700 Wins
![700 Wins]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1701797791/jesuittampa/ktvgunzjhpqumsis9dtj/homepageSMwteamandcoachesoutside.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1701797791/jesuittampa/ktvgunzjhpqumsis9dtj/homepageSMwteamandcoachesoutside.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1701797791/jesuittampa/ktvgunzjhpqumsis9dtj/homepageSMwteamandcoachesoutside.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1701797791/jesuittampa/ktvgunzjhpqumsis9dtj/homepageSMwteamandcoachesoutside.jpg","width":1200}])
Jesuit High School basketball coach Neal Goldman was recognized at Convocation on Dec. 5, 2023 for earning his 700th career victory.
Goldman, who began coaching at Jesuit in 1980 and became head coach for the 1987-88 season, won No. 700 on Dec. 2, 69-33 at Carrollwood Day School. He was presented with a specially decorated commemorative basketball by athletic director Terry Rupp '84 for becoming just the 10th Florida boys coach to reach the 700 milestone. Rupp played for Jesuit's 1984 State Championship team on which Goldman was an assistant coach.
Goldman, who has taught PE at Jesuit since 1984, was given two standing ovations by the student body, first after his introduction by school president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J., and then after he spoke for a few minutes, introducing his assistant coaches and expressing gratitude for his more than four decades at Jesuit. In attendance for the commemorative Convocation was every member of the Varsity basketball staff, including 19-year Varsity assistant Joe Sansonetti, as well as the JV and Freshman team coaches, longtime PA announcer and program assistant Andrew Lusher '98, and Goldman's wife, Mary Goldman.
Goldman's coaching career includes three Region Championships and a State Championship in 2013. The 2023-24 Tigers are off to a 5-1 start after the 36-point win at CDS, in which Nate Boakye '24 led the Tigers with 26 points. After the game, the team, armed with water bottles, waited for Goldman outside the gym, ambushing him with a surprise dousing. Back inside, giant balloons shaped in a 700 and a specially designed cake commemorated the occasion.
Over the Christmas holiday the Jesuit basketball team will host the 2nd annual Cookie Garcia Jesuit Invitational. Eight Jesuit high schools from around the country will compete over three days, Dec. 27-28-29, in the Tiger Palace. Come out and support the Tigers at this great event, click here to purchase tickets.
To view a video of the Convocation presentation, click here. For social media posts about the 700th win, go to the Jesuit Tigers basketball accounts on Instagram (@jesuit_tigers_basketball), Twitter/X (@Jesuit_Tigers), and Facebook (Jesuit High School Basketball - Tampa). For photos of the Convocation and the 700th victory, scroll below.
