Spring 2024 Union Magazine

De La Salle

FROM PRESIDENT

Dear De La Salle Community:

In his book No Man is an Island, Thomas Merton, OSCO, the 20th-century monk, wrote, “Each person we encounter is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and remind us of our shared humanity…We are meant to collaborate, to support one another, and to celebrate each other’s successes.” While he was a Trappist, he sounds pretty Lasallian to me, and his quote is fitting as we share how Spartans support one another.

This edition of the UnionMagazine captures that sentiment well. Our world, and even locally, has so much need. We genuinely mean it when we proclaim on banners, t-shirts, or in letters that we form Men of Faith, Integrity, and Scholarship. We expect our Spartans to live these principles and the Lasallian ethos to “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.” Whether it is alumni who join our seniors for our Networking Lunch or our Alumnus of the Year, Dalton Brown ‘94, who has been actively involved with our school for more than a decade, our Spartans understand we have a claim to support one another. Why else would over 100 National Honor Society members tutor their fellow Spartans, giving more than 1,500 hours each school year? Or what about alumni who come back to coach or teach, or how Jason Price ‘06 is helping college athletes transition into life post-college? These are just a few of the examples of how Spartans give and receive support highlighted in this issue.

You will also read about the incredible impact and importance of our Kairos program. To have 150 Karios retreats since 2000 is a feat in itself. Even more is that Spartans on Kairos 1 through Kairos 149 (much love to my small group!) have received a connecting experience that helps them consider how their relationship with God, self, and others propel them to leave with a transformed heart and choose different actions. St. John Baptist de La Salle reminds us all that,“You can do more with the grace of God than you think.” (“Reflections: The Use of Time” in Collection of Various Short Treatises) When I think of Spartans, I always think about how they respond to the community and the needs around them.

Thank you for being a part of our community. As you read this edition of the UnionMagazine, consider how you can continue to support your Spartan family. And If you haven’t been back in a while, what’s stopping you? Come visit us at Winton Drive, where we welcome you with open arms and hearts full when you do.

I send you and yours my best as we deepen our Lenten journey turning closer to God and preparing for the great Easter season. As always, Go Spartans!

Warmly yours,

David J. Holquin President

The School Seal

The school seal is an important part of the identity of De La Salle High School. The symbols used to make up the seal have particular meanings that reflect the values and purpose of the school. In the center of the seal is the Chi Rho (Kye Row). This is the Greek abbreviation of the title “Christ.” The first two letters of the word Christos or “Christ” are “Chi” and “Rho,” represented in the Greek alphabet as a capital “X” and “P.” The fleur-de-lis, with “lis” meaning lily in French, reminds us of our French origins with Saint John Baptist de La Salle. The lamp is a symbol of knowledge, reminding us of our primary purpose as a school — education. The section of broken chain represents freedom — freedom from ignorance. The chain surrounding the seal signifies strength and unity. “Les Hommes de Foi” is French for “Men of Faith.”

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Steve Abreu ’83, Board Chair

David Depolo, AP ’12, ‘13

Blas Guerrero, AP ’21

Joan MacDonald

Debbie Meeks, AP ’20, ’22, Vice Chair

Br. Michael Meister, FSC

Margie Morris, AP ’14

Matt Noonan, AP ’01, ’09, ‘10

Marilyn Paquette

Kristen Thall Peters, AP ’10, ’12

Greg Varni ’01

Chase Wheeler ’09

PRESIDENT’S CABINET

David J. Holquin

President

Dr. Heather Alumbaugh

Vice President forAcademic Life

Mark Chiarucci

Vice President forAdvancement

Chris Garavaglia

Vice President for Finance

Leo Lopoz ’94

Vice President forAthletics

Spencer Shively

Vice President for Mission and Student Life

Home Again

De La Salle has long had alumni return to their alma mater to teach, like Father LaSalle Hallissey, who was part of the school’s first graduating class in 1969. Currently, the school employs 17 teachers, seven staff, one chaplain, and two counselors – all of whom were once De La Salle students themselves. Of these, over half have been with the school for more than 15 years. Mathematics instructor Scott Hirsch ‘82 is De La Salle’s longest-serving alumni. He has amassed a whopping 34 years of teaching at Winton Drive.

This school year, De La Salle had its alumni faculty and staff ranks further boosted by four exciting new arrivals: Garth Adlao ‘93 (Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program Coordinator), Marcus Chin ‘07 (Mathematics teacher), Moises De Leon ‘11 (Religious Studies teacher), and Joey Lewis ‘15 (HPER teacher). With Semester 1 well and truly in the rearview mirror, we thought now was a good time to get to know them a little better and find out why they chose to return home to De La Salle.

What were you doing before you accepted your current position at De La Salle?

Garth: I worked for 20+ years in Technology Sales, focusing on earlystage startups.

Marcus: I taught in a middle school setting for 12 years before transitioning out of education to work at UCSF Mission Bay for one year.

Moises: I was working in the Diocese of Sacramento as the Associate Director of the Marriage and Family Life and Respect Life ministries.

Joey: I was finishing a Master of Arts in Educational/Instructional Technology at California State University, Sacramento.

Why did you choose to return?

Garth: I have always wanted to return to De La Salle after I had achieved my professional goals. I stayed connected with the school by coaching football for 15 seasons. However, the full-time role of Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program Coordinator helped me realize what had always been in the back of my mind.

Marcus: De La Salle was a special time in my life. Some of my best friends today are my high school buddies. I feel a lot of the development in my life happened while I was at De La Salle, and I wanted to provide the same type of experiences for current students.

Moises: I have always wanted to teach at De La Salle so that I could pass on the experience that faculty gave me as a student.

Joey: I chose to return to the school that helped build many of my values. I felt it was important to give back.

What has it been like to be back?

Garth: It feels like I have come home. I have felt truly welcomed and it is a little surreal to now have so many of my high school teachers/ coaches as colleagues. It has been a complete joy.

Marcus: It has been very nostalgic for me. I always picture myself in the student’s shoes, and it makes me laugh. Everyone has been very welcoming. The sense of community is awesome.

Moises: It has been a trip down memory lane because most of the faculty is still here. It feels wonderful to consider my teachers as colleagues now.

Garth Adlao ‘93

Marcus Chin ‘07

Joey: Returning to De La Salle has allowed me to see education through a new lens. I see how unique this school is in helping students succeed in all aspects of life.

What has been your favorite moment of the 2023-24 school year so far?

Garth: There have been so many little moments that I have had with the students that reinforce my choice to return to De La Salle. Typically, they are connections where a student needs to know that someone believes in them or when they need help translating their goals into a plan.

Marcus: I’ve really enjoyed getting back into coaching water polo. Outside of athletics, the day-to-day learning I see in my students brings me much joy.

Moises: My favorite moment has been getting to know the students and seeing how each student comes from a different walk of life, which provides a great point of view in the classroom.

Joey: My favorite moment of the 2023-24 school year has been seeing my students implement some of what we do into their daily lives.

What are you hoping to accomplish in your first year?

Garth: I want to refine processes within the Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program so that they are repeatable and measurable. But most importantly, I want to establish a connection with the students that is based on trust, respect, and hard work.

Marcus: I hope to create a stable foundation for the pedagogy of my content as well as continue to better myself in my teaching styles and habits so that I can reach students and improve their learning experiences.

What was your younger self like when you attended De La Salle?

Garth: I was a lot like the students today. I needed strong leaders and mentors to help guide me toward becoming a Lasallian man who could be counted on when he left the school.

Moises: I hope to make an impactful contribution to their lives, either through faith (Sacred Studies or how to be good citizens in the world by taking the moral road) or just by providing my experiences about life. Joey: I am hoping to learn and grow more as a professional.

Marcus: It was the same for me. I was just like the students at De La Salle now. I was studious, but I could also be loud in class. I matured through my high school years, and I can see the same maturity developing today through my teaching of freshmen and seniors.

Moises: I was also like some of the students I now teach. I was quiet at times, but could also be energetic in class. I was eager to embody the mission of De La Salle, and I would jump at any opportunity that called for a volunteer.

Joey: When I was younger, I was essentially the same person I am now. I built relationships with my peers and teachers.

What is the one piece of advice you give your students based on your own experience as a Spartan?

Garth: I often say that who you are in your mind is not who you are in the world. Always remember that you are measured by your actions and not by your good intentions.

Marcus: My advice is to take the time to learn life skills like time management and organization now while things are a bit more forgiving. These types of skills will help in college and beyond. I also tell them to have fun. You only get to be in high school once, so you should make the most of it!

Moises: One piece of advice is to take advantage of all the opportunities available at De La Salle – things like clubs, sports, classes, and events. As you get older, it becomes harder to do as many things.

Joey: I tell students to work hard and be consistent!

Moises De Leon ‘11

Joey Lewis ‘15

Reaches 150

As corporate America prepared for the possible fallout of a Y2K computer programming error, De La Salle’s then Campus Ministry representatives, Mary and Roger Hassett and Robert Jordan ‘88, were busy putting the final touches on the school’s first official Kairos retreat.

Taken from the ancient Greek word meaning “the right or critical moment,” De La Salle’s Kairos program was deliberately designed to invite seniors to enter into “God’s Time” by exploring their relationship with God, others, and themselves before graduating. Open to all seniors who want to attend, Kairos is widely considered to be a rite of passage for Spartans – a transformative experience that remains firmly implanted in memory long after they’ve left Winton Drive.

While the essence of Kairos has remained the same since its first debut on January 25, 2000, the program has been skillfully finessed over the years. Now, under the leadership of Andrew Berkes, who took on the role of Campus Minister for Faith and Retreats at De La Salle in 2022, it has begun a new chapter that includes a location change to Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Palo Alto.

Yet, to understand Kairos, you must go back to the beginning. Retreats have long been a part of De La Salle. They are considered an essential way to help students become reflective and thoughtful believers and a tool that can help provide clarity and perspective about what is important in life. By the late 90s, however, it was thought that the level of participation in De La Salle’s then Senior Retreat could be improved. So, drawing on her husband’s prior experience directing a Kairos

Continuedonpage5

retreat program at Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois, Mary Hassett set about building a robust Kairos program from the ground up, with the support of faculty and staff helpers.

Over the past two decades, De La Salle’s Kairos retreat has had more than 5,200 students participate. It has also evolved from a 4-day, 3-night experience that ran Tuesday through Friday three times a year to a 3-day, 2-night experience that now runs at least six times a year and includes a weekend option for students not wanting to miss too many days of school.

However, there is one thing that has remained constant, and that is the integral role that student leaders play in the retreat. It is the student leaders who, after experiencing Kairos for themselves, have always ‘gifted’ the retreat to their brothers. They are the ones who stand up and deliver thought-provoking talks to a roomful of peers. They are the ones who lead group discussions and activities. And most importantly, they are the ones who encourage a remarkable level of openness by actively demonstrating their own candor and vulnerability.

As Roger Hassett says, “The young men who desire to lead have been so moved by their own Kairos experience that they feel called to give it to their brothers. Through peer-to-peer interactions in a trusting, safe environment, De La Salle seniors can remove the masks they wear and begin becoming their truest, best, most loveable selves. They come to realize that vulnerability is a strength and not a weakness. It is an experience that can only be felt, and words will never do it justice.”

For each Kairos retreat, there are always five or six student leaders. These students are hand-picked by the student and adult leaders who ran their retreat and extended an invitation to apply and interview for the role of student leader at a future Kairos. Then, in the lead-up to their designated retreat, these students work with their assigned adult director to better understand their role, form talking points, and learn how to facilitate discussions.

“Kairos was one of the best experiences of my life,” says Nicholas Oncena, class of 2024. “I was able to open up to my peers (which I don’t think I’ve ever done in that depth), strengthen my connection with God, my brothers, and myself, and feel a sense of peace I haven’t felt in a while. Being a student leader has allowed me to connect more deeply with other brothers in my grade and share my story and perspective on life. My purpose in life from a young age has been to help people, and I believe as a leader on Kairos, I can positively impact the participants’ lives.”

Andrew Berkes echoes this sentiment. “Kairos is an enriching experience for leaders and participants alike,” he explains.“ I cannot tell you how often I have heard our students say how they left with classmates, but returned with brothers. Or how they have a new appreciation for their parent’s love and support or feel a deeper connection to God.”

Regardless of the nuance of individual student feedback, one overarching theme connects and binds the last 150 Kairos retreats together. De La Salle students continue to return to Winton Drive with a desire to make the most of their remaining days at school and are excited for the years ahead. The school hopes this will remain true when De La Salle conducts its 200th retreat.

Dalton Brown ‘94

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

This year’s De La Salle Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Dalton Brown ‘94, is well-known by both the De La Salle Alumni Association and the broader De La Salle community. It is, therefore, no surprise that he received multiple nominations from his peers to be considered as a candidate for De La Salle’s annual alumni award.

If you don’t know Dalton from his work as an athletic department liaison (and now assistant varsity coach) with the school’s football program or the two terms he spent on De La Salle’s Alumni Board, you may recognize him from one of the many school events he attends throughout the year. You may also have come across him as the father of sophomore Sam Brown or Dominic Brown ‘23, a student-athlete who matriculated at UC Santa Barbara last year and plays water polo for the Gauchos.

Dalton has been a strong supporter of De La Salle’s mission to educate young men of faith, integrity, and scholarship ever since he walked the corridors of Winton Drive three decades ago. For him and his wife, Emily, it was only natural that their sons follow their dad into a Lasallian education. Indeed, because Dalton was always involved with something at De La Salle, the school became a second home to Sam and Dominic, and they grew up going to football games, basketball games, and camps.

However, as with all of De La Salle’s distinguished alumni, it is Dalton’s life achievements that have earned him the Alumnus of the Year title. After graduating from De La Salle, Dalton continued his education and football career at Saint Mary’s College, where he was a government major. Professionally, he has spent the last 24 years within the insurance industry – something he moved into after someone recognized his talent during a toast he gave at his sister’s wedding.

A self-professed relationship manager, Dalton puts his people skills to work each day, serving as a liaison between clients and insurance carriers. On the side, he has volunteered his time with De La Salle’s football program in a similar way, supporting Coach Justin Alumbaugh by working with the Athletic Director, lower-level coaches, and team parents. This has allowed Justin more time to focus on coaching.

Dalton has also volunteered his time to other De La Salle activities, like the annual Golf Classic, where he spent five years as the committee chair. And he has stayed active within his local community through organizations like the Down Syndrome Connection Bay Area and the Pleasant Hill Baseball Association, where he was a board member for nine years, and by coaching his sons within the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO).

“I had the pleasure of working with Dalton when I was President of Justin-Siena, and now at De La Salle. Dalton has always typified what it means to be a Spartan,” shares David J. Holquin, De La Salle’s President. “The selflessness that he gives to our institution and the amount of time and energy he puts into what we do and who we are is incredible. As a parent, he continues to care about what we do today as well as what we do in the future. There just aren’t enough folks like him, and I’m delighted that we can honor him as our Alumnus of the Year.”

Marcus

Schroeder

Assistant Athletic Director & Basketball Head Coach

Before joining De La Salle as an Assistant Athletic Director in the summer of 2021, Marcus Schroeder ‘06 was on a path to becoming one of the top coaches in collegiate basketball thanks to more than a decade of impressive coaching at nationally ranked Saint Mary’s College. In fact, it is safe to say that he was another very defined notch on Randy Bennett’s immense coaching tree and was being watched with interest.

Yet nearly three years ago, Marcus chose to give up the wealth and fame associated with such a trajectory in favor of returning to De La Salle. In doing so, he not only prioritized time with his young and growing family, but he embraced a commitment to the Spartans that now follow him onto De La Salle’s basketball court.

We recently caught up with Marcus to learn more about what makes him tick.

(At the time of this article, De La Salle’s varsity basketball team had an 86% winning average and ranked number 1 in the East Bay).

What makes you feel like a kid again?

Honestly,itiscoachingatDeLaSalle.

What is a piece of advice you would offer to anyone who asks?

Ibelieveagreatattitudeandbeingthankfulforbigandsmall blessingsaretwoofthemostimportantthingsinlife.Theyarealso somethingyoucancontrol.So,myadvicewouldbetoworkon havingapositiveattitudeandshowinggratitudeeverysingleday.

What is one thing that you love that most people would dislike?

Slowcountrymusic.SomeofmyfavoritesareGeorgeStrait,Kenny Chesney,andLukeCombs.Iusuallyliketheballadsmorethanthe upbeatsongs.

If you could choose anyone in the world (living or dead) to have dinner with, who would it be?

Otherthanmywife,Erin,ormykidsandfamily,Iwouldloveto havedinnerwithJesustoaskhimabouthisteachings,hislife,the miraclesheperformed,andthepersecutionhereceived.

What superpower would you like to wake up with?

Beingabletofly.

What is the best compliment someone can give you?

ThebestcomplimentwouldbethatmywifeandIhaveraised good,kind,respectfulkids.

What is something about you that nobody else knows?

WhenIwasastudentatDeLaSalle,Iwasonthebowlingteam, andMr.Eidsonwasmycoach.Ievencompetedinonetournament. WithMr.Eidson’sguidance,Iwasabletoeclipse200,andIstill possesssomeofthosebowlingskillstothisday.

What is your fondest or funniest De La Salle memory from when you were a student?

MyfondestmemoryatDeLaSalleiswinningtheStateBasketball ChampionshipatArcoArenainSacramento.Itwastheculmination ofwhatmyteammatesandIhadworkedsohardtoaccomplish duringourfouryearsatDeLaSalle.Wehaddreamedofwinning thestatechampionship,anditwasanamazingfeelingforallour hardworktopayofflikethat.

What makes a winning attitude?

Towin,youmustbeconsistentwithyoureffortandenthusiasm. Eachday,youneedtoshowupreadyandeagertoputinthework.

What is your go-to snack for competitions?

Apastryandacoffee.

The Evolution of De La Salle’s Learning Center

De La Salle’s Learning Center has been a shining jewel for the school ever since it first opened its doors in the fall of 2017. It offers a unique selling point that sets De La Salle apart from other schools in the area and continues to impress new families each year when they see it at Open House. After all, parents know only too well that it is impossible to pigeonhole a child into a “one-size-fits-all” model – especially when it comes to learning.

Yet the Learning Center’s origins pre-date the opening of an intentional space more than six years ago. The truth is the Learning Center really began when Greg MacArthur ‘03 started tutoring Bishop Cummins students in 2008 in what was, at the time, the Director of Faculty Development’s office. Around the same time, Sean Bristol ‘97, De La Salle’s (then) Special Needs Coordinator, was working with 50 students of his own – each of whom had been diagnosed with a learning difference and had a unique set of learning needs.

As more students began to go to Greg and Sean for help, it became clear that a much larger, dedicated space was needed. Subsequently, the two men joined forces and took over two classrooms in what is now Campus Ministry. By the time De La Salle’s Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA) accreditation review was completed in 2016, the school was once again ready to expand its efforts. However, this time, it wanted to create academic support programming and facilities that would serve its entire student body. And so, the idea of a dedicated Learning Center was born.

During the 2016-17 academic year, Greg and Sean, along with Dr. Alumbaugh and De La Salle parents, Becky Figueroa, Deborah Bianchina, and Deborah Jansen, spent copious hours researching and planning a deliberate space that could meet the learning needs of over 100 students at any given time. Their vision was realized the following school year when the Learning Center opened its doors, thanks to the generosity of the De La Salle community and a number of benefactors, including Deborah and Paul Jansen.

“It was important to give our students multiple options for learning and that the physical area supports these different learning needs,” explains Dr. Heather Alumbaugh, Vice President for Academic Life. “The planning committee spent a great deal of time thinking about how the space should feel for the students who use it. We wanted it to be light, airy, comfortable, and welcoming. We also wanted it to be a draw for

every type of learning. Small breakout rooms allow our adult and peer tutors to work privately with students, multi-person tables help facilitate group learning and project work, and individual cubicles provide a retreat for students looking to work independently on their homework.”

Today, the Learning Center, under the oversight of Jon Norfolk, is a veritable hub of learning. It is not only a space for Bishop Cummins students and Sean’s students with special learning needs, but also a sanctuary for De La Salle’s entire student body. As such, it offers a multitude of options for student success. On any given day, the facility receives more than 120 students looking to improve, hone, and perfect their academic skills before, after, and during school hours. It is a place where students go to make up tests, get tutoring assistance, do homework, and form study groups. Equally important, it is somewhere where students can assess, identify, and advocate for their own needs.

“It takes a lot of courage to show up at the Learning Center and apply effort toward a topic that you may not be 100 percent interested in,” says Jon Norfolk, De La Salle’s Student Learning Center Coordinator. “However, the number of students who take advantage of the Learning Center is a testament to how much they value it as a resource. It also demonstrates that they have bought into a grinder’s mentality, which will pay dividends in their future.”

Always interspersed among Learning Center students is a plethora of staff and volunteers who are on hand to guide, tutor, and answer questions. These volunteers include professional adults with subject-matter expertise and fellow Spartans who have come through the same curriculum and teachers as their tutees. In fact, it is the 105 National Honor Society (NHS) student tutors who often make the most impact on the academic success of their peers because they have already walked the walk. As such, they know how to convey their experience and learnings in a way that is relatable and easy to understand.

“I feel like I am in good hands when Mr. Norfolk pairs me up with an NHS tutor. Especially when we are working together one-on-one,” explains freshman Dom Novosel. “I feel more comfortable asking questions during a tutoring session versus asking my math teacher in front of a group of 30. The overall tutoring experience in the Learning Center has rewarded me with the feeling of being prepared and more confident before taking a test.”

But it is not just the tutee who benefits from the peer-tutor model. By supporting their brothers – something that often exceeds the mandatory eight hours of tutoring that the NHS requires each semester – De La Salle’s NHS Ambassadors can build and grow their own skill sets. Soft skills like communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving are all at play. These are the kinds of skills that will be essential for tomorrow’s leaders.

“Out of everything I’ve done in my time at De La Salle, I’ve found tutoring my Spartan brothers to be the most fulfilling,” says De La Salle senior Stevie Mulcahy. “There’s nothing like the feeling of respect and community that results from Learning Center tutoring sessions. When I sit down at a table with an underclassman to work on an essay or study for a test, I see my past self in them. Because of that, we’re able to relate to one another and laugh, knowing that the abstruseness of a subject or the harsh grading of a teacher transcends all time. To me, interactions like this cement the De La Salle Brotherhood.”

Looking ahead, De La Salle anticipates a growing need for even more resources for the Learning Center. Perhaps even a new, larger space. Over the last few years, student usage has continued to increase post-pandemic. Similarly, the number of Individualized Education Program (IEP) students applying to De La Salle from public schools is also on the rise, making it imperative for De La Salle to have the right kind of support in place.

A Personal Touch to Giving Back

Volunteers are an integral part of campus life at De La Salle. Whether it is parents active with the school’s Parent Association or those who volunteer in the Learning Center, chaperone field trips, help with charitable fundraising initiatives, bring in baked treats, or lend a hand with De La Salle teams, clubs or events, each plays a valuable role in the ongoing success of the school. So do all the faculty and staff who give up their personal time to volunteer with activities and events outside the parameters of their day job.

For many, volunteering at De La Salle is a labor of love. So much so that parents often continue to help out at the school well after their sons move on to college. That is certainly the case with De La Salle’s White Coats, also known as De La Salle Athletic Assistants. Today, the program boasts 43 alumni parents among its ranks.

If you have ever attended one of De La Salle’s home football or basketball games – or even annual events like the Crab Feed and Hall of Fame – you will no doubt have seen one of fifty highly trained White Coat volunteers (wearing white shirts and equipped with walkietalkies) escorting visiting teams, directing traffic, manning the sidelines, and answering questions from attending fans. They are so deeply woven into the overall event experience that they have long been considered De La Salle’s public representatives, and they take their customer-facing role extremely seriously.

Now in its 40th year, the White Coat program was founded well before De La Salle’s current Athletic Director, Leo Lopoz ‘94, took over the school’s athletic department 18 years ago. Indeed, Tom Bruce, who has led the White Coats for the last 25 years, has himself been with the program for 31 years. And he is not alone. Other White Coats like Steve Williams, Mike Frey, Jack Reardon, Mike McKay, Sr., Art Shingleton, and Ray Barbour have also amassed 30+ years. Over the course of that time, the program has been polished and perfected to the point where it is a shining model for other schools who see it in action when they visit and then want to replicate it for themselves.

However, it is not just parents and alumni parents who stay connected to De La Salle through volunteering. The school also has many active alumni volunteers who like to give back to the brothers who follow in their footsteps. This includes alumni White Coat volunteers, like Michael McKay II ‘94 and Michael VanderKlugt ‘87.

Michael McKay II joined in 2001 after college as a way to bond and hang out with his dad, who was already an established White Coat. It also allowed him to reconnect with coaches like Bob Ladouceur and Terry Eidson. (It was Terry who had suggested that Michael be the Varsity Team Manager back in his sophomore year). Since then, he has also volunteered and served two different terms on the Alumni Board. However, it is being able to see the next generation of Spartans that gives Michael the most pleasure.

“The best part of being a White Coat is reconnecting with past teachers, coaches, and classmates. Seeing my De La Salle and Carondelet High School alumni come through with their kids and families brings me a lot of joy,” he explains.

Of course, there are other ways that De La Salle alumni volunteer at the school. Many of the school’s sports programs have alumni as part of their coaching staff. While these roles receive a nominal stipend, the amount is so small ($5 an hour or less) that, given the amount of time these coaches dedicate, they are pretty much volunteer positions in all but name. Today, the school has 49 alumni coaches helping freshmen, JV, and varsity student-athletes perfect their skills across a variety of sports, including football, rugby, baseball, basketball, swimming, wrestling, golf, water polo, and trap.

MichaelMcKayII‘94

Thebestpartofbeinga

withpastteachers, coaches,andclassmates.

MichaelMcKayII‘94

Take, for example, the Pease brothers. Dan Pease ‘02, Aaron Pease ‘13, and Justin Pease ‘15 are all assistant coaches with De La Salle’s varsity wrestling team. Combined, they have given more than 35 years off and on to the program that once helped Dan and Aaron become individual North Coast Section Champions and compete at the CIF State Championship. Moreover, their ongoing involvement with the team has helped propel De La Salle to win the last nine NCS Championship titles.

Having the unique opportunity to coach together gives the Pease brothers a lot of pride while allowing them to share in something they all love and enjoy. It is particularly special for Dan, the eldest, as he loves seeing his younger brothers grow as coaches.

Coaching also allows them to give back to the next generation of student-athletes. “For me, being a coach is much more than teaching the sport,” says Dan. “It’s about showing others what they are capable of beyond what they thought they could do. I try to build confidence as well as teach what it means to be a good human being so that they can carry this knowledge and empowerment throughout their life.”

For Justin, it is personal, “Wrestling has had such an impact on my life. It has led me to where I am physically and mentally, and has helped me to become successful. I want to continue this legacy.”

Aaron agrees, “My head coach, Mark Halvorson, was the biggest role model in my four years at De La Salle. He is why all three of us are on the coaching staff. Mark and our other coaches not only helped us fall in love with wrestling in high school, but they helped shape us into the people we are today. Seeing today’s kids come into the wrestling room, day in and day out, excited to learn a new move or simply wanting to wrestle is exactly why I am coaching at De La Salle. Watching their transformation from freshman boys to men in their senior year makes me think about how wrestling changed my life for the better. I just hope that I can do that for them as well.”

However, not all alumni volunteering is tied to sports. Plenty of alumni come back to Winton Drive to share their academic experience and learnings in the hope that it will help ease the way for current Spartans to make a successful transition into college and beyond. That was certainly the case when Ryan Dicks ‘20 recently returned to campus to share his wisdom about how to make the most out of time at De La Salle and to share information about the program he is in at Cal Poly. It was also the motivation behind De La Salle’s inaugural Alumni Senior Day last year (see page 19).

Alumni also step up off campus by serving as guides during college visits. Last November, Ryan Bean ‘20 and Riley Cisneros-Mann 20’ led campus tours at their respective universities for a group of visiting Spartans. Ryan is a California State University Maritime Academy senior, and Riley is a senior at UC Davis.

Whatever role they assume, one thing is certain: De La Salle’s alumni play an integral role in the school’s future and help ensure that future Spartans enjoy the same type of school experience that profoundly shaped their own lives.

RyanDicks’20

AaronPease‘13,JustinPease‘15,DanPease‘02

Over the last three years, De La Salle has seen a growing number of middle-class alumni families needing financial aid.

Last summer, De La Salle embarked on the somewhat daunting task of building a new website to better serve its community and more articulately convey what makes the school so unique. As part of this work, a dedicated Mission & Ministry section was built within the site’s main navigation to house information pertaining to what is at the heart of De La Salle: the Lasallian ethos to help and serve those less fortunate.

On the “What it Means to be Lasallian” page, the school states that “a Lasallian is someone who passionately believes in providing a human and Christian education to the young regardless of a student’s financial circumstances. They are moved by compassion and commitment, and they embrace a sense of togetherness.”

Anyone who has passed through the doors of the Winton Drive campus knows that financial aid is of utmost importance to De La Salle’s ability to fulfill its Mission. Each year, the school relies on its community to provide more than four million dollars of financial assistance to one in three students. Many of these recipients are families living at or below the federal poverty level.

However, what you may not know is that there is an increasing need to support more middle-class families. It’s no secret that, following the pandemic, money has been tight for many families, including America’s middle-class. Savings have depleted, the cost of living has skyrocketed, and credit cards are maxed out.

How does this translate for incoming families and De La Salle’s existing community? Well, rising costs are impacting everyone, including De La Salle alumni. Over the last three years,

De La Salle has seen a growing number of middle-class alumni families needing financial aid. Currently, 27 legacy students receive financial assistance from the school, which equates to 33% of all alumni families. This is a 15% increase compared to the 2021-22 school year and a 3% increase from just last year.

This trend is also echoed by De La Salle’s entire middle-class student body. Prior to COVID, the number of De La Salle families receiving financial assistance with an income of $75,000-149,999 was 121 for the 2019-20 school year, and the average grant was $10,550. By the 2021-22 school year, the number of students had jumped to 137, and the average grant was $11,590. For the last two years, the number of middle-class students receiving aid has hovered around 133, but the average amount awarded has climbed to $12,700.

The changing landscape has propelled De La Salle to think about the impact small donations have on the Annual Fund. While 2024 continues to be a year of financial worry for many, the school hopes its community will consider embracing a new monthly gifting model focusing on small dollar amounts that won’t jeopardize personal finances.

The concept is simple: provide a monthly giving alternative for De La Salle alumni and families who can’t afford to make significant one-time donations. Donors can choose from specific dollar amounts, starting at $5 per month and capping out at $100.

In particular, De La Salle believes that this alternate approach to gifting will enable Spartans who are just starting their careers to now be part of a broad movement that not only helps them stay connected and have an impact at the school but also helps build a future that their own children can benefit from years down the line. The new giving model is anticipated to launch later this year. However, in the meantime, the school is encouraging its community to take advantage of the current recurring donation feature on its Make a Gift webpage (dlshs.org/givenow) by entering whatever amount they choose in the “other” field. After all, almsgiving is a year-round activity for Lasallians.

As Karla Wiese, Director of Development, says, “Many kernels of rice can turn into a great meal that feeds our community. Gifts work the same way, which is why every gift matters. A $20 monthly donation equates to $240 for a student in need. This contribution would help a student pay for at least 38 school lunches, a De La Salle retreat, or athletic gear. When combined with nine other people donating the same amount, it equates to a month’s tuition.”

Manykernelsofricecanturnintoagreatmealthatfeeds ourcommunity.A$20monthlydonationequatesto$240for astudentinneed.Thiswouldhelpastudentpayforatleast 38schoollunches,aretreat,orathleticgear.

KarlaWiese,DirectorofDevelopment

Full Steam Ahead for

Over the last three-plus years, De La Salle’s OnBoard! program has helped nearly 1,500 freshmen and transfer students successfully adapt to high school while also empowering its juniors and seniors to take on leadership roles by serving as “big brothers” to those new to the school.

Originally the brainchild of De La Salle’s former Director of Campus Life and Culture, Michael Aquino, OnBoard! made its first appearance at the start of the 2020-21 school year after the pandemic curtailed the school’s ability to make in-person student connections due to virtual learning. Using the virtual version of The Boomerang Project’s Link Crew high school transition program as its foundation, De La Salle intentionally built a program to meet the needs of incoming Spartans, the school’s charism of service, and an ongoing desire to foster an environment built on inclusivity and belonging.

Despite having to rely on virtual tools like Zoom to host the first orientation and group meetings, it wasn’t long before the impact of OnBoard! was felt across campus. By the time the program rolled into its second year, under the leadership of Librarian Brooke Heskett, it had already expanded to include an entire day of in-person orientation and two days of summer training for the junior and senior leaders who stepped forward to help. Since then, OnBoard! has become a ubiquitous part of the freshman experience, with lunchtime games and small group activities happening regularly throughout the first semester of every school year.

Equally important, student feedback continues to reaffirm that De La Salle is onto something special with its OnBoard! program. “It really helped because it was a good way to get introduced to people, especially since all the OnBoard! leaders are so nice,” explains freshman Nick Jensen. Aaron Tancuan ‘25 agrees, “It’s a great thing to have. I was intimidated as a freshman, but having familiar faces really helped. Similarly, freshman Tony Sauger values the experience that OnBoard! Leaders bring to the program: “Advice from the OnBoard! juniors and seniors really helped. They had great advice, like how to manage time and study for finals.” Junior Daniel Crossett echoes this sentiment, “OnBoard! is like an assimilation process. It gets freshmen students used to high school and the De La Salle culture.”

Yet, De La Salle has never been one to sit on its laurels. The school is constantly looking for new ways to innovate and improve. As it continues to build a vibrant school culture, it is turning to additional tools to help animate its Lasallian core principles, particularly with regard to inclusivity and respect for all persons.

That is why OnBoard!’s adult leadership, along with other De La Salle faculty and staff, have spent the last year researching and planning for a new program that will allow the vision behind OnBoard! to be harnessed and expanded for the benefit of the school’s entire student body.

OnBoard

This time, De La Salle is borrowing playbooks from various private and Catholic House Systems across the country. The school is also applying the learnings that five De La Salle faculty and staff have gleaned from attending multiple National House System Institute Symposiums.

De La Salle hopes that its own endeavor to create smaller, more connected communities within its broader school community will help build leadership, accountability, relationships, school spirit, and better communication across its entire school body. It should also give students a built-in place where they belong. Researchers have long believed that “students’ feelings of school belonging can have a profound impact on well-being, identity development, and mental health.” (PsychologyToday, Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D., January 22, 2022).

While De La Salle’s house system won’t officially roll out until the 2025-26 school year, the school already has a working framework for the program. And it is one that heavily leverages OnBoard! student leaders to fill house roles like House Commissioner (1 senior), House Chaplin (1 senior), and Mentor Group Captains (84 juniors and seniors).

These students will play an essential part in the success of the program. In many ways, they will be the visual embodiment of De La Salle’s house system – creating and fostering relationships and community, mentoring younger students, and driving the overall direction of houserelated activities. If all goes well, their efforts will hopefully produce the same results that other schools have experienced, including improved school climate, increased academic achievement, fewer behavioral issues, and a stronger feeling of Brotherhood.

Starting in August of 2025, De La Salle expects to have six houses in place, each with its own adult House Governor. These houses will then consist of seven smaller groups called Mentor Groups that draw from students across all grades so that interactions and relationships form beyond simply the class level. The Mentor Groups, in turn, will receive support from an adult Leader and two student Captains.

“OnBoard! has been an incredible way to welcome our new students into our community while allowing our upperclassmen to develop leadership skills and give back to the community,” says Brooke Heskett, De La Salle’s OnBoard! Director. “I am thrilled that we are now going to build on this program by introducing a house system that will further our mission to be an inclusive community and continue to grow a sense of belonging for all of our students.”

The De La Salle Alum Behind NextPlayU The Next Play

Jason Price ‘06, in his own words, has dedicated his life’s work to building organizations that help people become better versions of themselves while, at the same time, helping the world along the way. While it may seem like a lofty goal, Jason has proved, not once but twice, that his “mindset of service” within business can be a winning formula.

Last summer, Jason’s latest venture, NextPlayU, drew the attention of Forbes magazine, even though the company he helped co-found was barely six months old. Such high-profile feature articles are a difficult feat to accomplish. Yet it is easy to understand why NextPlayU’s very specialized niche, which strives to intersect the sports world with business leadership, is a compelling proposition. The company has undoubtedly got the attention of investors, including some fellow Spartans.

In many ways, the concept behind NextPlayU was a natural extension of Jason’s first venture, Crossover Into Business, which is designed to help professional athletes accelerate their business careers. The idea germinated as a result of Jason’s high-performing track & field experience at both De La Salle and the University of Southern California (USC) and his subsequent six-year stint in finance with JP Morgan. (At De La Salle, Jason’s impressive achievements earned him a spot in the 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Class).

“I saw that, as you evolve your identity beyond sport, there is a massive transition,” he explains. “Transitions are hard for anybody, but the athletic journey is specifically unique given how much time, energy, and focus you have to put on it, and the fact that schools and organizations aren’t necessarily set up to help you thrive after athletics.”

It was a problem ripe for exploration when Jason attended Harvard Business School in 2017. At Harvard, he found the perfect incubation environment to explore the idea of pairing athletes with business experts as a way to mentor them toward a transition into the business world following their sports careers.

And so, Crossover Into Business was born. Today, the program operates as a semester-long experience focused on building case studies and providing mentor opportunities to athletes.

With NextPlayU, Jason has taken the concept even further by building a connection point between athletes and companies while providing coaching and mentorship. “Athletic talent is a non-traditional and untapped talent pipeline,” says Jason. “The traits that make [an athlete] successful can help them thrive in the business world—work ethic, leadership, tenacity, grit, teamwork, and selflessness.”

Data supports this theory. A stat that began to float around in 2015 said that 95% of Fortune 500 CEOs played sports. It has been quoted a lot over the years, along with supporting examples like Walter Robb (CEO of Whole Foods), who played soccer at Stanford; Brian Moynihan (CEO of Bank of America), who played rugby at Brown; John Donahoe (CEO of eBay), who played basketball at Dartmouth; and even Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, who was captain of his high school fencing team.

While the origins of this popular data point is murky, there have since been other studies—the most recent being a research paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research in October of last year that evaluated the careers of Ivy League athletes. The authors found that athletes in Ivy League schools were statistically more likely to land a finance or business-related job after college and more likely to do an MBA and end up in a more senior position at work than non-athletes.

This further validates NextPlayU’s premise that high-performing athletes bring unique soft skills that benefit the business world. Operating similarly to a recruiting firm or staffing agency, NextPlayU charges company partners for talent while providing a free 12-week cohort and coaching program to athletes. Yet it is the athletes that are always top of mind when Jason thinks of the future. “We want to be the premiere athlete talent agency, or professional agency, for the 500,000 elite NCAA athletes who ultimately reach a transition point when they want to move into business.”

Jason believes accessibility is an essential component of the NextPlayU business model because, by their very nature, athletes come from all walks of life. It is also why the NextPlayU service is free to athletes—although there is a rigorous application process.

The choice to serve and give back is something that Jason says grew out of his experience at De La Salle. He credits his formative years as a Spartan to having shaped his core value set, as well as how he looks at the world and his role within it. “Helping your brother and being in service to others helped guide how I navigate and think, as well as define what I find fulfilling and important,” he shares. “I’ve realized that I’m only my best self when I can operate in business by helping others. That’s really been a driver for me.”

To date, it is working. All the athletes from NextPlayU’s early cohorts have been hitting or exceeding their quotas and performance metrics. “People are getting promoted, people are going on to be leaders at their company, people are being recognized for their contributions,” Jason explains. “It’s been really impressive to see.” Similarly, new partners continue to sign up, and everyone who has hired a former athlete has either gone on to hire someone else or has expressed that they want to hire more athletes.

Given the company’s trajectory, it’s only a matter of time before NextPlayU welcomes former De La Salle athletes into its program. After all, Spartan qualities like passion, persistence, effort, doing the right thing, and going above and beyond are the very same traits that the business world needs. Until then, Jason is content cheering on current Spartans at De La Salle sporting events, like the Coastal Catholic Basketball Classic that happened earlier this year at Crypto.com Arena (the home court of the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers).

Pictured(lefttoright):HeadCoachMarcusSchroeder‘06,TimSacks‘92,EricQuinn‘94,AndrewMilcovich‘07,JasonPrice‘06,and VPforAthleticsLeoLopoz‘94atDeLaSalle’sCoastalCatholicClassicgameinLA’sCryptoArena.

P VING THE WAY

Last spring, as the calendar inched toward summer break and seniors began to look ahead to finals and beyond, De La Salle held a special alumni event that was new to the school. However, while it involved 16 alumni spanning three decades of high school at De La Salle, it was the Spartans from the graduating class of 2023 who were the actual beneficiaries of the day.

The brainchild of Tim Roberts ‘88, De La Salle’s Director of Alumni Relations, the first Alumni Association Senior Day was developed with three goals in mind: to create an opportunity for seniors to connect with alumni and learn about various professional career paths; to introduce seniors to the networking power of more than 10,000 alumni; and to share how De La Salle operates as a business and the role that alumni play in the future success of the school. At the same time, it presented De La Salle with a unique chance to further engage its alumni with campus life.

The inaugural event was structured in such a way as to make the most out of the oneand-a-half hours allocated within the school day. Following introductions and a dynamic keynote address from Dean Quiambao ‘96, students moved between two breakout sessions and had the ability to choose from a plethora of career-oriented options. These alumni-led sessions allowed students to focus on specific industries of interest like finance, investment banking, real estate, tourism, marketing, law, emergency services, engineering, public service, technology, and education.

FireDepartmentCaptainRickFreeman’86talkswithstudentsatinauguralSeniorDay.

“The De La Salle alumni network is one of the best resources any graduating Spartan can have.”

The approach seems to have worked well. By all accounts, Senior Day was a resounding success. Not only was student and alumni feedback extremely positive, but several Spartans were able to secure summer internships as a direct result of the meetings they had that day. The school also received 36 new sign-ups for its Alumni LinkedIn group after the event. Now, on the heels of that success, De La Salle is putting the final touches on a second event, which will be held on April 10 – this time for the class of 2024.

“The De La Salle alumni network is one of the best resources any graduating Spartan can have,” explains Tim Roberts. “I can’t count the number of ways that I have benefited personally and professionally from our 10,000-strong alumni community, let alone how many times I have made introductions or connected Spartans for internships, jobs, career changes, and more. Having an event for our seniors where I can help showcase the gift of what it means to be a Spartan is huge.”

Dean Quiambao agrees, “As Spartans, we know the power and responsibility of giving back. That’s why I agreed to give the keynote address at last year’s event. I’m always here to help a fellow Spartan. It is important to give back to De La Salle and the Brotherhood.”

2023 Alumni Association

Senior Day Participants:

Kevin Bacharach ‘03, Sean Bristol ‘97, Jimmy Estrada ‘95, Charles Favroth ‘00, Rick Freeman ‘86, Rick Kearney ‘08, Jim King ‘88, Leo Lopoz ‘94, Matt Malone ‘94, Kent Mercer ‘87, Aran Nafisi ‘07, Michael Ottati ‘88, Anthony Pappageorge ‘99, Dean Quiambo ‘96, Mike Testa ‘88, and Tony Vasta ‘06.

Anticipated 2024 Alumni Association

Senior Day Participants:

Anthony Pappageorge ‘99, Jimmy Estrada ‘95, Aran Nafisi ‘07, Matt Malone ‘94, Jim King ‘88, Ari Van Gemeren ‘05, JD Brosnan ‘94, Dan Collins ‘98, Tony Vasta ‘06, Rick Freemen ‘86, John Koeller ‘91, Jeff Andal ‘91, Chase Wheeler ‘09, Ken Egu ‘10, Jason Price ‘06, Matt Faustman ‘01, Chris Shelly ‘97, Kevin Francis ‘87, and Rod Alemania ‘87.

If you are interested in being part of a future Senior Alumni Day, contact Director of Alumni Relations, Tim Roberts ’88, at robertst@dlshs.org.

ANNUAL REPORT

Revenue

De La Salle’s financial statement audit for the fiscal period July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023 (FY23), was completed in the fall of 2023. The school continues to perform at a high level. Operational and financial strength remains strong thanks to fiscal and operational stewardship and the generous contributions of donors.

$26,250,321 REVENUE TOTAL

Expenses

Restricted Contributions Released

$1,922,614

Realized & Unrealized Investment Gains

$1,280,998

(Includes: Net Investments, Int & Div, Unrealized Gain)

Auxiliary Activities

$1,809,484

Tuition and Fees

$19,943,942

(Includes T&F, Misc. Fees, Book Rentals)

Contributions and Fundraising

$1,293,283

De La Salle continued to enhance compensation for faculty, staff, and coaches, as part of the retention and recruitment effort initiated in FY22. These increases help bring De La Salle more in line with peer institutions and address the rising cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area. For the 2022-23 school year, De La Salle’s total functional expenses were $25,500,540.

INSTRUCTION

$18,267,109

SUPPORTING SERVICES

$4,173,875

$25,500,540 EXPENSES TOTAL

AUXILIARY ACTIVITIES

$1,881,098 FUNDRAISING

$1,178,458

Tuition Assistance for 2022-23

De La Salle’s tuition assistance program is central to the school’s Lasallian Catholic mission, as it makes its education affordable for those who would otherwise not be able to attend the school. During the 2022-23 school year, De La Salle awarded $4.379 million in tuition assistance to more than a third of its students. In total, 391 students (38% of the student body) received tuition assistance, with an average grant size of $11,318 (54% of tuition). Tuition for the 2022-23 school year was $22,110.

TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS

391

Number of Students & Percentage of Tuition Assistance Awarded

Annual Fund

De La Salle’s Annual Fund provides unrestricted support for the school’s co-curricular activities, faculty development, and financial aid. It is one of the most important ways De La Salle’s community directly impacts the Spartan experience, as well as extend this experience to students from the widest range of backgrounds. Without it, the school would not be able to bridge the gap between the amount of financial aid available or meet the needs of its students. More than $2.371 million was donated to De La Salle through Annual Fund support in FY23. The philanthropic support of our alumni, parents, and friends makes a significant impact on the lives of our students each and every day.

TOTAL GIFT REVENUE

$2,371,710

Endowment

Endowments provide De La Salle with a stable funding resource that supports long-term planning and enables the school to invest in essential priorities. During FY23, the school released $1.1 million from its Endowment to support tuition assistance for the 2022-23 academic year. The Endowment fund also saw an increase of $1.317 million from the previous year, and its investments performed well in relation to other schools, businesses, and individuals around the country.

$26,107,148 ENDOWMENT FUNDS

SpartanSports

Six sports for the 2023-24 school year are now complete, and another eight are underway. The fall and winter sports seasons brought some incredible wins and some heartbreaking losses. Spartans won East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) championships in water polo, basketball, soccer, and wrestling. De La Salle also won North Coast Section (NCS) championships in football and wrestling (Team and Duals), and junior Trey Caldwell was crowned NCS Division 2 Individual Champion for cross country. At the state level, De La Salle won a Division 1-AA Northern California Football Championship, and six Spartans advanced to the CIF State Wrestling Championships. However, water polo’s run ended in the semifinals of the CIF NorCal Division 1 Water Polo Championships, and De La Salle’s basketball team lost their CIF Open Division State Championship bid when Modesto Christian flipped the ball into the basket as the buzzer sounded.

2023 Fall Sports Review

Football – After starting the season 0-2, De La Salle’s football team reeled off 11 straight victories, including the school’s 31st consecutive NCS Championship after defeating San Ramon Valley, 17-7, in the NCS Open Division Championship game. The Spartans capped their winning streak with a dominating 41-0 win over Clovis North in the CIF Division I-AA Northern California Championship game.

The season ended at the CIF Division I-AA State Championship finals, at Saddleback College, where De La Salle lost to Mission Viejo, 2714. Senior linebacker Drew Cunningham was the EBAL’s Mountain Division Co-Defensive Player of the Year, while 10 more Spartans earned All-EBAL honors.

Water Polo – The water polo team finished the 2023 season with a 19-9 overall record as the Spartans posted a perfect 8-0 league record to win the EBAL championship for the third straight year. De La Salle advanced to the NCS Open Division Championship game as well as the semifinals of the CIF NorCal Water Polo Championships. The team was led by the EBAL Offensive Player of the Year, Jay Hubbard ’24. He was one of six Spartans selected to the All-EBAL team.

Cross Country – De La Salle qualified for the CIF State Cross Country Championships following a second-place finish in the NCS Division 2 Championships. In the NCS race, junior Trey Caldwell led the Spartans, winning the Division 2 Individual Championship after completing the 3-mile race in a time of 15:08.3. At the state meet, the team posted a 14th-place finish in Division 2. At the individual level, Caldwell took fourth place and qualified for the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championship, where he finished 25th overall. Caldwell’s outstanding junior season also included individual championships at the Nike Invitational, the Mt. Sac Invite, and the EBAL Championships. Joining Caldwell on the All-EBAL team were Heath Salter ’26 (second-team) and Tadhg Murray ’26 (honorable mention).

2023-24 Winter Sports Review

Basketball – Playing one of the toughest schedules in Northern California, the Spartan basketball team finished the regular season with a 23-3 overall record, which included an undefeated (9-0) EBAL record. De La Salle earned the two seed in the NCS Open Division Basketball Championship and advanced to the championship game for the third straight year. Although the Spartans lost to Salesian (53-42), their season continued as a four-seed in the CIF Open Division State Boys Basketball Championships, marking the third straight season they made the CIF NorCal Open field – which is a first for the program. Unfortunately, the Spartans’ season came to an end with a 51-49 loss to Modesto Christian in the first round. Junior Alec Blair was named the EBAL Co-Player of the Year, while Arshawn Salkhi ’24 (first team) and Leo Ricketts ’24 (second team) were All-EBAL honorees.

Wrestling – The wrestling team continued its domination over the regional competition, winning both the NCS Dual Championship and the EBAL Championships. In total, 13 wrestlers earned all-league honors, with seven first-team, four second-team, and two honorable mention selections. In the EBAL Championships, De La Salle qualified all 14 of its wrestlers for the NCS Team Championships, where the Spartans won their ninth straight section title. Caleb Tatad ’24 (115), Manuel Martir ’24 (122), and Franklin Enkhmandakh ’24 (159) were NCS Individual Champions and qualified for the CIF State Meet, along with Gio Cuevas ’24 (128), Carlos Vazquez ’24 (134), and TJ Arvizu ’24 (152), who finished second at the NCS Team Championships. These six individuals helped the Spartans finish 57th overall in the state for 2024.

– De La Salle’s varsity soccer team posted a 12-2-2 regular season record, which included an 8-0-1 ledger against EBAL opponents. With their unbeaten league record, the Spartans won the EBAL regular season title to earn the top seed in the inaugural EBAL Tournament. De La Salle was also the top seed in the NCS Division I Soccer Playoffs. However, the season came to an end after they lost to Clayton Valley in the quarterfinals of the NCS playoffs. Five players were named to the All-EBAL Team: Charlie Sanner ’24, Tre Roach ’24, and Ronan Rattigan ’25 were first-team selections, and Matt Rajecki ’25 and Ryan Roy ’26 were second-team honorees.

For updates on the 2024 spring sports season and postseason schedules, visit the De La Salle Athletics www.DLSSpartans.org.

De La Salle Alumni Reunions and Events

For the latest on all Alumni events visit www.dlshs.org/alumnievents

Soccer Alumni Game – November 22, 2023

Alumni Rugby and Reception – December 17, 2023

Alumni Basketball and Reception – December 22, 2023

De La Salle Home Wrestling Match – January 10, 2024

Spartans’ Night at the Colombo Club

For the last decade, the Alumni Association has hosted a special dinner for alumni and the father figures in their lives at the legendary Colombo Club in Oakland. The event was the brainchild of Sid Thompson, a former De La Salle parent (Bradford ’88) and grandparent (David Ogburn ’13, Blake Ogburn ’15, Luke Ogburn ‘18) who wanted to create a legacy event for men who miss De La Salle after their sons have graduated.

The evening provides an opportunity for Spartans from all over the San Francisco Bay Area to gather for a meal, reconnect with old friends, and stay engaged with De La Salle. This year’s dinner was held on February 29th, and attendees spanned six different decades.

The Colombo Club dinner continues to grow and we hope you will join us next year and bring your dad or someone instrumental in making your De La Salle experience a reality.

In Memoriam

William Byron Roberts

December 4, 1944 – November 12, 2023

On November 12, 2023, William “Bill” Roberts, the father of De La Salle’s Director of Alumni Relations, Tim Roberts ‘88, and an active De La Salle community member, passed away unexpectedly. He found eternal rest just 17 days after the passing of his beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara. Bill was a well-known face at De La Salle. One of the first White Coat volunteers when the program began in the early eighties, he was passionate about the school that had educated his son as well as the benefits of a Catholic education. Over the course of four decades, he took on numerous volunteer roles with the school. Bill was the barbeque chef for Friday night football games at Winton Drive for years. He also ran the “Around the World” food and concession stands at De La Salle’s annual Fall Festival and helped out at countless Crab Feeds and The 200 Club events. Bill also attended many De La Salle events throughout the years, including the annual Spartan Night at the Columbo Club, which his son created so that alumni and alumni dads can stay engaged with the school. Bill is survived by his three children, Tim, Michelle Pimm (CHS ‘86), and Kristi O’Connell (CHS ‘93), and grandchildren, Peyton Roberts, Ethan and Emily Pimm, and Benjamin and Luke O’Connell.

We also remember...

Donna Barnes, sister of staff member Carrie La Cour

Josephine Barry, mother of Gregory Barry ‘81 and Christopher Barry ‘89

Leslie J. Berkes, father of faculty member Andrew Berkes and grandfather of Daniel Berkes ‘23

Arnold Bruni, father of Steven Bruni ‘75, Christopher Bruni ‘76 and grandparent of Tristan Bruni ‘20 and Reagan Bruni ‘23

Frank Cheshareck, father of Brian Cheshareck ‘90 and grandfather of Sean Luna ‘15 and Joshua Cheshareck ‘21

Beverly Church, grandmother of Devin Church ‘06

Raymond Doorack, father of Christopher Doorack ‘87

Janet “Louise” Dyken, mother of Erik Dyken ‘26

Douglas Emig, father of Matthew Keathley ‘00

Ann Gervolino, grandmother of Sam Gervolino ‘08 and Joseph Gervolino ‘14

Richard Holder, father of Andre Holder ‘09

Fred Houston, grandparent of Bartlett Houston ‘12 and Summer Houston ‘14

Mary Jo Kearney, former DLS Attendance staff member and mother of Joseph Kearney ‘74

Janet Evans Klein CHS ‘76, sister of Robert Evans ‘88

Philippe Lamoureux, one of the original whitecoats and father of Duane Lamoureux ‘80 and Blaise Lamoureux ‘85

Charles MacMahon, father of Paul MacMahon ‘75 and Fr. Craig MacMahon ‘76

Anthony E. Metcalf, father of Anthony Metcalf ‘24

Clyde Miles, father of Brandon Miles ‘20

Charles Morley, father of Derek Morley ‘85 and Mark Morley ‘86

Robert C. Olson, father of Andrew D. Olson ‘93

Barbara Piepho, mother of Richard Piepho ‘05

Ute Pierce, grandmother of Tyler Pierce ‘19, Matthew Pierce ‘22 and Troy Pierce ‘24

William “the Skipper” Roberts, one of the original DLS whitecoats and father of coach Tim Roberts ‘88, Michelle Pimm CHS ‘86 and Kristi O’Connell CHS ‘93

Tyler Rodden ‘27, brother of Spencer Rodden ‘27

Antonio Serrano, father of faculty member Ramona Serrano

Beatrice Tamichi, grandmother of Erik Hallberg ‘09

David Tripaldi, Sr., grandfather of Henry Tripaldi ‘24 and Charles Tripaldi ‘26

Justice Vierra, brother of coach and faculty member DJ Vierra

Clifford Wiesner, father of Mark Wiesner ‘81 and David Wiesner ‘85

Bruce Wood, Sr., father of Bruce Wood, Jr. ‘76

Bridget Woodcoff, sister of faculty member Brother John Hoover and mother of Christopher Woodcoff ‘05

De La Salle

HIGH SCHOOL

Dates Remember 2024

Thursday, April 18 Opening Night for AnythingGoes

Saturday, May 4 De La Salle Auction

Monday, May 6 Freshman and Transfer Student Welcome Night

Friday, May 17 Baccalaureate Mass and Reception

Sunday, May 19 Graduation, Class of 2024

Friday, June 7 Brother Maris Golf Tournament Boundary Oak Golf Course

Saturday, August 3 De La Salle/Carondelet Grand Reunion

Wednesday, August 14 First Day of Classes for 2024-25

Thursday, August 29 Back-to-School Night

Thursday, September 12 A Taste of De La Salle

Monday, October 7 De La Salle Golf Classic Diablo Country Club

Friday, October 25 Homecoming

Saturday, October 26 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Sunday, November 3 Open House