SCHOOL NEWS ARTICLE - January 2005
by Gina Rushing, President, St. Anthony College Preparatory High School
St. Anthony College Preparatory High School is a small school that offers a big opportunity for its students. The closely knit campus community provides the perfect setting for students to develop friendships and leadership skills, as well as participate in a variety of activities, from student government and campus ministry, to theater arts and athletics.
Yes, athletics. Historically, the “SAINTS” were known as formidable opponents in the athletic arena. Many graduates have gone on to play at the college and professional levels, with athletic greats such as Johnny Olszewski, Jack Snow, Lou Berberet, Manu Tuiasosopo, and Darrick Martin, topping the list.
Athletics is still a part of St. Anthony’s proud tradition, as the 85 year old high school continues to provide a well-rounded, Catholic college preparatory education for students. SAHS offers a great opportunity for scholar athletes to compete. The Athletic Program is headed by Athletic Director Brian Walsh, Class of ’95. Coach Dan O’Shea, Class of ’88, is in his third year as Head Fooball Coach. Both grads bring a new passion and focus to athletics and to campus life -- as coaches and as teachers.
Football, baseball, softball, track, cross country, volleyball and soccer are all played at St. Anthony College Preparatory High School, either at the Saints’ Athletic Field or in the Gymnasium. SA’s Gymnasium has been “Home of the Saints” for generations and is a downtown Long Beach landmark which was built in the1940’s. The Gym was featured recently in the film, “Coach Carter”. It is also “Joan’s Gym” in the TV series “Joan of Arcadia”.
Today, basketball season is in full swing with two great coaches heading up both girls and boys teams -- Bryn Britton and Steve Crisostomo. Bryn Britton is a former collegiate and professional basketball player who joined our staff this year. She is a 2002 graduate of Loyola Marymount University where she holds the record as all-time leading scorer in LMU history. Bryn continued her basketball career in the European Professional league where she was 2nd in the country in scoring. She competed in the WNBA training camp for the Detroit Shock before returning to Europe for a second International season, where she finished 12th in scoring and 4th in assists in the country. Bryn currently teaches English at SAHS and is enjoying her role as an educator and head girls basketball coach.
Coach Steve Crisostomo played football and basketball and was on the track team at St. Anthony in 1984. He went on to graduate from Long Beach Poly High in 1987 where he played football and baseball. Steve served in the U.S. Marine Corp and continued his education while serving as Athletic Director and Coach at St. Lucy Elementary School. He was appointed Head Boys Basketball Coach for SAHS in 2002.
Visitors are welcome to attend games. Game information is posted on the SAHS Web Site (www.longbeachsaints.org). For information about admission, contact the Registrar at 562-435-4496.