St. Joseph High School announced this week they will be inducting four new member into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at halftime of their boys basketball game against Portage Northern, (which will be live on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM). The four new members are (in order of year of graduation), Roger Morrissett (Class of 1972), Ethan Schweir (Class of 2008), Matthew Mattox (Class of 2009), Rachel Bendewald (Class of 2013).
Morrissett is best known for being an avid St. Joe “superfan,” but he has been dedicated to the St. Joe Athletic Program for most of his life, he has been a supporter of all the St. Joe athletic programs, mostly the football and basketball team. He was the PA Announcer for freshman and junior varsity games for 10 seasons until issues with his vision prevented him from continuing. He’s sold and continues to sell 50/50 raffle tickets before games, and continues to find ways to support the students and athletes at St. Joe.
Ethan Schweir was a 2008 graduate, he played varsity football all four years at St. Joe, starting a few games in 2004, before missing the 2005 season with an injury. In 2007, Schweir led the Bears to the MHSAA State Semifinals falling to eventual State Champion East Grand Rapids. Schweir made all conference in 2004 and 2006, and all state in 2007. He still hold records for most touchdown passes in a season. Schweir was also a member of the basketball team and earned six varsity letters.
Matthew Mattox, one of Schweir’s teammates graduated from St. Joe a year later. Mattox also played Basketball and was on the track and field teams. Matt was one of the members of the Bears offensive and defensive lines under coach Elliot Uzelac. Matt was selected to play in the MHSFCA All Star Game at Michigan State University. He went on to Mount Union University and help them win an NCAA Division III National Championship.
Matt is now helping coach high school football, his team in Alliance Ohio won the Ohio State Championship this past fall.
And Rachel Bendewald was a 2013 graduate. Rachel was a three sport athlete in basketball, cross country and track and field. Rachel was on the St. Joe girls basketball team that had a perfect 20-0 regular season in 2012, and made it to the regional finals. She won four letters and all conference in cross country, and in track she had three varsity letters, and all conference, and her in her senior year, she was part of the 4 x 800 relay team that won the state championship.
