Scifres, Tully inducted into Football Hall of Fame

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE Former Roncalli football coach Bruce Scifres (second from right) was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame Friday. He is seen with his wife, Jackie, Dr. Joe Hollowell (right), school president, and athletic director David Lauck.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Bob Tully was in good hands at Franciscan Health with granddaughters (clockwise from bottom left) Alleigh, Nataleigh, Emileigh, Kaleigh and Ashleigh Wilham at his bedside

Accepting the award on behalf of Bob Tulley was his family: wife MaryPat (fourth from left), son Mike (second from left), daughter Leigh Wilham, (sixth from left), granddaughters Kaleigh, Ashleigh, Nataleigh, Alleigh and Emileigh Wilham. Also seen are Lauck (left) and Hollowell (right)

Former Roncalli head football coaches Bruce Scifres and Bob Tully were inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame during halftime of Friday’s Roncalli-Chatard game. Scifres mentored the Rebels for 27 seasons (1990-2016), winning three state titles in Class 3A and four in 4A. Only four coaches in Indiana high school football history have won more titles than Scifres. He won 248 games at Roncalli and ranks 27th all-time in wins among the state’s high school football coaches.

He resigned following the 2016 state championship season to become the executive director of the Catholic Youth Organization for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Tully has had a multi-decade involvement with the football program, including serving as an assistant coach on the inaugural team at Roncalli in 1969 and head coach from 1970-73.

His 1971 and ‘72 teams combined for a 15-5 record. The 1972 team went 8-2, a record that was topped only once in the first 12 years of the program. Tully, who was unable to attend the ceremony because he was recovering from emergency bypass surgery, currently serves as Roncalli’s vice president for missions and ministry. He had surgery Aug. 20 and was released from Franciscan Health on Monday.

“Dad is glad to be home,” said daughter Leigh Wilham. “He is recovering well and will rest a lot better at home. Everyone should keep praying for him.”