The Tiger Tradition

Jesuit High School has a century-old tradition of athletic excellence. Since its humble beginnings at the turn of the 19th century, Jesuit has developed its athletic program over the decades into a program that fields perennially competitive teams in each of its team programs. 

Scroll down through these vintage photos for a glimpse of Jesuit's historic team, individual athletes and coaches.
 

Al Lopez Sr. '27 was Florida's first professional baseball player. He is the namesake for Jesuit's Al Lopez Sports Center.

Jesuit's 1943/1944 Basketball Team won the Southwest Conference Championship.

1959 Football Tigers.

1944 Tennis Team.

1948 Tiger Basketball.

1959 Swim Team.

1957 Baseball Tigers.
Jesuit's first football team, 1921.

1959 Basketball - #4 is MLB legend Lou Piniella, who was a basketball powerhouse during his days as a Tiger.

1938 Football Team.

Swimming Team circa early 1950s. (From the personal collection of Coach Paul Straub.)

1968 State Championship Football Team.

Running back Leonard George -- 1968 State Champion Football Team. 
Leonard was the first African-American to receive a scholarship to play at the University of Florida.

Coach Paul Straub during the construction of Jesuit's gym in 1961.  Legendary Coach Straub served Jesuit for 42 years as
coach (of several sports), athletic director, alumni director and teacher.

1980 Baseball Team. MLB pro Dave Magadan is in the back row, 6th from the left.  Magadan spent over a decade playing
for several MLB teams and is currently the hitting coach for the Texas Rangers.

1940 Football Tigers.