Volume 40 | September 2023 | |
Welcome to the official newsletter of the Ballard High School Alumni Association. Our mission is to keep graduates and friends up-to-date on both school and alumni news. | |
|
|
Chris Renner and Jerry Eaves are Inducted into the Hall of Fame
Former Boys Basketball Coach Chris Renner and 1970's stand-out basketball player Jerry Eaves were recently inducted into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
Coach Renner spent 24 years as boys' head basketball coach for Ballard with a won-loss record of 703-186. His teams won nine 7th Region championships, reach the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen championship game five times, and won the title in 1999.
Jerry Eaves has the distinction of playing in a state championship basketball team (Ballard 1977) and a national championship team (University of Louisville 1980). Jerry went on to a successful professional career and now serves as head basketball coach at Simmons College.
Congratulations to both of our Ballard stand-outs!
| | | |
Be Sure to Join Us on LinkedIn
The Ballard Alumni Association has a page on LinkedIn, too. Please feel free to join the group and use the site for professional networking among other Bruins.
| |
Please Tell Us More About Yourself
One of the goals of the Ballard Alumni Association for 2023 is to build a more complete database of our graduates. Would you help us? Just click the link below and fill in the form that pops up on your screen. This information will allow us to communicate with you by U.S. Mail as well as by email. WE WILL NOT SELL THIS INFORMATION to any third party groups. Thank you for your help and consideration!
Alumni Demographic Information
| |
Ballard Alumni News
Personal Landmarks From Around Bruin Nation
| |
Got some good news of your own you'd like to share? A new baby, a job promotion, an award received or a death to commemorate? Send a quick summary to The Bear Facts and we'll publish it in a future issue. | |
|
|
Ballard Alumnus of the Month:
Michael DiMercurio
To commemorate the upcoming publication of Mike's 11th naval adventure novel Panic Switch, we are bringing him back as an Alumnus of the Month. A member of the Class of 1976, Mike went on to graduate academically first in his class at the U.S. Naval Academy. He was then named a National Science Foundation Scholar, graduating with his Master's in Mechanical Engineering from MIT in 1981.
Mike went on to serve on the nuclear fast attack submarine USS Hammerhead where he earned his "qualified in submarines" gold dolphins, allowing him to stand command watches as officer of the deck while submerged. By the time he mustered out, he had risen to become the Bull Lieutenant, the most senior of the eight junior officers on board.
Over the years, Mike turned his love of the silent service into a growing series of novels featuring submariners in combat situations. His novels are rich in technical detail and make for a fascinating look into a world that few ever experience firsthand.
All of his books are readily available on Amazon in print and audio formats. Panic Switch will be shipped in November but is available now for pre-sale. For your very own copy, click here.
Mike, you are certainly one of Ballard's most prolific authors. We're looking forward reading your next book. Congratulations on a very unique and interesting career.
| | | |
2023-2024 Lunch & Learn Dates Set. Speakers are Needed. How About You?
The Lunch & Learn program to introduce students to Ballard grads in professional roles reflected in the school's Academy clusters was a big success this year, so we are bringing it back the fall. Remaining dates scheduled include:
- November 2 - STEM/Health Services
- February 15 - Media Arts
- March 20 - Visual and Performing Arts
We are looking now for science and healthcare professional to lead our November 2 session. Would YOU consider volunteering for a 20 minute overview of your professional experience? If so, please click on Rebekah Mulloy to learn more about the program.
| |
Our September 7 Lunch & Learn presenters (l. to r.): Tim Mulloy, Class of 1978; Ginnie Meredith, Class of 2001; Kim Barber, School Liason; Rebekah Mulloy, Class of 2004; Brittany Abdelehad, Class of 2004. | |
Our Communications Committee Needs a Social Media Guru
The Alumni Association's Communication Committee needs a volunteer to manage our social media activities. This includes posting the newsletter to various Facebook pages and LinkedIn each month, plus assisting our webmaster with social media additions to our website from time to time.
This is a terrific way for a recent graduate to stay involved with the school for a couple of hours each month. Would you consider helping us? If so, contact Rudy Moeller for more information. Thank you!
| |
|
Sign Up Here for a Guided Tour of Ballard's Exciting New Academy Programs
There have been many changes in recent years to high school education here in Louisville with the introduction of the Academy approach to learning. Ballard's four Academies -- Business Services, STEM, Media Arts and Visual & Performing Arts -- provide our students with training that until recently was only available in post-secondary environments.
The Alumni Association has sponsored two alumni tours thus far, led by Dr. Neuss, that have been exceptionally well received. Comments like these are coming back to us:
"As a 2005 alumnus of Ballard, I had not returned to campus in quite some time. The opportunity to tour BHS with Principal Neuss brought back feelings of pride and happiness as I walked the halls and saw first-hand the numerous areas of progress BHS has made over the years. Going forward, I hope to be more involved with Ballard's continuous progress and success. -- Mahammad Kahn
"I recently had the opportunity to tour Ballard with Dr. Neuss and other alumni. I was highly impressed! There are exciting new classes offered and great renovations that have been done to the school. The students are so lucky to have dedicated staff and alumni helping to make their school great. I really enjoyed learning about the house system as well. Take the time and tour BHS!"
-- Ginnie Meredith
Our next tour is scheduled for October 3. If you would like to receive an invitation to participate in one of these small-group tours, just click the button below. We'll get back to you with options when tour dates are firmed up.
| |
|
Top: Jere Planck, Pamela Jones Groom, Ashley Olsen Rosen, Vicki Shapero Lurie, V.V. Cooke.
Bottom: Class group shot.
Right: Joan Edgar Cardin and George Moorin.
| |
Class of 1978 Reunion Highlights
The Class of 1978 enjoyed a festive time on August 12 at Vernon Lanes. Many thanks to Ashley Olsen Rosen, George Moorin and the rest of the Planning Committee for coordinating the event!
| | | |
Make Your Reservations Now for Ballard's 2023 Hall of Fame Award Dinner
The planning has begun in earnest for the 2023 Hall of Fame Night coming the weekend of October 14. It will be held beginning at 6pm at the Marriott East off of South Hurstbourne Parkway.
A preliminary list of this year's honorees includes:
Academics
- Lonita Baker, President, National Bar Assn.
- Tanya Clay House, Hip/Hop Caucus
- Sherleen Sisney, longtime Ballard educator
Athletics
- Don Goodwin, former Ballard track coach
- Rosalind Goodwin, Ballard track star
- Bob Lindsay, Ballard basketball star
Arts
- Caren Cunningham, Bellarmine College professor
- Danica Novgordoff, author
We will also present our Alumnus of the Year Award to Steve Gowers. A Class of 1972 graduate, Steve went on to graduate from Centre College after being Captain of the football team there. Since then he has enjoyed a successful business career and served on many community boards.
Just a few short years ago, Steve led the creation of the Ballard Alumni Association and almost immediately took on the challenge of rebuilding the condemned Pat Crawford Football Stadium. Steve has poured countless hours into creating an organization that will take a leadership role in making Ballard the very best it can be.
Click on the QR code to make your reservation to attend the Hall of Fame Dinner. If will be a fantastic evening for all.
| |
|
Upcoming Reunion News. Make Your Reservations Now! | |
Class of 1973
The Class of 1973 celebrates 50 years in 2023!
On September 8, join us for a one-hour tour of the school led by our principal Dr. Jason Neuss starting at 4pm. Join us at the entrance to the South Lobby. You will be amazed at what Ballard looks like today while enjoying memories of your time hear. Please email Linda Mulloy if you'd like to attend, or just show up if last-minute plans allow. You don't want to miss it!
On September 9, we will have cocktails, dinner and tunes at Hurstbourne Country Club. LAST CALL FOR RESERVATIONS! Dinner and cocktails will run $70 per person. If you haven't made your reservations yet, contact Laura Donley King at lauraking2505@gmail.com. If your calendar frees up last minute, please join us and pay at the door. It should be a memorable evening.
Class of 1983
October 7 - save the date! Class members are working on plans now for a great party at Owl Creek Country Club. More details to follow in future newsletters. For more information and to volunteer to help, click on Cara Panther today.
Class of 2003
Please join your classmates on the weekend of September 8 and 9. On September 8, we will meet at the Ballard vs. Bryan Station football game. On September 9, we will have an evening party at the West 6th Brewery in NuLu. More information will be found on the Class of 2003 Facebok page and will also be sent to email addresses on file. Please direct any questions to Lauren York at ballardalumni@gmail.com, and please include your class year in the email.
Class of 2013
Then Class of 2013 is working on changes to its reunion plans. More details will follow in next month's Bear Facts. For more information, contact Cassidy Talbott.
| |
|
Is your class holding a reunion this year?
Or are you a member of the Classes of 1988, 1993, 1998, 2008 or 2018 starting to make plans for a reunion this year? Please share any reunion information with us -- we'd love to publish the details in The Bear Facts. We would also like to connect with any reunion organizers to see if we can share any contact information. Our hope is that more alumni will stay connected post-reunion to the Ballard Alumni Association. Please contact Caroline Robinson at ballardalumni@gmail.com.
| | | |
Support Our Ballard Community with a Contribution to The Annual Fund
While Jefferson County Public Schools funds most of Ballard’s operating expenses, there is a continuing need for new teaching tools, upgraded computers, safety equipment, subsidies for collegiate test, field trips, guest speakers and facilities renovation that falls outside of the typical annual budget. Your tax-deductible contribution will help our undergraduates enjoy a more meaningful high school experience. Please join us in this effort to make Ballard the best public school in Jefferson County.
Click the button and donate today.
| | |
Want to Join a Board Committee or Send Us a Question? | |
We are always looking for new volunteers for our Board committees. Here is a list of the Board members and committee chairs. Feel free to to contact any of us to get involved or just ask questions.
Steve Gowers Email 502-291-3916 Chairman
Justin Morris Email Vice Chairman 502-537-1419; Student & Staff Engagement Committee
Greg Smith Email 502-773-7920 Special Events Committee
Paul Fischer Email 502-592-3551 Treasurer
Tony Waits Email 502-394-3509 Secretary
Bob Schiavone Email 502-802-1309; Special Events Committee
Kasie Jackson Email 502-558-9861 Student & Staff Engagement Committee
Bill Precious Email 502-494-5554 Student & Staff Engagement Committee
Linda Fry Mulloy Email 502-419-6555 Student & Staff Engagement Committee
Rebekah Mulloy Email 502-608-0234 Student & Staff Engagement Committee
Caroline Robinson Email 502-551-6316 Membership/Reunions Committee
Kim Barber Email 502-552-8631 School Administration Liaison
Betsy Hultman Wall Email 502-797-5834 Library/Fine Arts Center Renovations
Rudy Moeller Email 502-415-5264 Communications Committee
| |
A Preview of Coming Events | |
| Event Date | Event | For more info, contact: | | |
| September 8-9 | Class of 1973 Reunion | Laura King -lauraking2505@gmail.com | | September 8-9 | Class of 2003 Reunion | Lauren York -
ballardalumni@gmail.com | | September 11 | Board of Directors Meeting | School library 4:30pm | | September 22 | Homecoming Game vs. Tates Creek | Pat Crawford Stadium 7:30pm | | October 3 | Guided Tour of Academy Programs | Kim Barber -kim.barber@schools.jeffersoncounty.us | | October 7 | Class of 1983 Reunion | Cara Panther -
carabyoung65@gmail.com | | October 14 | 2023 Hall of Fame Awards | Marriott East 6:00pm | | October 23 | Board of Directors Meeting | School library 4:30pm | | November 6 | Fall Gold Day Staff Luncheon | Linda Mulloy -
mulloyhome@gmail.com | | December 4 | Board of Director Meeting | School library 4:30pm | | | | | |
