Ten Blue Jays Ink Athletic College Commitments

Seated, from left: Evan DeHoog, Nicholas Tadros, Mitch Bourgeois, and C.J. Blagrove. Standing, from left: Spencer Miller, Christian Latino, Colby Simoneaux, Evan Fitzpatrick, C.J. Avrard, and James Licciardi.
In front of family, friends, faculty, and members of the media, seniors C.J. Avrard, C.J. Blagrove, Mitch Bourgeois, Evan DeHoog, Evan Fitzpatrick, Christian Latino, James Licciardi, Spencer Miller, Colby Simoneaux, and Nick Tadros officially made their commitments to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level during a signing ceremony on Wednesday, May 7 in St. Ignatius Hall.
C.J. Blagrove will play golf at Spring Hill College in Mobile.
Mitchell Bourgeois, Evan DeHoog, and Nicholas Tadros will continue their soccer careers at Christian Brothers University (Memphis), LSU (Alexandria), and Roanoke College (Salem, Virginia), respectively.
Evan Fitzpatrick and Colby Simoneaux will play lacrosse at Rhodes College (Memphis) and Marymount University (Washington, D.C.).
C.J. Avrard, Christian Latino, James Licciardi, and Spencer Miller will continue to play baseball at Delgado Community College.
Signee Profiles
Corey “C.J.” Avrard
Baseball, Delgado Community College
“With an ERA of 0.89, C.J. is one of the workhorses of the Jesuit pitching staff,” said head coach Joey Latino. “His 8-1 record includes five shutouts, which leads the team. He combines a fastball with a curveball and throws an outstanding change-up.”
Avrard was a member of the 2012 Jesuit-based Retif Oil & Fuel American Legion National Championship Team.
Colton “C.J.” Blagrove
Golf, Spring Hill College
“C.J. is one of our top five golfers, and more importantly, he is a leader and team captain,” said head coach Owen Seiler ’75. “He exemplifies what a ‘man for others’ means at Jesuit and it has been an honor to coach him.”
Blagrove served as captain of the 2014 regional championship team. In 2013, he was named to the All-Metro golf team by Nola.com/Times-Picayune.
Mitchell Bourgeois
Soccer, Christian Brothers University
“Mitch, the heart of our defense, led by the example he set in practice and on the field,” said head coach Hubie Collins.
Bourgeois served as co-captain in his senior year and was named to the All-State, All-District, and All-Metro teams by the N.O. Advocate. In 2013 he played on Jesuit’s state championship team. Bourgeois is also a member of the Louisiana State Olympic Development Team (2012, 2013, & 2014).
Evan DeHoog
Soccer, LSU (Alexandria)
“Evan’s speed and strength will translate well at the NAIA level,” said coach Collins.
DeHoog was on the N.O. Advocate’s 2014 All-District team.
Evan Fitzpatrick
Lacrosse, Rhodes College
“Watching Evan mature as a lacrosse player and student-athlete has been a privilege,” said head coach Mike Brantley. “His high character on the field and in practice was surpassed only by the leadership he demonstrated as a captain. He held himself and his teammates to high standards while serving as a mentor to our younger players.”
Fitzpatrick, an All-State midfielder, served as a captain of the 2014 state championship lacrosse team. He was also a member of the 2012 and 2013 state championship teams.
Fitzpatrick also played receiver on the Jesuit football team.
Christian Latino
Baseball, Delgado Community College
“Christian has been a ‘jack of all trades’ for the Blue Jays,” said coach Latino. “He has started, relieved, and closed games. He compiled an impressive 4-0 record to go along with a team-leading two saves. Christian throws four different strikes, but a cutter is his best pitch.”
James Licciardi
Baseball, Delgado Community College
“James started three games for the Blue Jays in 2014 and pitched effectively in each one,” said coach Latino. “His 1.02 ERA is third best on the team. James continues to improve with each mound appearance and consistently throws three pitches for strikes. He projects as a starting pitcher in college but could certainly be equally effective in a reliever’s role.”
Spencer Miller
Baseball, Delgado Community College
2012 Season All-District, Member of the 2012 Retif Oil & Fuel (Jesuit) American Legion National Championship Team
“Spencer has been a mainstay in the Jesuit line-up for three seasons,” said coach Latino. “His versatility is showcased by the fact he has started at three different positions this year. He has an outstanding work ethic and is the most unselfish player on the team.”
Miller has the second number of hits (32) on the team and his current batting average is .327.
Colby Simoneaux
Lacrosse, Marymount University
“Colby is tenacious and determined and gives 100%,” said coach Brantley. “I have no doubt that his growth as an athlete and as a person will continue at the next level.”
Simoneaux, an All-District Long-Stick Midfielder, served as captain for the 2014 state championship team. He also played on the 2013 and 2012 state championship teams. He served as a co-captain of the 2013 team. Simoneaux also played as a linebacker on the Jesuit football team.
Nicholas Tadros
Soccer, Roanoke College
“Nick was an outstanding goal keeper and leader for our program,” said head coach Collins.
Tadros was a co-captain of the 2014 soccer team and was named to the All-State, All-Metro, and All-District teams by Nola.com/Times-Picayune and the N.O. Advocate. Tadros also played on the 2012 and 2013 state championship teams.
Galleries
College Athletics Signing Ceremony, May 7, 2014
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Christian Latino and his parents, Joey and Lisa.
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Colby Simoneaux and Evan Fitzpatrick with lacrosse head coach Mike Brantley and assistant coach Nick Helinski.
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Golf head coach Owen Seiler (right) with C.J. Blagrove and his parents, Aaron and Colleen.
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Baseball head coach Joey Latino, flanked by his players: Spencer Miller, C.J. Avrard, Christian Latino, and James Licciardi.
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Colby Simoneaux and his family. Pictured with Colby are: (clockwise from left) brother, freshman Parker; grandfather; and father, Brent.
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Evan Fitzpatrick and his parents, Johnny and Kristy.
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Evan DeHoog and his parents, Dave and Shellie.
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Mitch Bourgeois and his parents, Mike and Diane.
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Nicholas Tadros and his parents, Daniel and Katherine.
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C.J. Blagrove and his parents, Aaron and Colleen.
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Spencer Miller and his parents, Rick and Sue.
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James Licciardi and his parents, Jimmy and Vicki.
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Jesuit President Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76 begins the signing ceremony with a prayer and a few words about the importance of hard work and persistence.
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C.J. Avrard and his father, Corey.
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C.J. Blagrove and Spencer Miller sign their letters of intent as their parents look on.
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James Licciardi, Christian Latino, and C.J. Avrard sign their letters of intent as their parents look on.
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Colby Simoneaux, Evan Fitzpatrick, Evan DeHoog, and Mitchell Bourgeois sign their letters of intent as their parents look on.
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A standing-room-only crowd formed for the noonday ceremony.
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Soccer head coach Hubie Collins congratulates his players, Mitchell Bourgeois, Evan DeHoog, and Nicholas Tadros, on their accomplishments.
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Lacrosse head coach Mike Brantley describes the leadership and selflessness Evan Fitzpatrick and Colby Simoneaux brought to this year's team.
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Golf coach Owen Seiler details senior C.J. Blagrove's accomplishments on and off the course.
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Baseball head coach Joey Latino talks about the athletic skill and strength of character his players are bringing to the collegiate level.
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Athletic Director Dave Moreau encourages Blue Jays to continue to build upon the lessons they've learned here at Jesuit.