CAA Hall of Fame

Teresa & Jake Mauer, Jake Mauer, Bill Mauer

2023

The sports-oriented Mauer family has deep roots in Minnesota. Jake Jr. and Teresa Mauer, were both athletes and coaches, setting a great example for their children by being involved in their community and sacrificing hours for youth sports.

Jake attended St. Columba grade school where he played football for Tom Hansen and Jim Thalhuber, basketball for Tom Hansen and baseball for Tom Hansen and Mike Byrne. Moving on to St. Agnes, he excelled at those same three sports, making the varsity baseball team as a freshman with his good friend Tom Gormley. Jake was All-Conference his senior year. He played VFW baseball for the Como Gophers and American Legion ball for Tjernlund.

The Mauers have a long tradition in St. Paul as referees, officials, and coaches and Jake Jr. chose coaching. After playing football, basketball, and baseball at both St. Columba and St. Agnes High School, Jake Jr. started coaching baseball with his dad, Jake Sr., in 1974, the summer he graduated high school. Together they coached the Tjernlund American Legion team for two years, and then Jake took over. When that team folded, he coached the Public Safety American Legion baseball team.

Jake Jr. also coached all three of his sons when they played baseball for St. Columba in the early 90’s, and also at Griggs and Hancock playgrounds in St. Paul, where they won multiple youth state tournaments. He also took over coaching the boys basketball program at St. Columba when Tom Hansen stepped down after the 1993 season. When his sons were older, Jake Jr. also spent time coaching and managing the Air Freight Unlimited men’s baseball team that Larry Norder started.

Teresa played volleyball, basketball and softball and ran track at St. Mark’s. She was coached by Rob Peick and Joe Meyer. Back then, basketball was 6 on 6, 3 defensive players and 3 offensive players and you couldn’t go over the half court line!

Teresa attended 9th grade at Ramsey Junior High where she played in the Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) where volleyball and basketball were the only sports offered.

Following her 9th grade year, Teresa attended Central High School where she was a standout athlete. In volleyball, she was a captain both her junior and senior years. In basketball, she was also a captain her senior year and was part of the team that won the first Minnesota State High School League Girls’ Basketball Championship. In track, she ran the 440 and anchored the relay medley team. The Central track team won the St. Paul City Conference championship all three years she was there. High school softball was not offered at that time, so Teresa tried out for the baseball team her senior year and was cut. She was also the captain of the cheerleading squad her senior year.

The “C” Club medal was awarded to the best male and female student athlete in each class every year. Teresa won that medal her sophomore, junior and senior years for being the best female athlete.

Teresa served as a student representative to the St. Paul City Conference Athletic Advisory Board her junior and senior years and was inducted into the Central Athletic Hall of Fame twice, once as an individual and once as a member of the 1976 Girls’ State Basketball Championship team.

After high school, Teresa went on to play volleyball at the College of St. Catherine where she was the starting setter her freshman and sophomore seasons. In her freshman year, St Kate’s finished 6th in the AIAW’s National Volleyball Championship Tournament held in Malibu CA.

In basketball, Teresa was the starting guard her sophomore year and her team went on to win the AIAW basketball championship that year.

Teresa was inducted into the St. Catherine’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1976-77 volleyball team that went to the National tournament.

She also coached youth baseball at Griggs playground when her sons were young, and coached St. Columba girls volleyball, basketball, and softball teams in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Teresa also generously served as a CAA board member for many years and is currently on the advisory board.

Jake, Bill and Joe were also avid athletes and coaches. They all played soccer, basketball and baseball at St. Columba and football through St. Paul Parks and Rec.

Jake Mauer was a standout baseball player and coach. He won two state championships with the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders in 1996 and 1997. He then played Division III baseball at the University of St. Thomas, where he set the season record for hits with 83 his senior year in 2001. He was also the school’s career leader in hits (243), runs (181), and games (187) and was inducted into the St. Thomas Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

Jake was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 23rd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft, the same year Joe was selected. He played five seasons in the Twins’ farm system, then retired after an elbow injury in 2005. He then accepted a job as a Minor League coach with the Twins. In 2008, Jake was promoted to manager of the Gulf Coast League Twins, then spent time as manager of the Fort Myers Miracle, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, and the Chattanooga Lookouts. Jake was named Gulf Coast League Manager of the year in 2009.

Billy Mauer starred on the baseball diamond at Cretin-Derham Hall just like his brothers and played on the 1998 team that won the Minnesota State High School Baseball tournament. He then played Division II baseball at Concordia University in St. Paul where he had a 6-2 record with a 2.48 ERA and 47 strikeouts. Billy signed with the Minnesota Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2003 but was forced to retire after three seasons due to chronic shoulder problems. He ended his minor league career with a 3–3 record and 3.14 earned run average in 43 games.

Bill coached basketball at St. Columba from 1996- 2002 and also officiated basketball in the CAA program during those same years. He has been coaching basketball, softball and baseball at St. Ambrose since 2015.

Hannah Brandt

75th Anniversary Outstanding Athlete of the Quarter Century

From CAA fields to Olympic gold, Hannah Brandt’s journey is the true spirit of athleticism and dedication. Her time at St. Odilia in soccer, softball, swimming, and cross-country set the stage for greatness. Since then, Brandt has made her mark as an outstanding hockey player.

Born on November 27, 1993, in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, she has notably competed on a professional and international level, representing Team USA in two Olympic Winter Games. Brandt attended Hill-Murray School where she made the varsity hockey team as an eighth grader and earned the title of Ms. Hockey in 2012. She then attended the University of Minnesota, where she played for the women’s hockey team and won three Division I national championships.

She has also represented the United States in international competitions, winning a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Brandt has been recognized for her skill and contribution to the sport, earning various accolades and honors throughout her career.

Hannah Brandt career highlights:

• Represented the U.S. in two Olympic Winter Games (gold-2018, silver-2022)
• As a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, has earned a spot on seven International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship teams (2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) and played in six (gold-2015, 2017, 2019; silver-2012, 2022), as well as four Four Nations Cups (1st-2016, 2017, 2018; 2nd-2014) and one IIHF Twelve Nations Invitational Tournament Series (2011)
• Additionally, played in the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship (gold), three Under-22 Series vs. Canada (2012, 2014, 2015), and the 2010 Under-18 Series vs. Canada
• Has represented the U.S. in various other international events, including the 2021 My Why Tour, presented by Toyota, 2019-20 Rivalry Series, the 2019 Rivalry Series, and The Time Is Now Tour, presented by Toyota (2017)
• Helped the University of Minnesota to three Division I national championships (2013, 2015, 2016)
• Named a Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award top-10 four years in a row during her time at Minnesota
• Led her team to four- straight conference titles and a fourth-place finish at the 2011 Minnesota State High School Girls’ Hockey Tournament

Congratulations to Hannah on her Outstanding Athlete of the Last Quarter Century award.

Joe Mauer

75th Anniversary Outstanding Athlete of the Quarter Century

Joe Mauer is best known for his illustrious career as a catcher for the Minnesota Twins. Born on April 19, 1983, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Mauer got his start playing at St. Columba then Cretin- Derham Hall. He notably only struck out once during high school, and his batting average exceeded .500 every year (batted .625 his senior year). Mauer set a Minnesota high school record by hitting a home run in seven consecutive games, and played catcher for the Team USA Junior National team from 1998 to 2000.

Mauer was then selected by the Twins as the first overall pick in the 2001 MLB draft and went on to spend his entire 15-season career with the team. Throughout his career, Mauer earned numerous accolades, including being named an All-Star six times, winning three American League batting titles, and receiving the American League Most Valuable Player award in 2009.

He retired from professional baseball in 2018, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished players in Twins history. His lucky number seven was retired in 2019, and he was selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024, becoming the first Hall of Famer to play his entire career in the 21st century and the first to be drafted in that century.

Joe Mauer career highlights:

• Joe was a member of the 2001 Cretin-Derham Hall Minnesota State High School League championship baseball team and a member of the 1999 Cretin-Derham Hall Minnesota State High School League championship football team
• Joe became the only athlete ever to be selected as the USA Today National High School Player of the Year in two sports (football in 2000 as a quarterback and baseball in 2001 as a catcher)
• Joe received six consecutive All-Star selections and won three consecutive Gold Glove awards (2008-2010) and five Silver Slugger Awards (including three in a row)
• When Joe Mauer won his first batting title in 2006, he became the first catcher to ever lead the American League in batting average. His .347 average was not only the highest in the junior circuit, but it was also highest in the majors that year, making Mauer the first catcher in baseball history to lead the majors in batting average
• In 2008, Joe Mauer won his second batting title and tied Ernie Lombardi (Hall of Fame Class of 1986) for most batting championships by a catcher—just one year later in 2009, Mauer broke that record and became the first and only catcher with three batting titles
• Joe Mauer led the American League in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage in 2009, becoming the first catcher in baseball history to lead his league in all three hitting percentages
• When Joe Mauer hit .365 in 2009, it was a new single season record for the highest batting average by a catcher in Major League history

Congratulations to Joe on his Outstanding Athlete of the Last Quarter Century award and to his wife Maddie and their three children Emily, Maren and Chip.

Dan Couillard

2022

Dan and his wife Marie have been married for 36 years and have six children and five grandchildren who have participated in the CAA. He attended St. Peter Grade School in Richfield and Holy Angels High School. Dan was in the Marine Corps for 3 years and graduated from the College of St. Thomas. After graduation he taught 9th grade at St. Agnes High School from 1985- 1988. He has been teaching Physical Education at Immaculate Conception School since 1988 to the present and was Athletic Director there from 1988-2020.

Dan started his coaching career in the CAA in the spring of 1989 for St. Agnes grade school. He coached the B-squad baseball team. The next 2 years he coached basketball and baseball.

In the fall of 1988, he became the physical education teacher and athletic director at Immaculate Conception School (ICS) in Columbia Heights. Since he started at ICS, he has coached at least one team in the CAA for the last 35 years. The sports he has coached include soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, and track. Both girls and boys and all levels from 4th grade to 8th grade.

As Athletic Director, Dan’s goal was to get as many students as possible to participate in the CAA athletic program. On average, ICS had 90% of their 4th-8th graders participating. In recent years, they have added ICS soccer teams for students in grades 1-4 and started a community soccer league with Fridley and Columbia Heights for them to play in.

Dan is proud of starting the Teresa Daley Volleyball Tournament and the ICS B-Squad Basketball tournament. He also continued the Tip-off Basketball Tournament started by Mike Schwartz.

Dan started and ran an independent instructional basketball league for boys and girls 6th grade and under on weekends. This allowed younger students to get more playing time to go along with CAA opportunities.

Dan also volunteers in his greater community coaching youth soccer and baseball teams in Columbia Heights, Fridley, New Brighton, and St. Anthony.

The CAA would like to congratulate Dan, his wife Marie and his children on his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Gene Parrish

2022

Gene was hired at IHM-St. Luke’s in 1997 by Mary Mitzuk to teach physical education part time K-2. The following year he was hired on full-time as 3-8 physical education teacher. In 2002, Gene added the role of Athletic Director to his full-time teaching responsibilities and retired in 2015.

During his tenure at IHM-St. Luke’s, which is now St. Thomas More, Gene was able to build on existing programs and initiate several new ones including cross country and golf. He is proud of the involvement of fellow teachers, parents, and alumni that helped to make the programs successful.

Gene also managed multiple fundraising projects to help defray costs. Those projects included Fund-a-Needs at the school auctions and selling sweatshirts, hats, and old uniforms. Big projects included a new wood gym floor, adjustable backboards, playground equipment, new bleachers and a new scoreboard.

Gene is also proud of the many relationships he developed over the years to facilitate where his teams could play including the Midway YMCA, Linwood Park and Central High School.

The CAA would like to congratulate Gene, his wife Barb and his family on his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Jackie VanDiver

2022

Jackie VanDiver began her career at St. Joseph’s School in West St. Paul in 1993. She taught physical education and coached volleyball. In 1998 she took over as Athletic Director until 2020. The Catholic Athletic Association has been an integral part of her life for many years. Through the CAA, she has met a wonderful group of dedicated individuals committed to providing an inclusive athletic experience for athletes of all abilities.

One of the many highlights of Jackie’s time as AD occurred during Catholic Schools Week. With the support of many amazing parent volunteers, “Spirit Week” was born. For one spirit-filled winter week, all basketball games were scheduled for home games. Some years, as many as 13 teams were playing their games in front of the home crowd. Popcorn was popped (1000 bags each day), concessions were sold, 36+ boxes of pizzas were devoured, the pep band fired up the crowds, and student announcers proudly introduced teams and players; all while 400+ students cheered on their teams to victory. It was such an energetic environment opposing teams asked to be invited back again the following year. Those are the days Jackie most fondly remembers.

Jackie is grateful for all the support she received from her family, teachers, administrators, parents, and the CAA staff when she worked in the program. She is proud of the program she helped build at St. Joseph’s to be one of the best, and most admired, in the CAA. She has been blessed tenfold by the opportunities and people she has met over the years and is honored to be receiving this award.

The CAA would like to congratulate Jackie, her husband Jon and her daughter Josie on her induction into the Hall of Fame.

Johnny Tauer

2018

Johnny is a 1987 graduate of Highland Catholic Grade School and played soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball. He played on the 8th grade teams for basketball and baseball as a 6th, 7th, and 8th grader. Dick Courtney was his basketball coach and Ray Bonnebeau, Bob Tschida and Courtney were his baseball coaches. He was a starter on the 8th grade basketball team as a 6th grader. During his 8th grade year, Highland Catholic won the CAA championship in volleyball, basketball and baseball. 

From 1987 to 1991 Johnny attended Cretin-Derham Hall where he was instrumental in winning championships in baseball (1990) and basketball (1991) and played for legendary coaches Dennis Denning and Len Horyza. He was a captain in both of those sports and was named an All-State and Academic All-State athlete as well. 

After a successful high school career wrapped up, Johnny made his way to the University of St. Thomas where he played under Steve Fritz. He was an All-MIAC player, first team All-West Region, and Academic All-America, and as a senior led the 1994-95 Toms to a school-record 27-0 start, including a MIAC championship with an unprecedented 20-0 record. Tauer ranks 14th in career scoring (1,219 points) and 15th in career rebounding (482) at St. Thomas, and was the school 3-point leader until 1999-2000. He ranks sixth on the MIAC all-time list for 3-point baskets. He also helped the 1993-94 Toms to a berth in the Division III Final Four. 

Tauer was inducted into the St. Thomas Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. Tauer has spent 21 seasons with Tommie basketball, including the last 17 as a coach. His six-year head coaching record of 147-30 (.830) puts him on an elite list of only six active NCAA basketball coaches (out of 1,000+) to win more than 80% of their games. Tauer has twice been named National Coach of the Year (2013, Basketball Times; 2016, National Association of Basketball Coaches, D3 News), was an Academic All-American at UST, and teaches in the Psychology Department. We would like to congratulate Johnny, along with his sons Jack and Adam, on his Hall of Fame induction.

John Tauer, Jr.

2018

John Tauer attended St. Bernard's Grade School through 5th grade and attended Nativity of Our Lord from 6th - 8th grade, graduating in 1955. He competed in the CAA golf tournament and finished in second place as an 8th grader. 

John went on to high school at St. Thomas Academy. He played basketball in the CAA Cadet League.  This was a program established for high school students where you played to represent your parish.  

After graduating from St. Thomas Academy in 1959, John went on to the University of Minnesota to study engineering, but changed his mind about his major and transferred to the College of St. Thomas where he earned his accounting degree. During college, John coached in the CAA Cadet League and upon graduation, took a teaching job at Nativity. 

He taught there for a year, and then went on to a successful career with Piper Jaffray. But while he was at Nativity, it didn't take then Athletic Director Bob Doane long to figure out he wanted John as a coach. And so in 1967, Doane hired John to coach the 8th grade boys basketball team and he held that position for 19 years from 1967-1986.  John also assisted on the College of St. Thomas JV basketball team from 1993-1998.  

It is worth noting that John not only was a very successful coach, he is also a very accomplished golfer carrying a low handicap. He has recorded an amazing 10 holes in one and in some years, has played over 200 rounds of golf.  Congratulations to John and his wife Michele, along with his children John and Julie, on his induction into the CAA Hall of Fame.