Blue and White Friday Night Goes to John Ryan

Boys in grades 4-8 rotate to and from various stations on Alumni Field at John Ryan Stadium. The baseball station took place at the infield and backstop area, soccer at the left field corner, rugby and cross country at left-center field, lacrosse at center field, football and frisbee at right field, and board games inside Wally Pontiff Jr. Pavillion. This is the first time Blue & White Friday Night was hosted at John Ryan.
The 10th annual Blue & White Friday Night attracted over 300 boys to visit John Ryan Stadium and see a slice of Blue Jay life. The event at Jesuit’s premier multi-sport athletic facility took place on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017.
View the Photo Gallery for Blue and White Friday Night
The prospective students came alone, in pairs, small clusters of classmates, and large groups from several schools. These students in grades 4-8 at schools across the metro area were thoroughly entertained — and fed — during a two-hour visit in which they mingled with current Blue Jays and were treated to an excellent sampling of the various athletic teams at Jesuit. The young guests were dropped off by their parents and welcomed by Blue Jay ambassadors.

While students enjoy dinner in the crowd with their newest friends, admissions director Mr. Bret Hanemann ’85 reminds them to grab a t-shirt and poster before they wait for their rides.
The students started the night receiving a glimpse of, and taking part in, some Blue Jay Spirit with a performance by the Jesuit cheerleaders. Then, Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., introduced himself as Jesuit’s president, welcomed the guys to John Ryan, and wished them a fun-filled night. The youngsters then rotated to and from various stations on Alumni Field at John Ryan Stadium. The baseball station took place at the infield and backstop area, soccer at the left field corner, rugby and cross country at left-center field, lacrosse at center field, football and frisbee at right field, and board games inside Wally Pontiff Jr. Pavillion.
Along the way they also learned a thing or two about the benefits of being involved in co-curricular activities and athletic teams. At the end of the rotations, the boys filed through the food/drink line inside Wally Pontiff Jr. Pavillion for burgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks and cookies. They returned to the grandstand behind home plate to enjoy dinner with their newest friends. Every attendee was given a “Blue & White Friday Night” t-shirt and a Jesuit Open House poster while they waited for their parents to pick them up.
Explore Jesuit at Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. Tours begin at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 in the auditorium.
In the meantime, families interested in attending a Morning Tour must schedule their visit in advance. The tours begin at 7:30 a.m. and last until 9 or 9:30 a.m. Morning Tours are intended for small groups only, so registration is limited. To arrange a morning tour, contact the admissions office at (504) 483-3937 or admissions@jesuitnola.org.
Learn about other Admissions Events.
Galleries
Blue & White Friday Night, John Ryan Stadium, Oct. 20, 2017
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Who's ready for some rugby?
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Boys in grades 4-8 rotated to and from various stations on Alumni Field at John Ryan Stadium. The baseball station took place at the infield and back-stop areas, soccer at the left field corner, rugby and cross country at left-center field, lacrosse at center field, football and frisbee at right field, and board games inside the food/drink shelter.
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Pictured, from left to right (top row): Max McMahon, Gentry Major, Grant Jordan, and Austin Robert. Bottom row: Aaron Alonzo and Paxton Dinwiddie.
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The JV football players stayed late as well to enjoy a couple games of chess. Board games and chess tables were set up throughout the night for those students who preferred.
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Student council members William Bostick, Leo John Arnett, John Howell, Caleb Rogers, and Eddie Redmann stick around afterwards to clean up and enjoy some leftover goodies.
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Every boy in attendance left the stadium with an official Blue and White Friday Night t-shirt and a Jesuit Open House poster.
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Attendees part ways with their newest pals and wait for their rides outside the stadium.
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While students enjoy dinner in the crowd with their newest friends, Mr. Hanemann reminds them to grab a t-shirt and poster before heading to the parking lot.
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Students make their way over to the lacrosse station to be greeted by coaches and players.
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Everyone gets involved during the soccer station at the left field corner of John Ryan.
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What's a Jesuit admissions event without members of the student council and volunteer student leaders?
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While there were some very fast participants in the baseball 30-yard dash time, nobody came close to senior Sean Seghers' time — 3.86.
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Head baseball coach Joey Latino, who is also Jesuit's assistant athletic director, directs this group to their next station.
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...like this over-the-shoulder, through-the-legs pass that made it to the receiver in one bounce!
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Lacrosse players perform some trick passes...
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Sophomore Joe Lombardi throws some passes to prospective students and shows them how Blue Jay wide receivers warm up before each game.
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Prospective students enjoyed watching and participating in the baseball station, where head coach Joey Latino clocked each runner's 30-yard dash time from home plate to first base.
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Before students were invited onto Alumni Field for all of the different activities, they were welcomed and entertained by Jesuit's cheerleading team.
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Jesuit's president Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., introduces himself to prospective Jays and wishes them a fun-filled night before passing the microphone back to admissions director, Mr. Bret Hanemann '85.