Second annual hall of fame induction to include 1988 basketball team and four individuals

March 14, 2023

Second annual hall of fame induction to include 1988 basketball team and four individuals

Marian Athletic Club (MAC) to honor members of the school's first state championship team along with a coach, a contributor, a swimming great and a two-sport star.

For the second consecutive year, the Marian Athletic Club (MAC), in conjunction with the Marian High School athletic department, will induct four new individuals and a championship team to the Marian Athletics Hall of Fame.

A year ago, five legendary coaches were added to the hall of fame including Barry Brodsky (soccer), Mary Cicerone (basketball), Jay Louis-Prescott (field hockey & soccer), Bill Thompson (swimming) and Dave Feldman (athletic director).

This year, the hall of fame committee selected an outstanding class that includes longtime contributor Denny Flynn, groundbreaking tennis coach Julie McKnight (posthumously inducted), all-American swimmer Mollie Pultie '15, and dual sport threat Stephanie Storen Jett '93 (basketball & volleyball).

Additionally, the school's first ever state championship team will be inducted. The 1988 varsity basketball team includes Patti Steele Buck, Hazel Olden Osbourne, Kris Baiardi Terpstra, Patty Boyle Rassel, Carin Graat Flenner, Bonnie Boyle Little, Jennifer Shasky Calvery, Julie Fleisher Devlin, Trina Govan Scott, Pam Kunse, Sarah Callahan, Carmie Garofalo Khury, Karen Dubay Holt, Andi Frohn, Jamie Racine King and Shelby Young Pannell.

Jennifer Hammond, FOX 2 Sports Reporter, will be the evening's host for the second straight year. Hammond will lead the inductee panel in an interactive talk show-style format that promises to be entertaining for all ages.

While tickets are free of charge, attendees are encouraged to register and contribute to the Hall of Fame effort. Additionally, registrants and sponsors can write personalized messages to the inductees.

Sponsors will take part in a private meet-and-greet event that will include photo opportunities and a champagne reception. Hors d'oeuvres and light refreshments will be served to all.

For more information, please contact Amy Carroll, MAC and Hall of Fame Committee President at amycarroll@mac.com or Lori Ervin, MAC Co-President at loriervin5@gmail.com.

To RSVP for the event, or to become a sponsor, please click the button below:

2023 MARIAN ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS

STEPHANIE STOREN JETT '93 (STUDENT-ATHLETE)

Storen Jett ('93) was a 4 year varsity basketball and volleyball standout during her time at Marian.  She earned all-state honors in both sports.  Stephanie went on to play 4 years of volleyball at the University of Louisville and was inducted into the Louisville Hall of Fame in 2007.  Her many accolades include being a dominant team leader, outstanding blocker, and a cornerstone of the team's progress in becoming a national volleyball powerhouse.  She led the school to its first NCAA Sweet Sixteen Appearance, four consecutive conference championships and four NCAA Appearances.  Other honors include 1995 and 1996 Conference USA Setter of the Year, 1994 Metro Tournament MVP, and inclusion to the 1998 class of the Detroit Catholic League Hall of fame.  

DENNIS "DENNY" FLYNN (CONTRIBUTOR)

Denny, a longtime Marian supporter, along with his late wife, Carolyn, sent their five daughters – Bridget '78, Betsy '79, Katie '80, Molly '82 and Megan '88 – to Marian for the academics and faith-based environment. All five girls played basketball for the school, and as a result, Denny became one of the program's biggest cheerleaders and proponents. Flynn was instrumental in the hiring of Hall of Fame basketball coach Mary Cicerone and championed the construction of the new gym his granddaughters enjoyed as students. Even today, Denny remains of the Marian's biggest advocates.

JULIE MCKNIGHT (COACH)

Coach Julie had an accomplished 20-year career as Marian's varsity tennis coach beginning in 1978. Under her tutelage, Marian won 12 consecutive Detroit Catholic League (CHSL) titles, 10 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) regional titles, over 200 dual meets and finished top-five in the state six times. McKnight received many accolades including Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association (MHSTeCA) Coach of the Year, Detroit News All-Metro Coach of the Year and Observer-Eccentric All-Area Coach of the Year. In 1987, Julie was inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame. Sadly, Julie passed away in August of 2018, but her impact on Marian Athletics is forever etched in the record books and beyond.

MOLLIE PULTE '15 (STUDENT-ATHLETE)

Mollie Pultie graduated as the most decorated swimmer in the rich history of the Marian swim & dive program. Pulte won eight MHSAA Division 2 state individual championships in her career, five of which were solo and three as part of a relay. As a junior, Pulte set a Division 2 state record in the 200-yard freestyle in addition to a relay title in the 200-yard freestyle relay and a 100-yard freestyle Division 2 record that remains intact today. As a senior, Pulte broke her own state record in the 200-yard freestyle in addition to state titles in the 100-yard freestyle and she anchored both the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle championship relays. After Pulte led Marian to the 2015 Division 2 MHSAA team championship, she enrolled at the University of Florida where she earned all-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors.

1988 VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM

Today, Marian teams own 35 team state championships. For there to be 35, there had to be a first and the 1988 varsity basketball team, under the leadership of 2022 hall of fame inductee Mary Lillie-Cicerone, was the first team to claim a title. Not only were the Mustangs champions of the Catholic League, they claimed MHSAA district and regional titles and won 19-consecutive games on their way to a 26-1 overall record (tied for most season wins in Marian history). Marian avenged late-season loss to Detroit Murray-Wright with a 10-point victory in the Class A semifinal on their way to the Finals. Miss Basketball winner Jennifer Shasky scored 61 points in the final two games combined and helped the Mustangs claim a 71-49 win over Flint Powers Catholic in the state championship. Marian finished the 1988 season as USA Today's #15-ranked team in America.