Two De La Salle alumni were inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame on June 12.

Drew Beesley, Class of 2016, and Paul Manuszak, Class of 2017, received the honor for their outstanding high school and college careers

They echoed each other’s thoughts, saying their success comes from having a strong foundation with their families and faith.

“It’s a mixture of everything,” Beesley said. “I’ve had a great foundation with my family in the way I was raised, going to great schools, and the culture I was around. It’s really a formula for success for me, and with my faith on top of that.”

Upon learning he would be inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame, Beesley said, “It felt very surreal, but it’s an absolute honor to get that kind of recognition. I never thought I would have gotten to this point; I give all the glory to God. Things worked out the way I wanted it to.” 

He added, “My story is still ongoing, and I have more to do.”     

The DLS brotherhood stands out for him. “I’ve always been welcomed back,” Beesley said. “DLS always welcomes back its alumni, because we are all Pilots and we are all family.”

Beesley’s younger brother, Will, graduated with the DLS Class of 2022, and a younger brother, Mike, is still in grade school. 
    
DLS physical education teacher Scott Grimmer was the freshman football head coach when Drew was a first-year student, and recalled “what turned out to be a very talented football class. Drew emerged immediately as a leader among his peers.” 

These days, Grimmer sees Beesley training in the weight room with current DLS students, and “once again demonstrating a pathway to success just by displaying his work ethic and dedication in the weight room.”

Grimmer added, “I am very proud of Drew for his tremendous athletic accomplishments that are still accumulating, and I am also proud of who he is as a person.” 

As a junior on the De La Salle football team, with Beesley playing both offense and defense, DLS won its first state championship in school history in 2014.

His accolades at DLS include three-time All-Catholic selection, All-County Honorable Mention, two-time first-team All-County, All-State Honorable Mention, first-team All-Metro, second-team All-Metro Detroit and first-team All-East.

Beesley received 10 Division I scholarships, a Division II scholarship, and a preferred walk-on opportunity. His goal was to play at the highest level of football offered ー and that was as a preferred walk-on to Michigan State University. He was a captain at MSU his final year. 

He earned both a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Leadership and Coaching.

Beesley played in the XFL for the San Antonio Brahmas for the 2023 season, and was the XFL's highest-graded defensive player, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) - 90.7. He was also recently named to the All-XFL Defense.

Paul Manuszak played lacrosse for DLS and then at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM). He was a first-team All-MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) and also a MAAC Long Stick Midfielder of the Year, earning both distinctions in 2019 and 2021. 

Manuszak said he is extremely honored to be a CHSL inductee. “I am very blessed and honored to be joining an elite and select company of athletes,” he said. “Just to have played in the CHSL, one of the best high school leagues in the country, brings me much gratitude and pride.” 

He said his faith continues to play a strong role in his life.

“The thing that separates this league from any other in Michigan is that we are united in our Catholic faith,” he said. “We compete fiercely against each other. However, belonging to this league reminds us that at the end of the day, we are all united in Christ, and that is where our true identity comes from.”

Manuszak’s four years at De La Salle and the people within its hallowed halls hold a special place in his heart. 

“I am blessed to have attended De La Salle and to be a part of that family, to this day,” he said. “I attribute all of my success to my parents, my siblings, my various coaches, and especially Lacrosse Coach Mike Jolly, who has mentored me and who has been a great friend throughout the years.”

Jolly is thrilled to see Manuszak receive the honor. 

"Paul Manuszak probably puts together the pieces of the Hall of Fame nominee puzzle better than anyone I know: skill, athleticism, passion, knowledge, leadership, faith, academics, humility, character, and a heart for others,” Jolly said. “And, these pieces all fit together seamlessly.” 

He said Manuszak made a great impression on others while at De La Salle. 

“We recognized these qualities when Paul first came to De La Salle, and have only seen them steadily grow ever since,” Jolly added. “Congratulations, Paul. I am so blessed to have coached you, and to still have you and your family in my life."

Manuszak was a recipient of the UDM Athletic Director's Honor Roll (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022), and MAAC Academic Honor Roll (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). He was also a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection (2019, 2020 and 2021). 

Manuszak graduated with honors from the UDM College of Engineering. According to Jolly, 25 percent of Division I Lacrosse programs do not allow their players to major in Engineering, because of the time demands of the curriculum. 

“That is one of the many good reasons Paul chose to attend UDM,” Jolly said. “He was able to follow his chosen career path.” 

While at De La Salle, he was a three-time All-State selection. He earned first-team All-State accolades as both a junior and a senior, and was named to both the All-Catholic and All-Macomb County teams three times.

As a senior at DLS, Manuszak produced 19 goals along with two assists, and won the Mike Jolly Award for the top Catholic League Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete. 

Manuszak has two older brothers who are also DLS alumni: Stephen 2002 and Joseph 2011. 

Receiving the award helps to bring back many great memories of DLS for both Beesley and Manuszak, especially the importance of their faith.

Beesley said, “There were a lot of situations where I felt like I worried when it didn’t need to be worried about. Give it over to God. Keep the faith, because God has a plan for you.”

Manuszak is leaving the United States in August, headed for Belize, in Central America, where he will serve as a missionary, teaching school at a Catholic junior college in Belize, Central America. His volunteer work is through SOLT, Society or Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.