I was at Campion on Saturday July 6, 1997, at the completion of the GRABAAWR bike ride along the Wisconsin River. The State of Wisconsin had just that week brought in the first 20 prisoners to the place that once was Campion Jesuit High School. I talked both to a prison guard and to the fellow running Hoffman Hall -- leased to the City of Prairie du Chien -- and learned several pieces of information.

The Lutherans basically trashed the place on their departure. They took all the stainless out of the cafeteria/kitchen. The Chapel has been condemned due to lack of maintenance, the only remaining issue being when it will be demolished. The prisoners are staying in Lucey Hall. Xavier Hall's future is uncertain. The faculty residence is now the prison administration. Part of the (new to me) music building is the lockup for problem prisoners. Hoffman Hall is used by the city as a winter pool and gym. It badly needs a new roof and lots of maintenance. It was sad, to say the least.

Campion on the web consists of at least four things. There's a Campion Web Page, built in part for the 25th reunion of the class of '72. There's Campionette Online, created and maintained by Bob Graver '68. The Class of 58 have a site which has some interesting pictures and several notes from Pat Mower '64. And the registration for the domain campion.org has been taken out by Schaefer O'Neill '72. Alumni might want to email him and volunteer to work on his plans for campion.org.

If any alumni – students or faculty – have reminisces they wish published, send 'em to me and I'll put 'em here with whatever attribution you desire.