Athletic Department | 3/11/2026 9:39:00 AM
The Cathedral Catholic community gathered on Saturday, March 7, to celebrate the 2026 Dons Sports Hall of Fame, an evening dedicated to honoring the individuals and teams who have helped shape the rich tradition of Dons athletics. Hosted by Master of Ceremonies
John Montali '88, the event brought together alumni, family members, coaches, and supporters to recognize excellence, leadership, and lifelong commitment to the values of Cathedral Catholic athletics. The annual celebration highlights athletes, teams, coaches, and supporters whose accomplishments have left a lasting impact on the Dons athletic program.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class included four exceptional individual athletes, four championship teams, a beloved longtime coach, and two dedicated team physicians honored as Friends of Sport. Throughout the evening, inductees reflected on the memories, relationships, and lessons that shaped their time as Dons while celebrating the programs that contributed to their success.
Dons Sports Hall of Fame Brochure
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Individual Athlete Inductees
Kelly Reeves '10 – Girls Volleyball
One of the most decorated volleyball players in program history, Kelly Reeves helped lead Cathedral Catholic to four CIF Championships, four Western League titles, and two back-to-back CIF State Championships. She earned League, CIF, and State Player of the Year honors and was nationally recognized as an All-American by Under Armour, ESPN, MaxPreps, and PrepVolleyball. Reeves continued her career at UCLA, where she was a member of the 2011 NCAA National Championship team, served as a three-time team captain, and earned multiple All-Pac-12 and All-Academic honors.
Gabi (DeSimone) La Bruna '11 – Girls Tennis
Gabi DeSimone La Bruna dominated tennis in San Diego during her time at Cathedral Catholic, posting an undefeated 72–0 record in dual matches and winning consecutive CIF Individual Singles Championships in 2007 and 2008. A two-time CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year, she was nationally ranked among the top junior players and competed internationally before attending the University of Southern California on a full scholarship. At USC, she helped lead the Trojans to multiple Pac-12 Championships and NCAA semifinal appearances and represented Team USA at the 2013 Summer University Games, earning a bronze medal.
Ray Smith '15 – Football
A standout defensive lineman for the Dons, Ray Smith was a key contributor to the 2013 CIF Division I Championship team and helped lead Cathedral Catholic to the 2014 league title. A National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award recipient and All-CIF honoree, Smith continued his football career at Boston College, where he became a three-year starter and earned All-ACC recognition. He later played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins before being commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. Smith remains closely connected to the Cathedral Catholic football program.
Casey Toohill '15 – Football
Casey Toohill was a standout two-sport athlete at Cathedral Catholic, serving as the football team's captain and MVP during his senior year. He then enjoyed an impressive college career at Stanford University, earning All-Pac-12 honors, three Pac-12 All-Academic selections, and recognition as a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy. Drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Toohill spent four seasons with the Washington Commanders and later played for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. He continues to support charitable initiatives and stays actively connected to the Dons football program.
Team Inductees
Girls Volleyball – 2008 & 2009
The 2008 and 2009 Cathedral Catholic girls volleyball teams created one of the most dominant stretches in program history, winning back-to-back CIF State Division III Championships, CIF Southern California Regional titles, CIF San Diego Section titles, and Western League championships. The 2008 team also won the program's first state championship and celebrated Head Coach Kelly Drobeck's 300th career win. These teams featured many standout players who went on to play at the college level, helping to establish Cathedral Catholic as one of the top volleyball programs in California.
Boys Water Polo – 2009
The 2009 boys water polo team achieved a historic milestone by winning the program's first CIF San Diego Section Championship and its first league title. Along the way, the Dons defeated several longtime rivals and established Cathedral Catholic as a rising force in San Diego water polo. Several members of the team went on to compete at the college level, helping build a foundation of excellence that continues to influence the program today.
Baseball – 2009
The 2009 baseball team had one of the most memorable seasons in program history, winning the CIF Division III Championship and becoming the first Cathedral Catholic baseball team to secure back-to-back CIF titles. The Dons dominated throughout the season, finishing with 312 runs scored and a .390 team batting average, while outscoring playoff opponents 44–10. The team was ranked No. 1 in California among medium-sized schools and featured numerous players who went on to successful collegiate and professional baseball careers?.
Coach Inductee
Joe Kilroy – Assistant Coach
Joe Kilroy has spent over 15 years as a teacher and coach at the University of San Diego High School and Cathedral Catholic High School, leaving a lasting impact on many student-athletes. A respected history teacher and mentor, Kilroy served as an assistant coach in football, girls' basketball, and softball, helping to secure multiple CIF championships across all three sports, including state championship teams in football. Known for his humor, honesty, and memorable one-liners, Kilroy is widely admired for the strong relationships he built with students and athletes throughout his career.
Friends of Sport Honorees
Dr. Paul C. Murphy, MD
Dr. Paul Murphy has played a crucial role in supporting Cathedral Catholic athletics as a longtime team physician and advocate for student-athlete health. A Navy-trained orthopedic surgeon, Murphy served with the U.S. Marines and later became Head of Orthopedics in Naples, Italy, before establishing his practice in San Diego. His career in sports medicine includes serving as team physician for the San Diego Chargers and the University of San Diego. Since Cathedral Catholic opened in 2005, Dr. Murphy has been a key part of the Dons medical team, dedicating decades to the care and well-being of student-athletes.
Dr. Bradford Stiles, MD
Dr. Brad Stiles has served the Cathedral Catholic and University of San Diego High School community as a team physician since 1997, offering nearly three decades of dedicated care to Dons student-athletes. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard Medical School, Stiles completed his sports medicine training at UC San Diego. Besides his work with Cathedral Catholic, he has served as team physician for the San Diego Gulls, Medical Director for the Rock 'N Roll Marathon, and a consulting physician for the San Francisco Giants. His steady presence on the sidelines has made him a vital part of the Dons athletic community.
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The Dons Sports Hall of Fame continues to recognize individuals and teams whose achievements reflect the excellence, tradition, and values of Cathedral Catholic athletics. Proceeds from the event benefit Alumni Scholarships, supporting future generations of Dons student-athletes.
