Alumni Connecti N - St. Vincent-St. Mary High School

Thomas John Stecz V65
Since his freshman year at St. Vincent
High School in 1961, Tom has proudly
been an active member of the
St. Vincent-St. Mary family in many
different ways – as a student, alumnus,
parent, volunteer, board member and avid
sports fan.
After graduating from St. Vincent in
1965, Tom attended The University of
Akron where he majored in accounting.
Some of his favorite college memories are
from the Friday nights each fall, which were
reserved for St. Vincent football games.
Proud of his alma mater, Tom often
brought his out-of-state fraternity brothers
with him to watch the games, and they were
amazed at the tradition and enthusiasm
generated by the high school community.
In 1969, Tom graduated from The
University of Akron, married Judy Dalaski
(St. Mary Class of 1967) and began his
professional career. Settling in the Copley
area, Tom and Judy raised five children, all
of whom attended St. Vincent-St. Mary
High School; Dan VM88, Eric VM89, Ben
VM92, Ryan VM95 and Molly VM02.
From a young age, Tom’s children were
regulars at STVM football games, awaiting
the day when they would have the
opportunity to participate in fighting Irish
football games, either as players or as
a cheerleader.
When their first child, Dan, enrolled as
a freshman in 1984, Tom and Judy
immersed themselves in STVM activities
and quickly became leaders in the school
community. Tom served on the Secondary
Education Commission (SEC) and was
chairman for several years leading up to the
school’s transition from a diocesan high
school to an independent Catholic High
School. Tom then served as a member of
the Board of Trustees for several years. Tom
and Judy were active members and officers
of the Parents Club. Together, they also
chaired Showcase, a major fundraiser for
the school, on two separate occasions.
Currently, Tom is Vice President of the
St. Vincent Booster Club, Inc. and has
served as the club’s secretary.
In addition to STVM volunteer
activities, Tom has also been active in the
Akron community. As a parishioner at
Guardian Angels in Copley, Tom has served
as a member of the parish council, a
representative of Catholic Charities, and a
Eucharistic Minister. He has also served as a
board member for the Opportunity
Industrialization Center, a volunteer at the
Akron Regional Development Board, and a
volunteer member of the Audit Committee
for the Copley Township Board of Trustees.
In addition, one of Tom’s favorite volunteer
pastimes has been as a soccer and football
coach for countless children through the
Copley Athletic Association, the Copley
Youth Football Association and the
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO).
Although his children are grown, Tom still
has the opportunity to show them a move
or two, not as their coach, but as their
teammate on an over-30 Greater Akron
Amateur Soccer Association team.
Professionally, Tom spent 12 years at
Arthur Andersen and Co., a public
accounting firm and 18 years as Corporate
Controller and Director of Information
Technology with the Standard Products
Co., an automotive parts supplier in
Cleveland, Ohio. Tom is currently the
Corporate Controller for Shiloh Industries,
Inc., also an automotive parts supplier in
Valley City, Ohio.
Now that their children have graduated
from college (two at John Carroll
University, one at The University of
Dayton, one at The University of Notre
Dame and one at The University of
Toledo), Tom and Judy still enjoy STVM
football games, without the pressure and
stress of watching their children play or
cheer. They also enjoy traveling to Chicago,
going to Notre Dame football games and
spending time with their 11 grandchildren.
Tom cherishes many memories of his
association with STVM. He has especially
enjoyed all of the great friendships he and
Judy have made, which includes many
alumni from many classes of the
St. Vincent, St. Mary, and
St. Vincent-St. Mary family.
Kevin Joseph McDonald V71
31
Kevin McDonald V71 was born into
the STVM tradition. Kevin is the son of
Robert “Lefty” McDonald M43 and Marilyn
Sturmi McDonald V44. Kevin’s 2 brothers
(Bob V69 and Terry VM73) and sister,
(Maureen VM75) all attended the
high school.
Sports were the way of life growing up
in West Akron. The primary sports that
Kevin focused on were baseball and football
which he played all day long. Kevin
attended St. Sebastian Elementary School
and played football and baseball. He was
voted most valuable player in football and
also won championships in three of four
final seasons of organized baseball.
Kevin continued his education at
St. Vincent High School, graduating in 1971
after playing football and wrestling for the
Irish on the outstanding teams led by
Coach Bruce Brubach.