Latest news with #DeLaSalleHighSchool
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Ottawa beach volleyball tournament brings students together, rain or shine
Students take part in the Sandstorm beach volleyball tournament in Ottawa. May 29, 2025. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa) Students from Ottawa area high schools and from throughout Ontario and Quebec are taking part in a large outdoor beach volleyball tournament. 'Sandstorm' is one of the largest high school beach volleyball tournaments in North America, according to organizers. On Thursday, 340 teams, comprising of around 1,500 athletes, gathered to play at sand courts behind the Richcraft Sensplex in Gloucester. 'It sold out in about 24 hours,' says organizer Sarah McCaffrey. She says there are teams from Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, and even Montreal at the event. 'It's such a fun year-end event for coaches and students alike.' The tournament is also a fundraiser, with proceeds going to supporting underprivileged youth, providing uniforms, equipment, travel, and sport leadership bursaries. 'There's so many great things about sport. And what I noticed when I started teaching at Lester B. Pearson 20 years ago, is that not everyone has that access to sport that I did. And so, I tried to figure out what I could do about it,' says McCaffrey. The day started with substantial rain and cooler weather, eventually calming around the lunch hour. That didn't stop participants from having fun. 'Usually it's a bit sunnier, but it's just a good way to get out. There's a bunch of schools here. It's just nice to see people,' says De La Salle High School Grade 12 student Sophie Hynes. Her team dressed up in costumes. 'It's our last year playing together, so we wanted to go all out,' she says. Sandstorm beach volleyball De La Salle High School Grade 11 and 12 students dressed in costumes for the Sandstorm beach volleyball tournament in Ottawa. May 29, 2025. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa) 'I've never seen this many volleyball courts in my life before. It's pretty heart-touching, seeing this sport that I love, you know? Everybody enjoys their time, having a good time. And it makes me smile and makes me happy,' says Grade 12 Student Tyler Dolroso, who travelled with his team from Scarborough. 'I just love to hear them say like, 'that was so much fun; we love volleyball.' This is such a great time and that's all I can ask for — just them having a great time and being such good kids,' says Dolroso's coach, Melanie MacLean.
CBS News
08-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Paige Bueckers' storybook ending of college career inspiring young Minnesotans
Two Minnesota basketball stars went head to head in the women's NCAA championship game on Sunday. Tessa Johnson from St. Michael-Albertville saw plenty of playing time for South Carolina, but it was Hopkins native Paige Bueckers who came out on top helping the UConn Huskies earn their first title since 2016. It was a storybook ending for Bueckers, who faced a lot of hurdles to get to this moment. "All you had to do was see her in seventh grade, and you knew she was going to be special," said Brian Cosgriff, the former head girls basketball coach at Hopkins High School, who coached Bueckers for six years. When Bueckers was in eighth grade, she shared her aspirations with him. "We were playing Elk River. They were the number two team in the state," said Cosgriff. "We were down by about 10 points, and we put her in, and she hit eight [three-point shots] in a row, and we won the game. I'll never forget in her exit meeting at the end of the year, I asked if she could pick one college she'd want to go and play and she said UConn." Cosgriff proudly watched on as Bueckers checked out of her final college game as a UConn Husky and a national champion. "When she hugged Geno [Auriemma] at the end, I'm not going to lie, I had tears in my eyes. I had chills," said Cosgriff. While Bueckers' basketball legacy still has a long way to go, as a likely top draft pick for the WNBA, Cosgriff feels honored to have been part of her story. "If you have great players, you can be a great coach, and she afforded me part of that ride, and it's something I'll be forever grateful to her for," said Cosgriff. Her college career and beyond continue to inspire the Minnesota hoopers that come behind her. "It just lets me know that anything is possible. You can get to big stages even when you're from Minnesota," said Elia Johnson, a senior basketball player at DeLaSalle High School. At UConn, Bueckers became the first freshman to win Associated Press Player of the Year. That same year, she won the John R. Wooden Award and Naismith trophy. "Even when it got hard, she still voiced that. She never came out and said, 'Oh this was easy.' She told her struggle out, and I think that's really inspiring that she kept going," said Taylor Starks, a senior basketball player at DeLaSalle High School and Hamline University commit. Bueckers tore her ACL in the middle of her sophmore year, missing her entire junior year in recovery. But she came back stronger than ever, winning Big East Player of the Year the last two years in a row, and now a national championship.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Popular Minneapolis teacher dies after 24-year battle with brain cancer
A DeLaSalle High School teacher has died after a 24-year battle with brain cancer. Jeremy Zavitz died at his Minneapolis home surrounded by family on Feb. 22, his obituary says. He was 45 years old. Zavitz has taught at the school since he finished his student teaching role in 2012 and was offered a full-time position soon after. "He was willing to try any treatment or therapy to combat his disease. He was scrappy, a fighter and resilient. He never gave up his fighting spirit, even at the end of his life," the obituary states. A graduate of Orono High School, Zavitz attended the University of St. Thomas, earning degrees in history and teaching. "He loved playing any and all sports, enjoying soccer and ice hockey most of all. He was an animal lover, avid reader and a good friend to so many," his obituary reads. "He especially enjoyed playing catch with his son Eddie, watching Jeopardy, going for long walks around the neighborhood and enjoying a cup of coffee while completing the NY Times crossword puzzle." The announcement of his death sparked dozens of comments and tributes from this he taught in the past. "Mr. Zavitz was a bright light in a rough time for me. I'm grateful to read about the time we all had with him and pray peace to his family as we all mourn his absence," one commenter said. "I will never forget Mr. Zavitz. My class was lucky to have him as our social studies teacher, some as a coach, and as a mentor," another wrote. A memorial service was held on Friday afternoon at the school. Zavitz is survived by his wife, Maud, and their seven-year-old son.
