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Success built on respect
By SCOTT PURKS
Published June 26, 2005
TAMPA - They don't have any girls, and they didn't need them.
Yes, the Jesuit Tigers did it again: They won the Times' All-Sports Award despite being an all-boys school, beating out more than 75 schools in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties that compiled points in both boys and girls sports.
The Tigers, who also won the award in 1998 and 1999, took the 2005 title with 660 points, 67.5 more than second-place Wharton.
In the end it wasn't that the Tigers racked up points by winning state titles in several sports - the only state crown came in cross country - but they played well in every sport, as they seem to do every year.
So, what's the secret?
"I think it goes back to the overall attitude of the school," said graduated third baseman Matt Stefany, who hit .421 this past season. "There is a saying that they drill into you: "Men for others.' It's not something that comes from athletics, but that attitude is in every sport. We respect each other and our opponents, and we're all expected to be leaders when we leave here.
"It's a philosophy that works."
Stefany, who may try to walk on the baseball team at Wake Forest next spring, said his only regret was not winning a state baseball title.
The baseball team went 25-4 before struggling in the Class 3A state semifinal, losing 6-3 to Orlando Bishop Moore. Stefany said the loss hurt a little more because Jesuit also lost in the state semifinal the previous two years.
"But," he said, "I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.
"I loved every second of playing for Jesuit. I think a lot of guys can say the same no matter what sport they played."
Runner Andrew Boza, whose father is cross country coach Mike Boza, said two of his best memories are winning the 2003 state track title and following that with the 2004 state title in cross country.
"We worked hard," said Boza, who will run for West Point in the fall, "but it was fun."
Junior running back Anthony Allen can't wait for next season after gaining 1,491 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns as the Tigers went 9-2 before losing 25-18 to Jefferson in a region semifinal.
"I've been here two years and I love it," Allen said. "They expect you to be a leader on the field and in the classroom. They expect a lot of everybody and that helps in the overall success."
Stefany added: "The thing is, everybody supports everybody here, even the guys who don't play sports help support their teams. The crowds are always big and loud and everybody is positive.
"It's just a great place to be."
SCHOOL PROFILE: JESUIT
OPENED: 1899.
ENROLLMENT (9th-12th): 675.
MASCOT: Tigers.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Chris Cano.
TEAM STATE TITLES: Football - 1968. Basketball - 1950, 1984. Soccer - 1987, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001. Baseball - 1994, 1997, 2000; Cross country - 1998, 2000, 2004. Track - 2003.
FAMOUS ALUMNI: Brad Radke (graduated 1991, Twins); Jay Feely (1993, Giants); Dave Magadan (1980, seven major-league teams); Lou Piniella (1962, four major-league teams, current Devil Rays manager).
NOTABLE: Established in downtown Tampa, Jesuit is part of the worldwide association of Jesuit education begun by St. Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Society of Jesus in 1540. In 1956, the original Tampa campus moved to its current location on Himes Avenue. ... St. Petersburg Times' Outstanding Athletic Program 1997-98, 1998-99. Florida High School Activities Association Boys Outstanding Athletic Program of the Year 1997-98, 1998-99, 2000-01. ... Baseball coach John Crumbley is a leader among Hillsborough County coaches with a 545-147 career record. ... Former football coach Dominic Ciao had Hillsborough County's top winning percentage during the 1990s and finished his 17-year career 132-60. PAST CHAMPS
1989: Lakewood
1990: Brandon
1991: Plant
1992: Ridgewood/Berkeley Prep
1993: Bloomingdale
1994: Bloomingdale
1995: Bloomingdale
1996: Lecanto
1997: Clearwater Central Catholic
1998: Jesuit
1999: Jesuit
2000: Berkeley Prep
2001: Seminole
2002: Plant
2003: Seminole
2004: Seminole
[Last modified June 26, 2005, 00:34:18]
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