Brother Martin High School Athletic Director Barry Hebert has announced that Head Football Coach Jay Pittman has resigned from his coaching duties in order to devote more time to the family business, C.R. Pittman, Inc. Coach Pittman was hired after Hurricane Katrina and has brought the football program to a series of very successful seasons, with an overall 20-12 record, 3 playoff appearances, and 2 district championships, in 2007 and 2008. The 2008 season was the first undefeated season in school history. Coach Pittman was named Catholic League Coach of the Year two years in a row, for 2007 and 2008. Coach Pittman will stay on the football staff as a CECP coach. Principal Gregory Rando said, “Although we are deeply disappointed in Coach Pittman’s resignation, he has done an outstanding job in bringing back the Crusader football team and our tradition of excellence after Hurricane Katrina. We are extremely thankful for Jay’s dedication and commitment to our students, and we are excited that as an alumnus he will continue to be a resource for the future of the Brother Martin football program.”
          “Jay Pittman was our only choice to bring the Crusader football team back to prominence after the storm. He compiled an excellent coaching staff who elevated the team to the top of the Catholic League,” says Barry Hebert.
          Brother Martin has named current Offensive Coordinator Mark Bonis as Head Football Coach for the 2009 season.  Mark Bonis has just completed his third year on the Crusader football coaching staff. “We did not have to look very far to find our next head coach,” Barry Hebert said, “because we knew we had expertise and passion for Brother Martin in Coach Mark Bonis. He loves the school, which is so important, and is a hard worker. He will be a great role model and motivator for our students as Head Coach.”

ALL STATE FOOTBALL TEAM
Senior Defensive Lineman Philip Blitch has been selected to the LHSAA All State Football team. Junior Defensive Back Karl Butler and Senior Offensive Lineman Joey Fontana were named as honorable mention selections.

AREA MANAGERS INSPECTION
Commander Merlin Ladner, the NJROTC Area Eight Manager, representing Rear Admiral Lotring; Naval Education Training Command, Pensacola, FL will be on campus Wednesday January 14th,  Commander Ladner will conduct an inspection of the units overall operation.  At the conclusion of the school day, Commander Ladner will conduct a Personnel Inspection on each cadet followed by a company Pass-in-Review.  This is a very important event for the unit and will require lots of work from the cadets.  Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the Pass-in-review.  The location is tentatively scheduled to be in the back yard starting at 3:30 PM, weather permitting.

VARSITY SOCCER
The Crusader Soccer team defeated Ben Franklin, last week, by the score of 4 - 1. They also defeated Grace King this weekend by the identical score of 4 - 1.
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JV Soccer Champions
The JV Soccer team won 5 straight games to claim the Shaw JV Soccer Tournament Championship. The team scored 15 goals while giving up only 1. The team participated in the LA Showcase last weekend and defeated two varsity team.
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CRUSADER GIVING TREE
The Crusader Giving Tree was a HUGE success because of the generosity of so many in the Brother Martin family.  On Wednesday, December 17th, we delivered gifts, read stories and shared cookies and punch with the 87 students of St. Benedict the Moor school.  On Friday, December 19th, we presented gifts or stockings to well over 100 students at Hazel Park Elementary.  The true spirit of Christmas shone as bright as the joy on the children's faces.
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Cross Country Honors
Senior Crusader runners, Matthew Pieri and Scott Richardson were selected to the Times Picayune All Metro Cross Country team. This is in addition to their selection to the New Orleans Track and Field Coaches Association All Metro Team and the Louisiana Track and Field Coaches Association All State Team.

Christmas Band Concert
This past Sunday, the Novice, Symphonic, and Concert Bands held their annual Christmas concert in the Conlin Gymnasium. Family and friends were treated to exciting sounds of the season by our newest and our most expert musicians. The concert featured seven All District Junior High Honor Band members, sixteen All District Senior High Honor Band members, and two All State Band members.

Br. Martin Night at the Hornets Game
Last Wednesday, over 500 Brother Martin students, faculty, parents, and alumni gathered at the New Orleans Arena to cheer on the Hornets as they played the Charlotte Bobcats. D.J. Augustin ’06 played in his hometown for the first time as an NBA player. Even though the Hornets dominated the game, D.J. scored a career high 28 points for his Bobcat team.
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Senior Lunch
Members of the Parents Club treated seniors to a delicious lunch in the Terrace this past Friday. This quarterly lunch is another way Brother Martin High School shows our appreciation to our seniors for their contributions to school life. Two different types of pastas, a fresh salad, and an assortment of homemade desserts made for an excellent end-of-the-week treat for our seniors.
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Lacrosse on Farley Field
The Crusader Lacrosse team competed “at home” on Farley Field against Mandeville High School this past Sunday. The day was important because it was the first time a lacrosse game was played on campus. The Crusaders were dominant in their victory against their northshore opponent.
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