All-Boys Catholic High School
Athletics
Winter Sports
Basketball
State Championships
2014, 2015, 2023
The basketball program began with the junior class of 1912-13 under the direction of Fr. Francis Mahoney, OSFS. Salesianum basketball teams competed in the Philadelphia Catholic League for 24 years, from 1920-1944. On Feb. 9, 1920, Stan Rzcyek scored 40 points in a game against Dover. To date, this is the highest single-game point total for one player in a game at Salesianum.
The team earned three unofficial state titles in 1923, 1927, and 1956. From 1988 to 2012, the team was coached by Salesianum Hall of Famer Mike Gallagher ’69. In more recent years, Salesianum won back-to-back State Championships under the direction of Coach Brendan Haley, ‘82. These teams were led by current NBA player and champion Donte DiVincenzo ‘15 and NFL lineman Brian O’Neill, ‘14.
Ice Hockey
Head Coach
State Championships
Brian LeBlanc
State Championships
Flyers Cup Championship 2017, 2018
Philadelphia Catholic League Champions 2021, 2023
In December 2000, Salesianum School became the third high school in the state of Delaware to add ice hockey as a varsity sport. Salesianum played its first hockey game on Jan. 8, 2001, against Bishop Ireton High School in Virginia. The team has been an Inter-County Scholastic Hockey League member since 2005.
Winter Track
Head Coach
State Championships
1983, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2005-06, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020-24
The Salesianum Winter Track Program began in 1927, with partial records up to 1935. From 1960 to 1966, the team won five out of the six independent league championships. Famous alumni include Vic Zwolak, who ran in the 1964 Olympics. Zwolak honors include induction into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame (1976), Delaware’s Athlete of the Year (1964), Delaware's Co-Athlete of the Year (1963) and NCAA Cross Country Champion (1963 and 1964), and Eric Eckstrand ‘00.
Tim Byrne
State Championships
1983, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2005-06, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020-24
The Salesianum Winter Track Program began in 1927, with partial records up to 1935. From 1960 to 1966, the team won five out of the six independent league championships. Famous alumni include Vic Zwolak, who ran in the 1964 Olympics. Zwolak honors include induction into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame (1976), Delaware’s Athlete of the Year (1964), Delaware's Co-Athlete of the Year (1963) and NCAA Cross Country Champion (1963 and 1964), and Eric Eckstrand ‘00.
Swimming
Head Coach
State Championships
Arthur “Chip” Hannig ‘72
State Championships
1973-76, 1981, 1983-84, 1988-93, 1995-97, 1999-2004, 2006-15, 2017-2024
The nationally-ranked Salesianum swim team was founded in 1955-56 under the direction of Mr. Rocco Carzo.
The team had a 1-0 record and placed second in the unofficial state tournament that year. From 1966-67 to the present, the swim team has attained 39 state titles.
The Salesianum swim team has won eight consecutive swimming and diving state championships and has won 14 of the last 15 titles under Head Coach Chip Hannig. He is assisted by Frank Mieczkowski and Cody Quig (Varsity Assistants).
All-Americans have included:
- Tyler Dougherty `14, (Gettysburg) - Three-time DIII All-American.
- Matt Stasiunas ‘13 (Penn State) - Four-time All-American, two-time Scholastic All-American.
- Clifton Gordon ’11 (UNC) - Five-time NISCA High School All-American and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
- Alex Hampel ’11 (Washington & Lee, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) – Two-time All-American relay team member, Academic All-American.
- Wade Marsh ‘09 (Washington & Lee, Duke) – DIII All-American
- Josh Hyman ’08 (Delaware) – All American, 2008 State Swimmer of the Year
- Rob Kuderka ‘05 (Penn State) – All American Diver
- Rory Connell ’04 (Auburn) - 18-time NISCA All-American and 2004 Junior National Team selection. Four-time NISCA/SPEEDO State High School Swimmer of the Year. Placed 36th in the 200 free at the 2004 Olympic Trials and 37th in the 200 IM.
- Dane Grenda ’04 (Michigan) - NCAA All-American, two-time NCAA All-America honorable mention.
- Dave Montgomery ‘03 (University of Pittsburgh) – All American
- Tyler Grenda ‘02 (Notre Dame) – All-American, three-time Big East Academic All-Star.
- Dan Klee ’01 (University of Tampa) – All American Honorable Mention
- Joe Mack ’01 (Yale) – All American Honorable Mention
Wrestling
The Salesianum wrestling program began as a club sport in 1966-67 under the direction of Mr. Wayne Allen.
In 1967, it became a sanctioned varsity sport by DSSAA under the direction of Mr. James Freebery. Mr. John Rusnak coached the Salesianum wrestling team for a span of 31 years, from 1969-2000. His record for that period was 248 wins, 123 losses, and four ties. Mr. Rusnak was inducted into the Delaware State Wrestling Association Hall of Fame in April of 2001. In 2012, a new wrestling room was added to the Anthony N. Fusco Sr. Athletic Center.
ACCREDITED BY MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION