January 2025 Junior Irish News

JANUARY 2025 Join us for Junior Irish School Spirit Night

Friday, January 24, 6:00-9:00pm Father Ryan High School's Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Harpeth Hall, 6:00pm Pizza from 6:00-7:00pm for all Junior Irish attendees Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Montgomery Bell Academy, 7:30pm Free admission for any Junior Irish in Father Ryan spirit wear or spirit wear from their current school. Parents must purchase a ticket.

Meet Father Ryan coaches from various sports.

Walk-ins welcome but advance tickets mean faster entry. Preregistration closes at 10:00am, January 24.

Irish Win 2024 Willie Brown '65 Memorial Basketball Tournament

Basketball teams from across Tennessee enjoyed our annual Willie Brown ’65 Memorial Basketball Tournament on December 26-28 to celebrate the game and Willie Brown’s enduring legacy. The first African-American student to integrate sports in Tennessee, Willie was the first to sign a grant-in-aid at MTSU, and competed briefly in the NBA before becoming a motorcycle policeman in Connecticut. He passed away in a motorcycle accident in 1975.

During the tournament, President Paul Davis ’81,

Director of Athletics Ann

Register by 10:00am, 1/24

Mullins ’03, and the Irish Boys Basketball team and coaches welcomed alumni and faculty at a luncheon to learn about the

Holidays at Father Ryan

state’s history of basketball and how Willie Brown changed it.

Congratulations to the Irish who finished first in the tournament.

Irish Win 58th Annual Johnny Drennan '85 Memorial Wrestling Invitational

We had a wonderful Advent season at Father Ryan celebrating the joy of the holiday and the talents of our students. Junior Irish families enjoyed the sold-out Breakfast with Santa. Christmas at Father Ryan performances kicked off our winter break in style. Thanks for joining us!

Enjoy the photos from Breakfast with Santa and Christmas at Father Ryan.

Breakfast with Santa Photos

Christmas at Father Ryan Photos

A highlight of this year’s Christmas at Father Ryan performances included our first-ever Strings performance. As the largest private high school in the Nashville area, Father Ryan is able to offer 200+ different courses for students to explore their interests. Every year, faculty propose new courses based on student interests, and as a result, we added Strings to our music electives for 2024-2025.

Learn more about Father Ryan’s new Strings course from Benjamin Rea ’26.

On January 3 and 4, 52 teams competed in the 58th annual Johnny Drennan '85 Memorial Wrestling Invitational. Led by legendary coach Pat Simpson '74, the Irish grapplers placed first overall, with 11 Irish wrestlers finishing in the top 10 of their weight classes.

To honor Johnny's courage and ability, in 2014, Father Ryan changed the name of this annual event to the Johnny Drennan '85 Memorial Wrestling Tournament. The tournament, which dates back to 1968 and is one of the oldest in the state, celebrates Johnny's memory as a champion both on and off the mats.

Individual Results: 1st: Tanner Tran ’26: 106lbs 1st: Casen Roark ’25: 138lbs 1st: Chancery Deane ’25: 165lbs 2nd: Brody Gobbell ’24: 132lbs 2nd: Ethan Lampert ’25: 150lbs

4th: DeAntowan Malone ’26: 285lbs 5th: Sawyer Rutherford ’25: 190lbs 6th: Aidan Hare ’27: 113lbs 6th: Jax Crolley ’27: 157lbs 6th: Luka Lemaota ’26: 215lbs

Camp Ryan Registration is Open!

“I have played the cello since 3rd grade, and when I came to Father Ryan, I hoped they would offer a Strings course one day. Logan Tenry '26 and I worked with Mr. Bannan on the proposal for the class, and the administration truly listened and embraced our interests. The Strings class is an incredible experience for anyone with or without a music background. We have collaborated on the pieces we play and formed a strong bond. Being able to perform as a group at Christmas at Father Ryan was one of my favorite experiences. Father Ryan is a place where students can be creative and are embraced by the community. The slogan, “You Will Be Known. You Will Be Loved.,” is genuine and people truly care about you as a person, not just as a student.”

Spend your summer at Camp Ryan! We have great summer camps for all ages and interests: academics, arts, science/tech, and sports, PLUS before and after care.

Benjamin’s Father Ryan Involvement: Oak House Member

Register Today

Behind the Crest American Sign Language Club Entrepreneur Club

State of the School, Fall 2024

Irish Insights: The Father Ryan Blog January's Topic: Campus Safety & Security

Recently, President Davis shared the great news and impressive stats from fall semester with our families.

Check out the fall 2024 updates.

Get the Info

Girls Basketball Spreads Holiday Cheer in Asheville

Recent and tragic incidents at schools across the nation remind us as parents and educators of the critical nature of campus safety. Keeping the Father Ryan community members safe and secure is our priority. For this month’s timely blog topic, Interim Dean of Students Stuart Magness ’95, who has led our security program since 2007 after serving with the Metro Police Department, shares his expertise and experience on the complexities of school safety today and Father Ryan’s comprehensive, cutting-edge approach to campus safety.

Read the Blog

Paul Davis '81, President, on Around the Diocese Podcast

Over Christmas Break, our Girls Basketball team embarked on a memorable trip to Asheville, North Carolina, to participate in the Holiday at the High Christmas Classic at Asheville High School.

In collaboration with the Appalachian Hurricane Helene Community Relief at the Black Mountain distribution center, the girls assisted in organizing clothes and essential items for victims of Hurricane Helene, ensuring families could access much-needed resources for the winter season. The team also embraced an opportunity for spiritual reflection by attending Mass at the stunning Basilica of Saint Lawrence in downtown Asheville.

In Coach McLeod's words, "The trip to Asheville was about more than just basketball; it was a chance for the team to grow together, serve others, and celebrate the holiday season in meaningful ways. From their success on the court to their acts of service and shared experiences, the team created lasting memories and strengthened their bonds both as players and as individuals."

Father Ryan President Paul Davis '81 was a recent guest on the Around the Diocese podcast. He shared highlights of Father Ryan’s 100-year history and how it has laid the foundation for our present and future. Listen to all of the amazing ways Father Ryan ensures each student is known and loved, from our Four Levels of Learning–including our new Dual Enrollment Program where students can enter college with 12+ credits–to our House System, which creates a warm and nurturing community on our 43-acre campus.

Listen to the Podcast

Want to learn more about Junior Irish opportunities?

Visit our Junior Irish webpage to learn more about how you can get your child involved with Father Ryan today!

Junior Irish Webpage

Erin (Baltz) Riggs '00

Director of Enrollment

Peyton (Carell) Fuller '13

Ben Spence

Assoc. Director of Enrollment Assoc. Director of Enrollment

Erin (Corrigan) Vallett '95

Enrollment Registrar

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