Honoring the Past - Benedictine High School

. . .
Honoring the Past
. . . Building the Future
The goal of the Honoring
the Past...Building the Future
campaign is to ensure
excellence in Benedictine’s
spiritual, academic and
athletic programs for all
students. Benedictine is
committed to fostering a
balanced education and a
once-in-a-lifetime experience
that will guide young men
successfully through life so
that all Men of Benedictine
can reach their full
God-given potential:
Spiritually, Intellectually,
Physically and Emotionally.
lk of Champions
Bossu Field • Rufus Pavilion • Bishop Roger Gries Wa

MEN OF EXCELLENCE • MEN OF FAITH • MEN OF TRADITION • MEN OF BENEDICTINE
A Vision for Tomorrow
Built on the Legacy of our Past
Once in a lifetime you meet men like Augie Bossu, Joe Rufus, and
Bishop Roger Gries. At Benedictine we have been blessed to have had the
influence of men like Augie Bossu, Joe Rufus and Bishop Roger Gries who instilled
the values of work, prayer, family and stability. These men transformed the lives of
thousands of young men at Benedictine. It is now time that we honor these great
“Men of Benedictine” so that we will always remember the traditions they fostered.
Phase 1: Benedictine’s new facility will transform the current grotto and bus garage
areas into a beautiful and safe multi-purpose facility that our students, coaches,
alumni, teachers and monks will all use. Football practices, freshmen/JV & CYO
football games, lacrosse, intramurals, camps, band practice, track practice, reunions
and many more activities and programs will take place on our new facility.
Phase 2: The Honoring the Past...Building the Future campaign will increase our
endowment for need-based financial assistance and scholarships. Benedictine will
not only see enrollment of quality young men grow but will continue to deliver a
great college prep academic curriculum and attract the best teachers and students
in Catholic education.
In Mind: Grow the Benedictine endowment to fund the Augie Bossu, Joe Rufus
and Bishop Roger Gries scholarships programs.
In Body: Create a destination campus that offers easier access to experience
the Benedictine Way, is competitive with other institutions and reflects our
tradition of excellence.
In Spirit: Offer more access to Catholic education and the Benedictine Way by
increasing our enrollment of high quality young men and by providing more
need-based financial assistance to qualified students.

Augie Bossu
“Humble in Victory, Gracious in Defeat”
Joe Rufus
“The Spirit of the Home of Champions”
“Records aside, Mr. Rufus’ program of support to competing athletes; his
stress of sportsmanship and the value of the unique learning experience to
be had in competitive athletics; the building aspects in the striving to be as
good as you could be add up to one of the finest high school programs in
Ohio— one that has had a profound and lasting effect on most who have
benefited, least of all myself.”
– Chuck Noll ‘49, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
Benedictine . . . Honoring the Past
“Coach Bossu was very quiet and very modest. He inspires kids
to live by his example. His modesty and humility rub off on you.
I will always remember that he made me feel like a first-teamer
when I wasn’t a starter. He really means a lot to me. He has
taught me by example the attributes of leading a Christian life.
Other than my father, I admired coach more than anyone.”
– Pat Moriarty ‘73
Bishop Gries
“Faithful to God’s Will and
“Coach Bossu taught
me more about football
and being a Christian
gentleman than anybody I
ever talked to.”
– Larry Zelina ‘67
the Benedictine Way”
“Bishop Roger Gries is truly a gentleman and an inspiration to so many in our Greater Cleveland
Community area. His kindness, warmth, charisma, love and overall devotion have touched a multitude
of people from all walks of life. He truly follows in the footsteps of one of the great Italian Saints, St.
Benedict. St. Benedict said the most important virtue in life is hospitality. Nobody has shown more
hospitality, to more people, in so many walks of life than my dear friend, Bishop Roger Gries. There is
no mistake that our current Holy Father has chosen this special Saint (Benedict) as his name. And no
man represents these ideals more than Bishop Roger Gries.”
– Umberto Fedeli

PHASE ONE
Benedictine . . . Building the Future
Augie Bossu Field, Joe Rufus Pavilion &
Bishop Roger Walk of Champions
Legacy Level - $100,000+
➤ One 24” x 30” engraved plaque with two images and 500 characters of text
on Wall of Champions.
➤ One large custom designed engraved cornerstone on Augie Bossu Field Gateway.
➤ Major scoreboard sponsorship.
➤ Five complimentary tickets to all BHS home sporting events for life.
Tribute Level - $50,000+
➤ One 18” x 24” engraved plaque with two images and 250 characters of text on
Wall of Champions.
➤ One engraved custom designed cornerstone on Augie Bossu Field Gateway.
➤ Minor scoreboard sponsorship.
➤ Four complimentary tickets to all BHS home sporting events for life.
Track Naming Rights Level - $50,000.
➤ One 18” x 24” engraved plaque with one image and 250 characters at the
entrance of the track. (One available)
➤ Four complimentary tickets to all BHS home sporting events for life.
Pavilion Level
$1,500+
➤ One 12” x 12” engraved Pavilion Patio Paver.
Up to 9 lines with 18 characters (including
spaces and punctuation) per line.
Champions Club
Grotto Level
$750+
➤ One 8” x 8” Walk of Champions Grotto Paver.
Up to 6 lines with 14 characters (including
spaces and punctuation) per line.
Captain Level - $25,000+
➤ One 16” x 16” engraved plaque with one image and 100 characters of text on Wall of Champions.
➤ Minor scoreboard sponsorship.
➤ Three complimentary tickets to all BHS home sporting events for life.
Leadership Level - $10,000+
➤ One 12” x 12” engraved plaque with one image and 75 characters of text on Wall of Champions.
➤ Two complimentary tickets to all BHS home sporting events for life.
Grotto Bench Naming Rights Level - $5,000 each.
➤ Twenty grotto benches will be placed alongside the pathway of the Bishop Roger Walk of Champions.
➤ Your name and message will be placed on a 4” x 9” plaque on the bench back.
➤ One complimentary ticket to all BHS home sporting events for life.
Team Level - $2,500+
➤ One 8” x 8” engraved plaque with 50 characters of text on Wall of Champions.
➤ One complimentary ticket to all BHS home sporting events for life.
Walk of Champions Level
$500+
➤ One 8” x 8” Walk of Champions Pathway Paver.
Up to 6 lines with 14 characters (including
spaces and punctuation) per line.
An Appeal For Special Generosity
Whatever you decide to contribute should have some relationship to how you live, how generous God has been to you and how Benedictine has influenced you in your life. If you are financially
able to pledge at the $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000+ Champions Club Levels we ask you to be the trend setters in our campaign with these more substantial gifts.
Goal: $2,250,000 • Amount Pledged: $510,000 • Amount Needed: $1,740,000
Successful completion of this project is the catalyst in growing the Benedictine endowment and to fund the Augie Bossu, Joe Rufus, & Bishop Roger Gries Scholarships,
create a destination campus and to provide 100% need-based financial assistance to qualified students.
Friends of
Benedictine Level
Gifts of up to $500+
➤ All donors at every level will be listed on a
uniquely designed giving tree located near
Augie Bossu Field Gateway.

1927» The Benedictine monks of St. Andrew Abbey in
Cleveland continue the 1,500-year tradition of St. Benedict
by opening Benedictine High School on the site of
St. Andrew Parish of East 51st and Superior.
1931» Thirty-two students graduate, becoming the first class
of “Men of Benedictine.”
1934» Election of Abbot Stanislaus.
1940» Classes open at the new school building on Martin Luther
King Jr. Drive.
1946-» Election of Abbot Theodore.
1948» Coached in all three sports by Joe Rufus, Benedictine
captures the Senate Triple Crown, winning city
championships in basketball, baseball and football, and
earns the name of “Home of Champions.”
Benedictine Timeline
The Honorary Committee
Bishop Anthony Pilla
Abbot Christopher Schwartz., O.S.B.
Frank Bossu ‘67
Steve Bossu ‘71
Umberto Fedeli
Nobby Lewandowski ‘55
Pat Moriarty ‘73
Chuck Noll ‘49
Mike O’Neill ‘82
Greg Rufus ‘74
The Steering Committee
Fr. Gerard Gonda, O.S.B ‘71 – Benedictine HS President
Brother Theodore Girard, O.S.B ’66
Brother Gabriel Balazovic, O.S.B
Joe Gressock ‘66 – Benedictine HS Principal
Joe Marino ‘78 – Advancement Director
John DiPaola ’78 – Committee Chair
Hank Bloom ‘73
Dave DiGeronimo ‘80
Dennis DiGeronimo ‘71
Thomas Paul (Butch) Flynn ‘82
Jamie Georgeson ‘78
Jerry Grabowski ‘66
Dale Jakab ‘68
Bob Matejka ‘60
Tom Rini ‘56
Chuck St. John ‘54
Alex Slemc ‘91
Andy Smith ‘78
1954» The Marian Grotto, a gift from the Class of ’54, is dedicated
in a ceremony.
1955» Augie Bossu debuts as head football coach, leading his teams
to three consecutive city titles.
1957» Benedictine wins first Football State Championship.
1962» A new gymnasium is constructed called the Trueman
Memorial Fieldhouse.
1966-» Election of Abbot Jerome.
1973» Benedictine wins Football State Championship.
1979» Benedictine High School commits to its Cleveland location
and to an exclusive college preparatory curriculum.
1980-1981» Benedictine wins back-to-back Football State Championships.
1981» A $2.5 million capital campaign brings extensive
renovations to the school as well as a new church for
St. Andrew Abbey.
1981» Election of Abbot Roger.
1996-1997» Benedictine becomes the first Ohio high school to win
state titles in three sports in the same year…football,
basketball and track.
2001» Abbot Roger William Gries, OSB ’54 is appointed Auxiliary
Bishop of Cleveland, OH.
2001» Election of Abbot Clement.
2002» Benedictine High School celebrates its 75th Anniversary.
2003-2004» Benedictine wins back-to-back Football State Championships.
2005» Successful completion of $4 million campaign “Charting
Excellence…Navigating Our Future,” resulting in establishment
of student financial aid and faculty compensation endowments,
main building renovations and technology improvements.
2006» Five members of the Class of 2006 qualify as National
Merit Scholars.
2008» Election of Abbot Christopher.
2009» Honoring the Past...Building the Future Campaign.

Your Gift is a Pledge of Your Support
Your pledge is an acknowledgement of God’s blessing for all He
has done for Benedictine – past, present and future. By taking an
active role in this campaign, Benedictine will continue to thrive and
carry on our mission of college preparatory Catholic education and
help grow the mind, body and spirit of “Men of Benedictine.”
In order to create a destination campus that includes Augie
Bossu Field, Joe Rufus Pavilion and Bishop Roger Walk of
Champions, you are asked to take an active role in this campaign.
To allow you to contribute to the fullest extent of your financial
ability, our campaign provides an accounting of how you plan
to contribute. You may pay your pledge monthly, quarterly,
semi-annually, annually or in a way that best suits your ability to
contribute. Depending on your level, payments can be made over
a two or three year period.
The giving levels reflected in this informational packet may be
used as a guideline to help you with your decision. Please consider
the plans carefully and select one which fits your particular
interest and your family’s financial situation. Remember, while not
everyone can make the same size gift, we can all make the same
size sacrifice because we are all Champions in the spirit
of Benedictine.
What You Are Asked To Do
Our goal is to raise $2,250,000 for the field project which is
Phase 1 of a comprehensive campaign. In addition, Benedictine’s
long-term goal is to grow our endowment, which will provide need
based financial assistance to qualified students. While these are
aggressive goals, we are confident the Benedictine community
and friends of Benedictine will respond generously. Many in
our community have the financial resources available to make
this campaign a success. We are asking that all Benedictine
graduates consider at least a Team Level gift, which can be
payable over a 24 or 36 month period. Let your commitment to
this campaign reflect sacrifice, not convenience.
Visit www.Bossufield.com
Tax Advantages of Thoughtful Gifts
The Benedictine Advancement Office offers assistance and
guidance for different charitable strategies that allow you to
honor your personal relationship with Benedictine and at the
same time provide you specific tax advantages. Please call Joe
Marino, Director of Advancement, at 216-421-2080 ext. 357 for
assistance. Here are some strategies to consider:
Direct Gifts of cash and/or gifts of stock that can provide
you with a charitable income tax deduction and lower your estate
taxes and provide a gift-tax deduction.
Gifts of Life Insurance that you can purchase as a new policy
or as an existing policy naming Benedictine as the beneficiary which
allows you to gift a significant amount at a relatively small cost.
Gifts of Tangible Assets such as art and jewelry – if highly
appreciated - can provide a substantial gift to Benedictine and a
considerable tax benefit to you.
Gifts of Real Estate can result in charitable income tax
deductions as well as savings on capital gains taxes and
estate taxes.
Split Interest Vehicles such as charitable gift annuities,
charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts and pooled
income funds allow you to name a current beneficiary and a
remainder beneficiary.
Private Foundations can result in significant income, gift
and tax deductions for families, individuals or corporations
wishing to make substantial gifts to Benedictine. Incorporating
a life insurance strategy can benefit both Benedictine and the
foundation equally.
Corporate Matching Gifts
Many members and friends of the Benedictine community are
employees or retirees of companies which have a matching gifts
program. A matching gifts program allows a donor to double or
even triple the size of their pledge. Please contact the personnel
office at your company for the appropriate form, complete the
donor portion and then forward the form with your pledge card to
the Benedictine Advancement Office. We will then complete the
form, return it to the company and watch your pledge grow.