Faculty and staff of Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee in New Roads responded “game on” when their senior students challenged them to play a game of basketball.
The faculty proved they still had athletic prowess in a 31-29 win, with the Priest Retirement Fund for the Diocese of Baton Rouge being the ultimate victor.
CHSPC students Andrew Jewell, 17, and Jack Allen, 18, who are also members of St. Mary of False River Church in New Roads, spearheaded the game as their senior service project. They said Father Mike Schatzle, retired and former pastor of St. Mary, was their inspiration for their service project.
The Allen and Jewell families became close to Father Schatzle when he served as pastor at St. Mary from 1996–2005, during which time he baptized Allen and Jewell. When Father Schatzle voluntarily came out of retirement in 2020 to administer to St. Mary until a new pastor could be assigned, that friendship quickly rekindled.
By that time Jewell and Allen were veteran altar servers and active at St. Mary and Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee. After Father Schatzle’s stroke this past year, he spent some time in rehabilitation in New Roads, and Allen’s father, John, a physical therapist, was instrumental in the former pastor’s physical therapy regiment.
“When (Father Schatzle) had his stroke this past summer, we decided that the Priest Retirement Fund was something we could raise money for,” said Jewell.
The main event was a faculty vs. seniors game on Jan. 20. Seniors and faculty who opted to participate played in a game consisting of five-minute quarters. Students paid $5 to attend and satisfied their sweet tooth through donuts being sold at the gate. Contributions were also encouraged.
To date, the project has raised $5,000 for the retirement fund.
COVID-19 created some problems in setting the date for the event but was well worth the wait for many.
“The game itself was a lot of fun for all parties involved, including the students that watched the game. They got the chance to see their teachers outside of the classroom interacting and enjoying time with co-workers and students,” said faculty player Clayton O’Callaghan, junior high athletic director for the high school and junior high history teacher.
“The gym went nuts on several occasions. We even had a section rush the court after a faculty member made a 3-pointer, but my favorite was when a faculty member blocked a shot and then yelled ‘Not up in here’ towards the seniors. I hope that this tradition continues yearly as it was a great time for everyone.”
Basking over the coup, O’Callaghan said, “It was a hard fought victory for the faculty and most of us spent the rest of the day with ice and heat packs, but we have bragging rights for the rest of the year. It’s something we like to remind the seniors of almost daily.”
On hand at the game was Father Chris Decker, pastor of St. Mary and chaplain at CHSPC.
“It was an excellent match up, with the teachers mounting a level of talent and speed on the court that surprised everyone,” said Father Decker. “While the teachers may have won the game, the students played with heart.
“As I watched them battle it out on the basketball court, I was struck by the closeness that our faculty and students shared. It filled me with a father’s pride. Even though school isn’t easy, there was genuine fun and playfulness that can only be achieved by mutual trust and respect in the classroom as well. I’m proud of our seniors and honored to be part of the Catholic of Pointe Coupee and St. Mary’s family.”
For Father Decker, the game also demonstrated the “win-win” outcome when churches and communities partner together.
“In my short time as pastor of St. Mary of False River, I’ve come to experience New Roads as a community that really does treat their priests as spiritual fathers and members of the family,” said Father Decker. “It was such an act of kindness that Jack and Andrew thought of our diocesan priests when considering their senior project.
“By allowing the proceeds from their basketball tournament to be donated to the priests’ retirement fund, they helped to raise awareness that priests really do rely on the charity of the people they serve for their entire lives. I’m grateful for this simple yet profound act of witness from our young Catholics acknowledging their ministers also need ministry too, especially in their later years,” he said.
Allen and Jewell thanked Father Decker, the CHSPC administration and the community for their support.
“This project has shown us the strength of community. It has shown both of us that anything is possible with great community support like ours. We have also learned the ins and outs of coordinating fundraisers,” said Jewell.
He added, “The most satisfying part of this project was seeing it all come together. It was a fun, energizing event for the school which has had many things canceled over the last two years due to COVID.”
Contributions to this project may be made online through by visiting bball.stmarysfr.org.