Just curious...why do you speak so highly of SJJ? They are rarely the best in Toledo...very rarely. Good school though, especially when you look at the Toledo area as a whole. Just not great at sports typically. Especially compared to TCC.
St. Johns as a Jesuit institution started in Toledo in the 19th Century as a college, (Similar to the U of Detroit,) and began a preparatory program a few years later. That is what became St. Johns High School, (named after John Berchmans.)
Originally the Knights, St Johns remained opened until the late 1930's, a victim of the depression. In the 50's the Oblates (Jesuit Lite) stole the nickname Knights, for their high school, (named St. Francis de Sales - really a Jesuit, the wannabe's.)
In '65 The Anderson's dairy farm became the home for the new St. Johns High School.
St John's graduates include the governor of AZ; the Mayor of Columbus, Ohio; the first medical responder and Chief Traumatic Surgeon (brothers) at the Columbine shooting; four retired Generals/Admirals; Katie Holmes brother; to Chairmen of Fortune 500 companies, and scores of others. Men for others; Good men all.
I am a third generation Graduate and if my youngest son chooses to attend, he will be the fourth generation, and graduate 120 year after his great-grandfather, the first graduate in the family.
I don't think he was raving about the sports program in his post if you re-read it.
Exactly!
There was a day when the Titans were dominant. I think for a stretch they won seventeen all-sports trophies in a row.
But the Titans have suffered from one of the problems many schools develop. The insiders all became legends in their own minds. The school (athletically) became click-ish, began resting on past laurels, and by in large, fell by the wayside. At the same time they moved to one of the more powerful conferences in Ohio.
I would stack up the winner of Three Rivers with almost anybody.
A number of years ago I spoke with Brother Sebian, a really down to earth guy that worked on maintaining the facility for years. He was there when ground was broken, and he remained their until he was unable to continue at his post. To paraphrase the eloquent and educated Brother, the kids that go their now are a bunch of spoiled brats, that cry when they have to let go of their mothers apron strings. They are definitely not like we were. He said we were tough, and we had character, and determination.
Which was kind of true. We were the new kids, and considered privileged by everyone else. When we went out their we had to play harder, tougher, smarter, and longer. Because not only did everyone in town take cheap shots at us, but the refs were just as likely to call the ensuing penalty against us. We were not allowed to reach the ball over the goal line. In practice it wasn't counted as a TD unless the ball carrier ran through the endzone. Etc. But those days are gone, and with half the graduating class going to medical school, and a significant percentage of the rest, not only graduating from college, but attending graduate studies, these kids just literally don't have time to have fun in the dirt.
But the basketball program is still pretty good. Ask Zack Hillesland!
