The Jesuit Basketball Spotlight (JBS) is a program developed by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) in 2008 to bring greater awareness of Jesuit education and its shared mission through the more than 80 games played by men's and women's basketball teams every season. The nation's 27 Jesuit colleges and universities are part of a global network of 188 institutions of higher learning that are rooted in the traditions of academic excellence, service, and a faith that does justice.

 

Today, Jesuit institutions boast over 2 million living alumni across the world, including 10% of the United States Congress and basketball legends Bob Cousy (College of the Holy Cross), Patrick Ewing (Georgetown University), Bill Russell (University of San Francisco) and John Stockton (Gonzaga University).

 

There are a number of ways that institutions can support and promote the JBS program, including:

• Broadcasting a game-time announcement about Jesuit higher education in the United States
• Playing the new :30 JBS video during game-breaks or half-time
• Promoting the National Jesuit Basketball Players of the Week online
• Sharing the Jesuit connection on social media using #JesuitEducated
• Getting your students involved: Add Pope Francis and St. Ignatius to their collection of "fatheads" in your student sections!
• Hosting a clothing / food drive before game-time in partnership with a local charity
• Hosting a pre-game reception with Jesuits

The possibilities are endless! Contact the AJCU office with any questions: (202) 862-9893 or jesuitbasketball@ajcunet.edu.

 

Committee Members: Deanna Howes Spiro, Vice President of Communications, AJCU
Joe Lunardi, Broadcaster, Saint Joseph’s University
John Burnes, President, Burnes Creative
Brian Larkin, Manager, Instructional Technology, Santa Clara University
Rory O’Neil, Director of Major Gifts, John Carroll University