Did you know that St. Robert basketball continues past 8th grade? It may seem surprising, but on a brisk day in December, Bobcat alumni get together in an intense basketball tournament. Teams all compete for the title of best team in St. Robert history.

The alumni tournament is a competitive basketball tournament, for all graduates of the Bobcat community. Teams play with their age group against other classes. Joe Jarosz, the past St. Robert Athletic Director and a former student states, “It’s a single elimination tournament bracket with 8-10 teams participating every year. Some graduating years have their own teams and some combine, like our all decades teams of alumni from the 1960’s, 70’s, 80s.”

The Alumni Tournament is not only for basketball, but a great way for people to reconnect. Everyone from high schoolers to the retired can come home to put aside their troubles into one thing: basketball. A lot of people get caught up in the excitement of college and forget where it all began. This is one reason the tournament was made.

Jarosz says, ‘The tournament is always right around Christmas and is a fun way to reconnect with old friends in the holiday spirit. This is the one day every year some of our alumni see each other.” Coming home for Christmas is a great time to see the friends that people began the journey of life with.

Another great thing about the alumni tournament is that It’s 100% free. Jarosz states, “We invite school kids, families, parishioners, and friends/relatives of players to spectate. Admission is free, championship game is at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 23. Great basketball and great fun!”

This past December 23rd, many made the  trip to St. Robert to set aside holiday celebrations for a moment and jump into their pasts. There, a sight of community, friendship, and basketball was enjoyed by all.