Four Football Captains Sign Letters of Intent

On Friday, February 3, a special signing ceremony was held in the Alumni Library for four student athletes to sign letters of intent to play football at the collegiate level. Each of these young men were captains of the 2016 Varsity Football team. Nicholas DeNicola ’17 has committed to play football at Trinity College. Nick played running back and strong safety for the Brothers. He was named Offensive Player of the Year for the Empire Division and Honorable Mention running back for the All-Star team. Max Jones ’17 has committed to play football at Harvard University.  Max is the Cadet Colonel at CBA, which is the highest rank in the JROTC program. Max was the quarterback and a defensive back for the football team. He was selected to the first team for the Empire Division and was a 4th team selection as a defensive back for the all-state team. Max is the 2016 recipient of the Brother Aloysius Memorial MVP Award and the Don Crotty ’56 Leadership Award. John LaMarco ’17 has committed to play football at Union College. John played on both the offensive and defensive line for the Brothers. John was named first team for the Empire Division and was Honorable Mention offensive line for the all-star team. John was the 2016 recipient of the Gene Kelsey Dedication, Determination, and Desire Memorial Award. Taurian Taylor-Adams ’17 has committed to play football at Trinity College. Taurian was a running back and cornerback for several years. He was named first team for the Empire Division, and was the 2016 recipient of the Polsinello Special Teams Award and received the All Purpose Player of the Year Award. These young men represent CBA with respect and pride on and off the football field.  

Christmas at The Clark CBA Albany

Christmas at The Clark

On December 15, CBA put on a wonderful Christmas Concert featuring the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, CBA Saxophone Quartet, and the Wind Ensemble. The concert, held at The Clark Auditorium of the New York State Museum involved students from 5th through 12th grade. Below is a video of the Wind Ensemble performing the final song of the evening, A Mad Russian’s Christmas (as performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra).  

Thanksgiving Food Drive

This year, CBA set a goal to collect 30,000 food items during the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Students, faculty, and staff worked together and surpassed that goal, collecting 35,147 units, including 7,000 food items, 56 turkeys, and $5,000 in cash. The food items were donated to St. John’s/St. Ann’s Outreach Center with financial donations being made to St. John’s/St. Ann’s, Blessed Sacrament, and the Ronald McDonald House.  7th grade students helped to load the CBA bus with food items before they were brought to the St. John’s/ St. Ann’s Outreach Center. Well done Brothers!

2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony CBA

CBA Inducts Six Into the Athletic Hall of Fame

On Saturday, October 1, Christian Brothers Academy honored and inducted six outstanding alumni into the 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. These inductees included: Dan Clemente ’96, Terrence Durham ’95, Jim Hisgen ’96, Don La Vigne ’84, Tim McGraw ’84, and Tyrone Seabrooks ’89. Each of these members were stand-outs athletes that continue to play a major roll in the history of CBA. They were given commemorative awards, and will be prominently featured on the Athletic Hall of Fame plaque in the foyer of CBA. Over 95 family, friends, former coaches and players joined us for the induction brunch at The Century House to recognize these spectacular athletes. To view the event program, or learn more about their individual careers, click here. Max Jones ’17, our current Cadet Colonel attended the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and had the opportunity to meet two Harvard graduates, Dan Clemente ’96, and Don La Vigne ’84. Max is committed to play football at Harvard next year where he will also be a pre-med student. To date, over 180 individuals have been inducted into the CBA Athletic Hall of Fame. Missing from top photo: Terrence Durham ’95 

The Arts and Science Wing Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Tuesday, September 27th, the CBA community, dignitaries, and friends joined together for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of our new wing, The Mary and Michael Ozimek Arts and Science Wing. Through the generous donation of an alumnus, Joe Ozimek ’65 the construction of the wing was made possible. Following the ceremony, 5th and 6th grade students greeted guests and gave tours of the new wing which included, The Zielinski Music Suite named after Lynn and Eugene Zielinski ’58 in honor of their generous support to the CBA music program, the STEM lab, and four new classrooms, two of which are named in memory of Mary E. Fitzgerald Prattico, and LTJG Donald S. La Vigne ’57. It was a wonderful day here at CBA.

Brazilian Youth Baseball Outreach

On Wednesday, September 21st, we welcomed representatives from Brazil. They were visiting to examine baseball themed programs that promote positive leadership among youth, and observe local initiatives to increase community participation in youth programming to develop baseball programs throughout Brazil.

CBA Remembers 9/11 During Flag Raising Ceremony

On Friday, September 9, alumni, family, and friends joined us for our annual Flag Raising Ceremony to open the 2016-17 school year and remember those who lost their lives 15 years ago on September 11, 2001. During this ceremony, CBA inducted two alumni into the JROTC Hall of Fame for the first time, and presented the LTC Todd J. Clark Memorial Service Award to a member of the CBA community who exemplifies the Lasallian characteristic of service to others. Col. Raymond F. Joyce Jr. ’40, and Brigadier General (Ret.) Thomas F. Quinlan ’59 were inducted to the JROTC Hall of Fame, and honored for their outstanding contribution to school, service, and country. Two bricks with their names engraved will remain in their honor by the flag pole. Dr. James Schlegel and Jack Clark, LTC Todd Clark’s father, presented the LTC Todd J. Clark ’90 Memorial Service Award to Dr. Dennis McKenna ’84. Photos Courtesy of Michael Joyce  

Two Inducted Into ROTC Hall of Fame

On Friday, June 10, Major General Christopher P. Hughes, Commanding General of USA Cadet Command and Fort Knox, inducted 329 outstanding individuals into the ROTC Hall of Fame during the ROTC Centennial Celebration Ceremony in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Of the 650,000 ROTC graduates, 329 were inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame. Christian Brothers Academy was the only high school in the Country with two inductees, Brigadier General (Ret) Thomas F. Quinlan ‘59, and Colonel (Ret) Raymond F. Joyce, Jr., ‘40 (posthumously). Dr. James Schlegel, Head of School, stated “We are proud to have such an impressive amount of outstanding alumni to choose from. These individuals, our Brothers, have served their country, church, and community with dignity and honor. These two men are just the first of many from CBA who belong in the ROTC Hall of Fame.” Thomas F. Quinlan graduated from CBA in 1959. He received a BS in Education from the College of Saint Rose and went on to pursue a Master’s Degree from SUNY Albany. He served in the US military from 1960-1995. His military awards and decorations include Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor device with Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd award), Purple Heart, Conspicuous Service Cross and Conspicuous Service Medal and the legion of Merit, along with several Meritorious Service Medals and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. While commanding his infantry rifle company in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam during the TET Offensive in 1968, Tom’s company was awarded five President Unit level citations as part of the elite Mobile Riverine Force. It was, at the time, the most highly decorated unit in the United States Army. Quinlan retired at the rank of Brigadier General, and since retirement has served on the Board of Directors of a National Veterans Organization including serving as the Regional Vice President for the National Association for Uniformed Services. Raymond F. Joyce, Jr. graduated from CBA in 1940 and attended Siena College. Joyce was a staff officer of the NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs retiring as Colonel in the NYS Guard. He served as Treasurer of the City of Albany for over 13 years and Chairman of the Albany City Planning Board for almost 30 years. Joyce was also on the faculty at CBA for many years. Joyce passed away in August 2014. His family attended the ceremony to accept the award. Joyce served in World War II in Europe as rifle company commander with the 83rd Division. Decorations include the Silver Star, a Bronze Star medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He served as treasurer of the NYS Military Heritage Museum and Research Center, City of Albany Tricentennial Commission and the Albany-Tula (Russia) Alliance. He was on the executive committee of the Albany All-America City commission, founding treasurer of the Center Art Gallery, board member of the Father Peter Young Center, past president of many organizations including: The Albany Kiwanis Club, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Blessed Sacrament and St. Vincent de Paul Church Parish councils, Camp Thatcher Opportunities, Retired Men’s Fraternity and St. Catherine’s Center for Children. Ray was a member of the USS Albany Commissioning. Ray is the recipient of numerous civic awards including: The 4 Chaplains Award, 3rd Age Achievement Award, and the Leone d’Oro Award.