LaSalle-Regis-Xavier Alumni Hall of Fame

Greg Freeman was born and raised in Sioux City , IA. He was the third of nine children and graduated from Bishop Heelan High School. Greg served in the United States Air Force for four years and served one year in Vietnam. He is married to Patty and the father of Jenni, Michael and Kristin who all graduated from Regis or Xavier High Schools. He is also the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren!

For more than 20 years, Greg could be found on the sidelines of basketball courts coaching junior high and middle school basketball for St. Matthew's and Regis. 

Amir Hadzic served as Xavier’s Boys Soccer head coach from 2007 through 2021. During that time he led the Saints to 13 state tournament appearances, five state titles (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2021), and an overall record of 161-60-3. He is a seven-time Metro Coach of the Year (2000, 2003 at Cedar Rapids Prairie; 2007, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016 at Xavier), a four-time Mississippi Valley Conference Coach of the Year (2010, 2011, 2015, 2019), a five-time recipient of the Iowa High School Athletic Association's Coach's Achievement Award (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2021). Hadzic was also named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Iowa High School Coach of the Year (2010), National Federation of State High School Associations Coach of the Year for the state of Iowa (2011), and served as the head coach of the East All-Stars at the annual Iowa High School Coaches Association All-Star Game (2013). He was inducted into the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) Hall of Fame in February 2015.

Aside from coaching at Xavier, Hadzic has served as the mens’ soccer head coach at Mount Mercy University since 1995, where he is the program's all-time leader in coaching victories. He is a three-time Midwest Classic Conference Coach of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011) and has guided the Mustangs to two NAIA National Tournament appearances (2011, 2015) and an MCC conference title (2011).

After coming to the United States 30 years ago as a refugee of war-torn Bosnia, Hadzic has made a significant impact in growing the sport of soccer in our region by sharing his passion with area youth. His ability to mentor and engage his student-athletes has led many to contribute their skills within their communities. Twenty-six of Hadzic's former players have become head coaches throughout the country.

Jim is an award-winning architect whose work extends from Iowa and Colorado to ocean front work in South Carolina. His interest in architecture began at Regis High School which led him to Iowa State University where earned both a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Masters Degree in Architecture. He started Novak Design Group in 1986 after being a founding principal of OPN Architects. Novak Design Group is proud to have designed many significant buildings in the Cedar Rapids area including the Cedar Rapids Police Facility, the Linn County Administrative Building, and several buildings for Coe College and Mt. Mercy University. His work also includes the Bradley & Riley law offices, many banks, recreation centers, residential developments, churches, libraries, and the Inn at Keystone, Colorado; but he is most proud of designing Xavier High School and St. Ludmila Catholic Church. In 2020 Novak Design Group merged with Emergent Architecture. Jim’s volunteer work includes the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the Cedar Rapids/Marion Arts Council, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Liars Theater, American Institute of Architects, and the Tanager Place Foundation. Jim is a member of St. Wenceslaus Church. He and his wife, Kristin, enjoy traveling; especially to the mountains of Colorado and the deserts of Arizona.

Amanda (Covington) Breeden is a 2004 graduate of Xavier High School who received numerous awards for her athletic talent while helping the Saints girls’ basketball and softball teams make school history.

Being named the 2003 Captain of the class 3A All-Tournament team and leading the Saints to their first State Basketball Championship in school history were the highlights of her basketball career here at Xavier.  During her four years, Amanda earned multiple 1st Team All State and 1st Team All-Conference awards, as well as being named to the All-District and All-Metro teams.  She was the player of the game multiple times and was KCRG’s Athlete of the Week. She still holds 11 school records for Xavier girls’ basketball, including highest field goal percentage in a career and most free throws made in a season.

Amanda’s softball career was also very successful as she led the Saints to their first ever state appearance and 4th place finish in 2004.  Her talent earned her multiple 1st and 2nd Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-Metro awards. While at Xavier, Amanda also earned academic recognition as she was a member of the National Honor Society for 3 years while she stayed active in many clubs including Key Club and the Spiritual Team.

Following graduation, Amanda continued her athletic success at Wayne State College where she played basketball and was a member of the 2005-2006 team that won the NSIC regular season and post-season tournament titles and was the first team in school history to advance to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. She was also able to maintain academic success and earned her spot as a WSC Presidents Scholar Athlete.

After college, Amanda returned home to Cedar Rapids and has built her career as a fitness and wellness professional. She has worked at Mercy Fitness Center, Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, and Health Solutions as an exercise specialist and health coach.  She is married to her husband and is currently in her most important and rewarding role as mom to their three children.

Joey is a father to identical twin boys Carson and Jace, husband to Caitlin, co-owner of Emerling-Gase Motorsports, and NASCAR Driver. Aside from his busy racing schedule being a driver and team owner, Gase finds time to support numerous charities and non-profit organizations. Gase has a personal connection that links his desire to help those in need. At the young age of 18, Gase tragically lost his mother Mary, to a sudden brain aneurysm. Faced with a difficult decision, Gase and his family decided to donate his mother’s organs. Later they learned that her gift helped save and improve the lives of 66 people. Gase developed a desire and passion for educating others on the need of organ, tissue, and eye donation and honoring all of those affected by it. Joey’s hard work in the donation community has proven to be successful in his goals and he has received many honorable awards, including the inaugural COMCAST Community Outreach Award and AATB Communication and Education’s “The Ground Breaker” Award.

Joey’s car is regularly adorned with the face of his mother and others who have given the gift of life, making his one of the most unique cars in NASCAR.

At a young age of 8, Gase began his racing career with a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. The 30 year old from Cedar Rapids, Iowa began his racing career when he won his very first race in the Jr 1 Go Karts at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Since then Gase has worked up the ranks from modifieds when we was 14, to late models when he was 15. His first NASCAR XFINITY Series start came in 2011 and he made his first Daytona 500 start in 2017.