The 1975 team's achievement laid the foundation for Bishop Garrigan's reputation as a powerhouse in Iowa high school golf. The team went undefeated, 9-0, during their dual meet season. They went on to compete in the state tournament and came from behind on the second day to defeat Algona High for the State Title. This victory marked the beginning of a dominant era for Bishop Garrigan Golf, as they went on to win consecutive state titles in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. The 1975 championship was particularly significant, as it was the first year the state tournament expanded to a two-day, 36-hole format. Also significant was this marked the first state title in any sport for Garrigan. These men continued to make State Golf appearances for the Bears several more times.   Steve Winkel - 1975, 1976, Tom Geelan - 1975, 1976, 1977, Scott Winkel - 1975, 1976, 1977, Ron Lickteig - 1975, 1976, 1977, Gregg Winkel - 1975, 1977, 1978

Brad Nelson, class of 2001, joins the Bishop Garrigan Athletics Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements in baseball and basketball. On the diamond, Brad’s high school career was nothing short of historic—ranking 5th in Iowa history with 49 career home runs and setting numerous school records, including a .551 career batting average and 210 career RBIs. In 1999, he led the state and ranked 3rd nationally in both RBIs (91) and hits (83), helping his team to a conference title, district championship, and a state runner-up finish. His excellence earned him All-State honors in three consecutive years, including the All-State Super Team in 1999.   On the basketball court, Brad was equally dominant, scoring a school-record 62 points in a game and finishing with 1,882 career points and 249 career three-pointers. He was a two-time All-State selection and remains one of the most complete players in school history.  Brad's talent took him to the professional level, where he was drafted in the 4th round by the Milwaukee Brewers and made his MLB debut in 2008. His journey through multiple major league organizations is a testament to his work ethic, skill, and determination.

Gene Meister joined the Bishop Garrigan community prior to the 1988-89 school year; bringing with him a wealth of coaching knowledge and passion for Catholic education and athletics. During his time at Garrigan, Gene coached both baseball and basketball. He also served as the Business Director, Curriculum Director and ultimately as the first Lay President.  In his baseball coaching career, Coach Meister led his teams to conference titles in 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2012. His teams also earned district championships in 1992, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015. He guided the baseball program to a state runner-up finish in 1999 and a state semifinal appearance in 2012. Gene was named Coach of the Year in 1998, 1999, and 2012.  In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport of baseball, Gene was inducted into the Iowa Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996. Over his coaching career, he amassed 976 wins, ranking 6th all-time in state history.  Gene retired from Bishop Garrigan in 2013, having coached not only countless student-athletes but also two of his sons, Rob and Mark, and his grandson, Andrew.  Beyond the field and the court, Gene was a pillar of the Garrigan community—leading both academically and athletically. He was a symbol of stability, grit, and leadership, giving those around him the tools to succeed in competition and in life.

John (Jack) Muller, Class of 1968, was a well-renowned athlete during his time at Bishop Garrigan. Over the course of his high school career, Jack earned nine athletic letters while participating in football, basketball, track, and baseball.  While competing for the Golden Bear football team, Jack set the all-time season rushing record, just the beginning of a long list of accolades. He was named All-State in 1967 and also earned a spot on the All-Diocesan Team. Those who watched him play on the gridiron often called Jack the best fullback Garrigan had ever seen.  When football season ended, Jack transitioned to the basketball court, where he set the school record at the time for points in a game with 35. He gained accolades by being named All State in 1968, and was also named to the All Diocesan First Team.   At the end of his high school career, Jack signed to play offensive line at the University of Iowa. He became an integral part of the Hawkeyes' offense, earning three athletic letters during his collegiate career. In 1973, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

Jim Geelan, Bishop Garrigan’s first Athletic Director, played a foundational role in establishing the school’s athletic success. Tasked with creating schedules for the newly formed athletic programs—football, boys basketball, boys track, and baseball—Jim faced significant challenges. While scheduling games may seem simple, many area schools initially refused to compete against the newly created Golden Bears. Undeterred, Jim scoured the state to find opponents, scheduling games as far away as Waterloo, Sioux Falls, and even Minnesota during the inaugural football season.  Starting athletic programs from scratch is a monumental task in itself, but Jim went even further—he also served as a coach for three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. With the help of the coaches he hired, Jim laid a strong foundation for what would become “the Garrigan way". He was instrumental in the creation and leadership of the Booster Club and played a vital role in developing the sporting facilities that Golden Bear athletes enjoy today. During the school’s first year, the Bears didn’t even have a home football field and played their games at the fairgrounds.  In 1962, Jim left Bishop Garrigan to pursue a career in insurance sales. However, his departure from the school did not diminish his dedication to the community. He has remained an active supporter of the Golden Bears throughout his life. His legacy continued through his children—Tim, John, Joe, Sara, Molly, and Tom—all of whom attended Bishop Garrigan. The tradition extended further with his grandchildren Ben, Bobby, and Jimmy Geelan, Jenna Kollasch Doxtad, and Matt Kollasch. He now lives on through his great-grandchildren.

Paul Seiler, Class of 1963, laid a major foundation for the Garrigan football program with his outstanding efforts. Playing for head coach Beanie Cooper, Seiler was a two-way player—lining up at tackle on offense and linebacker on defense. He was known as a heavy hitter for the Golden Bears and was described as “a force who could move anyone that played against him.” During his time at Garrigan, he earned athletic letters in both football and track.  After graduating, Paul attended the University of Notre Dame, where he earned All-American honors for his stellar play as an offensive tackle. During the 1966 season, Paul helped lead the Fighting Irish to a National Championship.  Following his college career, Paul entered the NFL Draft in 1967. He was selected 12th overall in the first round by the New York Jets.  As a professional, Paul played for both the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders. Known for his steady presence on the field, he made the difficult decision to step away from football in 1968 to serve in the military. He returned to the game and went on to play in a total of 59 professional football games before retiring.

Renetta Seiler, class of 1995, achieved a great deal during her time at Bishop Garrigan. As a high school athlete, she captured four individual state championships—three in the shot put (1993, 1994, 1995) and one in the discus (1995). Her dominance extended to the prestigious Drake Relays, where she was the 1994 discus champion and Most Outstanding Female Athlete, and the 1995 champion in both the shot put and discus. She was also a participant in volleyball and softball where she achieved multiple letters and awards.  Renetta continued her track and field career at Kansas State University, where she became one of the most decorated throwers in school history. She earned All-American honors six times, set school records in the hammer throw and weight throw, and qualified for the NCAA Championships seven times. She was also a seven-time Big XII Conference Champion and represented the United States as a finalist in the hammer throw at the 1997 World University Games. In 1998, she won the Drake Relays hammer throw title as a collegiate athlete. A 2000 graduate of Kansas State, her collegiate success solidified her legacy as one of the top throwers of her era. Her induction into the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union Hall of Fame in 2010 further affirms her lasting impact. Renetta returned to Garrigan as a teacher and coach. She has coached multiple state champions in track and field.

Tom Froehlich, Class of 1970, was a four-sport athlete during his time at Bishop Garrigan. Throughout his high school career, Tom earned numerous athletic honors. After graduation, he attended Peru State, where he continued as a four-sport athlete and earned 10 athletic letters.  Tom returned to Bishop Garrigan in 1976 as a teacher and coach of football, basketball, track, and golf. He served as the defensive coordinator for the football team from 1976 to 1994. During his tenure, he helped lead the Golden Bears to the 1985 State Championship, as well as six other playoff-qualifying seasons.  Tom was also the head boys' basketball coach, compiling an impressive 181–73 record over 15 years and guiding the Golden Bears to their first state tournament appearance in 1993. Additionally, he contributed to the success of the girls’ basketball team, helping them reach the state tournament in 2000. Tom left Bishop Garrigan in 2005 after a great career of dedication to the school.