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| former_name = Second Division of St. John's College <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fordhamprep.org/about/history-tradition |publisher=Fordham Preparatory School |access-date=May 27, 2024 |title=History & Tradition - Fordham Preparatory School }}</ref>
| type = ] ] ]
| gender = ]
| grades = ]–]
| slogan = Men for others
| song =
| fightsong = "The Ram"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fordhamprep.org/page.cfm?p=5095 |title=Hall of Honor: J. Ignatius Coveney |publisher=Fordham Preparatory School |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
| rival = {{bulleted list | ] | ]}}
| accreditation =
| nickname = Rams
| colors = {{color box|Maroon}} {{color box|White}} Maroon and white
| established = {{start date and age|1841 | paren = y}}
| status =
| picture = WSTM Free Culture NYU 0077.jpg
| picture_caption = Entrance to the Leonard Theatre
| homepage = {{URL|fordhamprep.org}}
}}
}}
'''Fordham Preparatory School''' (also known as Fordham Prep, or just "The Prep" to alums and some students) is a private ] all-boys high school located in the ], ], with an enrollment of approximately 900 students.
'''Fordham Preparatory School''' (commonly known as '''Fordham Prep''') is an American, independent, ], boys' ] located on the Rose Hill campus of ] in ], a ]. From its founding in 1841 until 1970, the school was under the direction of Fordham University. In 1970, it separated from the University, establishing itself as an independent preparatory school with its own administration, endowment, and Board of Trustees.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news | author = Staff |title=Fordham Prep Ends Tie to University |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/07/04/archives/fordham-prep-ends-tie-to-university.html |access-date= November 19, 2022 |work=] |date=July 4, 1970}}</ref>
==School history==
The Fordham Preparatory School was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1841 and is currently located on the Rose Hill Campus of ].
==History==
In 1972-73, the Prep was separated from Fordham University and built its own new state-of-the-art structure in the northwest corner of the University campus. The school obtained financing for the new building from The ]. In 1978, the school was threatened with closure when Franklin National, which held its mortgage, went into receivership. The FDIC sold the mortgage back to the school for 10 cents on the dollar. A scandal erupted thereafter when the ties between Fordham Prep and the ], Franklin National Bank and the ] were disclosed. Senior members of the Prep staff were relocated to ], which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. The matter climaxed with the sucide of ] who was found hanging from the ] in ] in 1982. The true nature of the relationship between Fordham Prep, the Franklin National Bank, the 90% discount on the mortgage and the FDIC has never been resolved, though it remains a topic of discussion amongst alumni.
Fordham Preparatory School was established in 1841 by bishop ], later Archbishop of New York, as the Second Division of St. John's College, on the Feast of ], situated at Rose Hill in what was then known as the village of Fordham, New York. In 1846, the ] was invited to preside over the institution. The Second Division's curriculum consisted of four years of study in Latin, Greek, grammar, literature, history, geography, mathematics, and religion, followed by three years of study in the First Division (equivalent to present-day ]). The degree of ] was awarded for completion of both curricula. The Second Division was a ] from its founding until 1920 when it ceased boarding operations and assumed its present form as a day school.<ref name="Prep-History">{{cite book |last1=Holbrook |first1=Francis X. |last2=Stellwag |first2=August A. |title=When September Comes... A History of Fordham Preparatory School 1841-1991 |date=1990 |publisher=MacNaughton Einson}}</ref> St. John's College was re-chartered under its current name of Fordham University in 1907, and the school officially became known as Fordham Preparatory School in 1937, having been unofficially known as "Fordham Prep" for some years prior. In 1970, Fordham Preparatory School formally separated from the University, establishing itself as an independent ] with its own administration, endowment, and Board of Trustees.<ref name="NYT"/>
During the late 1970's and 1980's, a number of allegations concering abuse by clerical staff arose. All claims were settled quietly.
=== Hughes Hall to present day ===
]Fordham Preparatory School was originally housed in a wing of what is today Fordham University's ], now known as Cunniffe House. That Second Division Wing has long since been demolished. In 1890, the school was relocated to the recently constructed Hughes Hall, originally called Second Division Hall or Junior Hall. Hughes Hall now houses the ] ]. After formally separating from the University, the Prep moved to then-new Shea Hall in 1972, erected on what were once fields at the northwestern corner of the campus. Rising construction costs, coupled with the recent separation from the University, brought the Prep into poor financial standing by the early 1970s. Generous donations by alumni, including those of aerosol-valve inventor and 1939 alumnus ], and a series of benefit concerts given by entertainers such as ] and ], were instrumental in funding the expansion to Shea Hall. By the end of the decade, however, the school still remained burdened by the immensity of its debt, which was subsequently reduced after the failure of its mortgage-holder, ], and a compromise bartered by 1929 alumnus and former Governor of New York ].<ref name="Prep-History"/> Maloney Hall an addition on Shea Hall which comprises the Hall of Honor (now known as the Theater Atrium), the Leonard Theater, and the Prep gym affectionately named "The Pit" was completed in 1991 to form the present iteration of the Prep grounds.<ref name="Prep-History"/>
==Academics==
==Academics==
Fordham Prep has a rigorous curriculum which focuses on ] studies, ], ], the sciences, foreign and ancient languages, and religion. Every student takes several of these classes a day and is expected to complete several hours of homework a night. Students are allowed to take Honors or ] classes depending on their grades in the previous course. All freshman students take a classical language: ], or ]. As they move on to their sophomore year, the students can choose to continue with ] or ], or study a foreign language, such as ], ], ], or ]. All students are required to take four years of English, four years of Religion, four years of any language, three years of history, three years of mathematics, and three years of science. Senior students have the choice of taking elective courses. Seniors are also required to plan and implement a senior service project at an approved site. They then reflect on their service and journal their experiences for a senior service essay to be completed at the end of the year.
Fordham Preparatory School instructs students in a classical ] curriculum, in the disciplines of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Students either study ] or ] freshman year, after which they may continue or take a modern language such as ], ], ], or ].<ref name="Prep-History"/>
==Extracurricular Activities==
Fordham Prep has many extracurricular activities for students. There are nearly forty clubs, each pertaining to a specific interest. There are clubs for students who enjoy ], ], ], ], studying ], or even discussing ]. There are also clubs pertaining to specific ethnic groups, such as the ] club, ] club, ] club, ] club, and more. Fordham Prep also has a theatre and drama club, hosting two shows a year in ].
There are twenty-four ] courses offered, in addition to a variety of advanced courses in other disciplines. Certain students are also invited to take courses at ].
Fordham Prep also has a large number of athletic teams. It is a member of the ]. Fordham Prep has its own practice field, track, and weight room for the students to use. In 2005, in concert with Fordham University, the back track and practice field were refurbished with MONDO and true grass respectively, vastly updating and improving the facilities. The track is now named in honor of one of the Prep's track coaches, Joe Fox. Additionally, lights were installed for the University's night time use. Fordham Prep has several competitive teams in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The team name is the "Fordham Rams".
=== The Leonard Theatre ===
Constructed in 1991 as part of the Maloney Hall addition, The Leonard Theatre is a one-thousand-seat performing arts venue. In addition to hosting Fordham Prep Dramatic Society productions and other performances and assemblies, the theatre has hosted the ] news program ] twice, and Irish tenor ] in concert.
==Administration==
==Notable Fordham Prep Alumni==
*Colonel ] (did not graduate) - attended for a brief time; Commanding officer of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first all African-American regiment during the American Civil War; portrayed by ] in the ] movie '']''
=== Presidents ===
*] (class of ]) - first Latin American professional baseball player
(Since the creation of the position in 1975.)
*] (class of ]) - ] Hall of Famer a.k.a. "The Fordham Flash," he is third all-time on the list for Series hits, behind ] and ] and just ahead of ].
*] (class of ]) - ] columnist and ] ] winner, one of only three sportswriters to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for journalism.
* Rev. Eugene O'Brien, SJ (1975–1980)
*] (class of ]) - former ] pitcher who appeared in a total of 8 ] games, pitched 16.1 innings, and had an E.R.A. of 1.10.
* Rev. Edward Maloney, SJ (1980–1996)
*] (class of ]) - Lieutenant Governor and ].
* Rev. Joseph Parkes, SJ (1996–2004)
*] (class of ]) - former second baseman for the ] who also was the American League batting champion in 1945.
* Rev. Kenneth Boller, SJ (2004–2013)
*] (class of ]) - inventor of the aerosol spray can, Founder of Precision Valve Corporation. It was Mr. Abplanalp who saved the school when its capital debt threatened to close it in ].
* Rev. Christopher J. Devron, SJ (2013–2022)
*] (class of ]) - ] announcer in the ], ], ]. He has been broadcasting ] games, first in ] and then in ], since 1950.
* Mr. Brian Carney (Interim President, 2022–2023)
*] (class of ]) - Archbishop of Washington D.C.
* Mr. Anthony Day (2023– )
*] (class of ]) - President and CEO of the ]
]
*] (class of ]) - CEO and Founder of Gabelli Asset Management
=== Headmasters/Principals ===
*] (class of ]) - posthumously awarded the ] for actions during the ].
(Since separation from the university in 1970.)
*] (class of ]) - CEO of ] Inc.
*] (class of ]) - Executive Vice President for Business for ]
The title changed from headmaster to principal in 1999.
*] (class of ]) - ] silver medalist who has earned the distinction of being the only Prepster to earn a medal in Olympic competition. His 15:03.91 performance in the men's 1500m Freestyle swimming event at the ] in ] was just a second off the winning time. (See ].)
*] (class of ]) - Broke the wheelchair top speed record during his time competing in the 1990 ]. After a shoulder injury in 1991, he was forced to retire. However, Redding remains the only Prep alumni to participate in the ].
* Rev. Eugene O'Brien, SJ (1960–1975)
* Dr. Bernard Bouillette, PhD (1975–1982)
* Dr. Cornelius F. McCarthy, PhD '53 (1982–1994)
* Mr. Robert Gomprecht '65 (1994–2015)
* Mr. Brian Carney (Interim Principal, 2015–2016)
* Dr. Joseph Petriello, PhD '98 (2016– )
== Athletics ==
The school has teams that participate in eighteen different sports, with forty teams altogether.<ref name=Athletics>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fordhamprep.org/athletics/fp-rams/ram-sports-zone|title= Fordham Prep Athletics|publisher= Fordham Preparatory School|access-date= June 6, 2022}}</ref> The athletic facilities include Fordham Prep's playing fields and running track, the university's adjacent fields and tennis courts, and some other facilities, such as the crew team's boathouse is located in nearby ]
* Track and field (freshmen, junior varsity, varsity)
* Volleyball (varsity)
==Notable alumni==
* ] ] '39]]] (1939) – inventor of the ]; founder of the Precision Valve Corporation <ref name="PrepHoH">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fordhamprep.org/page.cfm?p=4793 |title=Hall of Honor Inductee List |website=Fordhamprep.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831004234/https://www.fordhamprep.org/page.cfm?p=4793 |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ] (1985) – winemaker; restaurateur; judge on the television series '']'' <ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1932) – baseball executive
* ] (1918) – former professional football player
* ] (1868) – first Latin American professional baseball player <ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ], S.J. (1936) – scholar, professor at ], actor] '03]]
* ] (1903) – lawyer and United States Congressman
* ] (1915) – former professional football player
* ] (1914) – lawyer and politician
* ] (1979) – actor and musician
* ] (1922) – '']'' sports columnist; ] winner for journalism <ref>{{Cite book |last1=Fischer |first1=Heinz Dietrich |last2=Fischer |first2=Erika J. |year=2002 |title=Complete Biographical Encyclopedia of Pulitzer Prize Winners, 1917–2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-2o4Ywn4LJwC&pg=PA51 |location=Munich |publisher=K.G. Saur |page=51 |isbn=9783598301865 }}</ref>] 1846]]
* Rev. ], SJ (1846) – 11th President of Fordham University, 1882–1885
* ] (1949) - Former chairman, ]; ]
* ] (1927) – ] 1955–1959; Grand Sachem of ] 1954–1961 <ref>{{Cite web| author = Staff | url=https://www.amny.com/news/carmine-de-sapiovillage-native-son-who-ran-tammany|title = Carmine de Sapio, Village Native Son Who Ran Tammany | work = ] |date = August 10, 2004 | access-date = November 20, 2022}}</ref>] '58]]
* ] (1958) – ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000359|title=DioGuardi, Joseph J. – Biographical Information|publisher=Bioguide.Congress.gov}}</ref>
* ] (1963) – scholar and professor, ]
* ] (1967) – poet
* ] (1963) – disk jockey; music historian<ref>{{Cite web| author = Sassi, Janet | url = http://news.fordham.edu/university-news/fordham-mourns-passing-of-pete-fornatale/|title=Fordham Mourns Passing of Pete Fornatale|date= April 26, 2012| work = Fordham News | access-date = November 20, 2022}}</ref>
* ] (1934) – son of ] commissioner ]
* ] (1916) – Major League Baseball Hall of Famer; known as "The Fordham Flash" <ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1961) – CEO and founder of ]<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1901) – Bronx County District Attorney and New York State Supreme Court Judge
* ] (1959) – television and radio personality
* ] (1917) – Jesuit philosopher; president of ]<ref name=romig>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lr0SAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA176|title=The American Catholic Who's Who, 1946—1947|publisher=Walter Romig|year=1947|editor-last=Romig|editor-first=Walter|volume=7|location=Grosse Pointe, Michigan|page=176|oclc=174071223|access-date=January 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109040956/https://books.google.com/books?id=lr0SAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA176|archive-date=January 9, 2019|url-status=live|via=]}}</ref>
* ] (1977) – silver medalist in ]<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ], SJ (1947) – humanitarian, founder of the ] in ]
* ] (2006) (born 1988), American-Puerto Rican basketball player for ] of the ].<ref name="Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/holland_john00.html |title=Boston University bio |work=GoTerriers.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222132152/http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/holland_john00.html |archive-date=December 22, 2015 }}</ref>
* ] (1976) – movie producer, known for '']'', '']'', and '']''<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1944) – banking executive, ]
* ] (1919) – ]<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1917) – actor<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1914) – lawyer and politician
* ] (1968) – ] for the ]
* ] (1964) – president of ]<ref>McCarthy, Peggy (March 16, 1997). . '']''. Retrieved November 20, 2022.</ref>
* ] (1955) – former president of the CBS television network
* ] (1967) – financial analyst and journalist
* ] (1950) – senior officer of ] in Japan
* ] (1911) – congressman from 22nd District of New York, 1940–1951; 1950 nominee for Governor of New York
* ] (1954) – former president of ]
* ] (1867) – banker, Senator in Mexico from ]
* ] (1962) – surgeon; founder of ] non-profit
* ] (1935) – lawyer and politician
* ] (1948) - former Cardinal and Archbishop of Washington
* ], S.J. (1916) – founder of S.O.M.E. (]); advocate of the ]<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1855) – Union Army officer, politician, and ambassador to Paraguay
* ] (2008) – professional soccer player<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fordhamsports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/ryan-meara/4158 | title= Ryan Meara Fordham University Soccer Profile }}</ref>
* ] (1943) – former professional baseball player] 1894]]
* ] (1894) – 95th ]
* ] (1947) – CEO of the ], 1975–1991] '67]]
* ] (1967) – CEO of ]<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1936) – attorney, ] Dean of Admissions
* ] (1925) – ] pitcher who appeared in eight ] games<ref name="PrepHoH" />
* ] (1964) – Medal of Honor recipient
* ] (1891) – Olympic medalist in rowing, politician
* ] (1985) – former professional baseball player
* ] (1943) – sports announcer for the ]<ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (1911) – lawyer, politician, and judge
* ] (1920) – surgeon, Metropolitan Opera house physician
* ] (1968) – former president and CEO of ] Centurion Bank; former president and CEO of ]; former CEO of ]
* ] (1920) – Olympic medalist in tennis
* ] (1960) – physician; runner who was the first male New Yorker to win the ] in 1974; founder of the ] Foundation
] '44]]
* ] (1944) – sports announcer for the ]; ] honoree; ] inductee <ref name="PrepHoH"/>
* ] (ex-1854, did not graduate) – commanding officer of the ], the first all African-American regiment during the ]; portrayed by ] in the 1989 movie '']''<ref name="PrepHoH" />
* ] (1936) – professional baseball player for the ]; American League batting champion in 1945 <ref name="PrepHoH" />
* ] (2012) – professional baseball player <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high-school/fordham-prep-shortstop-andrew-velazquez-selected-arizona-diamondbacks-seventh-major-league-baseball-first-year-player-draft-article-1.1090542|title=Fordham Prep Shortstop Andrew Velazquez Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Seventh Round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft|first1=Seth|last1=Walder|first2=Mitch|last2=Abramson|work=]|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=September 5, 2014}}</ref>
* ] (1958) – president of basketball operations for the ]; former general manager for the ]<ref>{{Cite web | first=Dana Hunsinger | last=Benbow | date=February 11, 2018 | url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2018/02/11/pacers-donnie-walsh-all-hes-ever-wanted-do-basketball/302527002/ | title=Pacers' Donnie Walsh: 'All He's Ever Wanted to Do Is Basketball' | work = ] | access-date= November 20, 2022}}</ref>
* ] (1908) – lawyer and politician] '29]]
* ] (1929) – ]; ]<ref name="PrepHoH" />
* Rev. ], SJ (1933) – former president of ]
* ] (2015) – professional golfer<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pgatour.com/players/player.57366.cameron-young.html | title=Cameron Young PGA TOUR Profile - News, Stats, and Videos }}</ref>
Fordham Preparatory School (commonly known as Fordham Prep) is an American, independent, Jesuit, boys' college-preparatory school located on the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University in the Bronx, a borough of New York City. From its founding in 1841 until 1970, the school was under the direction of Fordham University. In 1970, it separated from the University, establishing itself as an independent preparatory school with its own administration, endowment, and Board of Trustees.
History
Fordham Preparatory School was established in 1841 by bishop John Hughes, later Archbishop of New York, as the Second Division of St. John's College, on the Feast of St. John the Baptist, situated at Rose Hill in what was then known as the village of Fordham, New York. In 1846, the Society of Jesus was invited to preside over the institution. The Second Division's curriculum consisted of four years of study in Latin, Greek, grammar, literature, history, geography, mathematics, and religion, followed by three years of study in the First Division (equivalent to present-day Fordham University). The degree of Artium Baccalaureus was awarded for completion of both curricula. The Second Division was a boarding school from its founding until 1920 when it ceased boarding operations and assumed its present form as a day school. St. John's College was re-chartered under its current name of Fordham University in 1907, and the school officially became known as Fordham Preparatory School in 1937, having been unofficially known as "Fordham Prep" for some years prior. In 1970, Fordham Preparatory School formally separated from the University, establishing itself as an independent preparatory school with its own administration, endowment, and Board of Trustees.
Hughes Hall to present day
An early campus view showing the University Church and the original school buildings
Fordham Preparatory School was originally housed in a wing of what is today Fordham University's Administration Building, now known as Cunniffe House. That Second Division Wing has long since been demolished. In 1890, the school was relocated to the recently constructed Hughes Hall, originally called Second Division Hall or Junior Hall. Hughes Hall now houses the Fordham UniversityGabelli School of Business. After formally separating from the University, the Prep moved to then-new Shea Hall in 1972, erected on what were once fields at the northwestern corner of the campus. Rising construction costs, coupled with the recent separation from the University, brought the Prep into poor financial standing by the early 1970s. Generous donations by alumni, including those of aerosol-valve inventor and 1939 alumnus Robert Abplanalp, and a series of benefit concerts given by entertainers such as Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, were instrumental in funding the expansion to Shea Hall. By the end of the decade, however, the school still remained burdened by the immensity of its debt, which was subsequently reduced after the failure of its mortgage-holder, Franklin National Bank, and a compromise bartered by 1929 alumnus and former Governor of New York Malcolm Wilson. Maloney Hall an addition on Shea Hall which comprises the Hall of Honor (now known as the Theater Atrium), the Leonard Theater, and the Prep gym affectionately named "The Pit" was completed in 1991 to form the present iteration of the Prep grounds.
There are twenty-four Advanced Placement courses offered, in addition to a variety of advanced courses in other disciplines. Certain students are also invited to take courses at Fordham University.
The Leonard Theatre
Constructed in 1991 as part of the Maloney Hall addition, The Leonard Theatre is a one-thousand-seat performing arts venue. In addition to hosting Fordham Prep Dramatic Society productions and other performances and assemblies, the theatre has hosted the MSNBC news program Hardball with Chris Matthews twice, and Irish tenor Ronan Tynan in concert.
Administration
Presidents
(Since the creation of the position in 1975.)
Rev. Eugene O'Brien, SJ (1975–1980)
Rev. Edward Maloney, SJ (1980–1996)
Rev. Joseph Parkes, SJ (1996–2004)
Rev. Kenneth Boller, SJ (2004–2013)
Rev. Christopher J. Devron, SJ (2013–2022)
Mr. Brian Carney (Interim President, 2022–2023)
Mr. Anthony Day (2023– )
Hughes Hall, the second home of Fordham Preparatory School, from 1890 to 1972.
Headmasters/Principals
(Since separation from the university in 1970.)
The title changed from headmaster to principal in 1999.
Rev. Eugene O'Brien, SJ (1960–1975)
Dr. Bernard Bouillette, PhD (1975–1982)
Dr. Cornelius F. McCarthy, PhD '53 (1982–1994)
Mr. Robert Gomprecht '65 (1994–2015)
Mr. Brian Carney (Interim Principal, 2015–2016)
Dr. Joseph Petriello, PhD '98 (2016– )
Athletics
The school has teams that participate in eighteen different sports, with forty teams altogether. The athletic facilities include Fordham Prep's playing fields and running track, the university's adjacent fields and tennis courts, and some other facilities, such as the crew team's boathouse is located in nearby New Rochelle.
The 1904 football team.Back view of the Leonard Theater and the Rowen Athletic Field
Shea Hall, the third and current home of Fordham Preparatory School. (2024)
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