Is St. John's Becoming an IMG?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the Donatelli Arts Center, the Black Box Theater, and Center for Performance and Leadership. All big non-sports investments thanks to successful alumni.

DP

Right. Sure.

But are full-pay families essentially paying inflated tuitions to cover full-ride scholarships for those non-athletic programs?

No.

Only superstar athletes for certain sports get full rides. And there must be a reason. The school must derive a financial benefit somehow. Otherwise, why do it?

After all, the top privates in the DC metro area (or anywhere on the planet) aren't known for their athletics at all, right?

So why do some schools (like SJC) aggressively recruit and support certain athletes?

I wonder if it's more of a longterm investment. If a player ultimately makes it to the NFL, do they give multi-million dollar gifts?

How do you know any student gets a full ride?

Because everyone knows.

The families of the star athletes don't hide it.

Try volunteering at your school's open house and chat up the parents checking out the school. They'll tell you what sport they are being recruited for. The only questions they ask center on athletics.

Note: I'm talking about the stars for football and basketball who otherwise wouldn't set foot in the school.

PS - I know girls who have rec'd full rides for basketball as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how the recruitment works? Does SJC give a lot of aid or only to top athletes that truly need it?

My kid is a football recruit and we did not apply for aid because we will not qualify. We only know three other recruits personally, and I know they would also not qualify for aid. At no time has anyone suggested there is other aid or scholarships for recruits. I hope and expect aid is there only for families who need it.

The aid is obviously for star athletes whether they need it or not.

Note: a star athlete is actively recruited by multiple schools, so the aid (read: full ride) is offered as a carrot.

And it gets better:

Does your school have a star athlete from another country or out of state?

If so, those kids sometimes live with a host family whose own kid gets a tuition discount or full ride. I know two area privates that have done this/are currently doing this.

And your full tuition covers this.

(Not that you’ll answer this, but) which two schools?

I mean, everyone can probably guess the two—but the reality is most schools known for sports does this.

I know boys who were aggressively recruited. All the usual suspect schools threw money at them despite the fact that the families were objectively affluent.

I also know of an athlete from another state currently attending an area private. Full ride for the athlete, and free tuition for the family hosting him.

And I know another family at a different school that hosted an international student athlete. Same deal: free ride for the athlete and the host family’s student.

As a full-pay family, I cannot for the life of me understand why athletics are prioritized to the extent they are. They must bring in significant money for the schools, but I can’t understand how exactly.

So name the schools

Well, perhaps start by reading this thread.

Hint: this thread is about a school known for athletics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the Donatelli Arts Center, the Black Box Theater, and Center for Performance and Leadership. All big non-sports investments thanks to successful alumni.

DP

Right. Sure.

But are full-pay families essentially paying inflated tuitions to cover full-ride scholarships for those non-athletic programs?

No.

Only superstar athletes for certain sports get full rides. And there must be a reason. The school must derive a financial benefit somehow. Otherwise, why do it?

After all, the top privates in the DC metro area (or anywhere on the planet) aren't known for their athletics at all, right?

So why do some schools (like SJC) aggressively recruit and support certain athletes?

I wonder if it's more of a longterm investment. If a player ultimately makes it to the NFL, do they give multi-million dollar gifts?

Strong athletic provide visibility. Look at the college ranks right now, applications to big state schools are soaring compared to elite privates. Cost and student experience are driving this shift.

SJC is a "big state school" of independent/religious schools. It can have premier athletics and strong academics because of the number of students in total.

Seems to me that SJC is mirroring what they're seeing at the university level and trying to build a brand that says either route is possible and it's cheaper there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the Donatelli Arts Center, the Black Box Theater, and Center for Performance and Leadership. All big non-sports investments thanks to successful alumni.

DP

Right. Sure.

But are full-pay families essentially paying inflated tuitions to cover full-ride scholarships for those non-athletic programs?

No.

Only superstar athletes for certain sports get full rides. And there must be a reason. The school must derive a financial benefit somehow. Otherwise, why do it?

After all, the top privates in the DC metro area (or anywhere on the planet) aren't known for their athletics at all, right?

So why do some schools (like SJC) aggressively recruit and support certain athletes?

I wonder if it's more of a longterm investment. If a player ultimately makes it to the NFL, do they give multi-million dollar gifts?

Strong athletic provide visibility. Look at the college ranks right now, applications to big state schools are soaring compared to elite privates. Cost and student experience are driving this shift.

SJC is a "big state school" of independent/religious schools. It can have premier athletics and strong academics because of the number of students in total.

Seems to me that SJC is mirroring what they're seeing at the university level and trying to build a brand that says either route is possible and it's cheaper there.

I don’t think that’s it. Here’s why:

SJC has offered full rides to top athletes for certain sports for many, many years. This isn’t new.

SJC has been inundated with far too many applicants for many, many years. Sure, they had a hiccup way back in the day before going co-ed, but they really haven’t struggled to attract students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how the recruitment works? Does SJC give a lot of aid or only to top athletes that truly need it?

My kid is a football recruit and we did not apply for aid because we will not qualify. We only know three other recruits personally, and I know they would also not qualify for aid. At no time has anyone suggested there is other aid or scholarships for recruits. I hope and expect aid is there only for families who need it.

The aid is obviously for star athletes whether they need it or not.

Note: a star athlete is actively recruited by multiple schools, so the aid (read: full ride) is offered as a carrot.

And it gets better:

Does your school have a star athlete from another country or out of state?

If so, those kids sometimes live with a host family whose own kid gets a tuition discount or full ride. I know two area privates that have done this/are currently doing this.

And your full tuition covers this.

(Not that you’ll answer this, but) which two schools?

I mean, everyone can probably guess the two—but the reality is most schools known for sports does this.

I know boys who were aggressively recruited. All the usual suspect schools threw money at them despite the fact that the families were objectively affluent.

I also know of an athlete from another state currently attending an area private. Full ride for the athlete, and free tuition for the family hosting him.

And I know another family at a different school that hosted an international student athlete. Same deal: free ride for the athlete and the host family’s student.

As a full-pay family, I cannot for the life of me understand why athletics are prioritized to the extent they are. They must bring in significant money for the schools, but I can’t understand how exactly.

So name the schools

Well, perhaps start by reading this thread.

Hint: this thread is about a school known for athletics.

The PP said two schools. Name them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how the recruitment works? Does SJC give a lot of aid or only to top athletes that truly need it?

My kid is a football recruit and we did not apply for aid because we will not qualify. We only know three other recruits personally, and I know they would also not qualify for aid. At no time has anyone suggested there is other aid or scholarships for recruits. I hope and expect aid is there only for families who need it.

The aid is obviously for star athletes whether they need it or not.

Note: a star athlete is actively recruited by multiple schools, so the aid (read: full ride) is offered as a carrot.

And it gets better:

Does your school have a star athlete from another country or out of state?

If so, those kids sometimes live with a host family whose own kid gets a tuition discount or full ride. I know two area privates that have done this/are currently doing this.

And your full tuition covers this.

(Not that you’ll answer this, but) which two schools?

I mean, everyone can probably guess the two—but the reality is most schools known for sports does this.

I know boys who were aggressively recruited. All the usual suspect schools threw money at them despite the fact that the families were objectively affluent.

I also know of an athlete from another state currently attending an area private. Full ride for the athlete, and free tuition for the family hosting him.

And I know another family at a different school that hosted an international student athlete. Same deal: free ride for the athlete and the host family’s student.

As a full-pay family, I cannot for the life of me understand why athletics are prioritized to the extent they are. They must bring in significant money for the schools, but I can’t understand how exactly.

So name the schools

Well, perhaps start by reading this thread.

Hint: this thread is about a school known for athletics.

The PP said two schools. Name them.

So, we know one of the two schools.

Now let’s put on our thinking caps and figure out another school that is highly competitive in sports.

(Imagine the Jeopardy music 🎶 as you think about which other school is the most likely one…)

Or simply accept that most schools do this despite the fact they don’t openly broadcast it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the Donatelli Arts Center, the Black Box Theater, and Center for Performance and Leadership. All big non-sports investments thanks to successful alumni.

DP

Right. Sure.

But are full-pay families essentially paying inflated tuitions to cover full-ride scholarships for those non-athletic programs?

No.

Only superstar athletes for certain sports get full rides. And there must be a reason. The school must derive a financial benefit somehow. Otherwise, why do it?

After all, the top privates in the DC metro area (or anywhere on the planet) aren't known for their athletics at all, right?

So why do some schools (like SJC) aggressively recruit and support certain athletes?

I wonder if it's more of a longterm investment. If a player ultimately makes it to the NFL, do they give multi-million dollar gifts?

You’re leaving out an important fact. SJC’s tuition is lower than every other private high school in the area. Full pay families are getting a great deal. SJC just held a gala which raised $ 400,000 for financial aid. It doesn’t appear that tuition is subsidizing financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on the last few posts, it feels like there isn't a place at SJC for the non-athlete, non-artsy, mainly an academic focus kid. I think based on the direction this school is moving, we will pass. Academics seems to be taking a back seat to other interests.

And the post-admit/wait-list yield jockeying begins...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on the last few posts, it feels like there isn't a place at SJC for the non-athlete, non-artsy, mainly an academic focus kid. I think based on the direction this school is moving, we will pass. Academics seems to be taking a back seat to other interests.

What school do you plan to attend instead?

A school can be good at many things at the same time. It is also not new that SJC is a sporty school culture, so I am not certain this reflects a change at all.

There are many much stronger schools that are more balanced. Gonzaga comes to mind. Very strong athletics while supporting a strong Jesuit academic culture. Able to provide students at all levels academic options. Very strong athletics while the high level. Many strong college outcomes without the athletic recruit hook.

Wait til you find out that Gonzaga also recruits for sports, including (gasp) football.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how the recruitment works? Does SJC give a lot of aid or only to top athletes that truly need it?

My kid is a football recruit and we did not apply for aid because we will not qualify. We only know three other recruits personally, and I know they would also not qualify for aid. At no time has anyone suggested there is other aid or scholarships for recruits. I hope and expect aid is there only for families who need it.

The aid is obviously for star athletes whether they need it or not.

Note: a star athlete is actively recruited by multiple schools, so the aid (read: full ride) is offered as a carrot.

And it gets better:

Does your school have a star athlete from another country or out of state?

If so, those kids sometimes live with a host family whose own kid gets a tuition discount or full ride. I know two area privates that have done this/are currently doing this.

And your full tuition covers this.

(Not that you’ll answer this, but) which two schools?

I mean, everyone can probably guess the two—but the reality is most schools known for sports does this.

I know boys who were aggressively recruited. All the usual suspect schools threw money at them despite the fact that the families were objectively affluent.

I also know of an athlete from another state currently attending an area private. Full ride for the athlete, and free tuition for the family hosting him.

And I know another family at a different school that hosted an international student athlete. Same deal: free ride for the athlete and the host family’s student.

As a full-pay family, I cannot for the life of me understand why athletics are prioritized to the extent they are. They must bring in significant money for the schools, but I can’t understand how exactly.

So name the schools

Well, perhaps start by reading this thread.

Hint: this thread is about a school known for athletics.

The PP said two schools. Name them.

So, we know one of the two schools.

Now let’s put on our thinking caps and figure out another school that is highly competitive in sports.

(Imagine the Jeopardy music 🎶 as you think about which other school is the most likely one…)

Or simply accept that most schools do this despite the fact they don’t openly broadcast it.

I'll take baseless innuendo for $500, Alex.

Sack up and name a name, or shut the hell up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on the last few posts, it feels like there isn't a place at SJC for the non-athlete, non-artsy, mainly an academic focus kid. I think based on the direction this school is moving, we will pass. Academics seems to be taking a back seat to other interests.

And the post-admit/wait-list yield jockeying begins...

+1 Yep!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how the recruitment works? Does SJC give a lot of aid or only to top athletes that truly need it?

My kid is a football recruit and we did not apply for aid because we will not qualify. We only know three other recruits personally, and I know they would also not qualify for aid. At no time has anyone suggested there is other aid or scholarships for recruits. I hope and expect aid is there only for families who need it.

The aid is obviously for star athletes whether they need it or not.

Note: a star athlete is actively recruited by multiple schools, so the aid (read: full ride) is offered as a carrot.

And it gets better:

Does your school have a star athlete from another country or out of state?

If so, those kids sometimes live with a host family whose own kid gets a tuition discount or full ride. I know two area privates that have done this/are currently doing this.

And your full tuition covers this.

(Not that you’ll answer this, but) which two schools?

I mean, everyone can probably guess the two—but the reality is most schools known for sports does this.

I know boys who were aggressively recruited. All the usual suspect schools threw money at them despite the fact that the families were objectively affluent.

I also know of an athlete from another state currently attending an area private. Full ride for the athlete, and free tuition for the family hosting him.

And I know another family at a different school that hosted an international student athlete. Same deal: free ride for the athlete and the host family’s student.

As a full-pay family, I cannot for the life of me understand why athletics are prioritized to the extent they are. They must bring in significant money for the schools, but I can’t understand how exactly.

So name the schools

Well, perhaps start by reading this thread.

Hint: this thread is about a school known for athletics.

The PP said two schools. Name them.

So, we know one of the two schools.

Now let’s put on our thinking caps and figure out another school that is highly competitive in sports.

(Imagine the Jeopardy music 🎶 as you think about which other school is the most likely one…)

Or simply accept that most schools do this despite the fact they don’t openly broadcast it.

Why so coy? Just name one. If you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on the last few posts, it feels like there isn't a place at SJC for the non-athlete, non-artsy, mainly an academic focus kid. I think based on the direction this school is moving, we will pass. Academics seems to be taking a back seat to other interests.

What school do you plan to attend instead?

A school can be good at many things at the same time. It is also not new that SJC is a sporty school culture, so I am not certain this reflects a change at all.

There are many much stronger schools that are more balanced. Gonzaga comes to mind. Very strong athletics while supporting a strong Jesuit academic culture. Able to provide students at all levels academic options. Very strong athletics while the high level. Many strong college outcomes without the athletic recruit hook.

Wait til you find out that Gonzaga also recruits for sports, including (gasp) football.

Oh they know, which is why this post exists. Fighting for the same athletic recruits and academic high achievers, hence the sudden shade at SJC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain how the recruitment works? Does SJC give a lot of aid or only to top athletes that truly need it?

My kid is a football recruit and we did not apply for aid because we will not qualify. We only know three other recruits personally, and I know they would also not qualify for aid. At no time has anyone suggested there is other aid or scholarships for recruits. I hope and expect aid is there only for families who need it.

The aid is obviously for star athletes whether they need it or not.

Note: a star athlete is actively recruited by multiple schools, so the aid (read: full ride) is offered as a carrot.

And it gets better:

Does your school have a star athlete from another country or out of state?

If so, those kids sometimes live with a host family whose own kid gets a tuition discount or full ride. I know two area privates that have done this/are currently doing this.

And your full tuition covers this.

(Not that you’ll answer this, but) which two schools?

I mean, everyone can probably guess the two—but the reality is most schools known for sports does this.

I know boys who were aggressively recruited. All the usual suspect schools threw money at them despite the fact that the families were objectively affluent.

I also know of an athlete from another state currently attending an area private. Full ride for the athlete, and free tuition for the family hosting him.

And I know another family at a different school that hosted an international student athlete. Same deal: free ride for the athlete and the host family’s student.

As a full-pay family, I cannot for the life of me understand why athletics are prioritized to the extent they are. They must bring in significant money for the schools, but I can’t understand how exactly.

Maybe this will help you understand.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/under-armour-founder-gives-16m-to-dc-hs-alma-mater/109734/?amp=1

Kevin would have given SJC millions regardless of whether the football team was playing well. After all, SJC took him in when he was kicked out of Gtown Prep.

He similarly gave $ to HR (where he attended k-8), and HR has never been a sports powerhouse.

Lots of alums who get lucky and strike it rich make gifts to their former schools, but that doesn’t explain why schools over-emphasize certain athletic programs by giving free rides to athletes who otherwise wouldn’t set foot in the school.

There is a high school less than an hour away from SJC that is heavily sponsored by UA, plays their home games at UA stadium, just won a “national championship” broadcasted on espn 2 wearing UA jerseys. The same team that frequently publicly makes fun of SJC for being afraid of scheduling them.

I don’t think any of this is fully a coincidence. I think UA is invested in the growth of SJC football both as a matter of business and ego as sportswear continues to drive the corporatization of high school sports and NIL investments continues grow at this level.

You can like it or not but the reality is this is the direction many of the WCAC “money sports” might be headed in the near future

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the Donatelli Arts Center, the Black Box Theater, and Center for Performance and Leadership. All big non-sports investments thanks to successful alumni.

DP

Right. Sure.

But are full-pay families essentially paying inflated tuitions to cover full-ride scholarships for those non-athletic programs?

No.

Only superstar athletes for certain sports get full rides. And there must be a reason. The school must derive a financial benefit somehow. Otherwise, why do it?

After all, the top privates in the DC metro area (or anywhere on the planet) aren't known for their athletics at all, right?

So why do some schools (like SJC) aggressively recruit and support certain athletes?

I wonder if it's more of a longterm investment. If a player ultimately makes it to the NFL, do they give multi-million dollar gifts?

You’re leaving out an important fact. SJC’s tuition is lower than every other private high school in the area. Full pay families are getting a great deal. SJC just held a gala which raised $ 400,000 for financial aid. It doesn’t appear that tuition is subsidizing financial aid.

If athletes weren’t given a free ride then imagine how much lower tuition would be (at any school).