Saint Stanislaus College
Encyclopedia
St. Stanislaus College is an all-male Roman Catholic boarding school
in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. It is owned and operated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart
order.
It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
. The institution is named after Saint Stanislaus Kostka
. It takes in day students from grades 7
-12
and boarding students from grades 6
-12
. It was founded in the early 1854 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart
. Some famous alumni include 1945 Heisman trophy
winner Doc Blanchard
and Stephen Peterman
formerly of the Dallas Cowboys
, and now with the Detroit Lions. The school mascot is the "Rockachaw".
bought land for the foundation of a boarding school. Two years previously Brothers Basile Venable, Leo Maligne, and Joseph Deimer came to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi from France to teach in the boy's parish school fulfilling the desire of Father Stanislaus Buteux of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church. In late 1854 the Father petitioned superior general of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart (Brother Polycarp) for more teachers that a boarding school could be started. In response Brothers Eusebe Gulonnier, Ephrem Flechet and George Leydier were sent.
The land bought by the brothers cost $4000. The first school building built on this land cost $3800. The school was named after Father Stanislaus and was placed under the protection of Saint Stanislaus Kostka as he is the patron saint of youth. The first president of the school was Brother Athanasius.
When the Civil War
erupted a few years later, some of the students left to join the army. At least one student was forcibly brought back by his mother. This student would later write to his mother complaining of his fellow classmates' cursing, drinking, and other immoral activities. Before the war was over, the Union army arrived in Bay Saint Louis marching down the road between SSC and the present day all-girl school across the street. The street was named Union Street in remembrance which leads to quite a few jokes about the street being aptly named. In exchange for the school and church being left alone, the brothers and father promised to pray for the Union soldiers.
had a huge impact on Saint Stanislaus and its surrounding neighborhood. Katrina destroyed many buildings, including the first floor and dormitories of Saint Stanislaus. The school was closed for two months. Saint Stanislaus, along with its next door neighbor Our Lady Academy
, an all-girl Biloxi dioscean Catholic school, resumed classes together on November 1, 2005 and operated jointly for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year. Both schools suffered damage in Hurricane Katrina
with Our Lady Academy being forced to knock down one of its buildings. In August 2006, Our Lady Academy resumed operations on its own campus, sharing some classes with Saint Stanislaus as it had done prior to Hurricane Katrina.
, basketball
, cross-country
, football
, golf
, powerlifting
, sailing
, soccer, swimming
, tennis
, and track and field.
word meaning devil grass and today is also known as sandbur
(Cenchrus L.). Several species are common in the area, especially coastal sandbur. "Rock-a-chaw" was the name give to the hard, spiny, globose or oval bur of the plant. It is covered with stiff spines, which stick to fur and clothing and can be quite difficult to extract. The burs can also be quite painful when landed on such as during football games. They littered the playing fields and campus before these areas were tilled and seeded with grass. During sporting events, it was not uncommon for the students to do their best to remove the many burs from the playing fields where the prickly weeds grew in the sandy soil that is common for the Gulf Coast area. Sometimes students would drag blankets made of wool across the fields. Because the rock-a-chaws had small spikes, they clung to the wool. This aided in quicker removal of the rock-a-chaws from the playing fields.
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. It is owned and operated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart
Brothers of the Sacred Heart
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart are a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1821 by the Reverend André Coindre . Its Constitutions were modeled upon those of the Jesuits, while its Rule of Life was based upon the Rule of Saint Augustine. Its members bind themselves for life by simple vows of...
order.
It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi encompasses 17 counties in south Mississippi. It was erected on March 1, 1977, when it was split from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson...
. The institution is named after Saint Stanislaus Kostka
Stanislaus Kostka
Stanisław Kostka S.J. was a Polish novice of the Society of Jesus. In the Catholic Church as Saint Stanislaus Kostka....
. It takes in day students from grades 7
Ninth grade
Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school....
-12
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
and boarding students from grades 6
Ninth grade
Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school....
-12
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
. It was founded in the early 1854 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart
Brothers of the Sacred Heart
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart are a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1821 by the Reverend André Coindre . Its Constitutions were modeled upon those of the Jesuits, while its Rule of Life was based upon the Rule of Saint Augustine. Its members bind themselves for life by simple vows of...
. Some famous alumni include 1945 Heisman trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Doc Blanchard
Doc Blanchard
Felix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard is best known as the college football player who became the first ever junior to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and was the first ever football player to win the James E. Sullivan Award, all in 1945. He played football for the United States Military Academy at...
and Stephen Peterman
Stephen Peterman
Stephen Frederick Peterman is an American football guard for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League....
formerly of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, and now with the Detroit Lions. The school mascot is the "Rockachaw".
History
In 1855 the Brothers of the Sacred HeartBrothers of the Sacred Heart
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart are a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1821 by the Reverend André Coindre . Its Constitutions were modeled upon those of the Jesuits, while its Rule of Life was based upon the Rule of Saint Augustine. Its members bind themselves for life by simple vows of...
bought land for the foundation of a boarding school. Two years previously Brothers Basile Venable, Leo Maligne, and Joseph Deimer came to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi from France to teach in the boy's parish school fulfilling the desire of Father Stanislaus Buteux of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church. In late 1854 the Father petitioned superior general of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart (Brother Polycarp) for more teachers that a boarding school could be started. In response Brothers Eusebe Gulonnier, Ephrem Flechet and George Leydier were sent.
The land bought by the brothers cost $4000. The first school building built on this land cost $3800. The school was named after Father Stanislaus and was placed under the protection of Saint Stanislaus Kostka as he is the patron saint of youth. The first president of the school was Brother Athanasius.
When the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
erupted a few years later, some of the students left to join the army. At least one student was forcibly brought back by his mother. This student would later write to his mother complaining of his fellow classmates' cursing, drinking, and other immoral activities. Before the war was over, the Union army arrived in Bay Saint Louis marching down the road between SSC and the present day all-girl school across the street. The street was named Union Street in remembrance which leads to quite a few jokes about the street being aptly named. In exchange for the school and church being left alone, the brothers and father promised to pray for the Union soldiers.
Camp Stanislaus
Camp Stanislaus is a summer camp that has been in business since 1928. The camp hosts many different activities, including: sailing, water-skiing, archery, rifles, hobbies, kayaks, canoes, baseball, dances, swimming, gym, tennis, basketball, pool, go-carts, art, weightlifting, volleyball, marine science, math, bonfires, fishing, movies, soccer, barbecues, skit nights, football, reading, karaoke, shows, beach activities, digital photography, and much more.Notable alumni
- Marchmont "Marchy" SchwartzMarchmont Schwartz-External links:...
- 1927 graduate who was inducted into the College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1974; former football coach at Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
; member of the 1931 College Football All-America Team1931 College Football All-America TeamThe 1931 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams in 1931...
; starting running back at University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre DameThe University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
from 1929 to 1930; was a two-time all-American under legendary football coach Knute RockneKnute RockneKnute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
. - Felix "Doc" BlanchardDoc BlanchardFelix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard is best known as the college football player who became the first ever junior to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and was the first ever football player to win the James E. Sullivan Award, all in 1945. He played football for the United States Military Academy at...
- 1942 St. Stanislaus graduate who led the 1941 football team to an undefeated season and the Gulf Coast Championship; 1945 Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
, Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
and James E. Sullivan AwardJames E. Sullivan AwardThe James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the American Amateur Athletic Union , is awarded annually in April to "the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States". Often referred to as the Oscar of sports awards, it was first presented in 1930. The award is named for the AAU's founder and past...
winner (All 3 trophies are on display at St. Stanislaus); inducted into the College Football Hall of fame in 1959. - John StamosJohn StamosJohn Phillip Stamos is an American actor, singer and musician best known for his work in television, especially in his starring role as Jesse Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom Full House. Since the cancellation of that show in 1995, Stamos has appeared in numerous television films and series. From 2006...
-1982 American actor of Greek decent. St. Stanislaus graduate who would later go on to star in the widely successful sitcom Full HouseFull HouseFull House is an American sitcom television series. Set in San Francisco, the show chronicles widowed father Danny Tanner, who, after the death of his wife, enlists his best friend Joey Gladstone and his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and...
. He is also known for his philanthropic donations and for being ridiculously handsome.
- Kermit The FrogKermit the FrogKermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
- 1955 esteemed graduate known for not only his television and movie experiences, but also known for his musical numbers. Kermit was asked to return in 1997 to speak on the "Moral, Ethical and Environmental Effects of Being Green". Kermit went on to receive an honorary doctorate in 1986 from South Hampton University in New York. Unfortunately Kermit and St. Stanislaus are on rocky terms after a dispute over the construction of a pond on the back of campus. Kermit was for it, Stanislaus against it. Kermit even offered to fund it, but needless to say, it never happened. Nonetheless, Kermit is a favorite alumni of SSC students.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
had a huge impact on Saint Stanislaus and its surrounding neighborhood. Katrina destroyed many buildings, including the first floor and dormitories of Saint Stanislaus. The school was closed for two months. Saint Stanislaus, along with its next door neighbor Our Lady Academy
Our Lady Academy
Our Lady Academy is the only all-girls Catholic high school in the state of Mississippi, United States. It takes in students grades 7-12. It is a Sister of Mercy school. Its school mascot is the "Crescent"....
, an all-girl Biloxi dioscean Catholic school, resumed classes together on November 1, 2005 and operated jointly for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year. Both schools suffered damage in Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
with Our Lady Academy being forced to knock down one of its buildings. In August 2006, Our Lady Academy resumed operations on its own campus, sharing some classes with Saint Stanislaus as it had done prior to Hurricane Katrina.
Athletics
The Saint Stanislaus College Rock-A-Chaws field teams in baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cross-country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, powerlifting
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...
, sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
, soccer, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, and track and field.
Rock-a-chaw mascot
Rock-a-chaw comes from an old Choctaw IndianChoctaw language
The Choctaw language, traditionally spoken by the Native American Choctaw people of the southeastern United States, is a member of the Muskogean family...
word meaning devil grass and today is also known as sandbur
Sandbur
Cenchrus is a genus of about 25 species of grasses in the family Poaceae. Common names include buffelgrasses, sandburs, and sand spur. Some botanists include the genus within the related genus Pennisetum.-Species:...
(Cenchrus L.). Several species are common in the area, especially coastal sandbur. "Rock-a-chaw" was the name give to the hard, spiny, globose or oval bur of the plant. It is covered with stiff spines, which stick to fur and clothing and can be quite difficult to extract. The burs can also be quite painful when landed on such as during football games. They littered the playing fields and campus before these areas were tilled and seeded with grass. During sporting events, it was not uncommon for the students to do their best to remove the many burs from the playing fields where the prickly weeds grew in the sandy soil that is common for the Gulf Coast area. Sometimes students would drag blankets made of wool across the fields. Because the rock-a-chaws had small spikes, they clung to the wool. This aided in quicker removal of the rock-a-chaws from the playing fields.
External links
- Athletics page
- Camp Stanislaus
- Private Schools Report
- Wayne's Word Noteworthy Plant For April 1998: The Remarkable Cocklebur
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Profile: Cenchrus Spinifex Cav. (coastal sandbur)
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Profile: Cenchrus Tribuloides L. (sanddune sandbur)
- Forbes, Andrew E., "Spines and Natural History of Three Cenchrus Species", American Midland Naturalist, Vol. 153, No. 1 (Jan., 2005), pp. 80–86. Published by: The University of Notre Dame.