The Minahan Award

On January 19 at special ceremony at the Columbia Restaurant, Jesuit offensive lineman Jameson Thurber '26 was honored as the 2025 Bill Minahan Award recipient!

A year ago at this time, at the start of the spring semester of his junior year, Thurber was hospitalized with complications from having his appendix removed. As he was beginning his recovery, tragedy struck: his father, James Thurber, died unexpectedly.

While supporting and in turn with the support of his family – mom Rachel Thurber has five children including Jameson and brother Michael Thurber ’29 – as well as the support of his friends, teammates, and community, Thurber maintained his grades and went on to excel as a leader for the Tigers this fall. As part of Jesuit’s phenomenal offensive line, Thurber helped the Tigers reach the Region Final en route to an 11-2 record.

The Minahan Award is given annually to the Hillsborough County football player who most demonstrates "extraordinary perseverance as well as leadership, selflessness, passion, loyalty, excellence on the field and service to others." It is named in honor of the late Bill Minahan, who coached Jesuit’s legendary 1968 State Championship team and led the Tigers to 132 wins from 1966-85 while helping produce legions of 'Men for Others' as a coach and athletic director.

Thurber was one of three finalists for the award along with Greg Puskas III of Steinbrenner and Zachary Radzicki of Sickles. Since award’s inception 12 years ago by former Jesuit faculty member Martha Minahan, Bill’s widow, Thurber is the 3rd Jesuit player to receive the honor, along with Tucker Witte ’25 last year, and Junior Vandeross ’22 in 2021.