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VOLUME LXVI ISSUE ii
SERVING RIORDAN SINCE 1949
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL
December 2015 THE NEWSPAPER OF CRUSADER COUNTRY
Alumni rally to renovate Crusader Forum By Nicolas Caracter ’17
Phase one of the renovation and repainting of the gym is complete, and the school hopes to enter phase two of the project to upgrade the school’s gym, known as Crusader Forum, in the near future. Development Director John Ring said, “Phase one is complete, which includes new hoops, LED lights, scorer’s table and scoreboards.” Larry Mazzola, from Plumbers Union 38, underwrote the scoreboards. Money for phase one began five years ago after Riordan basketball legend Kevin Restani, Class of 1970, died. Restani played in the 60s and 70s. He then went to the University of San Francisco, and later played for the Spurs, Cavaliers and a pro team in Europe. When he died, friends from 1970s rallied to raise funds and they are the key people who helped raise the money to start phase two. Bill Nasser, Dan Donovan, Dan McCarthy and the Class of 1970 led that charge for the unveiling of phase one on Oct. 28. The long term hope is to start a phase two. Ring also mentioned exploring the feasibility of a second
phase that would include possibly renovating the bleachers, the paneling on the sides of walls that surround the floor, and replacing the floor itself.
“We thought it was necessary to keep supporting the program and continue on to renovate the gym to keep the program competitive. Without Restani’s friends, this project
Crusader Forum has new scoreboards, thanks to generous alumni. The hope was that the school would complete phase one before the end of this semester to provide donors and community with tangible results that were the product of their support. Mazzola has been well aware that we have had a successful basketball program for the last half century, one Cal title, 10 WCAL titles, and 13 CCS titles. Most of that success occurred on campus at Crusader Forum.
would have never been possible,” said Ring. In terms of other school projects, Ring also said, “We will still continue to fund other campus projects and we are thrilled to announce the completion of this phase because it shows some progress.” Phase one of the gym project was completed Oct. 22. The scoreboards arrived on Oct. 6 and were installed and tested on Oct. 7. This included a
training session on how to use them. The re-finishing of the floor happened over the mid-term holiday. Varsity basketball player Eddie Stansberry ‘16 reacted to the changes, saying, “I like the new hoops and the polishing of the floor is great. The old rims weren’t sturdy, so we need a new touch. The gym looks a lot newer, and I think it brings out the overall feel of the gym much more with the new upgrades.” Athletic Director Mike Gilleran said, “This is the best viewing gym in the WCAL, best athletic atmosphere, and the only gym where you can be allowed sit and drink at your seat. Other schools don’t allow that due to their rollout bleachers that lie on the actual floor. We’re going to improve the gym and not tear anything down to keep the atmosphere and allow our fans to not miss a second of action. A lot of other gyms require you to actually leave the building, to get snacks, Riordan doesn’t.” As an added reward for the renovations, Riordan will host the WCAL wrestling championships this winter.
Frosh Olympics: Citius-Altius-Fortius
By Dominic Collantes ’16
This year’s Freshman Olympics was
building of the brotherhood that grew
one to remember. The energy of the
our class together,” he said.
freshmen and staff was electric and the
As a young man with copious
whole gym lit up with excitement both
amounts of school spirit and love for
on the court, and in the stands.
his class, Ennis thinks that they should
Freshman Olympics has been a long
have a Frosh Olympics and a Senior
and merry pastime at Riordan, with this
Olympics. “We should have a Senior
year being the 44th anniversary. Many
Olympics to reminisce on one of our
teachers, alumni, and current students
first big experiences as a class here at
still look at the event with awe, as a
Riordan, to keep the spirit alive, and
fond memory they will never forget.
look back on this time as a memory at
Riordan we will never forget.”
RSP teacher Kobe Moss ‘10 has fond
memories of his Freshman Olympics.
The freshmen this year had a fun
“The Freshman Olympics was how I
time, too. Julian Moore said his favorite
made my first friends at Riordan, who
part of the event was the tug-a-war.
I am still friends with today.”
“I think it made the whole experience
Student Body President and senior
what it was, really bonding with your
Dylan Ennis still has a very strong
classmates, and just having fun.” Julian’s
connection to his Freshman Olympics.
other favorite part was winning, as his
“The competitiveness of the Frosh
homeroom, 204 with moderator Matt
Olympics was the first start to the
Gallegos, won the entire event this
continued on page 5
Students celebrate the glory of Frosh Olympics.