7 minute read
Seniors
Class of 2024
TY BERGMAN
Favorite motivational quote:
“You get what you work for not what you wish for.” Favorite tv show: The Office Favorite music or band: Drake Inspirational figure: Granddad Chosen superpower: Teleportation Favorite RJ Basketball Memory: Playing in the Colosseum.
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CLAY NANKE
Favorite motivational quote:
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney Favorite tv show: Friends Favorite music or band: J. Cole Inspirational figure: Shaquem Griffin Chosen superpower: Teleportation Favorite RJ Basketball Memory: California Trip
ALONZO PAUL
Favorite motivational quote:
“Be so good they can’t ignore you.” — Steve Martin Favorite tv show: Fresh Prince of Bel-air Favorite music or band: Anything but country Inspirational figure: My Dad and My Dogs Chosen superpower: Telepathy Favorite RJ Basketball Memory: Traveling out of state with the team, enjoying being together, in the hotels, on the plane rides, and especially on the court.
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NATI SOLOMON
Favorite motivational quote:
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Favorite tv show: All American Favorite music or band: Polo G Inspirational figure: LeBron James Chosen superpower: Teleportation Favorite RJ Basketball Memory: Car tag 27
BLAKELEY STOUGHTON
Favorite motivational quote:
“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.”- John Wooden Favorite tv show: The Office Favorite music or band: J. Cole Inspirational figure: Kobe Bryant Chosen superpower: To Fly Favorite RJ Basketball Memory: All the travel trips
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MICHAEL WOLF
Favorite motivational quote:
“If you quit it becomes habit, never quit” - Michael Jordan Favorite tv show: Criminal Minds Favorite music or band: Juice WRLD Inspirational figure: Michael Jordan Chosen superpower: To be able to dunk. Favorite RJ Basketball Memory: Going to the Coliseum and playing in the Elite 8 29
BIGGEST FANS
Mike and Tom Lucci
When you came to your first Regis Jesuit basketball game, you might not have noticed them. But they were there, in the upper corner behind our bench, like they have been since 1968. The story of how Mike and Tom Lucci came to be a treasured institution for their adopted high school is especially relevant this year since so many of us notice their absence. The brothers are not able to attend games in person this year but wanted to ensure our boys knew how much they meant to them. They gifted the team two guardian angels, along with an inspirational note that each player has with them. The angels attend every game, home and away .
Mike and Tom grew up in North Denver, within walking distance of the old Regis High School. When they were in grade school at St. Catherine’s, the family didn’t have a car, so their dad walked with them to watch Regis HS football games. They fell in love with Raider sports. They listened to RJ basketball games on the radio. They remember watching on TV as other high school State Championship basketball teams carried the “Gold Ball” trophy. The brothers attended Mt. Carmel High School from 1965-68, but it closed at the end of their junior year. Completing high school at Regis was financially out of reach for the family, so they spent their senior year at Holy Family. That year was difficult—their new classmates already had their own cliques, and Mike and Tom didn’t fit in. When Regis joined the Skyline League, playing with the public schools in 1968, the brothers fully adopted Regis as “their” high school. They set a dream of someday watching Regis win the “Gold Ball,” and hopefully to be able hold it themselves for just a few seconds .
Through the 1970s and early 80s, Mike and Tom could be found in the stands of Raider football, basketball and baseball games. It was a big thrill for them to be there when Regis won the State Championship in baseball in 1988. When the school moved to Aurora, they had to limit themselves to attending just the basketball games because of the distance from their home. Their dream of holding the “Gold Ball” remained alive through the decades. After 41 years Coach Shaw and a great group of kids and their parents made their dream a reality in 2009. After clinching a 67-63 victory in overtime against George Washington, team captains Bud Thomas ’10 and Joey Ptasinski ’10 brought the trophy over to them in the stands. “It was one of the greatest thrills of my life,” Mike recalls. The brothers since have witnessed their dream come true six times, with three State titles for the boys and three for the girls basketball teams.
Mike and Tom Lucci
A guardian angel is always with us and gives us unconditional support. A Catholic
BASKETBALL Missionary Society sent me a few little “guardian angel” figures. They were to be
Foundation For Success sent to someone special that we could not be with, but needs our support. Tom and I
hope that these 2 little guardian angel figures Success is built on a foundation of desire will accomplish that for the RJ basketball and faith. First, one needs to set a goal. team and coaches. We hope it will provide Then, one must desire to achieve it. unconditional support and a little inspiration That means one must really want it, not for you to reach for that “little extra” that just like to achieve it. It means being will result in a state championship.committed and putting in the effort to achieve it. After that, one must believe in We believe in you and believe that this team oneself and in their teammates (in a team is the best in the state and can and will setting). If desire or faith start to fade, so win the state championship. There are no does the dream and goal. guarantees in life, but without desire, faith, and that “little extra”, success can not be As humans, we all need support, a special achieved. someone who is always there and never judgmental. That person will hopefully Best wishes for the season ahead. We are provide inspiration to help us along the with you always. way. That will help us reach into ourselves Your “guardian angels”and find that “little extra” when things get Mike and Tom Lucci tough. That “little extra” is inside us all. If we reach deep into ourselves and pull it out, it can make the difference between a champion and a runner-up.
