Nestled in the heart of the Bronx, blocks away from Yankee Stadium, the school that makes the concourse grand stands Cardinal Hayes High School, a beacon of resilience and determination. Despite its location in the nation’s poorest congressional district, Cardinal Hayes and its Hayesmen embody the unwavering spirit of preservation—instilled in them from the moment they step foot into freshman orientation. This indomitable spirit remains steadfast throughout their entire tenure and embedded in them for the rest of their lives, regardless of the challenges they face.
This past year, the Cardinal Hayes Football team catapulted our beloved school into the national spotlight. They achieved what many deemed impossible: becoming the first New York City football team to clinch the Catholic League State Championship. The accomplishment in and of itself is noteworthy, but what makes it even more impactful is what the young men had to endure to achieve it – the journey. Amidst struggles and hardships, they emerged victorious, etching their names in the history of New York forever.
Yet, Cardinal Hayes is more than just a powerhouse on the fields. Beyond athletics entirely, Hayes molds leaders—shaping young men destined for greatness in every facet of life. Stemming from environments where students’ families grapple with poverty, where chaos often reigns, and where the daily commute to school can feel like a precarious coin toss between confrontation and safety. Here, the Hayesmen represent something greater—an embodiment of possibility forged from adversity. Like flowers grown from under concrete, Hayemen teach us that resilience isn’t merely survival; it’s thriving against all odds, succeeding by any means necessary.
As a Hayesman (Class of 2007), I experienced firsthand these struggles and the unyielding resolve that results from them. The same difficult backgrounds, the same precarious neighborhoods, similar struggles and hardships. Our football field was rugged—more rocks and dirt than grass—and we lacked a true “home.” Yet, under CJ O’Neil’s guidance during his early years as Head Coach (and countless other invaluable coaches [Blondet, Acevedo, Boughner, Turnball, Joseph, Collins]), we help lay the foundation for today’s success, just as our predecessors did for us. Our team clinched the CHSFL’s ‘A’ Championship, propelling future generations toward even fiercer competition. In those days, we were told that we would, “Plant trees in shade we’ll never sit under” and that “[it] was bigger than us“— reminders that our efforts transcended our own time. As a teenager I couldn’t grasps the impact of those messages in real time, but some 20 years later I thoughtfully appreciate and relish in them now with unattainable pride.
Cardinal Hayes is more than a school; it’s a fraternity—a brotherhood etched into the hallowed halls where spirited fight songs echo during rallies and sporting events like the annual Turkey Bowl. A brotherhood that transcends generations and eras. Regardless of when you attended and graduated, a Hayesman is always a Hayesman. Here, pride permeates every brick, every hallway, and every heart. And now our impact and legacy is woven into the very fabric of New York greater than ever before.
To Nike, Bank of America, Riddell, Michael Strahan and Good Morning America, thank you for these special gifts and generosity. I can inly imagine how proud Regis Philbin and Monsignor Pavis must be of our boys today.
To all Hayesmen, lets keep doing the damn thing!. Together, we raise Cardinal Hayes higher, united by loyalty and an unwavering commitment to excellence!
Up Hayes and All It’s Loyal Men
Crump's Corner 
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