon. John M. Curran ’77 – Law
Mr. Walter L. Rooth ’60 – Law/Civic Leadership
Dr. Eric F. Spina ’79 – Education
John F. Barnes Award
Thomas H. Weislo – Volleyball
Athletic Hall of Fame
James E. Bujalski ’84 – Tennis
Ryan Dinunzio ’98 – Soccer, Football
Jordan J. Hamm ’09 – Cross Country, Track & Field
Kyle P. Husband ’96 – Basketball
Karl S. McKinnie ’77 – Track & Field
Joseph L. Ogiony ’73 – Swimming
Dale R. Podlas ’87 – Baseball, Football, Basketball
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CONTACT: Jay Josker ’01 at (716) 200-0264 or josker@canisiushigh.org
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Online registration for the event has closed.
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. Click the button below to see the members prior to the 2023 induction.
Dr. John M. Canty ’72 – Medicine
A cardiologist by trade, the SUNY Distinguished Professor of Medicine currently serves as the Director of the Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine. Dr. Canty is also a professor of Biomedical Engineering at UB and is on staff at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. His clinical areas of expertise are in diagnosing and caring for patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure. A UB Distinguished Alumni, his work as a research scientist has been published over 150 times.
Hon. John M. Curran ’77 – Law
Judge Curran began his legal career as a commercial litigation attorney before being appointed the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. He served as the Orchard Park Town Justice. In 2004, he was elected to the New York State Supreme Court. In 2016, he was appointed to the Fourth Appellate Division. He has served on the Orchard Park Town Board, the Canisius High School Board of Trustees and is a UB Law School Distinguished Alumni.
Mr. Walter L. Rooth ’60 – Law/Civic Leadership
As a lawyer, Rooth began his career as the Hamburg Town Attorney before being elected Hamburg Town Judge where he served the citizens of Hamburg for 35 years. During his tenure he oversaw the implementation of a Court Domestic Violence Counselor and Alcohol Counselor. He created a Scared Straight Program and counseling and community service programs for Hamburg youth. Outside of the courtroom, his work as a youth baseball coach and executive earned him the Town Service to Youth Award.
Dr. Eric F. Spina ’79 – Education
Spina, the President of Dayton University, began his career as a mechanical and aerospace engineer working on grants from The National Science Foundation, NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency. Spina’s administrative experience includes Syracuse University Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science as well as Vice Chancellor and Provost of SU. Under his guidance, Dayton has set records for size, academic quality and racial and socioeconomic diversity. He holds two U.S. Patents and his work has been honored by NASA and the National Science Foundation.
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
Click the button below to see the members prior to the 2023 induction.
The 2023 recipient of the John F. Barnes Award is Thomas H. Weislo, architect of the Crusaders' championship volleyball 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.
Thomas H. Weislo – Volleyball
A foundational member of the Crusader volleyball program, Weislo has been a part of 24 Monsignor Martin Athletic Association championships during his 27 years with the program, including the team's current 22-year title streak.
As the varsity head coach, Weislo won 15 consecutive MMAA Championships and 17 total. His 2016 and 2020 teams went undefeated with his 2016 team posting a 34-0 record and boasting two players ranked in the USA Volleyball Top 50.
Weislo has coached countless all-Catholic and All-Western New York players during his tenure and his tireless efforts have built Crusader volleyball into one of the best and most successful programs in Western New York.
Weislo is currently the Director of Admission and the Director of Volleyball Operations.
James E. Bujalski ’84 – Tennis
Bujalski's outstanding CHS career began with him capturing his first All-Catholic title as a freshman. As a senior, the team captain and WKBW-TV Super 7 Athlete of the Week won the All-Catholic title in both singles and doubles.
Ryan Dinunzio ’98 – Soccer
One of the best soccer players in the history of CHS, Dinunzio was a four-year member of the varsity team and a three-year captain. He earned All-Catholic honors in 1995, 1996 and 1997. The 1997 Monsignor Martin Athletic Association Player of the Year and All-Western New York selection set school records for career goals and assists.
Jordan J. Hamm ’09 – Cross Country, Track & Field
Hamm was a two-time All-Catholic track honoree and three-time All-Catholic Cross Country honoree. Hamm also was an All-WNY Cross Country selection as a senior. He holds Catholic state titles in both indoor and outdoor Track and won a New York State Federation title in indoor track. He holds school records in both the indoor and outdoor 1,600 meters and as a member of the indoor 4x800 relay team.
Kyle P. Husband ’96 – Basketball
Husband turned the Crusader backcourt into the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association's deadliest after transferring prior to his junior year. The all-around standout's team-leading 16 ppg as a senior paced a hot-shooting CHS squad to a Manhattan Cup and Class C Catholic State Championship. Husband was a two-time All-Catholic selection as a Crusader and is a career 1,000-point scorer with 1,016. As the current varsity coach, Husband leads all MMAA coaches with 10 Manhattan Cups and is second on the all-time Western New York victories list.
Karl S. McKinnie ’77 – Track & Field
The two-time track team MVP captained the Crusaders to the 1976 All-Catholic championship while earning individual All-Catholic honors six times throughout his career. McKinnie also won All-Western New York honors five times and captured a state title in the 400 meters. (Photo note: McKinnie was unable to have a senior portrait taken due to scheduling conflicts, which included track meets).
Joseph L. Ogiony ’73 – Swimming
The four-year member of a dominant varsity team was a three-time All-Catholic honoree who went undefeated in the 100-yard butterfly during both his junior and senior years. The team captain anchored the freestyle and medley relays and qualified for the National All-Catholic meet in 1973.
Dale R. Podlas ’87 – Baseball, Football, Basketball
The three-sport athlete shined brightest on the diamond. The third baseman and pitching ace earned All-Catholic honors three years in a row. As a senior, Podlas captained the Crusaders on his way to earning a spot on the All-Western New York team.