For more than a century, the Jesuit-Holy Cross Rivalry has brought generations of Blue Jays together through one of the most storied traditions in high school football. Each year, Jesuit honors players and alumni whose accomplishments on and off the field embody the spirit and tradition of the historic Rivalry.

Join us on October 2, 2026, as we celebrate these distinguished honorees and carry on a century-old tradition between cross-town rivals.

Alumni Honorees

2026 Distinguished Military Alumnus— Colonel Stephen Detrinis, USMC, Jesuit ’97

Colonel Stephen Detrinis USMC, Jesuit ’97 serves as the commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Hawai’i and has served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps for more than 24 years. Throughout his career, he has been stationed in North Carolina, Virginia, California, Okinawa, Rhode Island, and Hawai’i and has deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom–Afghanistan, as well as with a response force supporting operations in Europe and Africa. His service has also included extensive work with allied and partner militaries throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Asia in multinational exercises and operational planning.

DeTrinis graduated from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science after competing as a member of the football team. During his collegiate career, Delta State captured the 2000 NCAA Division II Football National Championship. While completing his final two seasons of college football, DeTrinis was already pursuing his commission through the Marine Corps’ officer candidate programs. He later earned master’s degrees in military studies, operational studies, and strategic studies, preparing him for assignments focused on operational and strategic planning in the Western Pacific and at U.S. Pacific Command.

Over the course of his Marine Corps career, DeTrinis has led and worked alongside Marines, Sailors, joint force members, and international partners while contributing to some of the nation’s most complex military planning efforts. He credits his years at Jesuit with establishing a foundation in critical thinking, discipline, leadership, faith, and service that has remained with him throughout his military career. The habits formed at Carrollton & Banks, from the rigorous study of logic and philosophy to the simple practice of writing A.M.D.G. atop his papers, helped shape his understanding that attention to small things builds the discipline required for greater responsibilities.

Beyond his military service, DeTrinis is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and has served for three years as president of his parish advisory council. He and his wife, Margaret, have been married for nearly 23 years and are the parents of eight children– Jordan, Max, Vince, Luke, Hannah, Charlotte, Drew, and Katharine. Together, they devote much of their time to their family, their Catholic faith, and caring for Marines and their families.

Reflecting on Jesuit’s influence, DeTrinis credits Jesuit with strengthening the faith given to him by his parents and inspiring him to become a faithful Catholic, husband, father, servant, and leader. The lessons he learned at Jesuit continue to guide his commitment to lead boldly, glorify God in all that he does, and live as a “man for others.”

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2026 Legend of the Game—John P. “Jack” Laborde ’67 

During his high school career, Jack Laborde ’67 was a standout Blue Jay athlete whose leadership and experiences at Carrollton & Banks helped shape a lifelong connection to Jesuit. He went on to compete collegiately before beginning a successful career in the energy industry, starting with Exxon Co. USA and later holding engineering, drilling, production, marketing, planning, and executive positions with several companies. In 1996, he became president of All Aboard Development Corporation.

Laborde has devoted decades to civic, educational, athletic, and professional organizations throughout the New Orleans community. He served as president of the Sugar Bowl Committee in 2013 and later as chairman of its executive committee, while also serving in leadership roles with the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Tulane, LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation, and numerous other organizations. He reigned as Rex, King of Carnival, in 2014, received the National Football Foundation’s Distinguished American Award in 2015, and was named Jesuit’s Alumnus of the Year in 2017.

Throughout the years, Laborde has remained closely connected to Carrollton & Banks, including service on Jesuit’s Athletic Advisory Committee and class and reunion committees. He credits his years as a Blue Jay with instilling an appreciation for family, friendship, teammates, education, and community service that has remained with him throughout his life.

Nearly 60 years after suiting up for the Blue Jays, Laborde returns to a rivalry that helped shape some of his lasting memories at Carrollton & Banks. “To represent Jesuit as the 2026 Legend of the Game will be one of the most memorable moments in my life,” Laborde said.

Student-Athlete Honorees

2026 Acme Oyster House Scholar Award—

Jesuit’s 2026 Scholar-Athlete is senior offensive lineman and tight end Hayes Ponder, who holds a 4.62 GPA. A three-year football letterman and one-year starter, Ponder serves as a team captain for the Blue Jays during his senior season. In addition to football, he is a member of Jesuit’s powerlifting team and the National Honor Society.

Ponder has also demonstrated a commitment to service throughout his time at Jesuit. He completed his senior service project with Courts for Kids in Guatemala and has volunteered feeding the homeless as part of his Confirmation service. Outside of school, he enjoys playing basketball with friends. Ponder plans to attend LSU and is currently undecided on his major. He is the son of Jené and Kelly Ponder.

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2026 Royal Honda Community Service Award—

Senior quarterback Oliver Hartman has demonstrated a strong commitment to service and leadership throughout his time at Jesuit. For his senior service project, he served at MedCamps of Louisiana, a free residential summer camp for children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, where he was responsible for a cabin group of campers. Hartman also volunteers with SOUL NOLA at neighborhood tree plantings and with Grace at the Green Light, serving breakfast to people experiencing homelessness. At Jesuit, he serves as a Big Brother, participates in the Peer Support Program, and has served as a Pre-Freshman and Freshman Retreat leader. Beyond his service, Hartman is a three-year football letterman, a varsity track and field athlete, founder and president of the DECA Business and Entrepreneurship Club, a Senior Class Representative-at-Large, and a member of the National Honor Society. With a 4.3 GPA, he plans to study business with a focus on finance and entrepreneurship in college. He is the son of Golda and Michael Hartman. Oliver’s dedication to serving others and leading by example makes him a deserving recipient of the Royal Honda Community Service Award.