Alumni Basketball Game

It’s a tradition. Every Thanksgiving weekend, SJND’s alumni basketball players come back to where it all started for them.

Many of the alums went on from SJND to become Div. I college basketball players, and so the alumni games at SJND are usually quite a show, filled with fast-paced plays and slamming dunks. The games are not your typical alumni games. In other words, the alums usually win. The last time the men’s varsity team won was in 2003. They went on that season to win the state championship.

This year, more than 40 alumni came back to campus on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, to play some hoop and regain some glory. The gym was packed with alumni, parents, teachers and students who came to watch the popular alumni games.

In the first game, the junior varsity boys’ team squared off against the Alumni Legends. The JV was soundly defeated, 74-32, by the alumni, who were clearly happy to be back in the Kelly Gymnasium.

Next, the women’s varsity team played the women alumni and beat them, 62-26. That left the overall score even, with both the students and the alumni each winning one game. The women alumni who played included: Michelle Mino ‘97, Shelley Roxas ’04, Olivia Overtone ’09, Olivia Steen ’09, Yuki Jitosho ’06, Leilani Wagner ’02, Jezeca Melgar ’09, and Princess Tacorda ’04.

The final game featured the young alumni against the men’s varsity. Skilled players like Allen Hester ’05, Lorenzo Hutton ’03, Cameron Quick ‘03, Brandon Quick ’01, Martin Bond ’91, D’Angelo Hutton ’09, Rashawn Fulcher ’97, Damion McMiller ’88, Eugene Felise ’80, Bobby Giron ’78, Jon Gordon ’96, Victor Harris ’95, D.J. Oster ’93, Anthony Harris ’02, and Jon Musson ‘99, the SJND JV coach, played for the alumni.

The game came down to the final minutes, with the men’s varsity, a contender for the Div. V state championship in March, hitting their shots and playing aggressive defense. The final score was close, with the alumni squeaking out the win, 53-48.

Alumni Homecoming Celebration

After the games, some 400 alumni, parents, students, teachers – and most of the alumni basketball players -- crossed Chestnut Street to enjoy the annual Alumni Homecoming celebration in the quad. The heart of the SJND campus was lighted with Christmas lights and there was a blazing fire pit and music to welcome everyone back to SJND.

Groups of alumni gathered to share a beer and catch up on their memories. Parents of SJND’s basketball players cooked food and handed out hot dogs and chips to the crowd. Tony Aiello, now retired as principal of SJND, along with Principal Simon Chiu, both attended Homecoming.
Which classes were best represented? Based on an unofficial tally at the bar, the winner appears, for the second year in a row, to be the Class of 2002.
“It’s a great night,” said David Sheehan ’02. “Great to come back and see everyone.”

Fourth Annual Basilica Society Gala

Jacari Whitfield '11 spoke from the heart when he addressed the guests at the SJND Basilica Society Gala on Oct. 17. He saw the elegant gathering as an opportunity. An opportunity to thank some people in his life.

"Will Rogers once said that we can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by," Jacari said. "And that's what you guys do, encourage kids that someone does care about them. And all I can say is thanks for the encouragement, the chance. My opportunity."

The high school junior's emotional comments were met with a standing ovation from the crowd at the Claremont Country Club. He was joined at the podium by Ariana Braga '10, who also spoke poignantly about her experience as a scholar athlete at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.

"There are so many things at this school that have helped define me as a person," said Ariana. "The friends I've made. The interactions I have with teachers and students as a student leader. And the countless hours I spend doing homework."

Nearly 100 benefactors of SJND - alumni, parents, friends -- gathered at the gala, which was hosted by Jim and Rosaleen '51 Kelly and their family. The event, in its fourth year, serves to thank donors who give $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund.

The theme this year was "Celebrating SJND's Scholar Athletes." Jacari is a member of the men's varsity basketball team, which went to the state basketball championships in March, and Ariana is an accomplished ballet dancer, as well as a member of the womens' varsity soccer team.

Harin Yoon '12, on violin, and Carmela Valderrama '12, on piano, played a lovely selection of classical music during the cocktail reception. During dinner, SJND's jazz musicians played while guests dined. The musicans, Joseph Eusebio '10, Christopher McClintock '10, Francis de Dios '10, Benjamin Palacios '10 and Christine Ramirez '10, were accompanied by their instructor, Paula Cekola.

Island Crab Feed and Auction
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010
5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Kelly Gymnasium, SJND

Don’t miss this fabulous night of fun, food, and fundraising. All proceeds support SJND athletics and the Booster Club. Make sure you buy your tickets early; this event sells out.

Alumni Career Day
Friday, March 26, 2010
SJND campus

This is an opportunity for alums to come back to campus and speak to the current Junior class about careers. Interested in participating? Call Alumni Relations at 510-995-9457.

Alumni Baseball Game
April 2010

Bring your friends and watch the SJND Pilots play the SJND Alums. If you’re interested in playing or volunteering, please contact Athletic Director Dan Curry at 510-995-9457.

10th Annual Frank LaPorte Golf Classic
April 26, 2010
Location: Stonebrae Golf Course, Hayward, Ca

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Check out our Sponsorship Page.

We’re thrilled to announce that SJND’s 10th Annual Frank LaPorte Golf Classic is going to be at Stonebrae, the newest premier golf course in the Bay Area. Stonebrae, in the lovely Hayward Hills, is home to the PGA Nationwide Tour Stonebrae Classic.

This is an exciting opportunity for SJND’s golfers and friends to play on a PGA-ready course, because our Golf Classic will be April 26, 2010, just a week after the Stonebrae Classic. The course will be in mint condition, and our golfers will be able to enjoy the feeling of playing at the PGA level.

Travel and Leisure Golf magazine named Stonebrae “One of the Best New Golf Courses,” and its par-72, 7,200 yard layout was designed by world-renowned Scottish golf course architect David McLay Kidd. The course features breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay.

In addition, all registered SJND golfers will receive four free tickets to the Stonebrae Classic, April 12-18, 2010. Visit the course and watch the pros play, just a week before you get the chance to play at Stonebrae!

SJND golfers also get the opportunity to play Stonebrae again, at a later date, for a $40 special rate. Bring a friend, and it’s only $95 for an additional golfer.

The Golf Classic benefits tuition assistance at SJND. It is named for the legendary late basketball coach, Frank LaPorte, who was also a much-loved teacher at our school.For more information, call 510-995-9457.

Class of 1960 Golden Anniversary
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Saint Joseph Basilica, SJND Campus

The Class of 1960 from Notre Dame Academy and Saint Joseph High School will be honored at this 50-year reunion celebration and Golden Anniversary Mass. Formal invitations will be sent to members of the class.

Class Reunions
See Reunion News section for dates

We encourage all of you to participate in the planning of your class reunion. Whether you’re celebrating your five-year reunion or Golden Anniversary, it will be an enjoyable and memorable occasion for all. How do you want to remember your time here at SJND?