2023 Athletic Hall of Fame by St. John's College High School

INDUCTEES 1957 GOLF TEAM

LINDSAY ALLEN ’13

KEVIN JEZ ’78

1962 FOOTBALL TEAM

ANTWON BAILEY ’08

ANDRE MONROE ’10

2006 GIRLS’ TENNIS TEAM

JACK CRAWFORD ’82

JOHN RICCA

MARK GIBBS ’96

w e lco me November 3, 2023 Dating back to 1851, St. John’s has produced generations of successful alumni who established themselves as talented student-athletes during their time at SJC. Some of these accomplishments bear the mark of excellence, and it is those individuals and teams who distinguish themselves in exceptional ways that we recognize this evening. Tonight, we look back over the decades to recall and honor the individuals and teams that created many memorable sports moments. We welcome seven new inductees and three teams to the St. John’s Athletic Hall of Fame: Lindsay Allen ’13, Antwon Bailey ’08, Jack Crawford ’82, Mark Gibbs ’96, Kevin Jez ’78, Andre Monroe ’10, John Ricca, the 1957 golf team, the 1962 football team, and the 2006 girls’ tennis team. We join with their families, friends, and classmates in congratulating them on their achievements and the admirable reputations they earned, both as athletes and Lasallians. Tonight’s inductees play a prominent role in St. John’s athletics history, and the tradition continues as today’s student-athletes compete at the highest levels in the Catholic and city leagues. Athletics at St. John’s have always encompassed the art of winning without compromising academics to form tomorrow’s leaders. These honorees are the gold standard of this principle. I am particularly proud of our entire coaching staff, our athletic director, Dennis Hart, and his leadership team. They continue to do an outstanding job of ensuring the future of athletic excellence at St. John’s. We are also very fortunate to have several alumni return each year to coach. The dedication and commitment of our Athletic Department and coaching staff to the Lasallian formation of our student athletes is truly remarkable. Again, congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees. Your induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame continues a tradition of excellence and celebrates the Lasallian spirit of the St. John’s community. Sincerely,

Jeffrey W. Mancabelli President

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

19 57 G O LF TEA M

ack when Sam Snead and Ben Hogan were dominating on the PGA Tour, the 1957 St. John’s golf team was making history of its own. The talented squad finished the season with an unblemished mark of 15–0, earning both the Catholic League and Metropolitan League titles. At least one publication labeled the 1957 squad as the best boys’ golf team on the East Coast. Three members of the team competed at the college level. Jack Doser ’57 attended Duke University; Mike Moynahan ’57 played for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis; and Eugene “Chick” Cullinane ’57 stayed home to represent the University of Maryland. Other members of the 1957 team were Jerry Doser ’58, Mike Cullinane ’59, Joe Loda ’57, Dick Kraft ’57, Mike Maloney ’57, and Mark Rosetta ’59. Captain Chick Cullinane was a four-year varsity letterman at St. John’s and a member of the 1955, 1956, and 1957 Simpson Cup teams, which included players from Canada, England, Scotland, and the United States. He appreciated his teammates and his coach.

Camaraderie forged in the classroom combined with Cadet Corps lessons in discipline provided a competitive edge on the course and a history-making legacy at their alma mater. Mike Cullinane, Chick’s brother, who worked two jobs (downtown during the week and construction on the weekends) during his days as a student at St. John’s, says he considered it a privilege to represent his school. A highlight of the year was beating the Plebes from the Naval Academy in Annapolis.“Looking back at my experience, I have developed a deeper appreciation for my school and the people who ran it. The Christian Brothers were good people and wonderful role models,” Cullinane said. Unlike his brothers who went on to play competitively after graduation (his brother Anthony “Perky” Cullinane ’53 competed at the Masters and was recently inducted into the Maryland Golf Hall of Fame), Mike hasn’t picked up a golf club in more than 50 years. However, the lessons he learned about discipline, sacrifice, and consistency while playing golf for St. John’s have followed him throughout his life.

“I’m not sure Brother Patrick ever picked up a club in his life, but his calm demeanor made him a perfect golf coach and moderator. He had a quiet confidence that translated to us in our matches,” Cullinane said.

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

19 62 Fo otba ll Tea m

he year 1962 was one of extremes in the country and in DC, with the optimism engendered by a young, newly elected Catholic president at one end and the specter of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis at the other. However, in the midst of these extremes, there was a source of stability: St. John’s, a century-old institution where more than 90% of the teachers were actual Christian Brothers and the school consistently fielded powerhouse athletic teams, particularly in football. But even that constant was threatened as the 1962 football season promised to be a rebuilding year. The 1961 team had been one of the best in history, featuring two-year All-Metropolitan QB Scotty Glacken ’62, AHOF ’98, and veteran players at all positions. Yet, they were beaten soundly in the city title game 34–14 by Eastern. The uncertainties for 1962 included filling the void created by the graduation of Glacken, his back-up, the middle of the offensive line, and other key players, as well as the lack of prospective help from incoming transfer players. As Line Coach Mush Dubofsky ’60, AHOF ’08, later observed, “The boys knew they weren’t any good at the beginning of the year, but they wanted to be champions…. I wouldn’t have given a plugged nickel for this team’s chances at the beginning of the season.” Predictably, the season started with a loss and then a tie against two top-rated Baltimore teams. But thereafter, beginning with the third game against the Pittsburgh Catholic League champs, everything turned around. The team dominated every opponent, winning seven consecutive times to finish 7–1–1. Four of the seven wins were shutouts; opponents scored a total of 19 points against the Cadets’ 135; the four Catholic league opponents scored exactly 6 points (and it wasn’t then–No. 1 Gonzaga!); Carroll and O’Connell were held to total offense of 19 and 30 yards respectively, and two other opponents had 7 yards rushing and -7 yards passing.

between DC public schools and Catholic league teams. Overall, the 1962 team was ranked No. 1 in the DC metro area by the Scholastic Sports Association. As summed up by Head Coach Joe Gallagher: “We made a lot of changes after the first two games…. These kids never gave up. They believed they could go all the way even if Mush [Dubofsky] and I didn’t—and I was never happier to be wrong.” In contrast to current elite high school teams that employ multiple position coaches and coordinators, this remarkable turnaround was directed by essentially two men, AHOF members Gallagher and Dubofsky. In addition, virtually all key players played both ways, led by All-Metro co-captains Jay Calabrese ’63, fullback/linebacker, DC Player of the Year, and AHOF ’98, and Ned Carr ’63, offensive and defensive end, All-Metro, and Big 33 national All-American team. Senior QB and first-time starter Jim Yore ’63 was essential to success, as were All-Metro tackles Harry Jenkins ’63 and Chris Dill ’64, AHOF ’16, and halfback Jim Francis ’63; numerous other contributors included Ron Panneton ’63, AHOF ’16, Bill Fuge ’63, Bob York ’63, Marty O’Connor ’63, Paul May ’64, Tony Whittlesey ’64, Rick Malcolm ’64, John Shea ’64, and Coley O’Brien ’65, AHOF ’96. If 1962 was not the best team in SJC history in the context of its era, it is hard to imagine one that overcame adversity as well as, and to the extent of, the 1962 team. They contributed mightily to the ongoing legacy of St. John’s, both educationally and athletically, and their induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame is well deserved.

Capping the season was a rematch against Eastern in the city championship game on Thanksgiving Day before an astounding, never-to-be-beaten-record, of 50,033 fans at DC Stadium. The final victory margin of 20–7 does not describe the team’s total dominance. Eastern managed 87 yards total offense, while the Cadets rolled up 344 yards! As matters evolved following a post-game civil disturbance, this was the last DC city title game ever played SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

2006 G I R LS’ TEN N IS TEA M

he 2006 St. John’s girls’ tennis team were “Queens of the Court.” The talented group finished the season with a perfect 16–0 record and the school’s first WCAC girls’ tennis title. In the championship round, the talented Cadets, a mix of experienced upperclassmen and fiery newbies, won three of six singles matches and swept the doubles competition. Head Coach Merritt Johnson, who moved from the SJC boys’ program to coach the girls’ team in 2004, was named 2006 All-Met Coach of the Year by The Washington Post. “The 2006 team took pride in who they were, and everybody was accountable for making the team better. They had an amazing work effort, and they worked as one unit,” Coach Johnson said proudly. Gabrielle Duncan ’08, a member of the National Honor Society, was selected honorable mention All-Met. “My favorite moments were the times we spent off the court, from laughing and gossiping on the bus during away matches to singing along to the radio at the top of our lungs. This accomplishment is a testament not only to our athletic talents, but also to our friendship, camaraderie, and belief in one another. I couldn’t be prouder to share this special moment with my teammates,” Duncan said. Four members of the team went on to compete at the collegiate level: Duncan played for the University of Louisville; Saida Bennou ’10 represented Virginia Wesleyan University; Leah Garrison ’10 plied her craft at LaSalle University; and Charrisha Watkins ’09, another member of the National Honor Society, competed for Gettysburg College. Other members of the squad were Lena Bush ’09, Brooke Conley ’08, Joyce Jones ’08, Marchelle Mullings ’07, Leilani Padua ’10, Alana Sanders ’07, Carolyn Smith ’07, Alexa White ’07, and Elizabeth Yoo ’07. “The whole team really connected, and everyone was there for each other throughout the good and bad,” White said.

What Watkins remembers most is her team’s and her coach’s competitiveness. “We were fighters, and we were tenacious and when you played for Coach Johnson, there were no participation ribbons. He set a standard of excellence and pushed us to reach it.” However, she says her coach had a softer drop shot. “He was compassionate and was there for us emotionally, too. He knew us as athletes, but he also knew us as people.” Coach Johnson says managing a team loaded with talent wasn’t easy. “I talked to the girls about personal accountability and about caring for their teammates. Fortunately, they took it to heart.We stayed motivated throughout the whole year and supported each other,” Sanders remembered. The 2006 season ended on the highest of notes when sophomore Duncan and freshman Bennou teamed up to take down Holy Cross’s Maria Succillo and her doubles partner to cement the conference title in the final match of the championship tournament. “Maria was the best player in the WCAC and went on to play on the pro tour. But she wasn’t the best that day. St. John’s was,” Bennou said proudly. For Bennou and Garrison, the only two freshmen on the 2006 squad, it was just the start of something special. Bennou won every singles match she played for SJC, and the four-year varsity starters went on to help St. John’s win additional tennis titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009. “Coach Merritt instilled a hunger in us that made us want to work hard and get better every day,” Bennou said. “More importantly, he helped make us better people. St. John’s was my ticket to a better life. I walked onto campus as an inner-city girl with a chip on her shoulder and left a young woman who understood the importance of being part of a team.” Bennou says the lessons she learned on the court transcended tennis and still help her today. “I am so proud of how our girls came together as a group, took pride in themselves, loved their school, and etched their names into St. John’s history. It’s a moment we’ll cherish forever,” Coach Johnson concluded.

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Li n dsa y A lle n ’13

orn and raised in Prince George’s County, Lindsay Allen played multiple sports as a young girl, even though basketball was always her favorite. The youngest of three, she wanted to do everything her older brother and sister did, and their parents got them all involved in sports at a young age. Growing up in Mitchellville, MD, she attended Woodmore Elementary and Ernest Everett Just Middle School before landing at St. John’s for her high school years. Lindsay grew up wanting to play in the WCAC, because she knew it was the best girls’ basketball conference in the area, and she wanted to learn from the best. She played softball and soccer through middle school, but decided to focus on basketball at St. John’s. She joined a talented girls’ basketball program at St. John’s. She knew her coach, Jonathan Scribner, was relatively new to the school and the conference, but he had a vision for where he wanted the team to be and play. During Lindsay’s freshman year, 2009–10, she came off the bench for the team that made it to the WCAC championship game where they lost to Elizabeth Seton. After that season, watching and learning from her senior leaders and the conference, she gained confidence for her remaining high school years. During her sophomore, junior, and senior years, Lindsay enjoyed team and individual success. In the 2010–11 season, the girls’ basketball team won both the WCAC championship and the DC City title game. It was the first of many for her head coach. She was named to the 2011 WCAC first team and The Washington Post All-Met first team. Lindsay’s junior season was also successful, but the team lost in the WCAC championship game. Once again, she was named to the WCAC and All-Met first teams.

In Lindsay’s final season, she wanted to leave St. John’s a winner. That team lost only one game, winning the WCAC championship, DC City title, and Bishop Walsh Invitational tournament. Lindsay’s individual achievements that year included WCAC Player of the Year, WCAC first team, Washington Post All-Met first team, and All-Met Player of the Year. In her four years at St. John’s, Lindsay’s teams made it to the WCAC championship game every season and never had more than eight losses each season. After graduating from St. John’s, she attended the University of Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship. In her four years at Notre Dame, she went to two Final Fours in the NCAA tournament and won the ACC tournament championship each season. She started every game in her career at Notre Dame and is the all-time leader in assists in both Notre Dame and ACC women’s basketball history. Lindsay graduated from Notre Dame in 2017 with a degree in business management-consulting. After Notre Dame, she decided to play basketball at the professional level. She was drafted by the New York Liberty with the 14th overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft. She has played for multiple teams in the WNBA, including the Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever, and Minnesota Lynx. Spending seven years total playing professionally in both the WNBA and overseas, she has traveled around the world in her basketball career. Lindsay still calls Mitchellville, MD, home and returns there whenever she has a break in her playing schedule. She is not sure how long she will continue to play, but she feels very fortunate to play a sport for a living. She would like to thank all her SJC teammates and offers a very special shout-out to her family—mom, dad, brother, and sister.

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

A ntw o n Ba i ley ’ 0 8

ntwon Bailey is the loving husband of Jimeisha Bailey and the father of Autumn Bailey, Antwon Bailey, Jr., and Tremeisha Johnson. He attended St. John’s from 2005–2008, where he was a peer minister, member of the journalism team, and football player.

Following his acceptance to St. John’s, the Bailey family realized that the financial aid wouldn’t be enough to offset the tuition cost, so they started delivering newspapers to make up the difference. From February through July, he and his family, including his mother, Bernice, his sister, Sontia, and his brother, Greg, would wake up at 3:00 a.m. to begin work. During his time at SJC, Antwon was a two-time captain and three-time MVP for the Cadets. The team was led by Head Coach Joe Patterson ’93 and the staff consisted of lifelong mentors, including Rashod Gillespie, Phil Savoy, and Pat Ward ’93. The team had multiple top 5 appearances and top 10 finishes. Antwon would finish his St. John’s career as DC Gatorade Player of the Year, first team All-Met, first team All-DC, first team All-Mid-Atlantic, Examiner Scholar Athlete of the Year, DCSportsfan Scholar Athlete of the Year, two-time first team All-WCAC, and 2007 Pigskin Club team member.

After Antwon graduated from Syracuse University, he was elected to play in the inaugural NFLPA Bowl. He would score the first ever touchdown in the first year of this all-star game. In April of 2012, he was picked up by the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent. He went through the offseason and preseason with the team and would eventually sign to the practice squad. When his playing time came to an end, Antwon returned to SJC to coach under Joe Patterson. In 2013, he was named the offensive coordinator and that year, SJC would make its first WCAC championship appearance in more than 20 years. He would later have coaching stints at Fairmont Heights in 2016 and 2019 and Sidwell Friends 2017–18. Antwon would return to SJC in 2020 as the offensive coordinator under Head Coach Pat Ward ’93. He helped the Cadets win back-to-back WCAC championships in 2021 and 2022. Antwon would like to congratulate the 2023 St. John’s Athletic Hall of Fame class. He would also like to thank his coaches, family, teammates, and the SJC community.

Antwon accepted an athletic scholarship to Syracuse University, and as a freshman, he was one of eight true freshmen to play in 2008. The highlight of this year would be a 126yard performance against Notre Dame in an upset victory. He holds records at Syracuse for having the most career receiving yards by a running back, most career receptions by a running back, and most receiving touchdowns by a running back. Antwon’s 2,144 career rushing yards ranks 16th of all time in Syracuse’s history. As a junior, Antwon helped lead the Orange to its first bowl game in nine years. As a senior, he was a captain and first team All-Big East running back.

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Ja ck Cra w fo r d ’82

ack Crawford is a member of St. John’s Class of 1982 and played both varsity lacrosse and varsity soccer for the Cadets. He was co-captain of both teams, three years as the lacrosse team captain from 1980 to 1982, and one season, fall 1981, for the soccer team. He was a three-year starting midfielder in lacrosse, capping off his career with 30 goals and 12 assists during his senior season, and a two-year starting midfielder in soccer. Jack’s most significant contribution to SJC athletics is his central role in founding St. John’s lacrosse program. During his sophomore year, with encouragement and guidance from his parents and members of the religious, military, and administrative departments, he recruited fellow students to play lacrosse—resulting in a St. John’s lacrosse team for the spring 1980 season. With an initial squad of 20 players, the lacrosse program grew rapidly in the following two years. Fielding a 27-man roster, the team was granted varsity status for the 1981 season. In 1982, SJC fielded both varsity and junior varsity lacrosse teams, becoming the first Catholic school in the District of Columbia to field a varsity lacrosse team, and one of the first four Catholic schools in the DC area to field a boys’ lacrosse team—the other three being Good Counsel, DeMatha, and Bishop Ireton. Competing in the Washington Area Lacrosse League (one of only two DC area high school lacrosse leagues at that time), the 1982 squad won the inaugural WALL North Division championship, St. John’s first ever lacrosse title, finishing the year with an overall 7–3 record, including signature wins over WCAC rivals DeMatha, Good Counsel, and Bishop Ireton, and a nonleague win over Delaware State champions, Cape Henlopen High School. Recruited for lacrosse by a number of colleges, including Division I powers Navy and the University of Delaware, Jack did a post-grad year at Mercersburg Academy and then went on to play college lacrosse at perennial national power Johns Hopkins. Initially recruited to Hopkins for men’s soccer, he tried out for and made the men’s lacrosse roster as a walk-on for the 1984 team, eventually seeing regular playing time by the end of the season. The 1984 Johns Hopkins squad is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in the university’s and NCAA Men’s Lacrosse history. Led by Hall of Fame Coach Don Zimmerman, the Blue Jays finished the season undefeated at 13–0, defeating Syracuse in the Division I men’s

national championship game. From 1984–88, Jack earned four varsity letters in men’s lacrosse, was a two-year starter at midfield, played in four NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse tournaments and was named co-captain of the 1988 squad, becoming the first DC area native to captain a Johns Hopkins’ lacrosse team. During that time, the Blue Jays won three Division I national championships, with title wins over Syracuse (1984 and 1985) and Cornell (1987). Jack was also the first DC area native to play in a men’s lacrosse Final Four as a starting midfielder in the 1986 semifinal against North Carolina. The 1986 Hopkins-UNC semifinal was the first game ever played in the current Final Four format. During his career, he was teammates with numerous future National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductees, including Del Dressel, Brian Wood, Dave Pietramala, and Quint Kessenich. Following his senior season, he was awarded the prestigious Johns Hopkins Lacrosse Turnball-Reynolds Award and the W. Taylor Cook Award. As a soccer player, Jack earned three varsity letters at Hopkins from 1983 to 1986. He was named co-captain for the 1986 season, during which time he helped lead the Blue Jays to the Middle Atlantic Conference North Division championship and a berth in the NCAA South Region semifinals. After Hopkins, he decided to coach and teach. Starting at Landon School, he helped coach the Bears to 11 straight IAC championships from 1989–99 and establish Landon lacrosse as a recognized national power. After a three year stint as head coach at California’s Thacher School from 2003 to 2015, he was head coach at Baltimore’s Loyola High School, leading the Dons to three Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) “A” Conference titles and was named Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2013. Since 2015, he has been coaching college lacrosse at Stevenson University and Lebanon Valley College, and is currently the men’s lacrosse head coach at Bryn Athyn. He’s coached numerous high school and collegiate Americans, including current and former professional players Michael Kimmel, Matt Ward, Steele Stanwick (2011 Tewaaraton Trophy), Matt Dunn, and Ryan Conrad. This past season, he was named the Colonial States Athletic Association Coach of the Year for men’s lacrosse. Jack appreciates the many years of love and support he’s received from his family and from former coaches and teammates, fellow coaches, and players he’s had the good fortune to work with. He is honored to be included in this year’s celebration, and he congratulates the entire Class of 2023 on their selection to the St. John’s Athletic Hall of Fame. SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Ma r k G i bbs ’ 9 6

ark Gibbs entered St. John’s as a 7th grader in the fall of 1990, continuing a family legacy that began in 1937. This legacy continues today with his nephews Casey ’21, Colin ’24, and son Matthew ’26, all attending the school.

After receiving multiple college scholarship offers from schools including Notre Dame, Arkansas, and West Virginia, Gibbs accepted an offer to play baseball at George Mason University. He was a four-year starter at shortstop for the Patriots and finished in the top 10 in hits, games played, hit by pitches, and fielding chances. After college, he was signed as a free agent by the Baltimore Orioles and spent three years in professional baseball, twice reaching Bowie, the Double A affiliate of the Orioles.

After playing for the Cadet middle school basketball and baseball teams in 7th and 8th grade, Mark moved to the high school ranks. He was a starter for St. John’s varsity baseball team from 1993 to 1996 and was an integral part of the baseball program’s resurgence under his father Ed Gibbs ’67. During his freshman campaign, the team was 13–12 but cemented its status as a program to be reckoned with by beating No. 1 ranked DeMatha. From 1994–1996, the baseball team won the regular season and appeared in the WCAC championship game each year. In each season, the team won more than 24 games and finished in the top 7 of The Washington Post rankings.

Mark has worked at St. John’s as the director of development for 19 years while serving as the head baseball coach since 2007. He lives in Silver Spring with his wife Mindy ’96, son Matthew ’26, and daughter Allie.

During his career, Mark was a three-time first team AllWCAC selection, two-time USA Today Washington DC Player of the Year, and two-time first team Washington Post All-Met selection. Following his senior season, he was named WCAC Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as one of College Sport Magazine’s top 100 players in the country.

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Kevi n J ez ’78

evin Jez is a longtime resident of the Washington area. He grew up in Bethesda, MD, and his family were members of St. Jane Frances de Chantal parish, where he and his three siblings attended grade school. His interest in sports began at St. Jane’s, as each season brought a new sport to play—football, basketball, or baseball. In those early years, he was fortunate to learn from many dedicated and passionate coaches and parents, including Lew Luce at Maplewood and Terry Hourigan at St. Jane’s.

skin Club. When he was named All-Met, Kevin joined his two older brothers, Albert and Paul, who received the same honor for football at defensive back while attending Archbishop Carroll. He also received All-American honors in a number of publications (Popular Sports, Coach & Athlete, Chicago Catholic).

Kevin played football and basketball at St. John’s all four years. It was clear when he first arrived that he would be part of a very talented class. The freshman football team would go undefeated and the junior varsity team that included many of the freshmen would lose only once. In his sophomore year, he made the varsity squad and became a starter after the first few games, starting at both safety for the running back for remainder of his career. He was fortunate to play on several exceptional teams. During his sophomore and junior years, St. John’s won the WMAC championship, finishing No. 1 in the area his junior year. His senior year, the team was No. 1 in the area for most of the year but would eventually fall from that ranking and finish runner-up in the WMAC after losing an epic battle to then archrival Carroll for their only loss of the season.

Kevin attended Boston College, where he played football as a four-year scholarship recipient. He played a number of positions in the defensive backfield and consistently contributed with his play on special teams. At BC, he was joined by eight other WMAC players from Carroll, Good Counsel, and SJC. His recruiting trip at BC also included a workout with Mike Kruczek ’71, BC All-American and then current Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback.

The talent of the teams and individuals was impressive. In football, Kevin is the fourth member of the 1978 class to be named to the Athletic Hall of Fame. He also completes the set of all three running backs from the 1977 team (all 1978 classmates), joining Tyrone Barber (AHOF, 2002) and Steve Scaggs (AHOF, 2021). Kevin is the seventh member of the multitalented 1978 class to enter the Athletic Hall of Fame, joining classmates from the basketball, soccer, and golf teams. Head Coach David “Doonie” Waldron and his outstanding group of assistants were no small factor in team and player success. Kevin received a number of football honors. In his junior and senior years, he was named first team All-Met (Washington Post and Washington Star) as a defensive back. In his senior year, he also added All-Met honors from the Pig-

Kevin also played basketball and was a member of the 1977 WMAC and DC City championship team—the team was inducted into the 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a starter on the 1978 team, which finished runner-up in the WMAC and played in the DC City championship preliminary game. He was coached by St. John’s legend Joe Gallagher ’39, a terrific coach who always managed to get the best out of his players and teams.

His experience at Boston College was truly memorable. Aside from the excellent education, BC’s national football schedule enabled him to see and share the field with many future NFL stars, including John Elway, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Art Monk, and Boston College teammate, Doug Flutie. Post college, Kevin worked at IBM and Lockheed-Martin in a number of finance positions and earned an MBA in finance from New York University. Eventually, he would leave IBM and go to work for AARP in Washington, DC, where he spent the majority of the last 15 years of his career as a director of financial planning. He retired in 2022. Kevin is married to Karen, and they reside in Rockville, MD. Both are longtime residents of the area. They first met at Providence Hospital, DC, born just a few days apart. They are products of the local Catholic schools and thankful to have grown up with a wonderful sense of community— which is still central to their lives today. They are proud aunt and uncle to many nephews and nieces and their extended families. SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

A n d r e Mo n r o e ’10

ndre Otis Monroe, Jr., is the oldest of three children born to Andre and Emilie Monroe. His two younger brothers are Ayron, 14, and Avery, 13.

From the age of six, Andre played youth football through the Marlboro Boys & Girls Club. His football career with Marlboro extended through his middle school years in the unlimited weight class. He was a charter member of the program before moving on to high school.He was instrumental in helping the team make back-to-back appearances to the Beltway League championships. Andre also played baseball and participated in track and field under the Marlboro Boys & Girls Club. He had a notable track and field career with more than eight years of national championship appearances with both the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the USA Track & Field Association (USATF) in the shot put, javelin, and discus events. In 2006, he transitioned from a Montessori school setting to St. John’s. Maintaining the balance between demanding academics and athletics was a major adjustment for him. With daily football practice and a challenging class schedule, he was burning the midnight oil to stay on top of his schoolwork. He understood that without good grades, football meant nothing. He knew this was his training ground for college life as a student-athlete. While at St. John’s, he participated in track & field, but his first love was football. As a freshman, Andre earned a spot on the varsity squad and significant playing time. From his sophomore through senior years, he was a two-way starter on both defense and offense—but his primary position was defensive tackle. At defensive tackle, he racked up many accolades, including 2008 and 2009 first team All-Conference defense and 2007 second team All-Conference. During senior year, he received the Mush Dubosfsky Award, named in honor of the legendary St. John’s line coach. It is given to a player who has made the largest contribution to St. John’s football program during their SJC career. He was also named to The Washington Post All-Met first team defense. Andre finished his senior year with

67 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss, and 7 sacks. These stats earned him showcase opportunities to play in three all-star games: the DC Public v. Private City Bowl, the Maryland Crab Bowl, and the NJ v. East Coast All Stars Bowl. He continued his football career into college, attending the University of Maryland, College Park. During his first year, he earned the Scout Player of the Year Award for his hard work on the scout team. Andre’s dedication and off the field earned him an opportunity to start in four games as defensive tackle and obtain a considerable amount of time as the No. 2 for his position. Despite an injury during the earlier part of the 2011 season, he was able to earn national honors as a second team freshman All-American by Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, Rivals, and CBS Sports. Andre was second in the nation in sacks by all freshmen and he tied former Maryland Terp Shawn Merriman’s record of a freshman to have three sacks in one game. Andre finished the season with 5 sacks, 23 tackles, and 8 tackles-for-loss. Andre continued his collegiate football career at Maryland, where he earned numerous awards for his contributions on and off the field. During the Foster Farms Bowl game, he set Maryland’s “All Time Career Sack Record,” with his 25th career sack—a record that still holds today. He completed his career at Maryland with a total of 71 tackles, 51 assists, 25 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. After graduating from Maryland, Andre went on to play in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. Just weeks after arriving, he moved from the practice team to starting defensive tackle for the remaining eight games of the season. He finished the season with 17 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 tackles-for-loss. Andre has moved on from football but remains connected to athletics through coaching. In 2022, he completed his first coaching season with Riverdale Baptist High School as an assistant defensive line coach. He has found solace in the martial arts, training and coaching in the Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Muay Thai disciplines at Beta Martial Arts Academy in Washington, DC. He earned a blue belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and trains to compete in mixed martial arts.

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

J o h n R i cca CO ACH / ATH LETI C DI RECTO R

ohn Ricca is the devoted husband of Therese Ricca and the proud grandfather of 10 future Cadets. He is also the father of six children who attended SJC: Kevin ’94, Jamie ’96, Kristi ’00, JD ’02, Jacqui ’03, and Keith (8th–9th).

As athletic director, he hired multiple championship coaches and Cadet athletic hall of famers, including Marie Williams, Pat Ward ’93, Ed Gibbs ’67, and Paul DeStefano. One of his most gratifying moments at SJC was the privilege of ushering in the girls’ athletic program, laying down the foundation for the girls to be successful on and off the courts and fields. By building a positive culture for coaches, parents, and support staff, he established the Cadets as an athletic power through the years.

John started at St. John’s in the fall of 1987 as the head football coach, athletic director, and history/physical education teacher. For 15 years, he was an imposing presence on St. John’s sidelines. As the son of former Redskin defensive tackle Jim Ricca, football was always in his blood. John began playing at an early age and excelled in high school as the Timmy Award recipient and the high school Player of the Year in the Metropolitan area.

Coach Ricca was known for his family-first approach, his imposing stature on the sidelines, his aggressive style of play, his loyalty to his players, and his deep bellowing voice. In 1989, “the Season of the Soldier,” he led the underdog Cadets to the WMAC championship game. Playing shorthanded with nine starters going both ways, SJC upended a DeMatha team that included 15 Division I scholarship recipients, for the second time that year, 29–13. He was named Coach of the Year by The Washington Post, the Touchdown Club, the Brookland Club, the Pigskin Club, and the WMAC.

As a senior at Georgetown Prep in 1969, he was chosen as a first team All-Met player by The Washington Post. Following his high school career, he accepted a football scholarship to Duke University, where he was a first team All-ACC defensive end in 1973. John was selected by the New York Jets (NFL) and the Philadelphia Bell (WFL) in the spring of 1974. He had stints with the Jets and the Chicago Bears, and was a World Football League first team selection while playing for the Florida Blazers. Prior to his arrival at St. John’s, Coach Ricca was the CYO director of athletics for the Archdiocese of Washington—following in the footsteps of his grandfather Peter Haley, Sr., who was a cofounder of the organization. As St. John’s athletic director, he won multiple awards for his dedication to the student-athletes at SJC and in the WCAC, including DC Sports Commission’s Athletic Director of the Year for his tireless work in the Washington, DC, basketball city title game.

After leaving St. John’s, Coach Ricca started the football program at St. John’s Prospect Hall in Frederick. He also coached at Catholic University and returned to SJC as assistant coach/JV head coach and was part of another championship in 2017. Since his arrival on campus in 1987, St. John’s has become part of his family. He is extremely thankful he was able to finish his career at St John’s, a place he considers home. John would like to congratulate the 2023 class and is honored to enter the Athletic Hall of Fame alongside such a prestigious group of individuals and teams. He would like to sincerely thank all those responsible for this special night with his St. John’s family.

SJC 2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Way to go, Mark! The St. John’s advancement team would like to congratulate our colleague and friend Mark Gibbs ’96 for his well-deserved induction into the St. John’s Athletic Hall of Fame. —Tom Bagwill, Heather Long, Jean Morin, Tom Veith, Gena Sikorsky, Felicia Zannino-Baker

CONGRATULATIONS MARK GIBBS ’96 ON YOUR INDUCTION INTO THE 2023 ST. JOHN’S ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME WE LOVE YOU, THE GIBBS FAMILY

ED ’67 BONNIE

MINDY ’96 MATTHEW ’26 ALLIE ’28

KEVIN ’92 MICHELLE CASEY ’21 COLIN ’24 EMMA

LAUREN PETE GARRETT CLAIRE

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE 2023 INDUCTEES ON THIS WONDERFUL HONOR

ST. JOHN’S ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME 1973 GENE AUGUSTEFER ’31 JOSEPH M. GALLAGHER ’39 JOHN E. GEORGE ’48 ROBERT LEWIS ’63 ROBERT C. REESE ’52

1996 FRANK CADY ’42 THOMAS J. FANNON ’48 RALPH W. HAWKINS ’53 J. COLLIS JONES ’67 COLEMAN C. O’BRIEN ’65 MARK B. PITCHFORD ’77 DONALD C. ROTH ’61 ANDREW R. (BOB) RUSEVLYAN ’54 RONALD J. STEPTOE ’83 DAVID L. WALDRON, SR. ’49

1998 TIMOTHY F. BRANT ’67 JOSEPH W. CALABRESE ’63 JOSEPH M. CARDACI ’49 FRANCIS H. FANNON III ’52 E. SCOTT GLACKEN ’62 JAMES (BUBBA) HEALY ’55 ROBERT J. JAGERS ’76 MICHAEL F. KRUCZEK ’71 PETER C. SPEROS ’79

2000 DONALD L. CHACOS ’65 ANTHONY J. CULLINANE ’53 FRANK N. DUBOFSKY ’60 RICHARD M. FENNELL ’48 DAVID S. FREITAG ’69 RALPH F. FRYE JR. ’53 THOMAS MARVASO ’71 BRIAN P. SHEEHAN ’57 ROBERT W. SILK ’46 ALBERT THOMPSON ’43

2002 TYRONE W. BARBER ’78 ALBERT C. CAMACHO ’57 JOHN J. DALY ’51 PATRICK J. DOSH ’74 THOMAS J. GLETNER, SR. ’46 JOSEPH A. HANDS ’51 GARY J. KNUTSON ’68 JOSEPH F. MONA ’58 DAVID J. MURPHY III ’65 KEVIN P. SINNETT ’75 ROBERT J. TALBOT ’55

2014

2006 WILLIAM J. BARNES ’78 PAUL M. CIATTI ’59 JAMES J. COMBS ’59 STEPHEN C. CONLEY ’71 KEVIN C. GIBBS ’92 JAMES BRANSON FERRY ’55 C. ALLEN MERRITT ’58 JAY O. WILLIAMS ’90

2008 ALWARD V. “AL” BURCH ’54 MAURICE “MUSH” DUBOFSKY BROTHER EDWARD GALLAGHER, FSC EDWARD C. GIBBS ’67 JOHN C. HOLLORAN ’73 JOHN ROBERT “BOB” MCLINDON ’50 EDWARD F. “NED” SPARKS, JR. ’65 PATRICK R. WARD ’93 1953 FOOTBALL TEAM

1964 FOOTBALL TEAM 1989 FOOTBALL TEAM JONATHAN L. DESLER ’90 MICHELLE M. DEVILLE ’94 PETER R. HALEY ’76 ROBERT D. JONES ’71 DAVID G. OBAL ’73 KEVIN O. RICCA ’94 MARIE WILLIAMS

2016 1951 FOOTBALL TEAM 1957 FOOTBALL TEAM MARISSA COLEMAN ’05 CHRIS DILL ’64 DARRYL GILLIAM ’93 MARK HARTLEY ’73 MIKE LESSEL ’77 RON PANNETON ’63 ALVIN PERKINS ’75 COL. RICHARD PFEIFFER J.D. RICCA ’02 STEPHEN ZUBROD ’72

2018 2010 F. BRUCE BACH ’59 MICHAEL D. BRANT ’65 PAUL J. CASTRO ’86 CLAY FITZGERALD ’78 GRAYSON B. MARSHALL, JR. ’84 RAYMOND A. O’BRIEN, JR. ’69 JEFFREY M. PALUMBO ’00 MICHAEL J. RITTER ’67 1977 BASKETBALL TEAM

2012 NICHOLAS CELENZA ’78 JOHN A. FOOTE ’71 JOSEPH M. GALLAGHER, JR. ’74 CHRISTOPHER A. HARRISON ’90 JOHN J. KING III ’66 JOHN C. PIAZZA ’58 JAMIE RICCA READY ’96 RODNEY R. RICE ’83 MICHAEL D. TOOMEY ’69 1953 GOLF TEAM

CONRAD BOLSTON ’03 JIM BURNS ’81 SHAWNTESE CHARLES ’99 KRISTEN DOZIER ’06 THOMAS GRAHAM ’78 JOHN HALEY ’57 LJ HOES ’08 BRIAN KELLER ’64 FLOYD MCCRORY ’73 CHRIS WRIGHT ’07 BRO. ANDREW SCHAEFER, FSC ATHLETIC DIRECTOR THE 1959 BASEBALL TEAM THE 1968 FOOTBALL TEAM THE 2000 BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM

2021 MICHAEL WILLIAMS-BROWN ’92 DAWN CHRISS ’02 JUSTIN ELLIS ’77 ERIK HARRIS ’87 RICK KERN ’74 TIFFANY MCCARTY ’08 STEVE SCAGGS ’78 ANDY ZAMORA ’88 1998 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM 1999 BASEBALL TEAM