Vito LaBruzzo – Class of 1998
Vito was a standout pitcher and hitter for the Warriors, and a 3 year varsity letterman. In the 1998 season he was the centerpiece of the state championship team as the cleanup hitter and ace of the pitching staff. Vito earned the victory on the mound in the Championship game and drove in 3 of the 5 runs on offense. He led the team in batting avg at .500, home runs with 9, and hits with 40, also tied for the team lead in doubles with 8, second in RBIs with 39, and led in pitching victories with 6. Vito still holds the single season home run record with 9. In ’98 he was named to the First Team All-District, First Team All-State, 2nd Team All-Metro as a First Baseman, and USA Today All-American Honorable Mention as utility.
Vito continued his playing career at Rockhurst University appearing in one College World Series, he played at Rockhurst as both a pitcher and First Baseman, eventually committing solely to pitching in his senior season and earning pitcher of the year in 2002 as the staff ace. Vito also played in the Ban Johnson league during his collegiate career and was named to 3 all-star games and was named MVP of the Championship Series in his Senior season in 2002. Vito coached collegiately from 2003-2008 and just finished his 3rd year coaching here at Pius. Vito still lives in the Northland and is married to Michelle (Frew) LaBruzzo class of 1997 and has 3 children Nick (SPX class of 2027), Giada 8th grade and Mia 6th grade at St. Andrew the Apostle.
Willie Cashmore – Class of 2003
As a multi-sport athlete and three-year varsity starter, Willie was a standout on the football field, helping lead the Warriors to two Missouri State Championships in 2000 and 2002. As a senior, he earned First Team All-District and First Team All-State honors as a running back and was named the 2002 Frank Fontana Award Winner, recognizing him as one of the top players in the Kansas City metro area.
After high school, Willie went on to play college football at Drake University, where he was part of the 2004 Pioneer Football League Championship team and earned First Team All-PFL honors as a fullback in 2006. His passion for the game continued after graduation as he spent 14 years coaching football at both Drake University and Iowa Western Community College. During his time at Iowa Western, Willie was part of the coaching staff that led the team to win the 2012 NJCAA National Championship.
In 2022, Willie felt called to make a shift in his career, moving from college athletics into full-time ministry with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Now serving as a local missionary in the Des Moines metro area, Willie works with more than 20 schools—supporting and mentoring coaches, athletes, teachers, and administrators in their faith journeys. He is passionate about FCA’s mission to “lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.”
Willie met his wife Kara at Drake University in 2006. They’ve been married for 12 years and currently reside in West Des Moines, Iowa with their three children: twins William and Lydia, and youngest daughter Leigh. Willie’s parents, Bill and Laura, remain in the Northland, and his younger brother Pat, a fellow SPX graduate and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, now lives in Pullman, Washington with his wife Lex and daughter Penelope.
Ben Baker – Class of 2007
A lifelong athlete and competitor, Ben built an impressive career in baseball and football before transitioning into coaching and now a successful career in sales.
In high school, he was a standout in both sports. On the baseball diamond, he earned numerous accolades including All-Conference First Team honors in 2006 and 2007, All-State Honorable Mention in 2006, and All-State Second Team in 2007. That same year, he was also named to the All-Metro First Team, All-Northland First Team, and was a key selection for both the Missouri High School East vs. West All-Star Game—where he was named MVP—and the Missouri vs. Kansas All-Star Game.
As a football player, he made All-Conference First Team as a kicker in 2005, All-District Second Team in 2005, and followed up with All-District honors as both a kicker and punter in 2006. His senior year culminated with All-State Second Team recognition as a punter.
He went on to play college baseball at Rockhurst University, where he was a four-year starter and earned multiple honors throughout his collegiate career.
Professionally, he pitched and coached across various independent leagues, including stints with the Kansas City T-Bones, Peoria Explorers, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Trinidad Triggers (where he was an All-Star pitcher), and Garden City Greys. He also coached the Tucson Saguaros to a championship as an assistant manager and pitching coach.
After stepping away from coaching, he spent three years as an assistant baseball coach at Pembroke Hill High School, sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of players.
Today, he lives in Kansas City with his fiancée, Savannah Latta, and their two dogs. He works in sales alongside his father, John Baker, and enjoys a grounded life built on hard work, family, and the values he learned on the field.
Abby Hipp Emmert – Class of 2017
Abby is a standout former student-athlete and current collegiate basketball coach whose career reflects a consistent level of excellence both on and off the court.
A 4-year varsity basketball player at St. Pius X High School, she earned All-State honors three times and helped lead the Warriors to a Class 4 State Runner-Up finish her senior year, a third-place finish at state her junior year, and multiple conference championships. Her individual accolades include being named the Missouri Class 4 Player of the Year, DiRenna Award winner, and earning All-District and All-Conference recognition all four years. She graduated holding school records for field goals made (540), rebounds (1,029), and assists (394), and finished her senior year averaging 14.6 points, 12 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and shooting 62% from the field.
She continued her basketball career at Missouri State University, where she made an immediate impact, playing in every game as a true freshman. She continued her basketball career at Missouri State University, where she made an immediate impact, playing in every game as a true freshman. Over her five-year career, she became a key contributor and starter, helping the Lady Bears to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances—including two Sweet 16 runs—two Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) regular season titles, one MVC Tournament title, and three national top-25 finishes. She finished her senior season averaging 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, earning Honorable Mention All-MVC honors.
After graduation, she transitioned into coaching, serving as Director of Scouting and Player Development for the University of Virginia Women’s Basketball Team from 2022–2024. In 2024, she returned to her alma mater, joining the Missouri State Women’s Basketball coaching staff as an Assistant Coach, bringing full circle a career that began with passion, developed through hard work, and continues to thrive through leadership and mentorship.
Richard Murphy – Coach 1985-2013
Richard Murphy has been a pillar of St. Pius X athletics for more than three decades, serving in multiple coaching roles and leaving an indelible mark on hundreds of student-athletes. Known for his steady leadership, deep knowledge of the game, and unwavering Warrior pride, Coach Murphy’s impact stretches far beyond wins and losses.
Over the course of 31 years coaching basketball, Murphy led the JV boys, JV girls, and freshman girls teams, achieving a remarkable winning percentage of over 70% across all levels. He was also an integral part of the varsity women’s program during three Final Four state tournament appearances, with finishes of 4th, 3rd, and 2nd. In 2016, Murphy was honored with the Walter Tylicki Award, recognizing him as the top assistant basketball coach in the Kansas City Metro area, a testament to his behind-the-scenes influence and dedication to player development.
Coach Murphy also led the SPX Cross Country and Track & Field programs for 26 years, coaching both boys and girls. Under his guidance, athletes consistently qualified for the state meet and brought home numerous individual and team accolades.
Beyond coaching, Murphy is affectionately known at SPX as “The Golden Voice”, having served as the public address announcer for over 30 years at home and playoff football games. His signature sound and enthusiasm have become a beloved part of the Warrior game-day experience.
