Stephen L. Pavela, a 1948 University of 91³Ô¹Ï graduate and former Irish baseball and basketball player from La Crosse, Wis., will receive the Harvey G. Foster Award during halftime ceremonies at the 91³Ô¹Ï-Michigan football game Sept. 11.p. Established in 1982, the Foster Award is presented annually by the 91³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association to a graduate distinguished for athletic endeavors and civic or University service.p. A member of 91³Ô¹Ïs basketball team for two years and baseball team for four years, Pavela earned three monograms in baseball and was elected team captain as a senior. He turned down opportunities to play professional baseball and entered the field of state high school athletic administration. Pavela was instrumental in the formation of the Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association (WCIAA) and served for nine years as its first executive director. His leadership helped open WCIAA membership to all non-public Wisconsin high schools, which resulted in the formation of the nationally recognized Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association.p. Pavelawas inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall as a friend of basketball in 2002.He has held leadership positions in numerous civic, charitable and religious organizations, including the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Board, the Aquinas Area Schools Endowment Trust Campaign, and the St. Francis Medical Center Elder Care Board.p. _Contact: Mary Patricia Dowling, editor, 91³Ô¹Ï Alumni Association,574-631-4638, dowling.2@nd.edu _ p.
TopicID: 6541