St. John’s Prep proudly announces the induction of nine new members into the School’s athletic hall of fame, all of whom have exhibited talent in their sport of choice as well as a commitment to sportsmanship and team. Established in 1985, the St. John's Prep Athletic Hall of Fame serves to recognize alumni, coaches, and supporters for outstanding contributions to the athletic program at the Prep. Their commitment, achievement, and sense of sportsmanship set the standard for the young athletes who follow in their footsteps today.
The 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony breakfast will be held on Saturday, October 19 in the Leo and Joan Mahoney Wellness Center. Members of the Prep community are welcome to register to attend the event.
A member of the Class of 1988, Bill O'Brien played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track and field during his time at St. John’s. He has been a professional football coach for 32 years, and currently serves as the head football coach of the Boston College Eagles.
Captain of both water polo and swimming and diving teams, Tom Gately ’98 was named Catholic Conference All-Star in swimming. He has helped coach 16 of 17 Division 1 State Champion teams at St. John’s Prep.
Eric Conrad ’02 helped to lead the Prep’s tennis team to back-to-back state titles in 2000 and 2001. A Catholic Conference All-Star, Conrad was a two-time team captain at the Prep, and captain of the tennis team at Georgetown University.
A member of the Class of 2003, Jon Loyte played football and baseball at the Prep, and played tight end at Vanderbilt University and at Boston College.
Golfer and basketball player Nick Zolotas ’07 captained both teams, achieving All-Conference twice and the varsity MVP award in golf and the Boston Globee’s All-Scholastic award twice. He achieved All-Conference in basketball while at the Prep, and was a two-time Division III All-American golfer at Salem State University.
Swimmer Ryan Fortin ’12 won state titles in the 200 IM, 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay, and 400 free relay. He was named All-Scholastic three times, and All-American as a senior. He holds the St. John’s Prep record in the 100 breaststroke and 200 medley relay and was named Student-Athlete Award winner before swimming at Harvard University.
A member of the Class of 2013, Brandon Bingel played both baseball and golf at St. John’s. As a team captain in both sports, Bingel helped the golf team clinch state titles in 2010 and was named 2013 Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Salem News Player of the Year in baseball. He played Division I baseball at Bryant University before playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Tucker Mathers '13 played football and lacrosse and was on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team during his time at the Prep, helping the football team to win the Division I state championship title. He was selected as an MVP of the lacrosse team and served as two-year captain. At Tufts, he played football and was a two-time NCAA national championship winner in lacrosse.
And finally, a member of the Class of 2014, Johnny Thomas was track and field runner and a four-year letterman in football, helping the latter team to earn a state championship title. At Penn State, Thomas was an Academic All-Big Ten selection and received the Bob Mittinger Memorial Award, as well as the Iron Lion Award. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019 and played in the XFL with the DC Defenders in 2020.
The School will also present the Crystal Eagle Award to Terry Bleiler GP'20, for his dedication to capturing the action and spirit of Prep athletics through his photography.