The John J. Wirtz award is given to a senior athlete who has made a significant contribution to the sports program in more than one sport, has demonstrated academic ability, coachability, dedication and leadership, and exemplary behavior and citizenship. The coaches of the athletic department present a list of nominees to the student body who vote for the winner of this award. Listed below are the past winners of the Athlete of the Year Award. *Beginning in 1974 the Award was renamed in honor of John J. Wirtz.

2022-23 - Edmund Soeder

2021-22 - Marty Lenehan

2020-21 - Aidan Conway

2019-20 - Michael Boehm                                                       

2018-19 - Nate Conry

2017-18 - Bain Kurtz

2016-17 - Matt Wiegandt

2015-16 - Jimmy Berger

2014-15 - Jack Wiegandt

2013-14 - Nick Gajkowski

2012-13 - Bryan Fisher

2011-12 - Mike Svetina

2010-11 - Ryan Ivancic

2009-10 - Christopher Knoth

2008-09 - Pat Hinkel

2007-08 - Steve Bigach

2006-07 - Matt Merletti

2005-06 - Rob Parris

2004-05 - Adam Danko

2003-04 - Jim Chmelik

2002-03 - Tony Gonzalez

2001-02 - Ryan Franzinger

2000-01 - Jonathan Gannon

1999-00 - Dave Gresky

1998-99 - Jon Volosin

1997-98 - Dave Ragone

1996-97 - Matt Bunsey

1995-96 - Drew Haddad

1994-95 - Brian Stenger

1993-94 - Scott Mutryn

1992-93 - Ray Ardire

1991-92 - Joe Lewandowski

1990-91 - Jeff Drabik

1989-90 - Joe Pickens

1988-89 - Mike Buddie

1987-88 - Pat Kennedy

1986-87 - Joe Harubin

1985-86 - Kevin Cook

1984-85 - Mark Buddie

1983-84 - Shawn Finnan

1982-83 - Bill Koehler

1981-82 - Mike McNally

1980-81 - Mike Trivisonno

1978-79 - Miro Lovric

1977-78 - Oliver Luck

1976-77 - Jim Jensen

1975-76 - Tim Vala

1974-75 - Bernie Weber 

1973-74 - Roger Andrachik

1972-73 - Pat George

1971-72 - Dave Milosovich

1970-80 - John Shimko

1970-71 - Ken Yantek

1969-70 - Kevin Gladstone

1968-69 - Don Pfeil

1967-68 - Frank Gusich

1966-67 - Chris Dowling

1965-66 - Bert Nemecek

1964-65 - Brian Dowling

1963-64 - Tom Furlong

1962-63 - Steve Huntz

1961-62 - Bill Bergold

1960-61 - Tom Comerford

1959-60 - Mike Hegan*

1958-59 - Jim Corrigan

1957-58 - Garry Roggenburk

The John J. Wirtz Award bears the name of one of the most revered and respected men associated with Saint Ignatius athletics. Mr. John Wirtz served in numerous roles during his nearly 30 years at Saint Ignatius from 1948-1976. 

Wirtz served as head coach of track, football, basketball, baseball, and as athletic director. He also taught PE class during his time at Saint Ignatius.

During his time as a head coach, Wirtz accrued records of 146-40-6 in football and 277-90 in basketball. His football squads won or shared 10 league championships and four city championships, and his basketball teams earned eight league championships, one city title, and finished as Class A state semifinalists in 1953. In his three-year tenure as head baseball coach, the Wildcats won 46 games and two city championships. 

In 1974, Wirtz was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Wirtz made a difference in the lives of thousands of young men in his service to Saint Ignatius High School.