Men for Others Dinner

The 17th annual Men for Others Dinner on March 26, 2023 in downtown Tampa was one to remember.

Some 500 Jesuit fathers and sons enjoyed keynote speaker Ryan Nece's impactful presentation; seniors Josh Hines and Grant Creedican gave moving tributes to their fathers, Rob Hines and Dan Creedican; Dads' Club and president Mike Wasylik ’88, P ’21, ’24 presented the school with a $625,000 check, the most the dads have ever raised from parking for Raymond James Stadium events; and Jerry Perez '83, P '19, 22, was named the recipient of the Dads' Club's highest honor, the Songy Award.

Nece, who is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player shared powerful insights into his relationship with his father, NFL Hall of Fame player Ronnie Lott. Click here to view the video of his inspirational presentation. Nece, who was a rookie linebacker with the Buccaneers’ 2002 Super Bowl champions, started the Ryan Nece Foundation in Tampa in 2006. The foundation, which has several Jesuit students as part of its Student Service Program, creates opportunities for teens to embrace the Power of Giving through volunteerism and inspirational leadership programs.

To start the evening, Wasylik and Dads’ Club parking chair Jeff Hahn ’84, P ’24, ’24 presented the largest check ever from the Dads’ Club to Jesuit High School – $625,000. The money, which goes toward Jesuit’s financial aid program, was raised by dozens of dedicated Dads’ Club members, under the direction of Hahn, throughout the course of the school year.

Wasylik then presented the Dads’ Club’s highest honor, the Michael G. Songy “Men for Others” Award. Perez earned the award for his “generous service to the school community that most closely models the characteristics of a true ‘Man for Others.’” View below a listing of past Songy Award recipients.

The two student speakers, Hines and Creedican, provided heartfelt tributes to their respective fathers that resonated with all of the fathers and sons in attendance. Click here for video of Hines, who will play baseball collegiately at Florida Southern. Click here for video of Creedican, who will serve his country after high school and is deciding between appointments to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

SONGY AWARD RECIPIENTS

2022 – Mike Lufkin, Mark Georgiades
2021 – Michael Donovan
2020 – Chris Freeman
2019 – Steve Sanchez
2018 – Ron Battle
2017 – Ken Darst
2016 – Kevin O’Brien ’81
2015 – Mike Sweet
2014 – Rick McClintock
2013 – Jeff Lambert ’81
2012 – Brian Ehrlich
2011 – Mark Hoenemeyer
2010 – Jeff Younger
2009 – Michael Crochet  

 

MEN FOR OTHERS DINNER
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

2022 – Bill Babin
2021 – Gus Lloyd
2019 – Dr. Wes Ely
2018 – Jay Feely ’94
2017 – Artie Boyle
2016 – Vice Admiral Joe Maguire
2015 – Lou Holtz
2014 – Penn Dawson, S.J.
2013 – Andre Kirwan ’92
2012 – Jeff Vinik
2011 – Urban Meyer
2010 – Lincoln Tamayo ’78
2009 – Dr. Joey Lezama ’89
2008 – Eric Papp ’01
2007 – Brig. Gen. Douglas J. Robb ’75
2006 – Brian Griese