Important Dates In Jesuit History
September, 1899 - Sacred Heart College opens with five boys, a disappointingly small number in attendance, possibly because of a yellow fever scare. By the end of the year, twenty-one are enrolled.
January, 1905 - The College takes over the old frame building of St. Louis Church, when the parish moves into the new Sacred Heart Church.
June, 1912 - The first high school diplomas are awarded to students.
May, 1916 - Excavation is begun for the foundation of a combination school building and faculty residence.
October, 1917 - The chapel of the new school is blessed and Mass is said there for the first time by the rector, Rev. Michael McNally, S.J.
May, 1929 - A charter is signed changing the name of school to Tampa College.
September, 1929 - The College shows signs of growth when the enrollment for the year rises to 115 students and shortly thereafter is named a member of the state association of high schools.
1939-1940 school year - In honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Society of Jesus, Tampa College becomes known as Jesuit High School.
September, 1943 - Jesuit High School opens the new term in the completely renovated and modernized Social Center building on the corner of Twiggs and Marion Streets.
March, 1946 - Dr. Gus Perdigon ’28, Jesuit alumni president, suggests that the association should work towards building a new school.
March, 1950 - Jesuit High School wins the state Class A (highest rank) basketball title under the direction of Coach Paul Straub, the first time any Catholic school won a state title. Teams also win the city and South Florida Conference tennis championships.
June, 1954 - Archbishop Hurley addresses the banquet held as a kick-off for the Jesuit High School building fund.
February, 1956 - Samuel Cardinal Stritch presides at the dedication of the new Himes campus. Two classroom buildings, an administration building, a field house, a powerhouse, a cafeteria, and a stadium for football would be ready for the fall term.
May, 1961 - The gymnasium is completed.
September, 1962 - A third classroom building and library are constructed.
October, 1962 - The chapel is consecrated.
April, 1963 - The residence is occupied.
December, 1968 - Under the direction of Coach Bill Minahan, the Jesuit Tigers win the 3-A State Football Championship at Tampa Stadium.
August, 1973 - The library wings are constructed.
August, 1979 - A cafeteria addition is built to form a cafetorium.
February, 1982 - The baseball field is dedicated to Paul Straub.
May, 1982 - The Casper Center, east side addition to the gym, containing locker rooms, showers, storage for equipment and offices, is dedicated.
March, 1984 - Jesuit Tigers capture the 3-A State Basketball Championship under the direction of Coach John Szponar at the Lakeland Civic Center.
February, 1987 - The soccer team wins the 3-A State Championship Title at Daytona Beach under head coach Greg Chapman.
May, 1987 - Jesuit is named a “School of Excellence” by the U. S. Secretary of Education.
Summer, 1988 - Jesuit’s National Forensics League team wins a state debate title.
Summer, 1990 - Jesuit’s National Forensics League team wins a national NFL oratory/debate championship. The team also won the state congressional debate title.
Summer, 1990 - Phase I of campus renovations is completed. The conversion of Building 2 into a Science Center is completed, and a central air-conditioning and thermo storage plant are constructed.
Summer, 1993 - The three building fine arts complex, including a Multipurpose Building (for use as an auditorium or for meeting rooms), a Band Rehearsal Hall and an Art Center (including three studio/classrooms), is completed.
May, 1994 - The baseball team, under Coach John Crumbley, wins its first 4-A State Championship Title in Sarasota.
Summer, 1994 - Jesuit’s National Forensics League team placed first overall in the state NFL competition.
February, 1995 - The soccer team wins the 4-A State Championship title at Cocoa under head coach Bob Bauman.
Spring, 1995 - The “Tiger Annual” yearbook wins First Place at the Scholastic Press Association state competition.
Spring, 1996 - The “Tiger Annual” yearbook receives the All-Florida Publications Award.
Spring, 1997 - Jesuit’s Art Club creates the “Men for Others” stained glass window for the entrance to the Administration Building.
Winter, 1997 - The cafeteria is remodeled for increased flexibility.
February, 1997 - The soccer team wins the 4-A State Championship title at Lake City under head coach Bob Bauman.
May, 1997 - The baseball team, under Coach John Crumbley, wins its second 4-A State Championship Title at Legends Field in Tampa and is named National Champions by Baseball America.
February, 1998 - The soccer team wins the 4-A State Championship title at Lake City under head coach Bob Bauman.
Spring, 1998 - The “Tiger Annual” yearbook wins National Pacemaker Award.
May, 1998 - Jesuit Athletics is awarded the Floyd E. Lay All Sports Award for the state of Florida.
May, 1998 - The senior parking lot is repaved, the underclassmen parking lot is paved and landscaped, the gym is renovated, and energy efficient windows and new window coverings are installed.
November, 1998 - The cross country team wins the 4-A State Championship under head coach Mike Boza.
February, 1999 - The soccer team wins the 4-A State Championship title at Lake City under head coach Bob Bauman.
Spring, 1999 - Jesuit’s band wins first place in the Division II Jazz Band at the New Orleans Ovation Music Festival.
May, 1999 - Jesuit Athletics is awarded the Floyd E. Lay All Sports Award for the state of Florida.
Summer, 1999 - Major renovations occur in landscaping. drainage and technology.
May, 2000 - The baseball team, under Coach John Crumbley, wins the 4-A State Championship Title.
November, 2000 - The cross country team wins the 4-A State Championship under head coach Mike Boza ’78.
Feb, 2001 - The soccer team, under Coach Bob Bauman, wins the 4-A State Championship Title and is named National Champions.
May, 2001 - Jesuit Athletics is awarded the Floyd E. Lay All Sports Award for the state of Florida.
June, 2001 - Jesuit’s Key Club wins the First Place Key Club Major Emphasis Program State Award.
May, 2003 - The track team wins its first State Championship under head coach Mike Boza.
July, 2003 - Jesuit’s Key Club receives a First Place Key Club International Award.
June, 2004 - Jesuit’s Key Club is named Florida Key Club of the Year.
November, 2004 - The cross country team wins the 4-A State Championship under head coach Mike Boza ’78.
Summer, 2004 - Construction of the Jesuit Memorial Bell Tower, Fr. Richard Hartnett, S.J. Classroom Building, Fr. Michael Kennelly, S.J. Technology Wing and major Library renovations completed.
June, 2005 - The “Tiger Annual” yearbook team wins First Place Editorial Award and First Place Cover Design Award at Jostens Yearbook Florida Conference.
November, 2005 - The cross country team repeats as the 4-A State Champions under head coach Mike Boza ’78.
March, 2006 - Jesuit celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Himes Avenue campus with a Mass in the gymnasium, which was the last event to take place in the old gym before its scheduled renovation.
May, 2006 - Jesuit’s athletics program is awarded the 2005-2006 Florida High School Athletics Association All-Sports Award and is named the 2005-2006 St. Petersburg Times Outstanding Athletic Program.
June, 2006 – Jesuit’s Key Club wins the first place Key Club State Service Award.
October, 2006 – The Al Lopez Sports Complex is officially blessed and dedicated. Named in honor of alumnus and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Al Lopez Sr. ’27, the newly constructed sports complex features a fully outfitted weight room, wrestling and rehab facilities.
November, 2006– Jesuit’s varsity basketball team debuts the fully renovated gym, which includes a new court floor, bleachers, air conditioning system, and remodeled locker and bathroom facilities.
September, 2007 – The installation of Jesuit’s new synthetic turf athletic field is completed and Jesuit’s varsity football team is the first team to play on the new surface. The field is the first of its kind among high schools in Hillsborough County.
October, 2007 – Prior to the kick-off of the Homecoming football game, Jesuit’s new synthetic athletic field is officially dedicated as “Alumni Field” at Corral Memorial Stadium.
December, 2007 - Jesuit’s 2006-2007 basketball and soccer programs are honored as the first FHSAA Academic Team Champions.
January, 2008 – Installation of Jesuit’s new rubberized track surface is completed.
May 4, 2008 -- Authentic first-class relic of St. Claude la Colombiere, S.J. is enshrined in brick of Jesuit Memorial Bell Tower by Fr. Joseph Doyle, S.J.