Legacy of Impact
Hall of Fame

The Legacy of Impact Hall of Fame celebrates alumni, educators, coaches, and community members from Pope John Paul II High School and its legacy schools whose faith, leadership, and service have left a lasting mark on our shared history. Each inductee reflects the values of Catholic education and the spirit of excellence that continues to inspire generations.

Jim Shaffer

1976 Bishop Kenrick Boys Basketball Team

Charles A. McPherson

Alyssa (Neilson) Borzillo

Rick Keeley

Douglas T. Dunn

CTA

CELEBRATING OVER 150 YEARS OF LEGACY

Induction Ceremony

Friday, November 14, 2025

Pope John Paul II High School

6:00 PM – Reception (Legacy Atrium)

7:00 PM – Induction Ceremony (Auditorium)

Class of 2025

Jim Shaffer, Archbishop Kennedy Boys Basketball Coach

Jim Shaffer started his career at Archbishop Kennedy High School as an assistant boys’ basketball coach in 1982. In 1985 he was appointed to the head boys’ basketball coaching position which he continued until the school’s closure in 1993. During those eight years he amassed a record of 122-85 with only one losing season. He led the team to the Bicentennial Championship in the 1990-91 season, Spring Ford Holiday Champions in 1989 and 1992 and District 1 Champions in 1987-88 and 1989-90. His teams made the state tournament six years and finished second in District 1 three years. He was named Coach of the Year Today’s Post for the 1989-90 season and Coach of the Year for the Bicentennial League for the 1990-91 season. The team also was awarded the Borough of Conshohocken Achievement Award in 1990. Jim was a volunteer coach with AMBUCS Stars (Special Olympics Montgomery County) basketball team in 1988, and he is currently serving as AMBUCS coach again. There were several notable Archbishop Kennedy basketball alumni Jim coached including Chris Kauffman who set the area scoring record at 1,746 points.

Charles A. McPherson, St. Patrick’s Class of 1937

Charles A. McPherson is a 1937 graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Norristown, PA. Known to most as “Mr. Mac”, Charles’ life was overflowing with service to the youth, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (AD), Norristown Borough and St. Patrick’s Parish. He was the organizer of the Spartan Boys Club, played football, basketball and baseball including captaining the Colored Elks baseball team, coached kids in CYO, Knee High and Junior League and served as St. Patrick’s athletic director. He also served as assistant football coach at Bishop Kenrick High School. For the AD he was appointed CYO Region 21 director, served on the athletic advisory board, the Cardinal’s Human Relations Commission and was a member of the 41st Eucharistic International Congress Choir held in Philadelphia in 1976. For the Norristown Borough he served as chairman of the Board of Redevelopment Housing, Human Relations Commission, Advisory Board for Norristown, and Chairman of the Carver Community Center. He also was a founding organizer of the Council of Churches in the Norristown Area and founding member of the Patrician Society, a food cupboard. At St. Patrick’s Parish he helped establish and serve on church council, founder and member of the choir and the Parish bingo.

Rick Keeley, St. Pius X Class of 1971

Rick Keeley is a 1971 graduate of St. Pius X High School in Pottstown, PA where he played football and baseball. Rick played under legendary St. Pius X head football coach and PJP Legacy of Impact Hall of Famer Jim Mich. He went on to Kutztown University earning three letters as a nose guard. During his collegiate career he was two-time first team all-conference, team captain senior year, selected to the University’s all-decade team of the 1970s and holds the school record for blocked punts in a season. After college, he started his long-time football coaching career beginning as an assistant at St. Pius X under Coach Mich for two years and then accepted an assistant position for eight years at Holy Name High School in Reading, PA. In 1986 he was named head coach, serving in the role for twelve seasons. Rick left for three seasons to coach at Hamburg Area High School in Hamburg, PA until his return to Holy Name in 2001. He was named the first coach at Berks Catholic High School in Reading, PA with the merger of Holy Name and Reading Central Catholic. His career coaching record was 280-160-3 (118-41 in 13 seasons at Berks Catholic). Over that span he guided his teams to 11 league titles, five District 3 titles and was named District 3 Coach of the Year in 2015. Rick’s previous Hall of Fame inductions include Holy Name Hall of Fame, Berks County Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the Tri-County Chapter of Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

1976 Bishop Kenrick Boys Basketball Team

The 1976 Bishop Kenrick boys’ basketball team, led by head coach Mike Lynam and assistant coaches Tony Saggese and Stephen Eisenmann were the “Cinderella Story” of the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL). The team finished the year 24-8 overall (12-4 in the PCL). After victories over LaSalle and Cardinal Dougherty in the quarter and semi-finals, the team completed their magical run by winning the PCL Championship in a thrilling late game comeback by a score of 64-54 over West Catholic in a game played at the Palestra. The victory was only the fourth time a suburban school had won the PCL and propelled the boys into the city title game against West Philadelphia High School, which unfortunately ended in a hard-fought ten-point loss. The team’s starters consisted of Paul Mulholland (center), Tom Catagnus (guard), Robert "Butch" Bontempo (guard), Phil Eisenmann (forward) and Tony Salamone (forward). The bench reserves included Jim Fazio, Jerry Kilpatrick, Joe Matteo, Tom Kehoe, Bill Connors, Joe Migliarese and Frank Pfanders.

Alyssa (Neilson) Borzillo, Kennedy Kenrick Class of 2006

Alyssa (Neilson) Borzillo was a three-time First Team All-Catholic and All-Area honoree in softball. She was named MVP of the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) as a junior, the Times Herald 2005 Player of the Year and lettered in field hockey. Outside of high school she was a member of the East Norriton Heartbreakers travel team. Alyssa went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing from St. Joseph’s University (2010). She continued her softball career at the University as a designated hitter and pitcher earning her first career save in 2008 against Lafayette. Currently she serves as the retail marketing director for Audubon Land Development, her family-owned business.

Douglas T. Dunn, PJP and St. Pius X Teacher

Doug Dunn’s life revolved around serving God and others. He graduated from St. Charles Seminary with a bachelor's degree in philosophy, with graduate studies at Washington Theological Union. After his studies he began a life of service, working with children with disabilities at St. Edmonds Home in Bryn Mawr, PA. He was also Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart Parish in Royersford. He then began his teaching career as a Theology teacher at St. Pius X High School in Pottstown, PA where he was also an assistant football coach, and later at Pope John Paul II High School (PJP), where he taught for 15 cherished years. His dedication to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its children went beyond just employment. He led over 53 Kairos retreats for his students. For over 25 years, he volunteered at the Archbishop's Christmas party for Catholic Social Services, where he portrayed Santa Claus for the children in attendance. He loved all his students but had a special fondness for the student athletes, especially the PJP volleyball players. He also moderated the student council and community service corps, as well as the chess and game clubs.

Nomination Process

There are two ways an individual or a team can be nominated for the Legacy of Impact Hall of Fame.

1) Individuals from the PJP and Legacy school communities (see above for the list of legacy schools) can complete the form below to nominate an individual or team to the Legacy of Impact Hall of Fame. Forms must be received no later than April 30th in a given year.

2) Members of the nomination committee can nominate individuals or teams as well by bringing forth such names at a committee meeting. The nominating committee will review all names submitted and make the selections of the inductees for that given year. Inductees will be notified by a member of the committee once a decision is made.

The submission of a name does not mean that the individual or team you nominated is going to be selected for the Legacy of Impact Hall of Fame. That decision is the sole responsibility of the committee.

Criteria

Achievement in Career
Demonstrated excellence and significant accomplishments in their chosen profession or field.

School Impact
Significant contributions to the PJP and legacy school community, including involvement in school activities, volunteering, philanthropy, or mentorship.

Commitment to Service
Active participation and leadership in community service, charity work, or other civic activities that reflect the values of the Catholic faith.

Role Model
Serving as a positive role model for current students, inspiring them through their achievements and character.

Nomination Form

Please complete the information below to submit your nomination.

Your first name

Your last name

Email

Phone

Relationship to nominee

Nominee first name

Nominee last name

Graduating Class of...

Description of Accomplishments (In Education, Career, or Service)

Please list and describe the nominee's key accomplishments in their career, education, or personal life that reflect the spirit of Pope John Paul II High School and its mission to create leaders who give back to their communities. Examples may include professional achievements, volunteer service, leadership roles, or other noteworthy contributions.

Please attach additional resources below if necessary.

Community Service and Leadership

Describe how the nominee has shown leadership, service, and commitment to their community or profession. Highlight specific roles, volunteer work, or community involvement where they have made a significant impact.

Please attach additional resources below if necessary.

Exemplification of Pope John Paul II High School's Values

Please provide examples of how the nominee has exemplified the values, traditions, and pride that Pope John Paul II High School seeks to instill in its graduates.

Please attach additional resources below if necessary.

Additional Supporting Information

Please include any letters of recommendation, awards, media coverage, or other relevant information that supports the nominee’s candidacy.