2024 Hall of Fame
The Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame Class of 2024
1958 Boys Basketball Team
Coached by Frank McAlarnen, this team was comprised of the following members: Ralph Cacci, Paul Cappelle, Oliver Coleman, Jr., Gabe Corchiani, Robert DiPeso, Victor DiSylvester, Edward Griffin, Tim McWilliams, Tom Maher, George Roth, Bob Sule, and Frank Yaris. The 1958 Boys Basketball Team won the Group C Boys State Championship & became the very 1st State Championship team in our school’s history. It is our distinct honor to introduce the 1958 State Champion Boys Basketball Team into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Joseph Bogle
Community Champion
Joe is an educator and a businessman. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in sacred theology. He taught for more than fifteen years in secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia before returning to Cape May to run The Original Fudge Kitchen stores. In 1999, Joe was one of the first appointed members to the newly formed Board of Trustees. Joe served as board chairman until 2023, and he & his fellow board members guided our school through its first proposed closing. Joe and the board formed the “Save Wildwood Catholic” financial movement raising enough money to allow the school to remain open. Joe led the board through a rocky period of change. Our school ultimately became Wildwood Catholic Academy with the addition of grades K-8. Followed by a period of changes in policies and administrations, and just when stability returned to the school, the Bishop announced it would once again face closure. Joe & his fellow board member Carole Pantalone went to the Bishop & asked what needed to be done to keep the doors of our beloved institution open. Well, a figure of one-million dollars was attained & it was to be raised by a certain date. Joe reached out to his friends who had the ability & resources, and with their support, helped raise the required funds to keep Wildwood Catholic Academy open. We thank Joe Bogle for his time, talent and service. It is our distinct honor to introduce Joseph Bogle into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
David S. DeWeese
Coach
David is most known for his tenure as the Head Coach of the Wildwood Catholic High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team for 18 years, but his contributions to WCHS/WCA extend well beyond the basketball court. As the Head Basketball Coach, David amassed a career record of 324-176 (64.8% winning percentage), and he guided WCHS’s program to 13 conference and division championships (including 10 straight conference championships from 2011-2020), 3 South Jersey Non-Public “B” Championships (2005-06, 2006-07, 2019-20), and 4 Cape Atlantic
League Championships (2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20). He was named the South Jersey Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2006, the Cape Atlantic League Coach of the Year in 2014, the Jim Morgan/Ken Leary Coach of the Year in 2014, and the Atlantic City Press Coach of the Year in 2018.
League Championships (2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20). He was named the South Jersey Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2006, the Cape Atlantic League Coach of the Year in 2014, the Jim Morgan/Ken Leary Coach of the Year in 2014, and the Atlantic City Press Coach of the Year in 2018.
David coached eleven (11) 1,000-point scorers during his tenure at WCHS, and he continues to mentor many of the WCHS/WCA graduates to this day. He also served twelve (12) years as an assistant coach at WCHS, one of which was with the Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team. David continues to serve Wildwood Catholic Academy as a member of its Advisory Board, and as the Chairman of the Advisory Board Athletic Committee. It is our distinct honor to introduce David DeWeese into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Frank Feraco
Community Champion
Frank, a graduate of Wildwood High School, was a HUGE part of Wildwood Catholic. His life was a symphony that only he orchestrated, and he was most known for his love of music. Frank went on to direct our school plays for almost 25 years, often alongside fellow directors Richard Turco and Judy Tague. Frank directed the Wildwood Catholic Forensic Team for many years too. His legacy does not stop there...Frank and his wife Connie went on to send their nine children to Wildwood Catholic – all of whom have contributed to Wildwood Catholic’s storied history, each in their individual ways. We honor Frank & his everlasting dedication to our school and our Arts department. It is our distinct honor to announce Frank Feraco into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.Dan Flynn
Class of 2008
Dan, a graduate of the Class of 2008, was a top-level student- athlete at Wildwood Catholic. A four-year swimmer and a two- year tennis player, Dan was named captain of the swim team in both his junior and senior years. Dan was also a 2-time all- state selection in swimming, and his Crusader Swim Team won the Cape Atlantic League Swimming Championship in 2007. Dan is the current school record holder in: 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley, and as a relay team member in 200m relay, 200m freestyle relay, and 400m freestyle relay.Upon his graduation, Dan went on to attend Virginia Tech University, where he excelled as a student-athlete once again setting school records in the 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley, as well as the 200m backstroke. Setting records in swimming at both the high school and collegiate levels is an impressive feat that speaks volumes about Dans’ dedication, skill, and perseverance. Dan currently resides in California with his family. It is our distinct honor to introduce Dan Flynn into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Mary Gavin
Class of 1984
Considered by many to be one of the greatest women’s basketball players in South Jersey history, Mary Gavin graduated from Wildwood Catholic in 1984 holding the all-time leading scoring record with 1,680 points. Mary led the Crusaders to numerous CAL Championships and the 1984 South Jersey Championship. Mary was named to the Al Carino All South Jersey Team in both her Junior and Senior Years at Wildwood Catholic. Coaches Matt Tomlin and Ed Koehler have stated that the 1984 Women’s Basketball Team is the standard by which all future teams will be measured. To date, no team has surpassed the 1984 Women’s Basketball Team.After blazing an unforgettable career across the New Jersey basketball landscape, Mary continued her dominating play as a star player at the University of Notre Dame. During her college career she was one of the top players in the nation in assists and steals. A member of the Notre Dame Hall of Fame, Mary held numerous NCAA and Notre Dame records upon graduation, some of which stand to this day. After graduation Mary played professional basketball abroad and then coached at Stetson University. Today Mary is a Lieutenant Firefighter/Paramedic with the Miami Dade Fire Department. It is our distinct honor to introduce Mary Gavin to the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Richard Haas
Class of 1969
Rick is a graduate of the Class of 1969 and while at Wildwood Catholic, excelled both in the classroom & on the basketball court. The leading scorer in the very first Wildwood Catholic-Wildwood High basketball game, Rick’s team won the Cape Atlantic League Championship in 1969. Rick also served on Student Council, as well as on the baseball team, stage crew, cross country team, and chess club. After high school, Rick went on to attend Division II Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University) where he once again excelled in the classroom & on the basketball court for another four years.Upon graduation, Rick returned to his roots and became a coach/adversary for Wildwood Catholic for nearly 20 years in various capacities. To this day, Rick remains a staple at school events with his sideline support and is always “at- the-ready” whenever beckoned, especially with field needs, the basketball programs and post-prom. Rick & his wife Kathleen have 5 children, all of whom also graduated from Wildwood Catholic & excelled in athletics/activities. The school is grateful for alumni like Rick, and today, it is our distinct honor to introduce Rick Haas into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Mary B. Kane
Class of 1975
Graduate of the Class of 1975. Mary was a beloved member of the Wildwood Catholic community, dedicating herself to her students and colleagues for over three decades. Her kindness and dedication for teaching, especially her passion for the French language, left a lasting impact on all who knew her. She was known as the friendly teacher who was always available to any student, parent, colleague, friend, or stranger and her presence was felt far beyond the classroom. She shared her love and joy of travel with her students by organizing an annual educational trip to Europe.Mary kept a very busy schedule attending many diverse events and fundraisers to support her current and former students. Her commitment to service extended to her role as Sacristan and RCIA leader, embodying her belief in the power of faith and compassion. Through her involvement with the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund, Mary’s legacy continues to support families facing pediatric cancer in Cape May and Atlantic Counties. Above all, she strove to live a life that reminded others of the good that can be found in everyone and everything. It is our distinct honor to announce Mary Kane into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Gerald MacFarlane
Coach
Coach MacFarlane helped to establish the soccer team at WC in the late 1970’s and then coached our boys soccer team for 18 seasons, from 1985 through 2002. The 1997 SJ Soccer Coach of the Year guided our program to numerous Cape Atlantic Conference titles, 4 South Jersey Championships, and a NJ State Title in 1998. His teams often qualified for the distinguished SJ Coaches Tournament. Coach MacFarlane is regarded by many as one of the founding fathers and true champions of organized soccer in Cape May County. He was inducted into the SJ Soccer Hall of Fame in 2000 and the SJ Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003.
Coach MacFarlane built a program at Wildwood Catholic that was the envy of most programs for it’s consistency and success year in & year out. He is as legendary for his accolades within the coaching community as he is for his personality and the camaraderie that he created off the pitch. He has a passion for Celtic F.C., a Scottish football club, and helped establish a local fan club that continues to grow. His former players hold him in high regard and are known affectionately as “Gerry’s Lads”. Every year Gerry’s Lads gather for the WC Alumni Soccer Game to honor him. It is our distinct honor to introduce Coach MacFarlane (and give him a “CHEER-E-OH”) into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Joseph Maloy
Class of 2004
A graduate from the Class of 2004, Joe has exemplified where hard work and dedication can take you. A 12-varisty letter earner as a member of the track & field team, the cross-country team, the tennis team, and the swim team, Joe also served on the student council. He set school records in the 3,200m and the 5k. Joe went on to Boston College to swim & earn his degree in English (2008) and a master’s degree in administration (2010) and served as the Boston College swim team’s assistant coach from 08-10. After his first adult triathlon was in 2008 in Belleplain, NJ.Joe went on to become a storied triathlete, and in 2016 anchored the U.S. Team to a GOLD medal at the ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championship, aiding the US in its first world title in the event. Joe eventually went on to compete for Team USA in the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. Joe also claims to be an excellent hula-hooper! It is our distinct honor to introduce Joseph Maloy into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Frank McAlarnen
Coach
Coach McAlarnen, often referred to as the ‘Father of Wildwood Catholic Basketball”, was a guarantee for this inaugural Hall of Fame class. Frank was not only the first basketball coach at Wildwood Catholic, but he was also the first baseball coach too. His 285-117 record on the basketball court still ranks among the top all-time among Cape Atlantic League boys’ basketball coaches. He guided our boys’ basketball team to 10 South Jersey titles, as well as to TWO State Championships in 1958 & 1960.
In addition to coaching, Frank was a teacher and athletic director, and was posthumously inducted into the Al Carino Basketball Club of South Jersey Hall of Fame in 2016. Today, It is our distinct honor to a welcome Coach Frank McAlarnen into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Terri (Grasso) Mulholland
Class of 1979
A member of the graduating class of 1979, Terri made history as the first female from Wildwood Catholic to reach the 1,000-point milestone. She excelled during a time when women competed using a men’s basketball, without the presence of the three-point line. This outstanding accomplishment was unique for its time and took Terri by surprise, as she was unaware of such heights being attainable. She concluded her final year with a notable total of 1,008 points. Initially under the guidance of Mrs. Conlin, Terri was later coached by Matt Tomlin.
A lifelong resident of the Wildwoods and business owner, Terri takes pride in being a mother of three and a grandmother of three. Together with her son Bobby, they hold a special distinction in Cape May County as the only mother-son pair to each achieve 1,000 points in their high school basketball careers. It is our distinct honor to introduce Terri into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Lisa Olivieri, SSJ
Class of 1972
Lisa Olivieri, SSJ, Ph.D., is an accomplished educator, author, and advocate for technology education with a career dedicated to fostering learning and innovation. She earned her Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University in 2004, following a master’s degree in Computer and Information Science from the University of Delaware and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Chestnut Hill College. With a passion for empowering others through technology, Lisa has taught a wide range of courses, including Introduction to Programming in Java, Research Methods, and Professional Practices in Ghana, West Africa. She has also been invited by Cengage Learning Publishing Company to develop instructional materials for textbooks, contributing to advancements in computer science education.As a scholar, Lisa’s research focuses on the intersection of women and technology, curriculum development for introductory computer science courses, and technology education for religious sisters in Africa. Her works have been widely published, including co-authoring Kathleen McNulty Mauchly Antonelli, Computer Pioneer in Sisterly Love – Women of Note in Pennsylvania History. Lisa’s articles in prestigious journals such as the ACM SIGCSE Bulletin explore strategies to increase interest in computer science among girls and innovative approaches to teaching programming logic. She has also presented workshops on leveraging visual tools to enhance programming education at international conferences.
In addition to her academic contributions, Lisa has dedicated herself to global service. She has conducted technology workshops for the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria, focusing on web development and online learning applications. Lisa continues to maintain websites for various congregational entities and is deeply committed to using her skills to create transformative educational opportunities. Her thoughtful, selfless approach to education and service reflects her dedication to making a meaningful impact locally and globally.
Carole Pantalone
Class of 1966
A Class of 1966 graduate, Carole has spent countless hours supporting Wildwood Catholic and ensuring its continued existence. When our beloved institution was confronted with talks of closure, Carole jumped in to ensure that closure would not happen. She lobbied & met with Diocesan leaders with a plan and a lot of community support as she, along with Joe Bogle, spearheaded the efforts to raise the necessary finances that would keep our doors open. As if that were not enough, and due to extenuating circumstances, the school once again faced a financial challenge to remain open - and guess what – Carole stepped up to the plate again! Her unwavering support for our school and for Catholic education have not gone unnoticed.To this day, Carole remains actively involved with not only our school but also with our parish. Without Carole’s direct involvement in the betterment of Wildwood Catholic Academy, it is likely we would not be the thriving institution we are today. Carole…THANK YOU! It is our distinct honor to introduce Carole Pantalone into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Patrick T. Rosenello
Class of 1991
Patrick graduated in 1991 becoming the 7th of 8 Rosenello siblings to attend Wildwood Catholic, where his mom Mary Rosenello also served as the Guidance Secretary for nearly 20 years. After high school, Patrick graduated from the Catholic University of America. Rosenello began his career in public service as a Legislative Aide to Congresswoman Sue Kelly and Communications Director for Senator Nick Asselta. He was elected to North Wildwood City Council in 2004, where he served 10 years on Council, including 9 as the Council President.In 2013 Patrick became the first Wildwood Catholic graduate to be elected Mayor of the City of North Wildwood. The Rosenello name continues to be a part of our institution’s legacy as Patrick’s three sons are alumni and students at Wildwood Catholic.
In both 2010 and 2020 Patrick played an integral role in the saving and restructuring of our beloved schools. And, through his establishment and continued support of the North Wildwood Mayor’s Scholarship, dozens of North Wildwood 8th grade students have been given the opportunity to attend Wildwood Catholic. Mayor Patrick Rosenello continues to serve the Wildwood Catholic community, as he helps guide our institution forward as the Chairperson of the Wildwood Catholic Academy Advisory Board. It is our distinct honor to introduce Patrick Rosenello into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Fran St. John
Class of 1956 & Coach
Fran St. John’s (Class of 1956) career in basketball at Wildwood Catholic started as a player from 1953 to 1956. He started coaching in 1966 as an assistant, and eventually became the boys basketball head coach. In 2000, he pivoted to coaching our girls’ basketball team. He “retired” in 2011 after 45 years of coaching, but quickly returned and remained involved with the girl’s program through the 2021-2022 season.In his nearly 60-year tenure, he has not only gained the respect of CAL and NJSIAA governing bodies, referees, fellow coaches, and players but has also supported the school and its students through the years with continued generosity.
After the emergence of Wildwood Catholic Academy in 2020, the basketball court was dedicated to Fran St John’s name to honor his long-standing dedication to the school, and doing so in a way that future generations of student-athletes can continue to have a connection to his legacy. It is our distinct honor to introduce Fran St. John into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Matt Tomlin
Class of 1958 & Coach
A graduate from the Class of 1958, Matt’s coaching career started in 1976 when he stepped up to the plate to volunteer with the girls’ basketball program when the team was in need. He eventually became the head coach, and for 17 seasons (1979-1994) amassed a career record of 309-106 – a winning percentage of 74.5%. Matt coached 3 Cape Atlantic League Championship Teams (82-83, 83-84, 86-87) and 1 South Jersey Championship Team (83-84). Matt was named Coach of the Year multiple times and was also elected to the NJSIAA Coaches Hall of Fame in 1994.During his tenure, Matt coached SIX thousand-point scorers. Matt’s 3 children went on to graduate from Wildwood Catholic and he continues to support our school. To say Wildwood Catholic was/is his passion would be an understatement. It is our distinct honor to introduce Matt Tomlin into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.
Regina Williams
Community Champion
Jeanne was a devoted parishioner of Notre Dame de la Mer Parish for many years. She participated in, and contributed to, many church-related organizations, was part of the parish leadership team for many years and was a dedicated supporter of Wildwood Catholic, making one of the largest gifts to the school in 2015 for the renovation of the auditorium. Jeanne’s extreme generosity toward the parish & our school symbolizes her legacy as a giver.Jeanne was also a major supporter of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was a member of the Legion of Mary. After her passing, it was revealed that Jeanne had left her entire estate to establish the Jeanne Williams Charitable Foundation, with the funds – over 6 Million! – dedicated to scholarships for students at Wildwood Catholic Academy. As Jeanne’s generosity will be felt well into the future, it is just & right that we honor her good heart. It is our distinct honor to announce Jeanne Williams into the Wildwood Catholic Hall of Fame.