Rebel 5ive

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Michael Wantz. The Union City, Indiana product came to Roncalli 17 years ago, and the boys basketball program became a mainstay in the win column becoming one of Marion County’s most consistent winners. He has coached the only boys basketball sectional, regional and conference championship teams in school history. Michael is Roncalli’s longest-tenured active coach, and he discusses some favorite woodshed moments and moving into the new gym soon to make new memories. We finish this episode with Michael answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Andy Niewedde. For 21 years Andy has been one of Roncalli’s most respected educators. He strives to make learning enjoyable and rewarding for his students but is never hesitant to raise the bar well beyond the average. Growing up and working on a farm in southern Indiana set the stage for Andy’s work ethic making hard work the expectation and not the exception. This mindset translates to his coaching and teaching style where he continues to inspire his students each and every day. We finish this episode with Andy answering the Rebel 5ive questions. Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit live from the Roncalli Summer Social with Jimmy “Mad Dog” Matis R’76 and the Voice of the Colts, Matt Taylor R’04. Working in local radio following his graduation from IU, Jimmy Matis began carving out a career, which would lead to hosting the # 1 drive-time show on Q95 and then eventually becoming Corporate Partnership Manager for the Indianapolis Colts. Matt Taylor graduated from Franklin College in 2008 and worked play by play for every sport on the school’s radio station except for football, where he played in the defensive backfield. After graduation, he continued as the Voice of the Rebels until switching over to WIBC’s Game of the Week. Indianapolis Colts sideline reporter became his next job until this past season when he was officially named Voice of the Colts. We finish this episode with Jimmy and Matt answering the Rebel 5ive questions. Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Roncalli’s retired chaplain, the treasured, Fr. Jim Wilmoth. The eastside was his home growing up in St. Philip parish, but the southside is where this universally loved and admired priest has ministered to virtually every person in the Roncalli community at some point during his career. Whether it was a baptism, wedding, first communion, weekly Mass or funeral, Fr. Jim has been there celebrating his priestly ministry and showing others the way to a faith-filled life in Christ. This week we discuss his life and many of the wonderful contributions he has made to our Roncalli community during his priesthood. We finish this episode with Fr. Jim answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we’re at Chris Park shelter house in Durango, Colorado talking with the founding fathers of Summer Field Study. Thirty-seven years and 40 trips later, Dr. Joe Hollowell, Scott Fangman and Darryl Slevin share stories of humble beginnings, favorite moments, shared challenges and triumphs that have made their friendship lifelong. The unique trip out west changes every year but this trio has been one of the steady constants of this Roncalli institution. Summer Field Study has tested over 3000 students to reach inside themselves and discover the beauty of God’s marvelous creation in the mountains of America’s great western frontier and inside their own hearts as well. Read the full transcript.

This week on Rebel 5ive we visit with retired Roncalli College Counselor, Mary Hall. Her teaching career at Roncalli began in 1979 as the head girls’ basketball coach while assisting with the volleyball program, teaching physical education and health. A pioneer in the development of girls’ sports and balancing both coaching and teaching, Mary would eventually change careers in the early 1980s and become a trusted and valued guidance counselor at Roncalli. Many years later she would become Roncalli’s very first College Counselor embarking on the development and implementation of the school’s college preparedness initiative. We finish this episode with Mary answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with retired Roncalli Dean of Students, Tim Puntarelli. His teaching career began at Roncalli in 1976 when he taught English, Religion and coached the freshman football team. This Old Cathedral and Notre Dame alum would soon make his mark known at Roncalli and for 40 years he motivated and inspired Rebels in the classroom and on the field of play. In 1990 he took over as Dean of Students and for 29 years was chief of discipline at Roncalli. This week we discuss growing up in the shadow of Bishop Chartrand / Roncalli, following his dad, Sal’s mandate, and Tim’s contributions to our community during his distinguished career. We finish this episode with Tim answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

This week on the Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with Marilyn Miles. Her teaching career spanned two schools and three generations. Marilyn’s life uniquely connects with the earliest days of Bishop Chartrand, all the way through her final retirement from teaching eight years ago from Roncalli. Marilyn was married to Bernie Dever, a teacher, coach, dean and principal during the first 20 years at Bishop Chartrand and Roncalli High School, until his tragic and untimely death on June 5, 1983. We discuss those early years and some of the very real challenges that were overcome, including post-merger fallout, fundraising, marching band success and proud volleyball moments. We also chat about Marilyn’s teaching career at Manual and Roncalli and how she held her students accountable like no other. We finish this episode with Marilyn answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

On this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with teaching veteran and Roncalli alumna, Erin Bohn. The Nativity product began her Roncalli teaching career 20 years ago, and she is one of the most respected and loved teachers in the building today. She discusses the importance of following in the footsteps of past Rebel instructors, Deb Sachs and Elaine Jerrell, holding her students accountable and inspiring high achievement in her classroom. We also discuss the spirit behind Rebel pep sessions and how Summer Field Studies changed her career path. We finish this episode with Erin answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with the Captain of the Division, Jim Ratliff. The well-respected instructor and former coach began his teaching career at Bishop Chartrand in 1966 after a ten-minute interview in the school’s front lobby. Fifty-three years later, he is still inspiring young minds in the classroom. We discuss a love for baseball, traveling and a legacy of national champions, along with real-life building projects on our beautiful campus. We finish this episode with Jim answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with retired long-time Roncalli volleyball coach Kathy Nalley-Schembra. Kathy started working at Roncalli in 1972, before girls’ sports were recognized by the IHSAA. She and her 1981 volleyball team earned Roncalli our very first State Championship, and she would go on to record two more State Championship trophies. The Irishman from Fountain Square continues today to motivate and inspire Rebels in the classroom, like she has done successfully for three generations. We finish this episode with Kathy answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with long-time Roncalli Vice President of Finance and Facilities, Dave Gervasio. Dave started his work career as a bat-boy for the Indianapolis Indians and has continued to be a steady and influential part of the Roncalli leadership team for 28 years. His influence has been instrumental in not only leading Roncalli through financial decisions, but he has helped the school acquire and maintain our beautiful campus over the years. Dave discusses Roncalli growth, hosting events on campus and what motivates him to new heights. We finish this episode with Dave answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast, we visit with retired, long-time Roncalli head football coach, Bruce Scifres. The Plainfield Quaker began making his mark on the gridiron in the westside community and then off to Butler he went, where his first Roncalli connections began to occur. In 1990, Bruce took over the head coaching duties at Roncalli. Seven state championships later, over twenty-seven seasons, he is now the Executive Director of the CYO. This week’s Rebel 5ive episode dives deep into the world of coaching expectations, big upsets and early coaching lessons. We finish this episode with Bruce answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast we visit with 2012 Roncalli graduate, Cole Toner. This one-time OLG Eagle now makes his living moving defensive linemen out of the way for Philip Rivers in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers. Cole discusses his aspirations to be in a rock band, going to school at Roncalli with both his parents in the building and answering the call with the Harvard Crimson. We also talk about living in southern California and life as an offensive lineman in the NFL. We finish this episode with Cole answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.

During this week’s Rebel 5ive podcast we visit with the “Voice of the Rebels”, Rob Brown and his football broadcast partner, Dan Bauer. We relive audio clips from the march to the 2016 State Football Championship beginning with the Miracle on Banta all the way to Lucus Oil Stadium and placing #9 in the trophy case. With landmark stops against Bishop Chatard, a scary visit to Lebanon and hospitality in St. Leon, you won’t want to miss this entertaining look back at Rebel perfection.Read the full transcript.

Bob Tully discusses in part II of his interview the first years of Roncalli High School, his appreciation for our strong leadership over the years and leading 8 State Championship teams downtown to big wins (driving the bus). Bob emphasizes the importance of prayer in his life and how prayer has helped Roncalli over the years and helped him overcome some recent health issues. He also gives thanks to the mentors in his life.Read the full transcript.

Bob Tully talks to us about the early years at 3300 Prague Road before the merger with Bishop Chartrand and Kennedy Memorial High School forming Roncalli High School. “Rambunctious”, the Sisters of Providence and living on the third floor are all discussed. Bob speaks of his 57 years in the building and the one year when he almost left the school which ends Part I of our interview. Stay tuned for next week and Part II with Bob Tully as we discuss the “new” Catholic high school on the Southside named Roncalli; Home of the Rebels. Read the full transcript.

For more than three decades Angie Toner has inspired Roncalli students both on the court and in the classroom. She started as a Columbus North Bulldog but will always be admired and loved by the Roncalli family for her sense of humor and enthusiasm for Rebel Nation. Angie discusses her introduction to Roncalli sports, why she wanted to be a teacher and how much she appreciates student dedication in the classroom and on the field. Angie finishes this episode with the Rebel 5ive questions and advice for the future. Read the full transcript.

One of Roncalli’s most challenging instructors, Ben Grimes, discusses how he went from high school at Ben Davis to college instructor at IUPUI and then being introduced to Roncalli for the first time. Today, he is one of the schools most highly regarded teachers. Ben talks to us about how he motivates his students and what it means when his past students have success at the next level and beyond. Ben finishes this episode with the Rebel 5ive questions and thoughts for the future.Read the full transcript.

Rebel 5ive is presented by Steve's Flowers.Roncalli's new Assistant Principal for Student Life, Kevin Banich R'09, joins us for our inaugural Rebel 5ive podcast. We discuss Kevin's favorite Roncalli moments including an unexpected victory over the Cathedral Irish his senior year, how he helped inspire a state champion and what the future holds for he and his young family. Kevin also has some fun answering the Rebel 5ive questions.Read the full transcript.