Katie Ryan '13 posted five top-five hurdles finishes at conference meets while at UST. Her dad, Terry Ryan, is general manager for the Minnesota Twins. (Photo by Mark Brown)
It's not easy to make a name for yourself, especially when you are a proud member of a prominent sports family. But thanks to good parenting and self-awareness, these Tommies are busy forging their own identities.
Katie Ryan said that her somewhat common last name helped her stay “under the radar” during her hurdling career at St. Thomas. That was helpful at times given her father Terry Ryan’s high visibility as the Minnesota Twins’ general manager.
She expressed sentiments similar to the other seven student-athletes when she explained that while she is proud of her father and his accomplishments, she wants to make her own name. “I want to be known for the hard work I put in, and not just being Terry Ryan’s daughter,” she said.
“My dad never put pressure on my brother and me. He just said to do our best, and be a good example and leader on the field or on the track.”
Anthony King-Foreman was born long after his dad, Minnesota Vikings standout running back Chuck Foreman, retired. He does recall gathering around the TV on Sundays as a child to watch his half-brother, then NFL standout linebacker Jay Foreman. “I was just a toddler and too young to remember when Jay was playing at Nebraska, but I’ve seen some family photos of me taken at the Orange Bowl,” he recalled.
Anthony said he simply tries to focus on what he can control, and said that he has received strong family support throughout his career. “They just want me to be my own person. They’ve always told me just to live up to my own expectations, and not worry about what other people might expect.”
Ulice Payne III has a unique family story. His grandfather had an eighth-grade education and toiled many years in a Pittsburgh steel mill to raise his family. His son, Ulice Payne Jr., used basketball as a ticket to a college scholarship, and went on to graduate from law school, both at Marquette University.
“During high school, I felt like there was a big shadow over me, but now here in college I feel that the shadow is gone, and I’m here at St. Thomas to make my own name,” Payne III said. “I played basketball for 14 years before picking up football. My dad coached me, and when I started playing in high school people expected a lot because my dad played in college. Even when playing football in high school, people would still bring up the comparison. People would always know my father as the basketball player, so I want people to know me as the football player.
Anthony King-Foreman (right) plays on the St. Thomas football team. His dad, Chuck Foreman was a five-time NFL Pro Bowler and played for the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Mark Brown)
“The only pressures were outside pressures, though. I’m blessed with the parents I have. They’ve always supported me in the choices I’ve made. Their philosophy was that no matter what I did in sports, I should give it my absolute best so I have no regrets afterward.”
Jackson Brett has always worn baseball jersey No. 5, just like his father, George. He said he shared a strong bond with his dad, in part because George waited to raise a family until after he retired from baseball.
“I was so blessed to have my dad around and in my life,” Jackson said. “He taught me the game of baseball. I’ll always respect that. When you’re a kid and your dad is playing in the majors, he’s on the road half the time. I have a very good relationship with my father because he was always home. Now we’re starting to have some good conversations, and he listens and respects my opinion.”
Jackson said he recalled the first time he saw his dad’s plaque at the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. “One of my favorite memories was on my 10th birthday when I went to Cooperstown for a Hall of Fame gathering and got to play golf with my dad, Yogi Berra and Mike Schmidt.”
Being a Brett means you are well acquainted with the likes of Berra, Reggie Jackson, Wayne Gretzky and Len Dawson. “If I needed help or advice I know I could call on those people,” Jackson said. He noted that he befriended Wayne Gretzky’s son, Trevor, since they share similar backgrounds. “Trevor never played hockey or skated in his life, but he took up baseball and was eventually drafted by the Cubs,” Jackson added.
Jackson said his parents simply want him and his two younger brothers to find their own passions. “My dad would always say, ‘If you want to get better in baseball, let me know and we’ll go hit.’ He never made me go hit if I didn’t want to do it. All he ever wanted for us in sports was to play hard. He actually wanted me to be a football player or be a golfer, because those are sports he wishes he would have played growing up.
“It’s never been what I’d call tough, or a nuisance. It’s just something that’s always there,” Jackson explained of having a famous father. “When I tell people I play baseball, people expect me to play third base, bat left handed and hit like my dad.
“Well, it’s pretty hard to hit like him.”
Tuineau Alipate’s status as a Minnesota Vikings alumnus created unique opportunities for his son Marcus as a youth.
“I was fortunate enough to meet people like Cris Carter and Randy Moss,” he said. “They just seem like regular people doing things they love. I’ve always been around sports and good athletes. Being around that environment is contagious. I never felt outside pressure.”
Marcus said he has embraced his parents’ message of hard work and humility. His UST coach, John Tauer, calls him un- selfish with a desire to help others.
Leadership is an Alipate family trait. Marcus’ family tree includes his second cousin 'Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho Tupou VI, who’s better known as the King of Tonga, an island nation in the South Pacific.
Formality and tradition has its place. But Marcus and these other Tommies see themselves as more regular folk, admired more for their hard work and dedication than for whom they might be related to.
Cory Quinlain (center) plays baseball at St. Thomas. His father Tom (left) and uncle Robb (right) both played professional baseball. (Photo by Mark Brown)
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ANTHONY KING-FOREMAN
Freshman - Entrepreneurship - FootballAthletics Career: The 6’3’’, 215-pound linebacker initially accepted a scholarship with Division II Augustana (S.D.) but chose to stay close to home and play Division III football with the Tommies. A two-year starter at Eden Prairie, he was all-conference as a senior to help the Eagles win the Minnesota Class 6A state football crown. He also was a starting pitcher on the Eden Prairie baseball team that won nationals at the American Legion World Series in August 2011.
Family Tree: Anthony’s father, Chuck, played running back at Miami (Fla.) and was a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings. He was a five-time NFL Pro Bowler and played in three Super Bowls (with the Vikings in 1973 and 1979, and the New England Patriots in 1980). Anthony’s half-brother Jay Foreman played at Division I Nebraska in the mid-1990s and later for eight seasons in the NFL.
Did You Know? Chuck Foreman was coached in the NFL by Bud Grant, while Anthony was coached in high school by Grant’s son, Mike.
KATIE RYAN ’13
Communication and Journalism - Track and Field
Athletics Career: Ryan helped the Tommies go 8-for-8 in her career in conference indoors-outdoors team championships. A team captain, she posted five top-five hurdles finishes at conference meets, with a career-best time of 14.95 in the 100 hurdles at the 2012 MIAC outdoor competition. She was a soccer standout in high school and was a two-sport athlete her freshman season at St. Thomas.
Family Tree: Katie’s father, Terry, is the general manager of the Minnesota Twins. He grew up in Janesville, Wis., and was the 35th-round draft pick of the Twins in 1972 as a pitcher out of Parker High School. In his first full minor- league season in 1973 he was 10-0 with 13 saves and 1.78 ERA for Class A Wisconsin Rapids. He was promoted to Class AA but an elbow injury eventually halted his career. Ryan worked for the New York Mets as a scout for six years. He came to the Twins in 1986 and climbed the ladder here until reaching his present role. He was inducted into the Pro Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame in 2010. Katie’s brother, Tim, pitched for Division I Minnesota (2008-2011) and made 42 career appearances with the Gophers.
Did You Know? Katie is an artist and does freelance work as a fashion illustrator while she pursues a job in the communications or business fields.
MARCUS ALIPATE
Junior - Business - Basketball
Athletics Career: Alipate scored 1,270 points to move into No. 2 on the career scoring list at Bloomington Jefferson High School, just behind record holder and current NBA center Cole Aldridge. In his first two college seasons for the nationally-ranked Tommies, Alipate has converted 47 percent from 3-point range (67-of-144) and 77 percent from the foul line. His 349 points in 61 games have helped UST post a 52-9 record and capture consecutive conference team championships.
Family Tree: His dad, Tuineau, was born in Tonga and went on to play football at Washington State, the Canadian Football League and in the NFL. Marcus’ mother, Lisa, was a Division I scholarship athlete (gymnastics, track and field) at Washington State. His cousin Rey Maualuga plays linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals. His older brother Moses plays football at the University of Minnesota; younger brother Mikias is a freshman linebacker at Division I South Dakota State; younger sister Mariah will likely play varsity basketball as an eighth grader this winter; younger brothers Maximus and Maddox will soon be teenagers. Marcus’ great aunt Halaevalu Mata'aho, age 86,is the Tongan queen mother and was married for 59 years to King Taufaahau Tupou IV until his death in 2006. Tonga’s current king is Marcus’ second cousin: 'Aho'eitu Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho Tupou VI.
Did You Know? Marcus and older brother Moses were born in Canada, where their dad played professionally in the CFL.
MICHAEL KRIEG
Junior - Business Management - Hockey
Athletics Career: The Phoenix native received West Region All-America honors in hockey as a sophomore in 2012-13. He helped the Tommies repeat as conference champions as their defense posted a school-record seven shutouts. Krieg has played in all 52 games in his St. Thomas career and has scored eight goals and 17 assists. He helped the Tommie defense allow just 25 goals in 16 MIAC regular-season games, the fewest by any team in the last nine years in conference play.
Family Tree: Michael’s father, Dave Krieg, was a 17-year NFL quarterback who played in three Pro Bowls and won 98 games as a starter for several pro teams. Dave came into pro football as an undrafted free agent from Milton (Wis.) College.
Did You Know? Current Tommie QB Matt O’Connell was among the four finalists for the 2010 Dave Krieg Award given to Wisconsin’s top senior prep quarterback.
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CORY QUINLAN
Sophomore - Business Management - Baseball
Athletics Career: A potential starter in 2014 for the Tommies’ national-ranked baseball team, Quinlan played in seven games as a freshman, reached base in five of 13 plate appearances, and scored three runs. He had no errors in seven chances. He was named first-team All-Metro and two-time all-conference at Hill-Murray High School.
Family Tree: His dad Tom Quinlan and uncle Robb Quinlan both played pro baseball, and his uncle Craig Quinlan played one season in the minors. Tom spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues and won a championship ring with the Toronto Blue Jays. He also played with the Philadelphia Phillies and Twins, and was a fourth-round pick in the 1986 NHL draft. Robb was Big Ten Player of the Year at the University of Minnesota, and later played seven major-league seasons with the Anaheim Angels before retiring in 2010.
Did You Know? Cory is the only student-athlete featured in this story to attend the same high school as his father.
WILLIE SCHNEIDER
Senior - Business - Football
Athletics Career: The Cretin-Derham Hall grad was a walk-on in 2009 for the Minnesota Gophers but was redshirted. He transferred to St. Thomas in 2010 and has been a starter at fullback throughout his career. Schneider has scored four touchdowns and helped the Tommies post a 39-3 record.
Family Tree: Schneider’s uncle is Seattle Seahawks’ fourth-year general manager John Schneider. A St. Thomas graduate and Green Bay native, Schneider’s Tommie football career was cut short by a shoulder injury. He wanted to stay connected to football so he decided to write a letter to Green Bay Packers’ general manager Ron Wolf in search of a summer job. Instead of a rejection letter, John got a call from Wolf himself. He was told there would be long hours and little glamour – but John accepted. That later led to a full-time position and the start of his successful pro career in scouting and personnel. John, 42, moved his family from Green Bay to Seattle in 2010 when he was hired as general manager. He was named NFL Executive of the Year in 2012 by ESPN.com after the Seahawks became one of the league’s surprise teams.
Did You Know? Willie Schneider is one of three Cretin-Derham Hall grads in the Tommie football starting line-up.
JACKSON BRETT
Junior - Education - Baseball
Athletics Career: Played on a third-place state finisher in baseball at Shawnee Mission (Kan.) High School as a senior in 2011, and hit above .400 that summer in American League base- ball. At St. Thomas he’s been a backup long snapper in football one season and catcher on the junior-varsity baseball team for two seasons.
Family Tree: His father, George Brett, played all 21 seasons of his pro career with the Kansas City Royals. One of 44 first-ballot Hall of Fame inductees, George is one of just four players in major-league baseball history to surpass 3,000 hits and 300 home runs, and post a career batting average above .300. Jackson’s younger brother Dylan joined the Kansas University baseball team as a preferred walk-on pitcher and redshirted his first season with the Jayhawks.
Did You Know? Jackson Brett has worked a summer job in the Kansas City Royals’ clubhouse since 2011.
ULICE PAYNE III
Junior - Exercise Studies - Football
Athletics Career: The 6’3”, 310-pound Payne primarily played basketball in youth sports and played only two years of football in high school. He started on the Tommie offen- sive line as a sophomore in 2012, and helped them average 447 yards and 35 points per game. The Tommies are 27-2 in his first two seasons.
Family Tree: In 2002, Ulice’s father, Ulice Payne Jr., became the first African-American to head up a major-league franchise as he took over as CEO and president of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Did You Know? Ulice Payne Jr. played on Marquette University’s 1977 NCAA championship basketball team coached by Al McGuire.
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