School History

Introduction

1954 - After World War II, population growth in Northeast Philadelphia produced the need for a new Catholic High School in the area.
1954 - The Oblates of St. Francis DeSales were asked along with a dedicated faculty of lay men and women to administer and teach at the school.

The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity Sisters

The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (MSBT) graciously donated part of the Motherhouse and Novitiate grounds to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to realize the need for a school in the Northeast mainly due to population growth. To acknowledge the Sisters’ generosity, the new school was named after their founder, Rev. Thomas A. Judge, C.M.

The Mission

The goal was to teach the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social values of the spirituality of St. Francis DeSales. Known as “The Gentleman Saint,” his spirit of optimism, hope, freedom, and confidence in God is shown through the Direction of Intention by Living Today Well.

Beginnings

September 8, 1954 – Mass was offered in the auditorium at Northeast Catholic High School which signified the official opening of Father Judge. The main celebrant was Rev. Thomas O’Connell, OSFS who later became the first Principal. The Faculty consisted of 21 Oblates.
September 13, 1954 – The School opened its doors for the first time with 1,015 freshmen and sophomores. Juniors and seniors were added in successive years.
September 1954 – The first club established was called the Oblate Mission Club.
October 1954 – The School Seal, Salesian in style, was selected - “VJ” - meaning Live Jesus from a motto that appears often in DeSales’ writings. Also, the school colors of blue and red were chosen; blue for the Marian year in which the school was founded and red in association with our brotherhood with North Catholic. The first school newspaper The Crusader was also published.
October 1954 (cont.) - "Here’s to Our Crusaders" was adapted from Niagara University (Oblate Seminarians attended school there) by Rev. Leon Bolich, OSFS.
December 23, 1954 – The first Mass was celebrated at Father Judge for all students and faculty.
September 1955 – Enrollment hits 1,740
April 4–6, 1955 – The first school retreat was given at Easter which was the first time the auditorium was used.
September 10, 1955 – Cardinal John F. O’Hara, Archbishop of Philadelphia dedicated the school building.
September 13, 1955 – The football team played their first non-league game. A soccer team was organized by students.
May 16, 1956 – A school carnival was held bringing the whole Northeast onto the school grounds.
September 1956 – Rev. Joseph Brand, OSFS joined the faculty as Prefect of Discipline as the school enrollment increased to 2,534.
September 16, 1956 – Football loses first CL game versus Bonner 31 to 0 and wins CL football game the following week beating St. Thomas More. The swim team won the CL and City Championship.
November 1956 - Seniors receive their class rings
May 3, 1957 – The first Senior Prom is held at Melrose Country Club. The first edition of the Yearbook the “Quest” was published and received 3 national awards.
June 1957 – Baseball wins the CL days before the seniors graduate. Bowling and golf also win the CL.
June 7, 1957 – The first seniors graduate (482) at Cardinal Dougherty High School, presided by Cardinal John F. O’Hara, Archbishop of Philadelphia.
September 1957 – Enrollment continues to increase.
February 1958 – The first theatrical show, Crusader Capers, was performed; followed later by the Father & Son Communion breakfast.
March 1958 – Judge Basketball defeats St. James in a sudden death play-off game, but loses in the finals to Bishop Neumann.
June 1958 – Joe Bonikowski - Philadelphia Sports Writers honor bestowed on player of the year in baseball and basketball.
June 1958 – Judge graduates 478 seniors in its second graduating class.
March 1959 – Basketball loses to West Catholic by 1 point in CL final.

The 60's as we Honor Our "27"

September 1960 – Rev. Edward O’Neill, OSFS appointed as second Principal institutes a new dress code as student enrollment increases to 3,475 students.
October 1960 – Bill Brannau was appointed as the new Football Coach.
November 1960 – Joseph Zingrone directed the school’s Music Program during these early years with the dance band receiving numerous awards.
September 1962 – Buddy Donnelly resigns as Basketball Coach and was replaced by North Catholic’s Ed Scullin.
September 1963 – After a rough season, Ed Scullin resigned and was replaced by LaSalle University star Charlie Greenberg who also became an English teacher.
June 1964 – Baseball wins the City Title.
December 12, 1964 – Judge wins the City Title in Football.
June 1965 – The biggest class at Judge graduates with 867.
May 1966 – Judge wins CL in golf for the first time since 1958.
September 1966 – Rev. Robert Kenny, OSFS appointed as the third Principal, and dual Assistant Principals were established for Studies and Activities. A track system replaces a block system for grades 11 and 12.
June 1967 – Baseball wins the City Title.
September 1967 – Rev. Henry Heminghaus, OSFS assumes the position of Principal.
October 1968 – The tile gym floor was replaced with a wooden floor.
October 20, 1968 – The “27” Vietnam Memorial monument is built, dedicated, and placed in front of the school.
May 1970 – Bill Brannau out as head football coach - Bob Vincent named new Head Coach.

The 70's and 25 years of Commitment

September 1971 – Rev. William Davis, OSFS is appointed as Principal.
October 1971 – Talks began about the construction of an all-weather track and regulation soccer field in the area behind the school.
1973 – Track and Field construction complete.
May 1972 – Golf wins the CL for the fourth time in school history.
October 1972 – Marathon for Leukemia started.
September 1973 – Faculty Handbook is published.
May 1974 – John "Whitey" Sullivan was named Head Football Coach, replacing Bob Vincent.
November 1975 – Judge vs. Abraham Lincoln’s first football game (21 to 7) as Crusaders gobble up the Railsplitters.
December 1975-1976 – Judge wins CL in football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, crew, and soccer. Soccer also won the CL in ’77. Tennis won the City Title in ’71 and the CL in ’74, ’75, ’76.
September 1977 – Students were able to receive vocational training at the Swenson Skills Center.
September 1978 – Rev. John Dennis, OSFS is appointed Principal.
October 12, 1979 – Judge celebrates 25 years with a Mass at the Cathedral followed by a Dinner Dance at the Sheraton.
November 1979 – Model UN was started by Rev. John Hurley, OSFS after a successful run at North Catholic.

The Modern Age

September 1981 – In the cafeteria, portable round tables and folding chairs replace the stationary tables and wooden seats.
December 1981 - 1985 – Athletics continued to impress with Football CL Champs in ’81, ’83, and ’84 while Baseball won the CL in ’82 and ’85.
September 1986 – Rev. Nick Waseline, OSFS is appointed Principal.
October 1986 – Grand trophy cases were built on the first floor.
November 1986 – $65,000 computer lab established with Tandy-1000’s and IBM PC Junior Computers.
March 1988 – Bowling wins CL for the first time since ’81, also won in ’57, ’65, and ’66.
September 1990 – Rev. Joseph DiMauro, OSFS is appointed Principal.
September 1991 – Cable Information Network – Channel One is broadcast into each classroom through TV sets.
January 1992 – Mother/Son dances are introduced and occur at 3 different times during the year.
March 1992 – Career Day is resurrected for Junior/Seniors and is conducted by graduates and friends speaking about their occupations.
September 1992 – Uniform change Students wore red and blue sweaters, gray pants, and school tie for the Winter months and a blue golf shirt for Spring and Fall.
September 1994 – President and Principal model introduced and Rev. Ed Rauch, OSFS appointed as first President.
March 1996 – Bowing wins CL and also won in ’91 and ’95.
September 1996 – Rev. Robert Mulligan, OSFS ’74 appointed as the first Priest/Graduate Principal.
June 1996 – First Rock at the Dock Reunion.
May 1996 – Bowling finishes off an impressive run by winning the CL in 1991, 1995, and 1996. During this time, Joe Bowman ’94 bowled a 300 game.
May 1997 – The Hall of Fame is established, reaching out to graduates to recognize their accomplishments.
March 1998 – Judge defeats Cardinal O’Hara for CL Championship in Basketball. First Basketball Championship since 1977.
June 1999 – John “Whitey” Sullivan retires as Judge Football Coach after 25 years.
November 1999 – Cross Country wins CL second year in a row. They also won in ’98.

The New Millennium

May 2000 – Tom Coyle ’87 replaces Whitey Sullivan as Head Football Coach.
June 2000 – Baseball wins CL for the first time since ’87.
May 2001 -- Moving Wall – Sponsored by the FJ Alumni – honored the Armed Forces who gave their lives while serving in Vietnam. More than 21,000 people visited the display.
September 2001 – New administration appointments - Rev. Joseph Campellone, OSFS
appointed as the new President, and Dr. Joseph DeAngelis ’67 as the new Principal.
September 2004 – Tom Coyle ’87 was named the first full-time Admissions Director. Brother Jim Williams, OSFS ’63 named Director of the At Risk Program, and the name later changed to “Live Today Well Program.” Bob Davis was named full-time IT Director.
2004 – Wrestling returns after a 34-year hiatus.
March 5, 2005 – Celebration of 50 years of service and commitment to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with Mass at the Cathedral and a celebration at the Franklin Institute.
September 15, 2005 – First machinery pulling into the campus – workmen began escalating the grounds for the William F. Mitchell Center- finished and dedicated in the Fall of 2006 through the generous donation of William F. Mitchell ’59. The Mitchell Center also includes the McGonigal Fitness & Weight Room through the generous donation of Patrick S. McGonigal ’81.
February 17, 2006 – Gym named in honor of Coach Bill Fox who announced his retirement as Coach in September of 2006.
February 2007 – Joe McDermott retires as Baseball Coach.
September 2008 – PIAA CL joined together for participation.
October 2008 – Brisson Center was established through the generosity of Thomas F. McGowan ’70 and his family in memory of Timothy McGowan ‘72. Bridget Sweeney, a DeSales graduate becomes the first Director of the Brisson Center.
December 2009 – Soccer Team, led by Coach John Dunlop becomes PA State Champs.
March 2010 – Senior Tom Kehl distinguished himself in Track, qualifying to participate in the prestigious Millrose Games. Tom went on to attend Shippensburg University.
September 2010 – Robotics begins and Grade Connect is brought in to allow parents and students to get updated classroom results.
December 2010 – Soccer wins PIAA District 12 for the second time.

Bringing on New Changes

June 2011 – New bleachers and lighting for the Fox Gymnasium
September 29, 2011 – Rev. James Dalton, OSFS ’62 – Mass held welcoming Fr. Dalton as the new Principal. Approximately 150 Falcons enrolled in FJ after the closure of North Catholic.
May 2011 – Track wins Outdoor and District 12 PIAA.
November 2011 – Groundbreaking and renovation of Ramp Playground
April 2012 – Ramp Fields dedicated and opened.
May 2012 – Track wins CL outdoor for the seventh time in school history.
2013 – Student lockers are refurbished, supported by the Alumni.
March 2013 - Bowling wins PCL.
June 2013 - Mike McKay ’76 replaces Tom Coyle as Head Football Coach.
September 2013 - Jim Lynch is appointed full-time Athletic Director.
December 2013 – Soccer wins CL and then District 12 for the third time.
JUNE 2014 – Wrestler Joe Galasso distinguishes himself by winning All-American Honors twice with a career record of 147-13 with 69 wins by fall. Joe went on to attend Cornell University.
SEPTEMBER 2014 – Friends of Father Judge established, merging the Alumni Office with Development.
November - December 2014 – Soccer and wrestling win CL and City Championships.
March 2014 – Bowling wins CL second year in a row, giving them 12 Championships since 1957.
March 2015 - Robotics Team wins First Place in the Annual Philadelphia Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. The team won First Place, a cash prize, the Audience Choice Award, and the Comcast Award for the most innovative use of technology. The team moved on to compete in the Nationals in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Led by moderator, Michael Fiocco, the team included Justin Anderson, Peter Blumenstein, William Dahlberg, Daniel DiBonaventura, Olek Gierczak, Jack Gosse, Liam Heisler, Andrew Hearn, Mark Macerator, Kevin Neilson, Antonio Pfleegor and William Reil.
June 2015 – Rev. Joseph Campellone, OSFS resigns as the School President. Brian Patrick King ’97 was appointed the new President by the Office of Catholic Education. Brian King was the former Director of Advancement and Operations at Judge.
June 7, 2016 – The first Graduation was held outside under a tent on the track behind the school.
September 2016 – Jim Lynch resigns and Jake Serfass is appointed Athletic Director.
January 3, 2017 – Marc Rodriguez scores 1,000 points and is the first Judge player to do so. Sean Tait is the Basketball Co-Coach of the Year and records his 100th Victory.
March 2017 – Tom Fonville was hired as Director of IT and students began using iPads.
June 12, 2017 – Rev. James Dalton, OSFS resigns as Principal.
June 27, 2017 – Crew wins Kings Cup and the American Regatta.
February 4, 2018 – Tom Quarry scores 39 points in one game which is a school record.
September 28, 2018 – Peter Chapla is inducted as the new Principal. Ed Mullin ’77 was appointed the new Director of the Brisson Center.
November 2018 – “27” Documentary Film of the graduates killed in Vietnam from 1961 to 1968 is previewed in the Judge Auditorium.
December 2018 – Ray Keown named swimming coach.
May 2019 – Colin Reilly receives All-American Honors and accepts swimming admission to Princeton University.
June 2019 - Frank McArdle replaces Mike McKay as Head Football Coach.
July 30, 2019 – Joe Williams, Welding Specialist is appointed as the Father Judge Welding Director.
September 2019 – Ryan Kilkenny ’97 appointed Admissions Director.

Taking on Up-To-Date Challenges

March 2020 – COVID 19 was discovered in the U.S. causing a domino effect in American lives. In the classroom, area schools changed from in-person instruction to virtual instruction for the rest of the school year. Trump declares a national emergency.
June 2020 – Judge held a virtual graduation with limited participation. The graduates could observe online.
September 2020 – School began with a hybrid schedule requiring temperature check entries and social distancing.
September 28, 2020 – Fall Sports were approved, but Judge declined due to safety precautions. Traveling was also very difficult.
November 2020 – THE Archdiocese announces that Hallahan and Bishop McDevitt High Schools would close at the end of the school year.
Thanksgiving 2020- Turkey Bowl canceled for the first time in 45 years.
MARCH 17, 2021 – Opening of the new Brisson Center located where the Library used to be on the second floor. The following month on April 19 the Center was in full operation with the entire network provided by the IT Director, Tom Fonville.
March 21, 2021 – Non-League Schedule put together for Football, opening with Chichester. This gave seniors a chance to show their talents and have a lasting memory of Judge Football.
April 2021 – Naz Johnson is the second 1,000-point scorer.
June 3, 2021 – Chris Roantree ’99 replaces Sean Tait as the new Head Basketball Coach.
June 21 – Graduation is held for both Classes of 2020 and 2021 on a promise made by President Brian Patrick King to the Class of 2020 due to COVID.
July 2021 – Wrestling Coach Jim Savage resigns. He took a teaching/coaching position at St. Joe’s Prep. Record at Judge 11 Championships – CL 5 – 2014, 16, 17, 19, 20 – PIAA DIST 12 – 2014, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20.
September 2021 – Students transition to Chromebooks.
September 2021 – Tech Club Students membership increased from 5 to 40.
September 21-22 – Engineering Club - After a setback in 2019 due to COVID, the Club is bringing to life Robots remotely controlled with frames built from various materials. They are hoping to have 3 fully functioning robots for action at the end of the year.
October 29, 2021 – Pat Hitschler named new Wrestling Coach. He previously coached at Penn Charter.
March 2022 – Junior Christopher Sharametew won first place in his committee on the Concert of Europe for Model UN. This was the first in-person conference since the Pandemic.
April 2022- Senior Wrestler Sean Logue finishes career with All Catholic and District Champ grades 9, 10, and 12 and placed 4th in States in his senior year. Older brothers, Liam ’19 two-time District Champ, and Eamonn ’20 two-time 4-year CL and District Champ.
May 10, 2022 – The first graduating Senior Welding Class recognized in the Fox Gym for their achievements combined with Senior Athletes' commitment signings.
May 20, 2022 – Senior Prom held at the Riverton Country Club in New Jersey.
May 30, 2022 – Tradition Since 1972, Memorial Day Service for “27.”
June 2022 – Spring Sports Recap – Outdoor track finishes in Second Place with 7 All Catholics. Baseball makes the playoffs and Pitcher, David Rodriquez is the CL Pitcher of the Year. Lacrosse made playoffs second year in a row.
June 7, 2022 – Class of 2022 Baccalaureate Mass is held at Maternity BVM Church.
June 8, 2022 – Graduation Grants and Scholarships totaled $31,439,701

The Start of a New Era

September 2022 – Father Jack Kolodziej installs James Hozier as the 15th Principal of Father Judge High School.
October 2022 – Ms. Kots was appointed Assistant Principal of Academic Affairs, Mr. William Loughlin was appointed Assistant Principal for Student Affairs, & Mr. Renato Sifoni was appointed Assistant Principal for Student Services.
November 2022 – On Thanksgiving Day the Crusader football team outlasted Abraham Lincoln by the score of 28 to 12 as Father Judge extended its unbeaten streak to 33 games in the series
- Senior Jake Marquis received MVP honors
- Senior George Thompson received the Sportsmanship Award
May 2023 – Soccer lost in the PCL Championship and finished 2nd in states.
May 2023 – Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor track took 2nd in the PCL Championship
- Indoor and Outdoor track had the most student-athletes make states under a new coaching staff.
June 2023 – Father Judge Baccalaureate Mass was held at St. Matthews Church with Father Jack Kolodziej, Provincial of the Oblates of St. Francis Desales, as presider.
June 2023 – Father Judge held graduation on campus under the tent and the class of 2023 graduation grants and scholarships totaled $33,720,769 which is the most money awarded in Father Judge's History.
June 2023 – Senior John Clark graduates with Honors, the DeSales Medal, and an offer of appointment to each of the five (5) military Academies with his final choice being the United States Air Force Academy with hopes of becoming a pilot.
June 17, 2023 – The Crusaders score a pair of runs and Junior MVP David Rodriquez delivered a masterful performance on the mound as Judge concluded its unforgettable 2023 campaign with a 4 to 1 win over Mr. Lebanon in the finals of the 2023 PIAA 6A Baseball State Championship. The Crusaders capped off their season with a 25-2 overall record.
July 2023 – Construction began on the Career Pathway Academy Building
August 2023 – Father Judge launches try-outs for Competitive Esports Team, the first of its kind in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
August 2023 – Freshmen Summer Readiness Program launches with the goal of helping students transition into High School at Father Judge
September 2023 – Father Judge begins completion nationwide for Rocket League, Ultimate Smash Bro., & Mario Cart.
September 2023 – Construction Begins on new 3D Printer Makerspace
September 2023 – Upgrades begin in STEM Lab