HALL OF FAME NIGHT AT NDP

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January 31, 2026

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Notre Dame Prep celebrates latest athletics hall of fame class on big night of Irish basketball.

Notre Dame Prep honored its second class of Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Friday night before a capacity crowd in the gymnasium at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game against Genesee Christian High School.

Alumni Chris Burns NDP’10 and Taylor Timko NDP’14, along with the late longtime coach, volunteer and parent Buzz Famularo, were formally welcomed into the Hall of Fame as Irish fans, families and friends looked on. A reception in the school’s main lobby followed the on-court presentation, giving attendees a chance to celebrate and share memories. 

Burns, a standout distance runner and soccer player, was recognized for a career defined by work ethic and competitive excellence. A 2009 MHSAA individual state champion in cross country, Burns earned five first-team All-State honors across cross country and track and field and collected seven varsity letters spanning soccer and distance events. He was named the 2010 Notre Dame Prep Male Athlete of the Year, held school records in five events at graduation, and led the track team in scoring for three consecutive seasons. After high school, he continued his success at the U.S. Naval Academy, earning nine varsity letters and contributing to three Patriot League championships before going on to distinction in military service. 

Timko’s induction highlighted her extraordinary multi-sport career. A two-time All-American and two-time Dream Team honoree in soccer, she scored 124 goals during her prep career and earned 10 varsity letters. Timko was named both the Walt Bazylewicz CHSL Athlete of the Year and Notre Dame Prep Female Athlete of the Year in 2014, earned multiple All-State honors in soccer and track and also served as placekicker on the varsity football team. After Notre Dame Prep, she was a four-time letter winner at the University of Michigan, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was selected to All-Big Ten teams before playing professionally in Australia and later serving in collegiate soccer operations. 

Famularo, honored posthumously, was remembered as a cornerstone of Irish athletics. A parent of three NDP graduates, he coached boys basketball at various levels from 2006–2018 and served as an assistant on the varsity staff. Famularo also contributed as a CYO and JV football coach, was active with the Booster Club and Oktoberfest Parent’s Club, and helped integrate faith and character development into the athletic experience. Despite battling cancer twice, he remained a devoted presence for student-athletes until his passing in 2019. 

Families of the inductees also were on hand and warmly acknowledged throughout the celebration.

“It was one of those nights where you could really feel how proud everyone was — proud of the inductees and proud to be part of Notre Dame Prep,” athletic director Betty Wroubel said. “From the energy in the gym to the conversations afterward, it was clear that everyone involved truly enjoyed the evening.”

One longtime booster reflected on the evening: “Seeing so many people from so many years come together — it was exciting and fun!”

The ceremony struck a balance between honoring athletic excellence and celebrating personal character. “It wasn’t just about stats or wins,” one guest said. “You could hear the stories and understand why these people mattered so much to this community.”

Another attendee noted the significance of recognizing Famularo alongside alumni. “That really showed what Notre Dame Prep values — not just great athletes, but people who give back and lift others up.”

The reception also allowed families of the inductees to mingle with former teammates, coaches and current students.

“You could see how much it meant to the families,” said assistant athletic director Aaron Crouse. “Everyone was smiling, laughing and telling stories. It felt like a reunion.”

Crouse added that the celebration wasn’t just about honoring past accomplishments, “it was about inspiring current students and reminding us all of the impact athletics can have on character and community.”

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.