Dan Wolfe

“Who’s the greatest?”

That question is almost sure to elicit a debate – maybe even a heated argument – unless the question is “Who is the greatest all-around athlete in the history of Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk, NY?”

Mindszenty, which opened in 1952 and closed in 1979, has claimed many outstanding athletes as alumni; but there is nearly universal agreement that the greatest all-around player was Dan Wolfe.

Legendary CMHS coach, Bob Muscato, a 1999 Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame inductee, wrote, “Because of his versatility, Dan was the best the school ever produced. His multiple skills, statistical achievements and numerous awards evidence this. He has no peers that could match all his accomplishments completely.”

Wolfe wore the Monarchs’ colors from September 1965 to his graduation in June 1969. He earned 15 varsity letters: 4 in football, 4 in baseball, 4 in track and field and 3 in basketball.

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On the gridiron, Dan played wherever the team needed his skills: running back, wide receiver, quarterback, linebacker and defensive back. He scored 27 touchdowns and converted 24 extra points. The Monarchs record during the Wolfe era was 24-5-3. He was a 3-time All-Catholic Bishop Smith League All-Star. Following his senior season, he was selected All-Western New York and, most impressively, was named a National Catholic High School All-American. Villanova University offered a football scholarship.

On the baseball diamond, he was a 4-year pitcher winning 26 games, 12 of them were shutouts, while striking out 376 batters in 251 innings. When not on the mound, he patrolled the outfield. Mindszenty won 48 games and two league titles during his high school career. He was chosen as an All-Catholic Bishop Smith League All-Star three times. He was a draft choice of the Washington Senators.

After playing junior varsity basketball as a freshman, Wolfe was elevated to the varsity for the next three years. He scored 436 points and was selected as a 2-time All-Catholic Smith League All-Star.

The speedy Wolfe was also a force on the Mindszenty track and field squad. He competed in the 100, 220, long jump, 440 and 880 relay. Post-season honors included League All-Star selections in both his junior and senior years.

Bob Palcic, a CMHS alum and 2019 inductee of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, who coached football at the NCAA Division 1 and National Football League levels for more than 40 years, had this to say about Dan Wolfe:

“Dan was not only a great athlete, he was a ‘star’ in every way. He was the guy the coach wanted to have the ball in crucial situations. Not only did the coach want him to have the ball, Dan wanted to have the ball. He was the type of athlete who could carry a team on his shoulders. Evaluating athletes was a major focus of my career. I can assure you that Dan Wolfe was one of the greatest athletes to have ever played sports in Chautauqua County.”

Dan Wolfe, a life-long resident of Dunkirk, died in 2023.

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Memorabilia

Photographs

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Cardinal Mindszenty High School football team, 1967. Dan Wolfe is fifth from right in row 2.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School basketball team, 1967-68.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School track team, 1968. Dan Wolfe on right in back row.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School baseball team, 1968.
Dan Wolfe is in middle in row 2. — Cardinal Mindszenty High School baseball team, 1968. Dan Wolfe is in middle in row 2.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School football lettermen, 1968. Dan Wolfe on right in front row.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School football team, 1968. Dan Wolfe is in middle of first row holding ball.

Dan Wolfe, an athlete with many talents, 1968.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School gymnasium.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School track team, 1969. Dan Wolfe is second from right in back row.

Cardinal Mindszenty High School baseball team, 1969. Dan Wolfe is first on right in row 2.

Dan Wolfe, third from left, with friends.

Publications

scanned publications

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Five Mindszenty Players Earn All-Catholic Honors. November 22, 1966. — Five Mindszenty Players Earn All-Catholic Honors. *Buffalo Courier Express*, November 22, 1966.

Mindszenty Wins Over Gibbons, 7-0. October 8, 1967. — Mindszenty Wins Over Gibbons, 7-0. *Buffalo Courier Express*, October 8, 1967.

Two Repeaters, Walsh Trio Head Smith League All-Stars. December 1, 1967. — Two Repeaters, Walsh Trio Head Smith League All-Stars. *Buffalo Courier Express*, December 1, 1967.

O'Hara, Mindszenty Retain Leads. May 19, 1968. — O'Hara, Mindszenty Retain Leads. *Buffalo Courier Express*, May 19, 1968.

Weakness at Plate Hurting Notre Dame. May 30, 1968. — Weakness at Plate Hurting Notre Dame. *The Daily News* (Batavia), May 30, 1968.

Wolfe Has No-Hitter In Catholic. May 30, 1968. — Wolfe Has No-Hitter In Catholic. *Buffalo Courier Express*, May 30, 1968.

Mindszenty's Wolfe Beats Dunkirk, 1-0. June 6, 1968. — Mindszenty's Wolfe Beats Dunkirk, 1-0. *Buffalo Courier Express*, June 6, 1968.

Three Braves On Smith All-Star. June 25, 1968. — Three Braves On Smith All-Star. *Buffalo Courier Express*, June 25, 1968.

Wolfe Gets 3 TDs In Mindszenty Win. September 29, 1968. — Wolfe Gets 3 TDs In Mindszenty Win. *Buffalo Courier Express*, September 29, 1968.

Wolfe Scores 22 In Mindszenty Win. October 6, 1968. — Wolfe Scores 22 In Mindszenty Win. *Buffalo Courier Express*, October 6, 1968.

Surprising Mindszenty Does It Again; Wallops DeSales For 3rd Straight Win. 1968. — Surprising Mindszenty Does It Again; Wallops DeSales For 3rd Straight Win. *Evening Observer* (Dunkirk-Fredonia), 1968.

Monarchs Rip De Sales As Wolfe Scores 3 TDs. October 7, 1968. — Monarchs Rip De Sales As Wolfe Scores 3 TDs. *Lockport Union-Sun & Journal*, October 7, 1968.

Mindszenty Downs ND, 35-19 For Top. October 13, 1968. — Mindszenty Downs ND, 35-19 For Top. *Buffalo Courier Express*, October 13, 1968.

Long Passes Beat Notre Dame 35-19. October 14, 1968. — Long Passes Beat Notre Dame 35-19. *The Daily News* (Batavia), October 14, 1968.

Mindszenty Romps Over Fredonia. November 2, 1968. — Mindszenty Romps Over Fredonia. *Buffalo Courier Express*, November 2, 1968.

Mindszenty Trips St. Mary's, 18-8. November 17, 1968. — Mindszenty Trips St. Mary's, 18-8. *Buffalo Courier Express*, November 17, 1968.

Mindszenty Concludes With 18-7 Win At St. Mary's For 7-1 Record; Wolfe Has 2 TDs, 118 Points For Year. November 18, 1968. — Mindszenty Concludes With 18-7 Win At St. Mary's For 7-1 Record; Wolfe Has 2 TDs, 118 Points For Year. *Evening Observer* (Dunkirk-Fredonia), November 18, 1968.

Walsh Players Dominate Smith All-Star Team. November 30, 1968. — Walsh Players Dominate Smith All-Star Team. *Buffalo Courier Express*, November 30, 1968.

Dan Wolfe Os Catholic Grid All-American. 1969. — Dan Wolfe Os Catholic Grid All-American. *Evening Observer* (Dunkirk-Fredonia), 1969.

De Sales Bows To Mindszenty. May 2, 1969. — De Sales Bows To Mindszenty. *Lockport Union-Sun & Journal*, May 2, 1969.

Mindszenty Sweeps Two, Takes Lead. May 12, 1969. — Mindszenty Sweeps Two, Takes Lead. *Buffalo Courier Express*, May 12, 1969.

Two Hurlers Win Twin Bill. May 16, 1969. — Two Hurlers Win Twin Bill. *Buffalo Courier Express*, May 16, 1969.

Wolfe Whiffs 23 Walshmen In Two Wins. May 16, 1969. — Wolfe Whiffs 23 Walshmen In Two Wins. *OLean Times Herald*, May 16, 1969.

Mindszenty Ace Tosses One-Hitter At DeSales. May 22, 1969. — Mindszenty Ace Tosses One-Hitter At DeSales. *Lockport Union-Sun & Journal*, May 22, 1969.

Monarchs Clinch Title Tie In Smith. May 24, 1969. — Monarchs Clinch Title Tie In Smith. *Buffalo Courier Express*, May 24, 1969.

Mindszenty Has Four Players On Smith All-Catholic Team. June 29, 1969. — Mindszenty Has Four Players On Smith All-Catholic Team. *Buffalo Courier Express*, June 29, 1969.

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