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COVINGTON CATHOLIC NORTHERN KENTUCKIAN OF THE YEAR
 
2025 NKYL 

The annual Northern Kentuckian of the Year Event has raised over $1.3 million for Covington Catholic’s Work Study Program since its inception. This Work Study program, which has been in place for over 45 years, provides tuition assistance to students while instilling a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, and a deep appreciation for their education. For the 2024-25 school year, 99 students have been awarded $510,000 in financial aid through this initiative.


Funds from the Northern Kentuckian of the Year Luncheon, scholarships, and the annual appeal ensure that young men each year can experience all that Covington Catholic has to offer. With ongoing support, the Work Study Program will continue to shape hardworking, grateful young men who positively impact the world.

 

This year, the event will take place on Thursday, April 10th at the Turfway Park Event Center, with happy hour from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., program from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., and reception from 8:30 - 10:00 p.m.  All are welcome to celebrate 100 years of alumni and Colonel Spirit.  
 

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The 2025 Honorees - The Covington Catholic High School Alumni

Covington Catholic High School is honored to celebrate its 9,442 alumni as the 2025 Northern Kentuckians of the Year presented by Paul Hemmer Company and Houchens Insurance Group. Founded in 1925 by the Brothers of Mary, Covington Catholic proudly wears Mary’s colors, blue and white, as it continues its 100-year anniversary celebration. This prestigious recognition highlights the lasting impact of CovCath alumni on Northern Kentucky and beyond.

For the past century, Covington Catholic has been an integral part of the region, shaping the lives of young men who have gone on to become leaders in government, business, education, healthcare, trades, and more. CovCath alumni can be found across 48 states and 13 countries, serving as Kentucky State Representatives, professional athletes, White House counsel, priests, authors, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, coaches, plumbers, electricians, doctors, and engineers, and the list goes on and on. Regardless of where life has taken them, the Covington Catholic brotherhood and its enduring spirit remain unbreakable.

That brotherhood is evident at alumni reunions, the Golden Colonel Luncheon, the annual Memorial Mass, and the Veterans Day Celebration, where CovCath honors the 13 alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service. CovCath traditions—some spanning nearly all 100 years—bind alumni, students, and future Colonels together. Whether it be 3rd graders at the end of a Colonel Youth football practice, a freshman in the cafeteria during lunch, the Colonel Crazies at a game, or alums at their monthly luncheon at PeeWee’s, the Colonel rally cry is one that brings all Colonels past, present, and future together in song…

“All you Colonels rally round; fill the valley with a mighty sound, there’s a job to be done by the blue and white, and success can be won if we fight, fight, fight! With a spirit that will not die, and the pledge of our loyalty, we will fight for old Covington Catholic High and go onward to victory! Onward to victory! We’ll stand and never fall, ready we’ll always be, when our alma mater calls.”

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Dr. Carl J. “Jack” Brueggemann was born in Covington in 1931. He is a cradle Catholic who grew up in the St. Augustine parish where he received many Sacraments and was an altar server from fourth grade throughout high school and college. Jack entered Covington Catholic at its original site, at Mother of God School on West 6th Street. During his years at CCH, he participated in several sports: basketball, boxing, tennis, and baseball. Additionally, he was the editor of the school yearbook and graduated in 1949 as the Valedictorian. The classmates from 1949 were very close and continue to keep in contact to this day, although there are only four remaining. Jack then graduated from Villa Madonna College, now known as Thomas More University and the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

It was in September of his sophomore year of medical school at a Welcome Dance, which the nurses had sponsored, where he met the love of his life, Carrie. Carrie and Jack were married the following August and have been married for 66 years. “Doc”, as he is known by so many, always recognized he was able to do so much professionally and in the community because Carrie was managing their family. Together they have seven children, 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one expected in May! Doc and Carrie’s five sons, two sons-in-law, and eight of their grandsons are all CCH graduates!

Doc began his private medical practice on West 19th Street in Covington in 1960, across the street from St. Augustine Church. During those days, he saw patients in his office, made rounds for those in the hospital, performed house calls, delivered babies, and gave anesthesia to those having tonsils removed. Doc later expanded his practice to include Dr. Pelstring, Dr. Rutterer, and Dr. Burns. Today, the practice has grown as one of the Family Practices of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Doc Brueggemann has cared for thousands of patients across Northern Kentucky and has received numerous recognitions and awards. Currently, Doc and Carrie are active member of St. Agnes parish. He continues to give back to the community as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. While he no longer goes out on home visits, he screens calls and distributes appropriated funds for those in need.

During his career, he always stayed involved at Covington Catholic. In 1952 and 1953, Jack helped Art Bowman coach the JV basketball team. In 1961, he began doing physicals for the basketball team. CCH started the football program in 1968 and in 1976, Doc Brueggemann made the initial push to build a football stadium at Covington Catholic. The SCORE Committee (Steering Committee for an Outdoor Recreational Enterprise) was formed. This committee raised the funds needed and physically helped construct Wooten Field, the track, and renovations to the baseball facility.

During his tenure as team doctor, from 1972 to 2014, most parents will remember the wave of his hat signaling the player was going to be okay. The players remember his kindness and care for their medical and emotional needs and most significantly, Doc leading them in praying the Hail Mary before and after each game. He was a Member of the School & Sports Medical Committee of the Kentucky State Medical Association from 1977 to 1993.

For nearly 75 years, Doc Brueggemann has been an integral part of the mission at Covington Catholic, serving as a parent volunteer on the School Board and Development Committee and still administering flue shots to the faculty and staff until 2019. Doc and Carrie also provide a scholarship for students of CCH in need of financial assistance and attend many CCH events. You can still find Doc at many football and basketball games. His commitment to CovCath, the administration, faculty, staff, and students, and particularly the student-athletes, has been equaled by few alumni.

Doc Brueggemann is the ultimate Colonel, “With A Spirit That Will Not Die!”

Faithfully Devoted… This phrase sums up Ken and Kate Williams. They are two people faithfully devoted to God, each other, their family, and their community.  After unexpectedly losing two sons, Kenny injured in a fall and Brian in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ken and Kate almost immediately turned their grief into a perpetual resource for others by creating the Kenny & Brian Williams Fund. Ken graduated from Covington Catholic High School in 1963, followed by Kenny ’86, Andy ’87, Brian ’90 (who earned the “That’s My Boy Award” now named in his memory) and daughter Tara (from Notre Dame Academy, ’97).

Since 2002, the Kenny & Brian Williams Fund has provided tuition relief totaling $591,996 to 21 students at Covington Catholic High School (as of April 2023) as well as provide $105,000 in scholarships to 21 graduating seniors for college. In addition, they have awarded $111,285 to families around the Northern Kentucky region who have experienced tragedies of their own. 
 

2022 - The Wulfeck Family
2021 - J. Michael Schlotman