2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Class

Hamburg, N.Y., August 27, 2026 St. Francis High School Athletic Director Steve Otremba ’90 is proud to announce the five distinguished alumni who will be inducted into the 2026 Fr. Rufinus Niedzwiecki St. Francis Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2026 includes Patrick Haidon ’06, Don Jablonski Jr. ’04, Mark Miklos ’03, Aaron Miller ’89, and Kyle Swarts ’99.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Friday, October 9, at 6 p.m. at the St. Francis Gacioch Family Athletic Center. The celebration will be part of St. Francis High School’s Homecoming Weekend, October 9 and 10.

Patrick Haidon ’06

A 2006 graduate of St. Francis, Patrick Haidon was named the school’s Athlete of the Year at commencement. Haidon earned All-Catholic honors in both football and track and field and played an important role on teams that captured multiple championships.

The St. Francis football team ranked No. 1 in Western New York in 2003 and 2004, while the track and field program won championships in 2005 and 2006. Haidon was also a starting member of the Red Raiders basketball team, which was ranked among the top 10 teams in Western New York.

Haidon continued his football career at the College of the Holy Cross. He is now working in corporate financial planning & analysis while residing in Sarasota, Florida.

Don Jablonski Jr. ’04

Don Jablonski Jr. graduated from St. Francis in 2004 after competing in baseball, golf, and hockey. He earned All-Catholic and All-Western New York honors in both baseball and hockey and served as a captain for both programs.

Jablonski and his teammates helped establish a foundation of success that continued in both programs following his graduation. He went on to play baseball at Medaille College.

Jablonski later pursued a career in hockey officiating, working at the Division I, United States Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, and American Hockey League levels. He currently works in the insurance industry and resides in Hamburg, New York.

Mark Miklos ’03

Mark Miklos, a 2003 graduate, was a key contributor to the continued championship success of the St. Francis football and wrestling programs. He earned All-Catholic honors in both sports and placed in the CHSAA Wrestling Championships.

Miklos helped both programs capture championships during his St. Francis career, including the Red Raiders’ historic victory in the first MMHSAA Football Championship held at Ralph Wilson Stadium in 2002, where St. Francis defeated Canisius.

Aaron Miller ’89

Aaron Miller, a 1989 St. Francis graduate, went on to establish an outstanding collegiate and professional hockey career. He played collegiately at the University of Vermont before being selected by the New York Rangers in the 1989 NHL Draft.

Miller enjoyed a 14-year NHL career, playing for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and Vancouver Canucks. He also represented the United States at the 2002 Winter Olympics, where Team USA earned a silver medal.

Miller currently resides in Burlington, Vermont.

Kyle Swarts ’99

A 1999 graduate of St. Francis, Kyle Swarts was recognized as one of the top goalkeepers in the MMHSAA during his Red Raider career. He earned All Catholic and All Western New York honors while helping lead St. Francis to championships on the soccer field.

Swarts continued his collegiate career at West Virginia University, where he was named to the Big East Academic Honor Roll before graduating in 2003.

He currently resides in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

 

The Fr. Rufinus Niedzwiecki St. Francis Athletic Hall of Fame honors alumni and members of the St. Francis community whose athletic accomplishments, leadership, and contributions have brought distinction to the school.

St. Francis High School will announce additional information regarding the October 9 induction ceremony in the coming weeks.