Setting the Stage

It all started with a friendly dare between Tom Blinn, who was considered the “wise crack” of the Class of ’75 and a tenured science teacher who was known for his self-confidence, command of his subject matter, and a disciplinarian.  It was an early Fall day in 1974 that would set the stage of what was to become the most celebrated event of the school year when Tom approached his best friend, Steve Linz, a reserved, but highly decorated athlete known for his incredible feats on the wrestling mat and football field, and asked a simple, but unexpected question – would you accept the invitation to arm wrestle Mr. Arata during 5^th bell in the cafeteria?  While hesitant at first, Steve accepted the challenge and before one knew it, the news spread quickly around the school and in the hallways between class periods.  Again, it was supposed to be a friendly dare between a student and a teacher that became the most talked about story at St. X for years to come.

The Day

It was a surprisingly cool, but beautiful day in early October.  The academic year and Fall sports were in full gear, and the morning started as scripted – the first bell rang at 7:55am, classes began shortly thereafter at 8:00am, followed by the school principal, Mr. Trainor, reciting his morning announcements on the loud speaker not knowing the news flash of the day would eventually be this main event.  As 5^th bell approached, the school and student body were a buzz preparing to give witness of “the match” between this said teacher and student.

The Match

As the two sat down at an 8 ft. table located near the entrance of the school cafeteria, a crowd of students began to encircle them.  Some witnesses say the gathering was ten rows deep consisting of those students primarily from the Class of ’75 and ’76 who shared common lunch periods.  The pre-match began with Tom reviewing the standard rules of engagement and, in his humor-like manner, egging on his best friend to represent the class well or else.  Without further fanfare, the match began.

As with most arm-wrestling matches, it is quite common for two competitors to exhibit their strength and prowess in the early stages.  This match was no different as during the first 45 seconds the two warriors went back and forth, their arms moving slightly side-to-side, and their elbows steady.  But this was just the advent of what was about to come.  At 90 second mark, Steve saw an opening when Mr. Arata paused momentarily and relaxed his grip, which ended up being the key turning point in the match.

The Crack

It was in that split second, Steve applied all of his inner-strength and discipline learned from years of weight-lifting and conditioning drills on the field of play, to force Mr. Arata’s arm toward the table surface.  Then, the unexpected sound of a “crack” silenced the crowd as Mr. Arata’s arm went down while his right shoulder went the opposite direction.  Never seen by those with degrees in Anatomy and Physiology, the contortion of his shoulder and the once attached arm laid in limbo while the crowd was left in shock.  There, in complete disbelief, sat Mr. Arata in excruciating pain, yelling for help, and staring at his competitor wondering what went wrong.

The Aftermath

The EMT’s arrived within the hour, attended to the faculty’s fallen warrior, and promptly wheeled Mr. Arata to the ambulance for his trip to a local hospital.  Classes resumed and “the match” was forever etched in the history of St. Xavier lore. 

It was supposed to be friendly dare between a teacher and a student, but it became an event that was accounted and talked about for years, especially among those who gave witness for what was described as an “unbelievable” course of events that led to “the match” in a school cafeteria on a cool and sun-drenched October day.

Bob Dahlstrom

Joseph C. Seibert Professor of Marketing, Farmer School of Business

Miam University

Bob has been the Joseph C. Seibert Professor of Marketing at Miami University since 2011, is a published researcher with an emphasis in international marketing and green marketing practices having co-authored, Sustainable Marketing 2025. ResearchGate states that Bob has 81 publications and over 3,500 citations credited to him.

Prior to joining Miami University, he was a marketing professor at University of Kentucky from 1990 to 2011, during which time he was an Adjunct Professor at the BI Norwegian Business and established the Von Allmen Center for Green Marketing in the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Bob also served as the marketing Department Chair at the Farmer School from 2011 to 2016. After a lifetime of education, Bob will retire this May from Miami.

However, Robert has not just inspired others with his research, he has also been a devoted teacher in the classroom teaching everything from sustainable marketing to business-to-business marketing, sales management, personal selling, marketing management, marketing strategy, and international marketing. (What do you think? Some of his pedagogical influence from UK has transferred some of that basketball magic to the 31-0 Miami Redhawks?)

Bob lives in Walnut Hills with his wife, Susan. They have two adult children  

Thank you, Bob, for advancing the field of Marketing particularly with the environment and advancing Pope Francis’ message in Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. Give Bob a shout out and wish him well in his retirement at our class blog, ST. XAVIER CLASS OF 1976. If you’d like to read more about Bobs life’s works and accomplishments, please follow the links below.

Robert Dahlstrom – Wikipedia

dahlstrf.pdf

Robert Dahlstrom

___________________________________________________________________________

Tim Reilly

President, St. Xavier High School

Cincinnati, OH

Tim has dedicated his professional life to Catholic education. As St. X’s first non-Jesuit president, he broke the collar line to lead the school since 2017. Tim also serves on the St. X Board of Trustees.

Prior to serving St. Xavier in his current role, Tim was Principal of St. Ignatius in Cincinnati for 28 years. During his tenure at one of Cincinnati’s largest grade schools, Tim was recognized nationally for his work (too long to list … see below). He received a Catechist Certification from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. At St. Ignatius, he received multiple awards, expanded its facilities, and instituted a development function.

Tim lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Becky, and they have four adult children.

Thank you, Tim, for your life-long service to Catholic Education! Give Tim a shout out at our class blog, ST. XAVIER CLASS OF 1976. If you’d like to read more about Tim’s life’s works and accomplishments, please follow the links below.

St. Xavier High School Names New President

Tim Reilly Named New President of St. Xavier High School

Tim Reilly Named New President of St. Xavier High School – Catholic Telegraph

Reilly is both mission-centered and hyper-competitive – Cincinnati Business Courier

_______________________________________________________________________

Marty Roberts

Retired Counselor, St. Xavier High School

Marty is the Johnny Bench of St. Xavier. After four years at John Carroll earning his Bachelor of Psychology, Marty returned to his alma mater to start and finish his 44-year of counseling career at St. X. There is no count of the young men whom Marty has helped shape their character and judgement and the office picture leaves no doubt that he heard a 16-year old’s yarn or two.

Marty provided counsel both inside and outside the building as well, particularly on the soccer field, where he coached soccer and was an assistant to Dick Murphy for St. X’s only soccer state championship in the 1983 season.

Marty like many Ohioans now enjoys the warmer climes of Florida where he currently resides.

Thank you, Marty, for your life-long service to Catholic Education and the Long Blue Line! Give Marty a shout out at our class blog, ST. XAVIER CLASS OF 1976.

To learn more about Marty’s career, please see Marty’s his LinkedIn profile.

Marty Roberts | LinkedIn

Patrick Fischer

Justice Ohio Supreme Court

Pat (Fish as many of us know him) has served as an Ohio Supreme Court Justice since 2017 and before that served two terms as a judge on the First District Court of Appeals in Hamilton County. Prior to his public service in the courts, he was a partner with Keating, Muething, Klekamp focusing on civil litigation. Fish began his legal career in Dallas with Thompson & Knight, where he met his wife, Jane. While in law school, he served as a clerk for U.S. District Court Judge William Bertelsman.

Fish has also served the legal community as past presidents of both the Ohio Bar Association and the Cincinnati Bar Association. He has been awarded the Ohio Bar Medal, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Ohio State Bar Association, and in May he will be presented with the Themis Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Cincinnati Bar Association for extraordinary service to the law and community

As a Supreme Court Justice, Fish has produced a plethora of opinions and remains a passionate advocate for legal ethics, legal professionalism, civics in the classroom, civil discourse in the courtroom and in society at large.

Justice Fish lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Jane. They have an adult daughter, K.C., who has followed her dad into a law career.

Thank you Justice Fischer, for your life-long service to the community and your fair and equitable adjudication of the law. Give Fish a shout out at our class blog, ST. XAVIER CLASS OF 1976. If you’d like to read more about Pat’s life’s works and accomplishments, please follow the links below.

Patrick Fischer » Supreme Court of Ohio

Justice Urges: Listen to Others with Whom You Disagree

 Opinions Authored by Justice Patrick F. Fischer

___________________________________________________________________________

Brad Wenstrup

Congressman Ohio 2nd District 2013 to 2025

Cincinnati, OH

Brad served in Congress for 12 years on the Ways and Means Committee, Armed Services, Veterans Administration and Select Committees on Intelligence and the Coronavirus. Prior to the US Congress, Brad was a decorated military officer and practiced podiatry for 24 years. His medical training has served others beyond his podiatry practice. During his Iraq tour of duty, Brad served as chief of surgery with the 344^th Support Hospital, which the Army deployed to clean up the infamous Abu Ghraib prison. He also courageously cared for the seriously wounded Congressman Steve Scalise and others as gunshots continued to reign overhead at a 2017 Congressional baseball practice.

Brad has received commendations and awards for his military service in and out of active duty. He received the Bronze Star, for heroic achievement in a combat zone, Combat Action Badge, for non-infantry who have actively engaged enemy forces and the Soldier’s Medal, for his bravery and decisive action during the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting.

Brad has transitioned back to life as a private citizen but continues to serve his country consulting the President on a select, non-governmental panel on intelligence matters.

He also consults through his firm, Ubiquitous Strategies Alliance and remains a champion for the unborn and the mothers who struggle with the question of terminating their pregnancy.

Brad lives with his wife Monica and their two children in Cincinnati.

Thank you, Colonel and Congressman Wenstrup for your life serving our community, our country, those vulnerable and most in need. Give Brad a shout out at our class blog, ST. XAVIER CLASS OF 1976. If you’d like to read more about Brad’s life’s works and accomplishments, please follow the links below.

Brad Wenstrup – Wikipedia

Life after Congress: Wenstrup’s return to Ohio brings journey full circle – Roll Call

Heroism outside of combat > U.S. Army Reserve > News-Display

Congressman Steve Scalise, Three Others Shot at Alexandria, Virginia, Baseball Field