SPJH Adding Football; VCA On The Way Out

By Sheldon Shealer

When St. John's at Prospect Hall underwent a major athletic overhaul a few years ago, school officials promised big changes.

But this one comes as a surprise -- the 172-year-old Catholic school in Frederick, once a national basketball powerhouse, plans to field a football program for the first time next school year. St. John's does not have a coach or a field, but does have two opponents -- Maryland School for the Deaf and Bishop Walsh.

While SJPH is adding football, it appears that the days of Victor Cullen -- and, of course, its athletic programs -- are numbered. The residential facility in northern Frederick County has been ordered to close.

It seems logical, if any school had scheduled VCA next year, it might want to check into playing St. John's instead.

SJPH was rolling through the early and mid-1990s as a basketball power under the coaching of Stu Vetter. Following the school's national championship season in 1998, Vetter's contract was not renewed. During a two-year window, the school changed coaches in almost every athletic program and even hired a new athletic director. Meanwhile, the school had been planning major renovations and expansion of the facility.

A former althetic director had told me years ago that adding football might make the school a viable option for youths in the county. Since the school lacked facilities and due to the cost of the sport, the idea was almost scoffed at.

St. John's is considering using McCurdy Field for home games. McCurdy has not been used for high school football since the early 1980s. It now serves as home to a youth football league during the fall.