Anselm Family Across 4 decades and 3 sports, the Anselm Family made its mark in Valparaiso. Together the family combined for 37 titles. Mike Anselm got things started with Sectional wins in wrestling. The family s success continued through the next 3 decades including 10 Conference titles, 17 Sectional titles, 7 Regional titles, 2 Semi-State titles and 1 State title. Debbie, a 2 time MVP, accumulated 14 individual and team titles before leading the team to VHS s first ever State Gymnastic title in 1981. Stacy and Jamie were members of the girls basketball team that won Regional titles in 89 and 90. Jamie continued as a starter in 91 and 92 teams that earned back-to-back Final Four appearances. Jeff Anselm was an MVP and is on the all-time Valparaiso High School Scoring list with 468 points. He went on to play for Miami Dade College. Jeff was All-Conference, Region 8 All-State, Region 8 All-Star and Primetime Sports MVP. Scott was a 2 time MVP and is on the Valparaiso High School all-time scoring list with 1,135 points. Scott continued his career at Valparaiso University where he still holds single season records ranking 2 nd in steals, 5 th in assists, and 6 th in 3-point percentage and career season records 20 th with 1,195 points, 7 th with 360 assists and 4 th with 174 steals. Jim Arnold Dr. Jim Arnold graduated from VHS in 1988 as one of the best runners in the school history. Arnold was All-State four times, All-American once and finished 16 th at National s as a sophomore. Additionally, he ran on two State Championship teams that were undefeated and ranked 7 th in the nation. Thirty years later, Arnold still holds the fastest 5000 meter time and the third best 3200 time in VHS history. As a well-rounded student athlete, he graduated with a 4.1 GPA and was the recipient of the first VHS Athletic/Academic Award. Arnold was recruited by hundreds of colleges and was accepted to Harvard University. He chose to attend Indiana University on a full academic scholarship and earned varsity letters for the track and cross country teams. Arnold won the Coaches Award for Freshman and was named Academic All-Big Ten every season. Dr. Arnold graduated for the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1996 and moved back to Valparaiso where he established Smile By Arnold & Associates. He and his wife Sarah are raising four amazing children.
Butterfield Family For almost a decade the Butterfields dominated the Viking football landscape. From the 1968 team through 1976 team (9 consecutive years). HOF Coach Tom Stokes could count on winning Butterfield leadership to help the Vikings claim an amazing 4 of the 6 undefeated Viking seasons. Those Butterfield led teams achieved a winning percentage of 85% (79-13-1) which is the greatest in any 9 year period in Viking history. Steve (1970) was the sole captain and only 2 way starter for the undefeated 1969 team. He was voted first team All-State and received a scholarship to Indiana University graduating with honors. His collegiate athletic career was cut short by injury. Jeff (1971) was a captain for the 1970 season, making him 1 of only 3 players to start for the Vikings in consecutive undefeated seasons. He received All-State honors and earned a scholarship to Western Illinois where he starred as quarterback and defensive back. Larry (1973) was a captain of the 1972 team and earned first team All-State honors as center. He enlisted in the Navy after high school and as a reserve graduated from Indiana University to return to Naval Aviation Officer School (AOCS). He served our country for 9 years as an Enlisted and Officer. David (1977) was an instrumental part of the 1975 undefeated Class 3A State Championship Team. His 1976 team was also undefeated in the regular season (10-0), and finished the year (10-1). He was awarded All Duneland Conference honors. David resides in New Lenox, Illinois where he has served as School Board President and Village Trustee for decades.
Rob Cavanaugh A 1990 VHS graduate, Rob Cavanaugh excelled on the basketball court, leading the Vikings to two Sectional Championships. During his senior season, Cavanaugh averaged 18.5 points per game and led the Vikings in assists, ranking him 3 rd all time in assists for a single season (206). Cavanaugh also set the Indiana High School State Consecutive Free Throw Record, making 72 consecutive free-throws in competition and connecting on 102 of 104 free throws to begin his senior season. He finished his VHS career ranked #1 in free throw shooting for a single season (150/163, 92%) and #1 in Viking history for career free throw shooting (189/213, 88.7%). He also finished his VHS career ranked #1 in 3 point percentage for a single season (51.6%) and #2 in 3-point percentage for his career (44.1%). He was selected to the 1990 all area first teams by the Vidette Messenger, the Post Tribune, The Times, and the South Bend Tribune and was a member of the 1990 All Sectional Team. Cavanaugh continued his basketball career at Valparaiso University from 1990-1994. While at VU, he was a four year starter and a member of the first team in Valparaiso University s Division 1 history to win 20 games in a single season. During the 1993-1994 season, he was the Dick Koenig assist award winner and finished 3 rd in total assists and assists per game in the Mid-Continent Conference. Cavanaugh finished his career at Valparaiso University ranked #1 in 3 point FG percentage (42.3%) and #4 in all time assists (329) and career FT percentage (82.5%). Rob, his wife Heather and their five children; Sami, Matt, Tommy, Becca and Brady reside in Valparaiso. Erik Chilian A 1985 graduate, Erik Chilian was one of the school s most well -rounded athletes in the 80 s. As a junior, he was instrumental in the VHS Cross Country State Championship. In Track and Field, he finished 6 th in the 2-mile at the State Finals with a time of 9:27. That same year, he started on the Conference and Sectional Basketball Championship Team. As a senior, Erik placed first in over half of the cross country meets in which he competed. He won Sectionals and Regionals in the mile and placed 4 th in the State Track and Field, running a 4:12 mile. He was also a second-year starter and key contributor on the team that again won both the Conference and Sectional Basketball Championships. Chilian attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, served in the Army and held various positions within PepsiCo INC. He now lives in Camas, Washington, with his wife Shannon and Son s Nathan, Zachary and Matthew.
Angie Cook Moon As a former AAU National Floor and Vault Champion, Angie Cook entered Valparaiso High School with high expectations. She responded to the call, winning the State All-Around, Balance Beam, and Vault titles her freshman year while delivering runner-up performances in the other two events. Cook added another All-Around and Beam State Title, a runner-up finish and four more individual event medals. During her career she won the Duneland Conference and VHS Most Valuable awards, VHS Most Consistent awards, and held school records for Vault, Beam, Floor, and All-Around. A fierce competitor, Cook helped lead her team to a State Championship and a State Runner-up finish, as well as a #1 ranking in the State all four years. She has worked with the youth gymnastics program since her freshman year in high school. As a volunteer coach for the VHS program since 2000, the team has earned seven State titles, four runner-up finishes, one third, and two fourth place state finishes, as well as thirteen Regional titles (as of 2017). Angle Cook Moon resides in Valparaiso with her husband Tony, and their two children. John Cook Serving as Head Wrestling Coach from 1977 to 2002, Coach John Cook s teams compiled a record of 361-112, for a winning percentage of.763. During these years, 35 Viking wrestlers advanced to the IHSAA State Tournament and 10 competed in the Championship Match. Thirteen of Cook s wrestlers finished in the top 3 of the state and 2 were crowned State Champions. Two Viking wrestlers were awarded the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award. Coach Cook served as president of the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association, and was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997. He was inducted into the Earlham College Athlete Hall of Fame in 2001. From 1998-2002, Cook served on the NFHS s National Rules Committee, the first Indiana coach to ever be appointed. Cook was also director of the High School Division of National Wrestling Coaches Association 2002-2010.
Terry Cox Beginning in 1973, Terry Cox was a fixture on the sidelines for several sports at Valparaiso High School and Thomas Jefferson Junior High for many years. A 1969 Hobart graduate who earned two varsity letters in football, Cox came to Valparaiso immediately after graduating from Ball State. He contributed to the development of many young athletes at TJ for eight years before becoming an assistant football coach at the high school. As an offensive coordinator, he helped lead several Viking football teams to successful seasons including State Runner-Up finishes in 1985 and 2001. Terry spend 27 seasons as a varsity Football Assistant Coach, 8 years as the Assistant Athletic Director and 3 years as varsity Track and Field Assistant Coach at VHS. Terry coached Football, Wrestling and Girls Basketball at Thomas Jefferson Junior High as well. Terry and his wife Kathy retired in 2006 and now live in Clearwater, Florida. Michael Eugene Jones A 1986 graduate, Michael Eugene Jones holds the basketball career record for shooting percentage at.609. He shot over 60% for three straight seasons (.603,.608 and.613). He is ranked 5 th on the all-time scoring list with 1,340 points. As a senior he averaged 23.7 points a game earning First Team All-Conference for the third straight year. He was also voted First Team UPI All-State. His highest scoring games included 41 points against North Judson as a junior and 40 points against Lafayette Jeff his senior year. Jones went on to a four-year career at Valparaiso University, where in 1988 he scored 19 points in the Crusaders 71-68 upset of undefeated and 19 th ranked Notre Dame. After graduation, Jones went into teaching and coaching at Wheeler High School. He was the head coach in 2010 when Wheeler won the 2A State Championship becoming the only school in Porter County history to win a State Championship in boys basketball. In 2011, Jones was selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team.
John M. Knauff In 35 seasons as freshman basketball coach (under legendary coaches Virgil Sweet, Dale Ciciora, Skip Collins, and Bob Punter), John Knauff s teams won nearly 600 games at a 70% winning rate; 4 of his teams were undefeated. His 9 seasons as JV boys golf coach (under long-time coach Wayne Lichtenberger) produced a record of 152-10, a 94% winning edge. As Varsity girls golf coach from 1998-2006, he guided his teams to an overall record of 93-3 (97% wins), including an unprecedented 63-0 mark in Duneland Athletic Conference play. His teams won 9 DAC titles, 8 Sectional crowns, and 1 Regional championship. He took girls to the State meet in 8 or his 9 campaigns, with 3 of his squads finishing in the top 10, highlighted by a 4 th place finish in 2005. His teams also won 25 regular season invitationals. 34 players were named all-dac, including 4 MVP s; 4 players made the Academic All-State team, while 7 others earned Academic All-State Honorable Mention. Knauff was named Girls Golf Coach of the Year in 2003. John was also the public address announcer ( Voice of the Vikings ) for boys basketball for 34 years, football for 12 years, and girls basketball for 10 years. He served as freshman Athletic Director at Thomas Jefferson for 11 years and assistant Athletic Director at VHS for 4 years. Dave Knott Dave Knott graduated 10 th in the Class of 1965, and he also earned 7 varsity letters in football, baseball, and basketball. In 1964 he set school records in passing yards and total offense, and recorded a 94 yard touchdown run, the longest in school history. Dave also intercepted a record 7 passes as a DB. The 1964 Vikings had zero fumbles for the season, a remarkable record for a single wing team. Dave matriculated at Wabash College, graduating in 1969 with a degree in math and economics. He set career records for passing yards and TD passes, and was elected team captain in 1968. As the head football coach at Paoli, Peru, and Lafayette Jeff from 1970-1984, Dave s teams compiled a 100-56 record. At Lafayette Jeff, the Broncos were 69-28 with 5 North Central Conference championships, and a record 30 straight conference wins. Since 1985, Dave has worked as a financial advisor for AXA Advisors, earning Hall of Fame and Distinguished Service Awards. Dave continues to compete, winning National Top Ten finishes in the javelin, discus, and high jump in Masters Track and Field events. Dave has been married to Barbara for 47 years. They have 3 children: Sarah, Betsy, and Jake.
Micky Mannel As a 1981 graduate, Micky is proud to be the first gymnastic state champion for the Vikings. In 1979 she won the State title in Vaulting and placed second in the All-Around and Beam. She worked hard to progress from beginning level to optional competition during her years under the dedicated coaching of Lori Cook. She was on the All-Conference Team every year during high school, capturing many individual wins and helping her team to victory in 1980 and 1981. She consistently won individual titles in Sectionals and Regionals and competed at State three years. She won a total of ten State medals during high school. Micky was honored to be team MVP in 1979 and was given the Mental Attitude award in 1978. After graduation, her parents continued to support the team. Her dad, Jim, announced VHS gymnastic meets for the next 30 years. She earned her degree at the University of Evansville. Her career as a nurse has offered her opportunities of National Intensive Care and flight nursing in Phoenix before she studied to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She now lives in Prescott, AZ with her husband Kevin. O Neill Family The O Neill brothers were synonymous with Viking basketball success throughout the 1960 s. Oldest brother Martin (Chip) graduated in 1960, having contributed to three teams that went 54-21. Steve, a 1962 graduate, let the 1961-62 team to an 18-7 record and a Sectional championship. He averaged 13.5 points with a single game high of 31. Mike was the only 1,000 point scorer in the family, tallying 1,006 points for an average of 16 per game. As a senior in 1964-65, he led the Vikings to a 20-4 record. His junior year, the Vikings won the Sectional, Regional and advanced to the Semi-State championship game where they suffered a 73-67 loss to Lafayette Jeff. Younger brother Tom graduated in 1971, finishing his career with a 15.2 average. All four played sports in college; Chip played football at Yale, while Steve played basketball at Purdue, Mike at Davidson and Tom at Virginia Tech. The O Neill Family total of 2,463 ranks second in school history.
Joe Otis Joe Otis graduated from VHS in 1970 playing on Sectional championship teams in basketball his junior and senior year for legendary coach Virgil Sweet. He is the career and single season scoring leader at Boucher Gym with 1,113 points and 544 points respectively. Joe played at Northwestern University and was selected to the Big Ten All-Star team that toured Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti for a month in the summer of 1972. As a senior he played for Tex Winter, the architect of the Triangle Offense, and scored a high of 25 points at Purdue. After college he was an assistant coach at Valparaiso University until 1980 when he became the boys basketball coach at LaPorte High School. Over the next 21 seasons he won 8 Sectionals, 3 Regionals, and one Semi-State Championship going 296-188 overall. In 1997 the Slicers went 22-5 and played in the last single class IHSAA Final Four in front of 29,000 fans. A disciple of Coach Sweet s Valpo Free Throw Method, his 1991 and 1997 Slicer teams are among the Top 10 free throw shooting teams of all time nationally. In 2009 Joe returned to VHS as the boys basketball coach for four seasons winning the Sectional in 2011. He was the girls basketball coach his final year retiring in 2014. Brett Poli Polizotto As a student athlete and then as a teacher and coach, Brett Polizotto can honestly say he is a Viking for life. Brett was named 1987 National High School All-American by the National High School Coaches Association by placing 4 th at the Nationals. He was a member of the 1983, 1985, 1986 IHSAA Cross Country Team Champions. Poli was awarded the 1986 IHSAA Cross Country Mental Attitude Award. He earned 4 Academic All-State honors and 3 Hoosier Harrier All-State Honors in cross country. On the track, he set the school record of 9:09.96 in the 3200 and placed 7 th,3 rd, and 2 nd at the IHSAA State Track Meet, earning another 3 Hoosier Harrier All-State Honors. Brett was a 3 year varsity cross country letterman at Indiana University Bloomington. He earned the 1990 Indiana University Scholastic Achievement Award. He also ran track for three years. Coach Poli was the VHS head track coach from 1998-2015 accumulating 109 wins and 11 losses in the DAC, earning 9 DAC titles, 15 Sectional titles and 4 Regional titles. Poli was also an assistant cross country coach from 1994-2003 earning two more IHSAA State Cross Country Championships in 1997 and 2000.
Pete Sattler Versatility has consistently been used to describe Pete Sattler throughout his tenure at VHS and beyond. While at VHS he earned 10 varsity letters across swimming, track, and football. With this success in all three sports, swimming remained predominate. Pete helped the team achieve three DAC titles, three Sectional titles, and three top ten State finishes. Individually he became a 13 time State Finalist, a four time Sectional, a four time DAC Champion. He was an All-American, and set 4 school records. Pete also participated in track as a four year Regional finalist running as a sprinter and a hurdler. He was a two year starting kicker for the football team. Following VHS, Pete continued swimming as a Miami University Redhawk and played a large role on the team to help them to become the 1997 Mid American Conference Champions. He was the proud winner of the Miami Mental Attitude award and named All Mid American Conference for his performance at the MAC Championship meet a total of ten times between 1994 and 1997. This included winning the 100 Breaststroke to become the 1995 MAC Champion. Pete was also a school record holder for the Redhawks. Following his athletic career Pete returned to VHS to teach Science and Philosophy as well as Coach Women s Swimming and Diving. Lorrie Woycik Lorrie is a pioneer educator and coach. A native of Staten Island, NY, she graduated from Valparaiso University in 1952 and has contributed to Valparaiso Community Schools and the city for more than six decades with no signs of slowing down. Lorrie started teaching at Vale Day School, now know as Porter County Education Services, in 1957. She was the original coach for Special Olympics in Valparaiso, starting in 1969 when the program first began in Indiana. Throughout the years, she has coached HER KIDS in swimming, basketball, softball, volleyball, skiing and many other sports. Along with her husband Barney, a VHS graduate, she was the Ski School Director at the Pines Ski Area. Lorrie was the first girls basketball coach at Valparaiso High School, starting the program in 1974 and leading the team for its first two seasons. She has received many Special Olympics honors throughout her life, and is also a member of the Valparaiso University Athletic Hall of Fame. She and Barney had three children and she now has 15 great grandchildren. Kids are my business is her motto. Says Lorrie, God has blessed me richly, and I thank Him every day!