Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Jesuit High School of Tampa
Location
Tampa , Florida USA
Information
Type	Private
Established	1899
Principal	Joseph Sabin
Enrollment	680 Students
Color(s)	Blue and White
Mascot	Tigers
President	Fr. Richard Hermes, S.J.
Website	www.jesuittampa.org

Jesuit High School of Tampa is a private, Catholic, all-male high school located in Tampa, Florida, USA, and established in 1899. It operates independent of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg.

Jesuit of Tampa teaches a college preparatory curriculum. Jesuit of Tampa has graduated federal judges, political leaders, priests, teachers, physicians, journalists, scientists, attorneys, professional athletes, writers, scholars, actors, painters, engineers and entrepreneurs. According to Nick Suszynski, alumni director as of 2006, Jesuit has graduated fourteen judges. The alumni association commonly refers to the high school as "Tampa's Largest Fraternity."

Jesuit's president is Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J., and its principal is Mr. Joseph Sabin. The school has been open since 1899, then located in downtown Tampa and directly affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish (formerly a Jesuit-run parish) known as Tampa College. In 1956 the campus was moved to its current location on Himes Avenue in West Tampa. The campus is centered around St. Anthony's Chapel and its pale green steeple.

To the north of the chapel are the cafeteria, fine arts building, and the Jesuit residence. Classroom buildings surround the remaining sides of the chapel. The new "Tiger Palace" has room to accommodate a total audience of 1,400. The southeast portion of the campus is the home of the renovated athletic center, which was dedicated to renowned alumnus and baseball legend Al Lopez and the library dedicated to Fr. Richard Hartnett, S.J.

Jesuit's curriculum includes studies in theology, mathematics, sciences, fine arts, language arts, foreign language, physical education, and social studies. Despite being a Jesuit-run high school, there has been a steep decline in the number of Jesuit priest and other religious officials based at the school. Usually there are 3-6 Jesuits (typically priests, scholastics, or brothers) teaching and/or living in the residence. The religious teach courses and serve as chaplains, leading daily masses and monthly all-school masses. Each school year begins with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition that dates back to early days of Jesuit education. All students are required to attend school masses, though the school does not discriminate against students on the basis of religion.

Another factor that makes Jesuit students visible in the community is its strict dress code. Students are expected to wear dress trousers, along with dress shirts and ties part of the year. When outside the classroom, students contribute several thousand hours of community service as part of their mandatory service. Students in the Key Club are regarded among the nation's best, having won many awards since its mid-1990s inception. Other clubs include SADD, National Honor Society, award-winning language honor societies, religious service group Agmen Christi, and the Tiger yearbook, Tiger newspaper, The Lyre literary art showcase, and the school's drama troupe, The Jesuit Masque.

The motto of Tampa Jesuit is "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" which means "For the Greater Glory of God." The school refers to its students as "Men For Others."

Athletics

The school won the FHSAA Boys' Athletic Program of the Year award in 1997-1998, and had the most state championships and places at state events, 1998-1999, 2000-2001, and 2005-2006. In addition, the school won the Tampa Tribune Athletic Program of the Year award in 2003-2004, and the St. Petersburg Times Athletic Program of the Year award in 2004-2005. In the past 10 years, the soccer, baseball, cross country, and track teams have combined for a total of 11 state championships. Jesuit has had a tradition of talented coaches who have led their teams to post-season play and several championships. These victorious coaches include "Wild" Bill Minahan, Dominick Ciao, Paul Straub, John Crumbley, Mike Boza, R Weezy, "Big" John Szponar, and Bob Bauman.

Notable alumni

• Xavier Beitia, kicker: 2001-2003 Florida State University, 2004 New York Jets, 2006 Berlin Thunder
• Allan Carpenter (mountain climber)
• Ted Couch, benefactor who gave the first endowment to start H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.[1]
• Jim Davis, U.S. Congressman
• Jay Feely, National Football League kicker: 1997-1998 University of Michigan, 2001-2004 Atlanta Falcons, 2005-2006 New York Giants, 2007-present Miami Dolphins
• Lionel, nationally syndicated radio talk show host
• Dave Magadan, former Major League Baseball player: 1986-1992 New York Mets, 1993 Florida Marlins and Seattle Mariners, 1994 Florida Marlins, 1995 Houston Astros, 1996 Chicago Cubs, 1997-1998 Oakland Athletics, 1999-2001 San Diego Padres
• Rich McKay, National Football League executive: 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, general manager, 2003-2006 Atlanta Falcons, president and general manager
• Lou Piniella, former Major League Baseball player and manager: 1964 Baltimore Orioles, 1968 Cleveland Indians, 1969-1973 Kansas City Royals, 1974-1984 New York Yankees, 1985-1986 New York Yankees (coach), 1986-1988 New York Yankees (manager), 1990-1992 Cincinnati Reds (manager), 1993-2002 Seattle Mariners (manager), 2003-2005 Tampa Bay Devil Rays (manager), 2007-present Chicago Cubs (manager)
• Brad Radke, pitcher, 1995-2006 Minnesota Twins
• Joe Vance, animator, Walt Disney Feature Animation
• Tedd Webb, broadcaster, photographer, author
• Charles R. Wilson, circuit judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• Ryan Lowrey- EPIK FAILURE

External links

• Jesuit High School of Tampa website
• History of Jesuit High School of Tampa
• List of Jesuit High alumni in baseball
• Jesuit High School of Tampa Athletic Program