For many alumni returning to Jesuit, the experience of walking the halls, seeing old friends, or just reminiscing about one’s high school career can be very extraordinary and special.  And the alumni office, committed to welcoming back members of the Jesuit family, never fails to provide a unique treat that comes around once a year.
On April 24, the Alumni committee welcomed back graduating classes ranging from 1945 to just a few years ago for the annual Ranger Roundup with the theme of the upcoming NFL Draft. Serving Philly Cheese Steaks in cafeteria and welcoming special guest Rick Gosselin, sports columnist for the Dallas Morning News, the gathering offered a space for conversation and healthy sports discussion.
Patrick Schnitzius ’45, grandfather of Phillip Schnitzius ’17, explained how generous Gosselin has been to the alumni community: “Rick Gosselin, the sports writer, has been coming up to Jesuit for about 15 years and every year he’ll call me and say ‘you be sure and call me next year in April and set up a time.'” Mr. Mullan, Director of Alumni Relations, also attested to this by saying, “It’s just kind of an annual tradition that Rick Gosselin comes out and talks to the guys about the NFL draft.” However, Mullan went on to explain that the event doesn’t just talk about the draft. “He’ll talk about the Cowboys, the Mavericks, and the Stars. He’ll certainly talk about SMU… It’s kind of cool because last year was the only year he wasn’t the nation’s NFL draft expert… His job has changed with the Dallas Morning News because now he writes about everything.”
The sense of camaraderie calls alumni back to their Alma Mater. Schnitzius ’45 says he’s “never really left [Jesuit].” Schnitzius continues, “I’ve gone to all the games that I can; baseball, basketball, football, and a few soccer games. I see everybody quite regularly.” Schnitzius recalled the type of experiences he has had at alumni events: “Something I really get a kick out of is that [someone] may have had a 40 yard run in football, but when we get together and start talking, that 40 yard run turns into a seventy yard touchdown… I don’t know how those yards increase over the years,” said Schnitzius with a laugh. Mullan also described the atmosphere by saying, “You may have guys in their mid-90s talking with guys in their mid-40s. They’ve got so much in common and they’re so interested in hearing each other’s stories. They are so interested in working together to help support [the students].”
These types of alumni events certainly makes Jesuit a special place because of the environment that fosters camaraderie and tight personal bonds. Mullan added, “To realize that you’re a part of something special… it probably isn’t going to hit you until you’re ten years out of high school, applying for your second job, and sure enough you bump into somebody [from Jesuit].”
This sense of pride among Jesuit grads has stretched through the decades, ever since the formation of the school. Schnitzius, a man who graduated almost 70 years ago, shared a message that shows the impact of the school: “The effect that the Jesuit education had on me… they not only taught me how to make a living, they taught me how to live.”
