Jesuit Blue Jays
Photo by Army National Guard
New Orleans is no stranger to overcoming difficulty, as is true for all the people living in the area when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. When MaxPreps and the Louisiana Army National Guard visited
Jesuit High School for the MaxPreps Soccer Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, Jesuit's athletic director Dave Moreau showed us an aerial photo taken of the school post-Katrina.
Jesuit High School was an island of its own with the courtyard, where our presentation took place on Monday, April 8, nonexistent. However, because of the strength and conviction of the community, Jesuit as well as New Orleans has been able to rebuild after the natural disaster.
Since then, the Jesuit boys soccer team has shown its perseverance as well by winning four state titles in the past five years. Even though the team hit some stumbling blocks midseason with several ties and losses, the team battled through and beat St. Paul's in double-overtime to take the LHSAA Division I state title. Because of their hard work, the Blue Jays were ranked No. 21 in the nation out of more than 14,000 boys soccer teams according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings.
During a school assembly Monday morning, head coach Hubie Collins, who was named the Times-Picayune Coach of the Year, and his team were honored in front of proud peers, faculty and family. Staff Sergeant Kenneth Carigee of the Louisiana Army National Guard presented coach Collins and the Blue Jays with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy.
"It is a huge honor to be recognized by MaxPreps and the Army National Guard. I am deeply flattered to be honored by such a prestigious group," said coach Collins.
With the players, coach, faculty, and parents admiring the prestigious Minuteman trophy, the community expressed its gratitude for the honor and recognition. For a team that has continually shown dedication and commitment on and off the pitch, the Minuteman trophy was well deserved; and the Army National Guard was proud to be back in New Orleans, having served the community after Katrina, to award this championship team.
Congratulations Jesuit High School! Here's hoping we see you next year on the Tour!
