I’m Jealous, But I’m Proud To Be A Crusader

2018 Stepinac Crusaders celebrating their Federation Championship win in March

My high school, the Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders, have won the Federation championship! For those that do not know, the federation championship is essentially like the champions trophy; the top four teams from across NY State who were champions in their league, battle it out to see who is the best team of all in NYS. And my alma mater came out on top!

In a way, I’m a bit jealous, for a few reasons. First, during my four years at Stepinac, we only won the City Championship in the ‘A’ division. It was a great accomplishment, but we always felt that we could play against and beat the ‘AA’ teams. Second, is just that. Not being able to play against ‘AA’ teams regularly was a downer because as an athlete you’re always looking to be pushed and take your game to the next level. Third, because they moved up to the ‘AA’ they were able to play for three championships, and they won all three: the Archdiocesan championship, the ‘AA’ City title, and the ‘AA’ Federation title.

When I say I’m jealous, it’s not in a malicious way in the least bit. It’s just the inner competitor in me talking. I’m so happy for this group of players and coaches. I had the opportunity to work with this group briefly back in the summer of 2016 before I moved to Ireland. Even then, I saw so much promise in all of the players, so it was no surprise that they accomplished such amazing feats this year. They are the first team in school history that has won the ‘AA’ Federation title. They also finished as the #11 ranked team in the country. So when they walk into school whenever they graduate, that banner will always be there and they have a legacy that others now have the motivation to try and compete with.

A young me and the squad celebrating our City Championship win in 2010

However, with that being said, I have to be the “old head” and say that they are NOT the best team in school history. Our 2010 championship team would wipe the floor with this team and any other Stepinac basketball team past, present, and future. Again, it’s not malicious, but what kind of person would I be if I just rolled over and accepted that? Nope, not on my watch. I’m a competitor to the end. So whenever I go back to my old high school and see their banner hanging up, I’ll probably scoff, but I’ll also smile. Yes, I’m jealous, but I’m proud to be a Crusader.