Announcing the return of the Hermits Athletics Hall of Fame
The Hermits Athletics Hall of Fame is back! Mark your calendars for an evening at the Prep on Saturday, March 19, 2022, as the school recognizes and honors the Hall of Fame Class of 2022. These proud representatives of the Hermits Brotherhood excelled in their sports or leadership roles and have brought honor, distinction, and excellence to St. Augustine Prep. Join us in celebrating the proud history of Hermits Athletics and the Hall of Fame Class of 2022!
Formal invitation to follow, online registration is available at hermits.com/halloffame.
This year's distinguished class of inductees is listed below:
Announcing the Results of the Hermits Young Alumni Survey
From October 28 - December 6, 2021, the Advancement Office conducted a survey to gather ideas, opinions, and updated contact information from graduates of the classes of 2012-21. The results from the survey will be used to assist the Prep in tailoring communications, events, and services to recent graduates. To see all key results, please visit hermits.com/YOUNGALUMNISURVEYRESULTS. Details are forthcoming on a series of happy hour socials throughout the region where you can network with fellow Hermits and share your ideas. For more information on getting involved with young alumni activities at the Prep, please contact Mr. Brendan Towell, Associate Director for Admissions and Alumni Leadership, at Mr.Towell@hermits.com or 856-697-2600 ext. 131.
Stay Connected with the Prep
We want to ensure you receive details for all upcoming events as well as future happenings at St. Augustine Prep and across the region. To update your information or provide with news, announcements, and accomplishments in your post-Richland life, please complete the form linked below.
The term "Hermit Brotherhood" (or "Hermits Brotherhood", email us at alumni@hermits.com to settle the debate!) has always represented our alumni. However, it also represents the parents, grandparents, and friends of the Prep who have made the St. Augustine experience a reality for so many young men. The updates below all share a common theme, relationships born in Richland's Proud and Peaceful Glen and fortified by Brotherhood.
Sen. William Gormley, Esq. '64 receives Prep's Mendel Award
Hermits alumnus and former New Jersey State Senator, William L. Gormley, Esq. ’64 was bestowed with the Gregor Mendel Award, the school's highest honor. Sen. Gormley, a pillar of NJ politics and former Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps received the medal at the school’s annual dinner and award ceremony held at the Tropicana Hotel Resort & Casino in Atlantic City.
Enjoy the tribute video below then follow the link to learn more about Senator Gormley and the special evening he shared with his alma mater: https://bit.ly/mendelaward2021. A special thank you to Mr. Armand DiGiampietro for producing the touching tribute video to Senator Gormley!
Shields '18 and Lewis P'15 take media talents to the National Football League
With this weekend's Super Bowl set to cap off another memorable NFL season, two members of the Hermits Family were down at field level capturing all the action. Mitchell Shields '18 and alumni parent Andy Lewis P'15 were on the sidelines serving as members of the NFL media team. The two ran into each other while covering a Philadelphia Eagles game and quickly realized they shared the special distinction of the Hermits Brotherhood.
Below, the talented pair was able to take a post-game moment on the other side of the camera.
Giunta '21 earns berth in NCR All-Star Game
Former Hermits Rugby flyhalf Chris Giunta '21 has continued his stellar play at the next level. Having taken his rugby talents to Fairfield University this past Fall, the athletic freshman has adjusted well to life in New England. He hit the ground running in his first collegiate season culminating in his selection to the National Collegiate Rugby All-Star Game.
Giunta's stand-out performances on the pitch for Fairfield (a Division I-A classified team through U.S. Rugby) caught the eye of many including Colgate University head coach and NCR representative David Chapman. It was this skill, leadership, and determination that led to his All-Star designation in just his first year of collegiate competition.
The sky is the limit for Chris' rugby career at Fairfield, matching the continued upward trajectory of the Hermits Rugby program led by Associate Director for Admissions and Alumni Leadership and Head Rugby Coach, Mr. Brendan Towell. Giunta is one of many scholar-athletes on the long list of Hermits Ruggers who have excelled in college while maintaining their strong bond with the Prep.
Kitchen '16 becomes second Hermits Lacrosse alumnus to join Premier Lacrosse League
Charlie Kitchen continues the tradition of Hermits Alumni succeeding in the professional lacrosse ranks. Kitchen joins former stars Nick DeCaprio '15, Bryce Young '14, Will Fox '14, and more who have made the jump from Richland to professional leagues such as the MLL, NLL and PLL.
Prior to Charlie's acquisition by the Waterdogs Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League, his professional career officially began earlier this year, indoors with the NLL's Albany FireWolves. This followed a decorated collegiate career at the University of Delaware. A five-year player for the Blue Hens, he is one of two players in program history ranked inside the top-10 in goals, assists, and points. He also currently holds the school record for consecutive games with a goal, scoring in 39-straight contests. Throughout his five seasons with the Blue Hens, Charlie was a three-time all-conference honoree, one-time (CAA) Conference Player of the Year, and was named Team MVP four times.
Opening weekend for the PLL is set for June 4, 2022, but you can catch Charlie in action on ESPN's family of networks as the NLL schedule currently runs through April 30.
A Hermit's work is never done, the post-retirement life of 1974 Hermits alumnus Dan Hilferty is proof of this fact. The former President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross has been busy following his well-deserved "ride-into-the-sunset." This past fall, he was tabbed to lead the bid for the city of Philadelphia to host the 2026 World Cup. The savvy Philadelphia business veteran had the unquestioned support of previous World Cup Committee chair, David L. Cohen, and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. With his extensive experience hosting the visit of Pope Francis in 2015, the NFL Draft in 2017, and chairing the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia in tow, the city of brotherly love is confident that this champion of the Hermit Brotherhood is capable of leading the way.
"At every turn in his career, Dan has passionately stepped up to champion this city, ensuring Philadelphia takes its rightful place on the national and international stages." - Jim Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia
Further capping his "retired" life, the longtime healthcare executive was bestowed a special honor at the headquarters of his former company. In recognition of his time at the helm of Independence Blue Cross, the company's Center of Innovation was renamed the Daniel J. Hilferty Center for Innovation. Fully occupying two floors of IBX's towering Philadelphia headquarters, the sprawling space serves to provide an avenue for the company to continue advancing the immense progress made during Hilferty's leadership. The proud Hermit shared, "Innovation is the lifeblood of a thriving company and community. The Center for Innovation represents a core tenet of what has made Independence a leader in health care nationally and corporate citizenship regionally for more than 80 years. I am honored to have my name associated with a space that I hope will inspire new ideas and positive change for decades to come."
Nwachukwu '04 leads URAC accredited telehealth provider
Telemedicine has become the norm as the surge in demand for in-home healthcare shows no signs of slowing down. Recognizing this at the outset of the pandemic, orthopedic surgeon and hip, knee, and shoulder specialist Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA '04 was instrumental in building Best in Class MD, a digital healthcare platform. By helping to recruit an expert network of over 150 medical providers, Co-CEO Dr. Nwachukwu quickly set BICMD apart from the increasingly crowded space of virtual care. The Hermit-led company recently earned healthcare's coveted URAC accreditation cementing their status as one of the premier telehealth providers in the country.
As virtual healthcare options become more of a widespread option across the globe, Best In Class MD now distinguishes itself as an established, accredited organization committed to improving the health and well-being of the people it serves. In the case of Dr. Nwachukwu, he continues to serve his community through the values of truth, unity, and love instilled during his time at St. Augustine.
Brotherhood in Action - Nicholas Leo '20 sits down with former Hermits Basketball star and American University freshman Matt Delaney '21
by Nicholas Leo '20:
Hermits basketball fans remember Matt Delaney’s career thoroughly, as he spent all four years with major contributions to the varsity team before graduating in 2021. These days, he’s seizing his opportunity at American University in Washington D.C.
Recently I sat down with my former teammate and Hermit Brother, discussing among many topics: life as a Division- I student-athlete, adjusting to new surroundings, and continuing where he left off on the basketball court. CLICK HERE to learn more about Matt's journey through his freshman year at American U.
Joseph Gatto '14 signs with the Philadelphia Phillies organization
A former Hermits Athletics standout (Hermits Football, Basketball, and Baseball) is one step closer to the show, specifically the mound at Citizens Bank Park. Joe Gatto '14 was one of six pitchers to sign minor league contracts with the hometown Phillies with an invitation to big league spring training as a non-roster invitee. Gatto joins fellow pitcher and 2014 Prep graduate Zach Warren in the Phillies organization.
Patrick Coyle '21 earns all-academic honors
Patrick Coyle '21 has already made his mark at Towson University. The freshman long-snapper for the Tigers football team has earned All-Conference Academic Honors in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Conference) as well as recognition on the CAA Football Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll.
Richard Grouser '12 shares his talent with the U.S. Army Field Band
Since 1756, U.S. Army bands have stood side-by-side with Americans helping to inspire and support them. The United States Army Field Band focuses on serving communities across the country by maintaining a connection between the American people and its Army. For the first time in the band's history, a Hermit Brother will be amongst its on-stage talent. Richard Grouser '12 was recently named to serve on the United States Army Field Band.
Richard is a 2016 graduate of Washington College later earning his Master of Arts (Recording Arts Technology) from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. He now joins the United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C. which performs more than 400 concerts per year and has performed in all 50 states of the United States and in 25 countries.
Brotherhood Continues
What a time to be a HERMIT! The school continues to advance and innovate with the times, mostly through your continued engagement with your alma mater. Now admitting 8th Grade students, the Prep has extended its educational footprint in the region and continues to instill the core values of Veritas (Truth), Unitas (Unity), and Caritas (Love).
Beginning with next Tuesday's Accepted Students Night, the incoming classes of 2026 and 2027 have taken shape and the next crop of Hermits are poised to join the Brotherhood. We ask you to continue to keep the Prep in your lives, continue to engage with us at your convenience, and continue advocating for the school that has given so much to all of us. Whether it is the son of a friend, colleague or relative or someone who approaches you as you proudly wear your Hermits gear, refer them to hermits.com/applynow. The greatest way to give back to the Prep is to introduce a future Hermit to the St. Augustine Experience!
Words of Wisdom from St. Augustine
"There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart."
Thank you for reading the latest edition of Brotherhood - The Hermits Alumni Newsletter. We are always gathering content for future editions. Whether it is news of a job promotion, an adorable newborn welcomed into the family, or if you're lucky enough to join the "retirement brotherhood," please send your content and photos to us at alumni@hermits.com.
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Faces Change, Tradition Remains
Ensure the Prep experience for Hermits today and tomorrow.
Produced by the St. Augustine Prep Marketing & Communications Department
Credits:
Karrie Davis P'22 '23 '26, St. Augustine Prep Archives