Hockey
St. Paul Academy established the first varsity high school hockey team in the State of Minnesota in 1905. Coach Max Sporer helped establish a state athletic structure and SPA teams would win the State Hockey Championship in 1941, 1942, 1961 and 1962. After the St. Paul Academy and Summit School merger, the boys' hockey team won the MISL State Championship in 1974.
Girls' hockey was played informally at Summit School and became a full program after the merger. The girls' program became a co-op with surrounding schools in the 2000's and would see its best finish in 2017 when it claimed the runner-up trophy at the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament. Combined, both programs have seen over 20 Minnesota State Hockey Tournament appearances.
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- Joseph P. “Joe” Schwab '33
- Frank M. Brown, Jr. '38
- Robert C. "Bob" Brown, Sr. '41
- William A. “Bill” Bierman, Sr. '42
- Richard L. “Dick” Stryker, Sr. '42
- Robert R. "Bob" Carley, Jr. '43
- Stanley “Stan” Shepard '47
- William Larson '79
- J. Peter Sawkins '81
- Thomas Vannelli '73
Joseph P. “Joe” Schwab '33
Joe Schwab was a very talented athlete while at SPA. A member of the football team, hockey team, and captain of the baseball team, Schwab won SPA's Harvard Cup for his athletic and academic abilities, as well as the Senior Athletic Cup two years in a row.
As quarterback during his senior year, Schwab contributed impressive performances in the team's 14-0 win over Breck, 7-0 win over Harding, as well as wrapping the year with a 7-0 win over rival Blake. Schwab was noted in the Now and Then for his impressive accuracy in passing.
On the hockey rink, Schwab was a regular starter as a left-winger for a number of years and in his senior season scored multiple goals in games against St. Thomas (2 goals, 2 assists), De La Salle (2 goals, 2 assists), ending the season as the highest scorer with 10 goals and six assists.
As captain of the baseball team, Schwab was impressive on the field and a recognized leader of the team. He had particularly good games against St. Thomas, with four hits on the way to a 10-7 win, and against Blake in a 7-6 win where he scored two runs. Joe Schwab ended the season with 11 runs and 16 hits and maintained a batting percentage of .552, the highest for the team.
Schwab would go on to play hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he had a successful career. After his untimely death, his contemporaries recalled his sportsmanship, character, and ability and established the Joe Schwab Award in 1965, awarded for the first time in 1967.
Schwab would go on to play hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he had a successful career. After his untimely death, his contemporaries recalled his sportsmanship, character, and ability and established the Joe Schwab Award in 1965, awarded for the first time in 1967.
Frank M. Brown, Jr. '38
Frank Brown, Jr. was a member of SPA's football and hockey teams, captain of the baseball team, and was awarded the Senior Athletic Cup. In addition, Frank's younger brother Bob '41 was an equally accomplished athlete and the two played together on varsity teams for the last two years of Frank's time at SPA.
In football, Frank was a left tackle and helped the Academy to a shutout over Waconia 24-0 in 1937, and a closely battled win over De La Salle. Frank was also at times the kicker on the team and the Now and Then noted his kicking abilities.
A center fielder in baseball, Brown helped the Academy team to one of its best records in years following the 1938 season. The team would claim wins against De La Salle (6-3), Concordia Academy (14-8), and Shattuck (5-4), while Brown was one of the top hitters on the team for the season.
Always an athlete, Frank was an accomplished member of SPA's Rifle Team, an equestrian, and played adult club hockey and baseball with the Osceola Braves.
Robert C. "Bob" Brown, Sr. '41
Bob Brown was President of the Student Council and recognized as a talented athlete, playing on the football team, serving as a co-captain of the All-City hockey team, and as a member of the baseball team.
On the ice is where Brown truly excelled. A co-captain his last two seasons and left-winger, Brown was a top goal scorer on the team and helped lift Academy hockey to wins over Shattuck (7-2), Central High School (8-2), Johnson High School (2-1), and Blake (5-0) amongst others. The team was considered the best that the school had seen over the prior 21 years and went undefeated for a second-straight season. Brown was named to the Dispatch-Pioneer Press All-City Team and was recognized for scoring over 10 points and having 17 assists over the season.
In baseball, Bob Brown was an adept second baseman and regular hitter for the team. Brown had memorable games his senior season, hitting two home-runs in the team's 13-7 win over Blake and he was considered one of the top hitters on the team over the course of his four seasons on the "A Team”. Brown would go on to play hockey at the University of Minnesota and baseball for the Osceola Braves.
William A. “Bill” Bierman, Sr. '42
Bill Bierman '42 was a star athlete and student at SPA. In addition to being on both of the football and hockey teams, Bierman also served as President of Student Council, and was awarded the Williams Cup, Margolis Prize, Aurelian Society Cup, Harvard Cup, and received a scholarship to attend Yale.
Son of Bernie Bierman, the highly successful coach of the University of Minnesota Football team, Bill was faced with high expectations, but consistently delivered in support of his team. While helping lead the football team for the 1941 season, the team would continue its dominance extending their unbeaten streak to 37 games over three straight seasons. Bierman would be named by the St. Paul Dispatch to the first-team All Academy Team. Bierman was especially noted in the team's 43-0 win over Harding. The Now and Then noted, "Bierman was far and away the best back on the field, as he was seldom stopped for less than five yards, and twice broke away for touchdowns." Bierman was also noted for his memorable interception against St. Cloud, resulting in a 60-yard touchdown.
On the hockey team, Bierman and the rest of the team put together an excellent 1941-42 season, extending their streak of unbeaten games to 28. That season, Bierman played forward and scored a number of goals in wins over Humboldt and Blake.
As the 1942 school year concluded, Bierman was recognized along with a number of his fellow seniors for his contributions to the successful athletics programs at SPA in the early 1940's.
Richard L. “Dick” Stryker, Sr. '42
Dick Stryker '42 was a renowned football player, and a talented member of the hockey and baseball teams at SPA. On the football field, Stryker was known for his impressive defensive skills and was named by the St. Paul Dispatch to the second-team All-Academy Team for the 1941 season. The team would go on to end their season undefeated for the third year in a row accounting for 37 straight games without a loss. Stryker was also known for his defensive skills in a 45-0 rout over Waconia and a 12-6 win over Shattuck.
On the hockey team, Stryker was the team's goalie and was known for his performances in the net when SPA defeated Blake (3-2) and Shattuck (4-1), extending the team's win streak to 28 games during the 1942 season. He would end that season with four shutouts for the year. In baseball, Stryker played centerfield and in his senior season helped the team to a number of memorable wins including a 9-1 win over De La Salle, a 6-4 win over St. Thomas, and a 18-7 win over Concordia. As the 1942 school year concluded, Stryker was recognized along with a number of his fellow seniors for his contributions to the successful athletics programs at SPA in the early 1940's.
Robert R. "Bob" Carley, Jr. '43
Born deaf in St. Paul, Bob received his first schooling at the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, MO. His parents appreciated the specialized teaching he received, especially in lip-reading and vocalizing, but as a young boy, Bob wanted to be at home, and his parents enrolled him in St. Paul Academy’s Junior School. In high school at SPA, he was a star athlete in football, hockey, and baseball. He led his hockey team to three undefeated seasons and his jersey was retired upon his graduation. Both teammates and coaches recalled his lively and self-deprecating sense of humor.
Upon graduation, Bob attended the University of Minnesota, where he became an asset to the football and hockey teams as he could lip-read opponents’ signals. He played halfback and earned All-Conference honors while serving as a captain for the Golden Gopher football team for three years. In hockey, he garnered recognition as an All-American, but an eye injury would sideline him for the remainder of his career. Immediately after his injury, Bob and his then-fiancée Mary could only communicate when she traced words in capital letters on his forearm. Following this injury, they married, Bob entered his family business, and began coaching hockey at a variety of levels at SPA. Players on his SPA teams admired him and appreciated his exhortation to “have fun.” Following a long illness, Bob passed away in 2006 at 82.
Stanley “Stan” Shepard '47
A member of the football, hockey and baseball teams, Stan Shepard was known for his tenacity in athletics and intellectual standing, earning the Harvard Cup for his academic and athletics abilities.
In football, Shepard was a defensive right-end and was known for his ability to stop the opposing offense. In the 1946 game against Shattuck, Stan led the defensive charge en route to a 7-6 victory.
In hockey, Stan helped build on a successful hockey legacy at SPA and led the team to a 11-4-2 season in 1947. He ended that year as one of the top scorers on the team, accumulating 6 goals and 9 assists in his senior season.
On the baseball field, Shepard was regarded for his tenacity. He was a regular hitter in the line-up and concluded his senior season with the most runs scored on the team (10) and no errors in the field. The team would end its season 6-3 in heartbreaking fashion to Blake.
William Larson '79
A talented three-sport athlete and the first St. Paul Academy and Summit School baseball player to have his jersey retired, Bill Larson '79 left his mark on the SPA history books.
A utility player on the football team, Bill played on the varsity team beginning his sophomore year, playing quarterback, linebacker, safety, and punter over the course of his career. He also served as captain of the team his senior year and collected three All-Conference awards for his performances. During his senior season, the team finished with an impressive 8-1 record for the second year in a row, and outscored their opponents during the season 211-30, finishing the year as conference co-champions.
In hockey, Bill joined the varsity team as a sophomore and was named a captain his senior season. As a center, Bill put together impressive performances earning him All-Conference honors and the Pioneer Press Athlete of the Week. His senior season, the team finished with an impressive 12-1 record and were named conference champions.
On the baseball diamond, Bill excelled as a shortstop and pitcher. After making the varsity team as a freshman, Bill earned the respect and trust of his teammates and was named captain for his remaining three years. He accumulated 768 strikeouts and an earned run average of 0.32. He was selected by the MSHSL Baseball Coaches Association as a member of the MetroEast All-Star Team, Pioneer Press Athlete of the Week, All-State and Player of the Year by the Star Tribune. Finally, he was recognized as the Downtown Lions Club Athlete of the Year in 1979. Bill was recognized for his accomplishments when his #12 jersey number was retired by St. Paul Academy and Summit School.
Bill was awarded the Frenzel Athletic Bowl given to the top athlete at the school and the Blake Shepard Award recognizing his athletics accomplishments. Bill attended Harvard, playing four years of hockey and baseball. He played one year of baseball in the Netherlands after college and played amateur baseball in the St. Paul area as well.
J. Peter Sawkins '81
J. Peter Sawkins '81 was a talented three-sport athlete at St. Paul Academy and Summit School and professional hockey player.
Peter had an impressive SPA soccer career and was named All-Conference and All-State his senior year. During his senior season, the team compiled an impressive 13-1-2 record, including a 3-2 win over Benilde St. Margaret’s to win the MISL Championship and a State runner-up finish after a quadruple overtime loss against South St. Paul. He was also a baseball standout, serving as captain his senior year, and recognized as an All-Metro player.
Hockey, however, was where he shone the brightest. He served as captain of the program and received All-State and All-Conference accolades multiple years. Peter was awarded the Frenzel Athletic Bowl for his athletics accomplishments.
Peter went on to attend Yale University where he excelled in soccer and hockey. In soccer, Peter was All-Ivy all four years and recognized as an NCAA All-American in 1984. On the ice, Peter was recognized as a two-time All-Ivy league award winner and an All-ECAC honoree his senior year. While at Yale, Peter was also a member of the 1982 United States Junior National Hockey Team that competed in the world junior tournament in Leningrad, Russia. For his athletic achievements at Yale, Peter was awarded the Mallory Award in 1985 recognizing Yale’s most outstanding senior male athlete.
Peter was drafted 144th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1981 National Hockey League Draft. He played two years in the LA Kings farm system with the New Haven Nighthawks, Flint Spirits, and Toledo GoalDiggers. Although he chose to attend Yale and later sign with the Kings, notably Peter was also drafted in soccer by the Minnesota Kicks of the NASL in 1981 and the Minnesota Strikers of the MISL in 1985.
After over 20 years in various corporate roles, including 8 years as Director of Sports Trading Cards at Topps, Peter returned to St. Paul Academy and Summit School in 2011 to serve as the Athletics Director for 4 years. He then joined Hackley School in New York where he is currently the Director of Auxiliary Programs and Sports Marketing.
Thomas Vannelli '73
A legendary hockey player, Tom Vannelli '73 was noted for his athletic skill and later for his coaching talents. Nominated by classmates, current students, and athletics administrators, Tom is well-known for his extensive impact on SPA hockey programs as well as his skills as an athlete.
Tom was a three-sport athlete as a Spartan, serving as a key contributor on the baseball, hockey, and football teams. On the ice, Tom served as captain of the state’s top-ranked Spartan team and led the team in scoring for four straight years. In a single season, Tom accumulated 105 points in 25 games, 42 goals and 63 assists, setting the school record for most points, goals, and assists. He also helped lead the program to an impressive team record of 30-1. He earned All-State accolades multiple years throughout his time at SPA and was awarded the Boys’ Athletic Bowl. He is the only individual to have his number retired by the SPA hockey program.
Tom attended and played hockey for the University of Minnesota, where he was a four-year letter winner, team captain, and a two-time NCAA All-American for the Gophers. The team would win two NCAA hockey championships, including in 1976 when Tom was named the MVP of the NCAA Tournament. He would go on to play hockey professionally in Switzerland for several years.
Tom continued his hockey career as the Head Coach at St. Thomas Academy, coaching the team to five State Hockey Championships, totaling 450 wins with a 72% win percentage before retiring at the end of the 2019 season.