The State of Rice Sports
Facing a down year, athletic program looks to rebuild
Brother Rice is one of the best schools baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer,
in the state. Strong academics, strong
swim and tennis teams.
faith, strong athletics, and other great feaAs the goon squad always tells optures have led to us being ranked among posing basketball teams’ student sections,
the top private schools in
Michigan. If you enter the
school from any entrance,
What did they leave behind? The Football
team went from being nationally ranked
to not ranked in the Top 25 in Michigan.
The Tennis team went from being ranked
in the Top 5 in the state to
starting this year at No. 7 in
Oakland County. The Basketball team lost its entire
starting lineup. Soccer, Golf,
Track, Cross Country and
Skiing also will be looking
it won’t take long to find
to rebuild this year around
some athletic trophy, meyoung talent. Baseball,
morial, or another acknowlSwimming, Lacrosse and
edgement.
Hockey also lost tons of talRice grads are everyent, but they return a lot, as
where. Green Bay Packer TJ
always.
Lang ‘05, Colorado Rockie
One year after winning
DJ LeMahieu ’07, Iowa
three
state championships
Despite a gloomy outlook, the goon squad can still be seen in full force
Hawkeye Kevonte Martinand being very competitive
Manley ’10. The Class of 2015 may end
in just about everything else, Rice faces a
“Count the banners” -- we are closing in
up being remembered as one of our best on 70. Brother Rice is known for athletics, rebuilding year. Still, new Athletic Direcathletic classes ever. Alex Malzone, Grant maybe now more than ever, which makes tor Jeff Calcaterra ’88, who takes over for
Perry and Jack Dunaway are in Ann
this an odd year to be down in sports. Yet Reg Cavender, still believes in his proArbor helping Jim Harbaugh turn around we are, and it isn’t actually that surprisgram. “I wore the Orange and Black,” he
the Wolverines. Nick Plummer was taken ing when you remember those who have said. “I know the tradition that Brother
by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first
Rice upholds. I think our coaches and
moved on.
round of the MLB draft. Over a dozen
our players are doing a great job of toting
But the past is the past. All the regraduates are playing hockey at the next cords are now numbers on a wall, state
that this fall. Their efforts, commitment
level. Even more are on current college
championships are years on banners.
and competitive spirit are the same as it’s
always been.”
The future seems bright for Brother
Rice athletics, with talented Freshman
Football (1-4): After years of success, the Warriors are struggling early in what
and Sophomore classes. But what can
looks to be a rebuilding year.
you expect this year? Lacrosse will be a
Soccer (7-2-3 ): Off to a strong start, the team can contend for a Catholic League
powerhouse, as always. The swimmers
title if it can rebound from early loss to No. 1-ranked CC.
may repeat, too. In recent years, howCross Country: The team has a lot of young talent, and they’ve come a long
ever, Rice athletics has become about the
way from the beginning of the season. According to Coach Stark, “This year’s
other programs that can compete for State
Freshman class is the best in decades.”
Championships. Last year, six would’ve
Tennis (4-3-2): Last year’s State finalists are struggling to recover from the loss
been realistic. This year, the over/under
of Senior leaders.
-Nolan Geraghty
might be two.
EDITORIAL
Fall Sports Update
B R OTHE R R IC E H IG H S C H O O L C H I E F TA I N
P AGE 1
S E P T E M B E R 2015