Johnny Giavotella ’05 spoke to Blue Jays at morning assembly.

Major Leaguer Johnny Giavotella ’05 inspired today’s Blue Jays at Friday’s morning assembly. “Respect your classmates, work hard, and have a positive attitude, even through adversity,” Giavotella told the assembled students. “That formula has worked for me. I’m 5’8″, 180 lbs and have no business playing Major League baseball. But I’ve worked very hard to get where I am.” Where Giavotella is, is with the Los Angeles Angels, vying for a roster spot as a second baseman. Drafted out of UNO by Kansas City, he played for the Royals the past three years. Giavotella reports to spring training on Feb. 19.

From time to time, distinguished alumni return to speak to Blue Jays at Morning Assembly as part of the Alumni Speaker Series. Current Blue Jays are inspired as they hear how alumni are applying the knowledge and character traits they obtained from their Jesuit education. As alumni speakers share stories about their lives and the paths that led them back to their alma mater, it serves a valuable role in inspiring this generation of Blue Jays.