As the Jesuit wrestling team prepares for the 2019-2020 season, they certainly know they are backed by the Blue Jays who went before them and built one of the state’s most successful programs. That was one of the many products of the Wrestling Alumni Reunion held in the Gayle & Tom Benson Arena on Thursday, Oct. 24.

View the Photo Gallery from the 2019 Wrestling Reunion

The late Ed Stacy ’49 was certainly smiling from above as 100-plus alumni, from 1951 to 2019, gathered to connect with today’s wrestling program. Stacy was known as the “grandfather of Jesuit wrestling,” a title that head wrestling coach Sheridan Moran still uses today. As the program’s first state champion and a longtime supporter, Stacy took it upon himself to build the wrestling alumni base that now has 1,200 constituents.

At the reunion alumni and their families mingled with another group of wrestling supporters, the parents of today’s Jays. Thanks to the good work of the Wrestling Reunion committee – Coach Moran; athletic director Dave Moreau; alumni director Mike Prados ’83; alumni coordinator Jack Culotta, Jr. ’13; maintenance/events coordinator D.J. Galiano ’07; wrestling alumni representative Kevin White ’07; and parent reps Colleen Charles and Amy Larriviere – all enjoyed an evening dedicated to Jesuit wrestling.

Guests enjoyed watching the team’s senior-led practice while viewing a slide show capturing wrestling program moments from 1951 to the present. A highlight of the event, alumni huddled with the team to hear Coach Moran’s post-practice talk. He recognized the 10th anniversary of the 2009 state title team and former head coaches in attendance, Sam Harnsongkram and Carlos Bertot ’86. The huddle closed with an end-of-practice prayer and a group photo.

The reunion ended with a program led by Coach Moran, Dave Moreau, and Mike Prados ’83. Alumni chaplain Fr. Paul Shaughnessy, S.J., led the closing prayer.