A navy-blue Catholic Central band sweater has traveled farther than most Shamrocks ever will, from Novi in the early 1970s to London in 2024, before finally finding its way back home.

While visiting London last fall, Emily Delius spotted the sweater in a shop window. Knowing the Catholic Central connection would mean something, Emily sent a photo to her brother-in-law, Anthony Ansara ’02.

Anthony immediately felt the significance. With three brothers — Michael ’02, Victor ’05, and Nick ’08 — all graduates of CC, and with two young sons, Jack and Eddie, as future Shamrocks, Anthony knew the sweater represented more than just school memorabilia. He asked Emily to return and purchase it. Emily graciously obliged, even with the $250 price tag.

Upon returning to campus, staff confirmed the sweater’s authenticity. Inside, stitched on the lining, was the name Paul Schrier ’73. 

When contacted, Paul himself was stunned to hear it had surfaced across the Atlantic. “My first reaction was disbelief,” he said. “I thought it might be a scam. But when I saw the photo, I recognized it instantly — even down to a prank ink mark a bandmate drew on the ‘7’ of my graduation year.”

Though the medals once pinned to the sweater are gone, Paul says it still carries the memories of concerts, pep rallies, and the camaraderie of the band program. He fondly recalled his time at Catholic Central and the nostalgia the sweater brought back.

The origin of the sweater, which had traveled from Texas, where Paul had donated it years earlier, to a London thrift store, remains a mystery. But thanks to Anthony and Emily, its journey has come full circle.

Today, the band sweater rests where it belongs — back at Catholic Central — serving as both a piece of history and a symbol of the connections that span generations of Shamrocks. 

The Ansara family continues to carry that spirit forward, not only through their deep CC ties but also through their work in the community as owners of several restaurants, including their newest venture, Daily Jam, with locations in Farmington Hills and Grosse Pointe. (Fun fact: There is a hidden Shamrock located somewhere in their Farmington Hills location. See if you can spot it during your next visit!)

Thank you to Anthony Ansara ‘02 and Emily Delius for returning a piece of history to us, and to Paul Schrier ’73, for reminding us that some things, like the spirit of Catholic Central, never truly get lost.