They Friar-ed Up for return to glory at Bonner
They were behind, had no timeouts, and the seconds were ticking away.
Many still held out a hope, but it would take a nothing short of a miracle to overcome the obstacle facing them. Truth was, if they didn’t cross the goal line quickly, everything would be for naught, and worse, their storied legacy – spanning decades – would be relegated to the trash bin of history. Would it really be on their watch, despite so many accomplishments, that the scoreboard would read “failure?”
Was this how it would finally end for the Bonner “team?” Almost. But it didn’t. Instead, Monsignor Bonner – along with sister school Archbishop Prendergast – rallied, beating back the toughest opponent they had ever faced: their own archdiocese. After the decision to permanently close both schools, an unprecedented show of force was mobilized – literally overnight – to both appeal the decision, and do whatever was necessary to prove that closing the high schools would be a massive mistake.
So a coalition of students, parents, alumni, teachers, administrators, business people – and, perhaps most impressive, people with no affiliation to the schools – rolled up their sleeves and started the heavy lifting. In short order, they raised an incredible amount of money, and generated so much awareness and support, that it became impossible for the archbishop not to reconsider.
Thankfully, Archbishop Chaput reversed his decision, and Bonner and Prendie have been thriving ever since.
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There are so many aspects to what constitutes a school, from athletics to clubs, and curriculum
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to community engagement.
But let’s face it: the most public profile of any institution – college or high school – is its football team. In no way is that a slight to any other achievement or organization, but the fact remains that football garners the biggest headlines and largest, most devoted following. Bonner is no exception.
But it has been a rough stretch for recent Bonner squads – and that’s being kind, as the team went 3-8 last season, lost all its games in 2006 and 2007 during a
24-game losing streak, and hadn’t won a Catholic League Championship in a quarter-century. So it was absolutely exhilarating watching the Friars not just turn around their misfortunes, but completely exorcise their demons by achieving an 8-1 regular season record, and winning the District 12 semifinal.
Now, the Friars are ranked
48th in the state, but remain the underdog in Friday night’s District 12 4A City Championship title game against Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia.
Nothing against Imhotep, but here’s hoping for a resounding Delaware County Catholic school victory. There’s something magical about this Bonner team – and yes, you can fill in all the sports clichés here about “coming together as a family,” “overcoming obstacles,” and “believing in themselves when no one else did” – but just because something sounds trite doesn’t mean it isn’t true. All those descriptors apply, as Bonner has overcome tremendous adversity to get where they are.
Full disclosure: Do I have a vested interest in the BonnerImhotep game? Damn straight. I’m not an alum, but have many friends and family who still call Bonner and Prendie “home,” including an uncle who was in Bonner’s first graduating class in 1957. As such, he is part of a select group who can say he attended,
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But my interest in the football team was truly piqued after my nephew chose Bonner, despite offers from numerous other schools, including elite private institutions. The reason was simple: Bonner was the right fit for him and his blue-collar work ethic. And, clearly, he and his 6-foot5, 300-pound offensive lineman frame was the right fit for the team. Brian reminds me of former University of Tennessee and Philadelphia Eagles great Reggie White – an animal on the field who exudes a “we won’t be denied” attitude, but the kindest, most gentle giant off the gridiron.
Brian has been working multiple jobs since age 9, but more impressive is that he has always helped the elderly and sick in his neighborhood at any hour of the day – free of charge, without social media fanfare, and with a rare humbleness that comes from doing the right thing, solely because it’s the right thing to do. He is the type of person who would literally give someone the shirt off his back. His actions – and those of many of his teammates,
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••• Bonner’s football ascent has much in common with how Catholic schools have been forced to operate. Whereas public schools rarely worry about enrollment or revenue, Catholic schools do – every single day. They didn’t always, as Philadelphia once had the largest Catholic elementary and high school population in the entire world. But things have radically changed since that heyday, for many reasons – some of which are directly attributable to failures of the church’s own leadership.
But rather than fold, Catholic education has earned a resurgence for itself, and Bonner/ Prendie is living proof of that success.
Are Catholic schools out of the woods? No – and never will be. They will always have to work harder than the next guy at attaining – and retaining – future students. As a result, today’s Catholic schools are leaner and more efficient than perhaps at any
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Letters to the Editor, 639S. Chester Road Swarthmore, PA 19081 point in their history. No longer able to rest on their laurels, administrators have adapted operations to improve, improvise and overcome – lessons learned from students, parents and alums as much as from traditional teaching methods.
But as important as academics are, what makes Catholic schools so special are their dedication to faith. It is priceless when Catholic grade school CYO teams come together before a game to say a prayer. Just as endearing is watching teams like Bonner pray without fear of ridicule, and play with sportsmanship, courage and that increasingly rare trait called humility. Bonner football scraps for everything, never gives up, and keeps its foot on the gas – all of which have earned it a place among the very best this season. And it starts and ends because these guys, more than most teams I have seen, don’t just believe, but act on their faith.
Bonner’s true essence is that it represents the real Delaware County – a uniquely hardscrabble place to live and work, where people are blunt, sarcastic and sometimes in-your-face. But underneath it all, black or white, Democrat or Republican, Delaware Countians always give a hand to those in need.
Here’s hoping for victory and advancement to the next level. And a thank you to the team and its coaches who have put Bonner football – and Catholic education – right back where it belongs: at the top of their game.
To the Friars – powerhouse of the suburbs – Godspeed and God bless.
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