Is St. John's Becoming an IMG?

[Anonymous]

This thread is really odd. People don't think that athletes are in scholars? And have no clue thst SJC has been a top sports school for years? Hell just a few years ago the boys lacrosse team was #1 in the country. The entire country.

Their girls sports are just as impressive. The 2025 valedictorian is playing lacrosse at University of Chicago! (Scholar)

Just relax OP. There are plenty of opportunities for SJC students in sports and non-sports. It is a great place to spend 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Tell me you aren’t familiar with area private schools without telling me…

(Everyone knows which school it is…and that essentially every other school with a strong football/basketball program does the same thing.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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).

Not much lower. MCPS spends $19k per student (average across all grades - if MCPS broke out spending for high school students it would presumably be more). SJC (high school) tuition is $26k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is really odd. People don't think that athletes are in scholars? And have no clue thst SJC has been a top sports school for years? Hell just a few years ago the boys lacrosse team was #1 in the country. The entire country.

Their girls sports are just as impressive. The 2025 valedictorian is playing lacrosse at University of Chicago! (Scholar)

Just relax OP. There are plenty of opportunities for SJC students in sports and non-sports. It is a great place to spend 4 years.

SJC was a top sports school in the 1960’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is really odd. People don't think that athletes are in scholars? And have no clue thst SJC has been a top sports school for years? Hell just a few years ago the boys lacrosse team was #1 in the country. The entire country.

Their girls sports are just as impressive. The 2025 valedictorian is playing lacrosse at University of Chicago! (Scholar)

Just relax OP. There are plenty of opportunities for SJC students in sports and non-sports. It is a great place to spend 4 years.

+1

[Anonymous]

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.

Competition and school spirit. It’s the same way in college sports. If you field a team, you want to win. You want the student body to be proud of their athletes. Come together to support.

[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.

Competition and school spirit. It’s the same way in college sports. If you field a team, you want to win. You want the student body to be proud of their athletes. Come together to support.

Nah. As was said upthread, football does not draw an especially large amount of spectators at SJC. Students have their own sports and other activities. Nobody is choosing SJC for the opportunity to watch a football game, even less so if the game is off in California or Texas.

The question is not whether SJC has a good sports program. The question is why it puts so much emphasis on a few sports like baseball - and now maybe football - that normally talented students can't play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Tell me you aren’t familiar with area private schools without telling me…

(Everyone knows which school it is…and that essentially every other school with a strong football/basketball program does the same thing.)

Tell me you can’t type the name without telling me…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You know a girl who got a full ride because she was Gatorade all-American, she’s in the WNBA, she has raise more money for cancer research than you ever will, she had a 3.89 GPA and has a masters degree.

[Anonymous]

Let just face it the schools with money give scholarships to athletes. Gonzaga send a book of donors and pages and pages and pages of scholarships from Alums.

I’m sure St. John’s does the same thing with the under Armour money which is dwindling because they are losing millions of dollars a year. But it’s not 70 students in either of the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You know a girl who got a full ride because she was Gatorade all-American, she’s in the WNBA, she has raise more money for cancer research than you ever will, she had a 3.89 GPA and has a masters degree.

Preach!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You know a girl who got a full ride because she was Gatorade all-American, she’s in the WNBA, she has raise more money for cancer research than you ever will, she had a 3.89 GPA and has a masters degree.

I know a current student at an area private on scholarship for basketball. And she’s received a ton of college offers with impressive NIL dollars on top of full ride scholarships.

We usually focus on football and male student athletes, but a select number of superstar girls get athletic scholarships too.

[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.

Certain events with strong programs draw prospective families to campuses. Football games attract thousands every week during the fall. A strong theater program can also be simarly impactful. It helps showcase the beauty of your campus and might generate further curiosity into your academic and other programs.
It can also help with media attention- look at what PVI basketball is doing for a school that many hadn't heard of before.

[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.

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.

Certain events with strong programs draw prospective families to campuses. Football games attract thousands every week during the fall. A strong theater program can also be simarly impactful. It helps showcase the beauty of your campus and might generate further curiosity into your academic and other programs.
It can also help with media attention- look at what PVI basketball is doing for a school that many hadn't heard of before.

Isn't SJC already attracting applicants?

[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.

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.

Certain events with strong programs draw prospective families to campuses. Football games attract thousands every week during the fall. A strong theater program can also be simarly impactful. It helps showcase the beauty of your campus and might generate further curiosity into your academic and other programs.
It can also help with media attention- look at what PVI basketball is doing for a school that many hadn't heard of before.

Isn't SJC already attracting applicants?

Yes.

They had something ridiculous like 1,500 applicants for 350 seats.

They certainly don’t need a good football team to attract applicants.