The goals of the CYO sport philosophy are basically to provide our Catholic school and parish youth with an opportunity to participate in sports and in the process teach and support the Gospel values.

Our philosophy and values are very different from those of other youth sport programs.  Ours are different because we invite Christ to be a participating member of our game, all four quarters.  In addition, we expect all of our participants to participate a specified amount of time in every contest including tournament play.

In a perfect CYO world, our athletes, coaches and officials would play their parts in a CYO contest, afterwards they would congratulate one another, win or lose, thank the officials and perhaps strike up a friendship with a player from the opposite team.

For the most part that is what takes place at many of our Saturday contests.  The CYO football program has helped athletes from schools get to know one another.  Two to five schools may go together to form a region football club in CYO.  Participants play together as a team for football and against one another in basketball and other sports.

It is always edifying to me to watch professional sport participants congratulate friends on opposing teams after a contest.  The actions send a message that these participants have a healthy perspective of the game and respect their opponents. They see the contest as an event that ends when the buzzer sounds.  It does not continue into the locker room or off the field into the parking lot.

The CYO philosophy does not end when an athlete graduates from the eighth grade and moves on to high school.   This respect that Christ modeled for us and calls us to show to one another includes our high school sport participation.

If we are serious about living the Gospel values, then Jesus should be in the game all four quarters win or lose.  After the game he can be seen shaking hands with his opponents again, win or lose.

Yes, that’s right, Jesus is in the game all four quarters if you and I and our coach give witness to Jesus in our actions toward one another including our opponents!

2012

CYO 6th Grade Boys City Championship

St. PIus X vs Valley Catholic

A fast paced game between two talented teams.

Incredible 4th quarter come back with 2:28 left to go in the game Valley Catholic surpasses St. Pius X with a one point margin at 53 – 52.  St. PIus # 3 fouls out and momentum shifts to Valley Catholic with two minutes left in the game.  Fan participation on both sides add to dynamics.  Great game and great boys.

Q 1 – 16 – 12 – St. Pius X

Q 2 – 29 – 21 – St. PIus X

Q 3 – 51 – 39 – St. Pius X

Q 4 – 61 – 58 Valley Catholic

6th Grade Boys CYO City Champions – Valley Catholic 2012

2012

5th Grade Boys City Championship

St. Pius X vs St. John Fisher

Two teams that show a lot of athletic ability and with height that will come soon they will both be forces to be reckoned with!  Looked like a slam dunk early in the contest but St. Pius X rallied in the fourth quarter bringing the score within 1 at 30 seconds to go.  With 11 seconds in the game, St. Pius X trailing, fouled St. John Fisher #1 who converted for 1 of 2 to lead by 2.  Pius X with one opportunity, missed the shot to tie. It’s in the record book as a GREAT GAME!

q 1 –  5 – 7 (St. John Fisher)

q 2 – 15 – 11 (St. John Fisher)

q 3 – 27 – 19 (St. John Fisher)

q 4 – 34 – 32 (St. John Fisher)

St. John Fisher 5th Grade Boys CYO City Champions 2012

St. Pius X 5th Grade Boys CYO City BXB Second Place 2012.

CYO STARS DIVISISION – Holy Family Sixth Grade Girls led the entire game until the last three minutes of play when Holy Cross went on a 14 point scoring spree to end the game with a score of 35-29.

By Quarter:

Holy family – Holy Cross

Q1 – 14-2

Q2 – 21-11

Q3 – 25-21

Q4 – 29-35

6 GIRLS STARS CHAMPIONS 2012 HOLY CROSS

6 GIRLS STARS SECOND PLACE HOLY FAMILY

The CYO 5th & 6th Graders are finishing their two-week tournament on Sunday March 4th with Championship games at Valley Catholic School.  Semifinals concluded on Saturday around the City in various locations depending on gender and grade.  Tomorrows results will be available through my blogs on Facebook both sports and camp.  Results will also be available through Twitter.  Photos of first and second place finishers will be available.

Ben Robbins from Holy Trinity practices his layup.

Bill Fogarty, Camp Howard Summer Program Director is on his way out the door headed for Chicago!  Why you might ask?  He is heading to an intense four day Workshop to become Certified as a Camp Director.  Camp Howard is a member of the American Camping Association which means we hold ourselves to to the highest standards in the industry to achieve certification through this organization.  One of the important elements is that the Camp Director has become certified.  See you in a week, Bill!

Camp Howard Director, Bill Fogarty leaves for Chicago to take in the Camp Director Certification Class.

Basketball tournament is almost finished (two weekends to go) and then it will be time to direct attention to Track and Field and Lacrosse.  Juliette Friel, CYO Director of Football and Lacrosse is getting the gear ready for coaches.  She will be handing material out at a coaches meeting on Sunday.

Getting gear ready for Lacrosse

The CYO Championship games will be held all over the city this weekend with 5th & 6th grade City Championship games at Valley Catholic on Sunday afternoon.

Tee shirt sites will be at St. Pius X gymnasium and Valley Catholic Athletic Center lobby.

See you this weekend!

Chuck Cunning shows sample of 2012 CYO Championship Shirt Design