Alumni Bryan Barrett, class of ’96, described his time at JC as some of the best four years of his life. After graduating he went on to play eight years of professional lacrosse.

Barrett was just one of three athletes inducted into the JC Hall of Fame on January 24. These three athletes include his sister Brooke Barrett, class of ’98, and Katie Tiburzi Jenkins, class of ’97.

The Athletic Hall of Fame inductions have been going on since 1989. The Hall of Fame Committee chooses the athletes after receiving recommendations from athletes’ friends or family. The committee members are President Rick O’Hara, Principal Paul Barker, Athletic Direct Larry Dukes, Assistant Athletic Directors Timothy Perry and Stephanie Maycheck, and Athletic Office Assistant Donna Hetzel.

After a catered luncheon in the Brown Room, Dukes invited some of the athletes’ former friends and coaches to talk about the nominees’ past performances as athletes.

Anne Munth, Brooke’s former field hockey assistant coach, was first to give a speech. Munth described Brooke’s first experience as a goalie and how during some practices Brooke was forced to deflect lacrosse balls using only her helmet. Even though her time as goalie was scary, Brooke said, “Being the only goalie at John Carroll prepared me for being the only goalie in college.”

After her speech, Munth read off a letter from Brooke’s head lacrosse coach John Hughes, who was not able to attend the ceremony. In the letter, he listed several of her many accomplishments in and out of JC. While attending the school she was in the National Honors Society, the Captain’s Committee, the Outreach Club, and the musicals. She was captain of the lacrosse team senior year and a two year starter on JC’s varsity field hockey team. After high school she went to Boston University, where she continued to play lacrosse. Hughes described Brooke saying, “She was a natural leader. She was always one to help others no matter what. She shares her love for the game.”

After receiving her plaque and gift, Brooke made a short but genuine speech thanking her friends, family, and JC. “My biggest thanks goes to my brother. I always admired him for all he did,” said Brooke. She joked about her passion for sports by confessing that she lied about her age when she was young in order to make a recreational sports team.

When asked about her current involvement in sports Brooke said, “I coach youth and high school lacrosse and run around with my teams.” However, she explained that she has “more natural pursuits” and enjoys hiking and biking.

Addressing all JC student athletes, Brooke said, “It takes hard work. If you just believe in yourself, whether in John Carroll or beyond, you can accomplish your goals.”

Next, Bryan Barrett’s longtime friend, Brad Knapp, spoke about what it was like growing up with Bryan. He said, “Bryan was always the guy to get picked first. His character, passion, and will to win the game was what made him different.” Knapp talked about some of Bryan’s accomplishments, such as playing football, basketball, and lacrosse for four years at JC. Bryan was captain of the football team his senior year. His freshman year of college at the University of Delaware, he was cut, but instead chose to play lacrosse the next three years. In his speech, Knapp described the day he heard the news that Bryan did not make the team. Both of them were surprised, but what makes Bryan unique is how he reacted. Knapp said, “At any point in time, Bryan has the ability to say alright, let’s go, let’s get the job done.” He had trained all summer in order to meet the challenge, yet Bryan joked, “I’m glad I was cut freshman year, because they had their worst season.” On a more serious note, he described his reaction saying, “I believe that all things happen for a reason. It made me not take things for granted.” Later in 2007, while playing for the Indoor National Lacrosse league, Bryan’s team won the bronze medal.

Bryan confessed, “I was never the most talented kid. I had to work and earn what I got, and I think my teammates respected me for that.”

After the last speech, the guests were invited to watch the JC varsity basketball game against McDonough.

Unfortunately, Katie Tiburzi Jenkins was unable to attend, but will still be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

According to Dukes the tradition of inducting athletes into the Hall of Fame will continue for years to come.  O’Hara described the goal of the committee saying, “We are honoring traits and character, strengths, personal qualities, and hard work. Who they are, were, and will continue to be.”

Haley Lynch can be reached for comment at [email protected].