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Grandfather of the fish fry, steward of the field house

For eight decades, the men of Holy Name have raised the funds, run the tournaments, and kept the doors open for the children and families of Northeast Omaha.

Who We Are

Maintaining the field house & athletic programs for the Holy Name community

Founded in the early 1940s, the Holy Name Men's Club began fundraising through Christmas trees and grew to include an Alumni Basketball Tournament, a 500 Club, sweepstakes, and Lenten Fish Fries. We are known as the grandfather of fish fries — starting the first of its kind in Omaha in 1981.

Today the club is undertaking the Restore the Glory Campaign for the Holy Name Field House, the largest fundraising effort in our history.

About the campaign
The restored Holy Name field house gymnasium with its historic truss ceiling
Our Mission

"To further the tradition of athletic, educational, and spiritual development for the children and families of the Holy Name Community, and those living in the greater Northeast Omaha community."

Our History

From the Holy Name Society to today

The organization traces its roots to the Holy Name Society of the 1940s.

40s 1944

The Men's Club is formed

The men of the parish formed the Holy Name Men's Club in 1944, growing out of the Holy Name Society.

45 1945

A high school venue is established

The field house is established as a high school venue serving the Omaha area.

49 1949–1950

Ground broken for the gymnasium

Ground was broken in 1949 and the field house opened in 1950 as Nebraska's most advanced gymnasium — hosting championships, proms, homecomings, and educational programs.

81 1981

Omaha's first fish fry

The club starts the first Lenten Fish Fry of its kind in Omaha — a tradition now running more than 40 years.

17 2017

Restore the Glory begins

After roughly 70 years the facility had fallen into disrepair; community members organized to rehabilitate it for today's students and neighborhood.

Today

A restored community hub

With Phase I fully funded and complete, the restored field house again serves the parish, the school, and Northeast Omaha — while Phase II builds the reserve and programming to sustain it.

Our Heritage

A Rambler legacy

From the steel trusses raised in 1949 to championship teams and packed bleachers — glimpses of the field house through the decades.

Holy Name High School · 1918–1989 · 71 years of Rambler tradition

Our Impact

Major accomplishments

Every dollar raised goes back to support the Holy Name Men's Club mission.

40 years of fish fries

Four decades of Lenten Fish Fries — the grandfather of them all in Omaha.

Technology & classrooms

Funding for a technology lab and classroom improvements at Holy Name School.

Cafeteria renovations

Renovated the school cafeteria for students and community gatherings.

Athletic director stipends

Sustaining the coaches and staff who keep young athletes on the court.

Tuition assistance

Support for Holy Name School graduates continuing their education.

Club sport showcases

Signature athletic events carrying on the Rambler tradition.

Bill Giles, on the left, with Bill Wilson, both wearing aprons and smiling for the camera
Bill Giles (left) with Bill Wilson — many years of service to this community.
In Memoriam

The William F. Giles, III Maintenance Fund

A $1,000,000 invested reserve for the ongoing maintenance of the field house, named in honor of one of the original orchestrators of the campaign. It is one of the two funds that make up Phase II of Restore the Glory.

Mr. Giles passed away in 2021 following illness, before witnessing the project's completion. The facility stands as a commemoration to his many years of service and giving to this community.

Support the fund

Leadership

Downey Fitzgerald — President

James Goodman — Restore the Glory Campaign President

Campaign co-chairs Tom Pogge (H66) and Curt Simon (H71) lead a committee including Rev. Carl J. Zoucha, Fred Bender, and others representing the parish, school, and community.

Join Us — Monthly Meetings

Monthly meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6:00 pm (or the second Monday if the first is a holiday), with games preceding the 7:00 pm meeting. New members are always welcome.

Get in touch

Be part of the next 80 years

Whether you give, volunteer, or rent the field house for your next event, you help keep this neighborhood tradition alive.