News archive

Dedication and Blessing of Thomas M. Brady Park

January 9, 2009

What a great day for the Saint Mary’s Family! The entire school community, 700 strong, gathered in the new bright-red bleachers, with stunning views of the Berkeley hills and Cal’s Campanile to the East and a virtually unobstructed view of the entire Golden Gate due West. Together, we welcomed with deep appreciation many of the hundreds of donors who made possible our brand new, beautiful track and field complex — Thomas M. Brady Park. Three generations of the Brady family, many school alumni among them, were on hand to christen the new facility and to join in honoring Tom Brady, Sr., a true Saint Mary’s icon whose life and work at the school span more than sixty years.

Principal Pete Imperial opened the ceremony with a prayer of thanks, and the school band played the National Anthem from their new location at the east end of the bleachers, confusing some of the alumni band members in the crowd who’d for decades cheered on the Panthers with “The Horse” and “The Bells” from the opposite end. Brother Edmond, President, and seniors Randy Khalil, Ashley Davis, and Kellen Asercion shared their thanks on behalf of the school, and Tom Brady reflected on the new life the track and field would bring to Saint Mary’s, receiving a standing ovation. Since entering the sixth grade at the Brothers’ grammar school on the Peralta Park campus in 1947, Tom has been a big part of the school, retiring as its first lay president in 1995 to continue his lifelong work in Lasallian education with the Christian Brothers’ District administration at Mont La Salle in Napa. It was Tom who opened the doors to coeducation after 132 years, and it was in great part due to the generosity of the Brady family that Brady Park was made possible.

Father Jayson Landeza ’79 and Mr. Brady were joined on the red and white “SM” logo at the center of the field by Deacon Jorge Angel, Job Superintendent for the Brady Park project since the groundbreaking in May 2008. Together the men blessed the new facility with holy water and returned a little of the old field’s soil to the new surface to bring the project full circle.

After a rousing rendition of “The Bells of Saint Mary’s,” the crowd cheered as the band played “The Horse” to the delight of many of the alums on hand for the day. Nearly 150 guests — alumni, parents, foundation members, alumni parents, former faculty members and coaches, and friends of the school whose generosity built Brady Park, enjoyed a ballpark lunch in the Shea Center while the entire student body gathered in the Cross plaza for hot dogs and chips.

After eight months of construction, a perfect day signaling a new beginning for Saint Mary’s ended with cheers for the Panther girls’ soccer team in their 7-0 victory over Kennedy High in the first-ever competition on the new field, as a brilliant red sun set over the Golden Gate and a full moon rose over the Berkeley Hills.

Brady Park with students in bleachers

May 16, 2008

The ground breaking ceremony of Thomas M. Brady Park took place on a very hot and sunny day. The Brady Family joined many guests and donors who gathered at 12:00 PM for a nice barbecue lunch on the field. At 1:00 PM, the Saint Mary’s Band entertained the crowd with various sports fight and victory songs including, the Saint Mary’s victory song, “The Horse.”

At 1:15, Brother Edmond greeted everyone and thanked them for their generously and commitment to this important project. Brother reminded everyone that there was still work to be to done to get the remaining  funds needed to meet the $6 million dollar cost. Brother also gave special recognition to Tom Brady and his family for their deep commitment.

Father Jason Lanzena gave a special prayer and blessing for the project. Following Father’s prayer and blessing, a series of photos were taken of the many guests with Tom Brady.

The event came to an end with the Brothers inviting all the guests back to their home for cake.

This was a great day in the history of Saint Mary’s!

November 2007

Saint Mary’s is honored to name the facility “Thomas M, Brady Park”.

October 2007

After five public meetings with the Albany Planning Commission and seven facilitated meetings with neighbors, Saint Mary’s finally completes the long (14 months)and arduous task of receiving City approval for the renovation of the track and athletic field. The project includes: new substructure, removal and installation of new bleachers, new landscaping along Posen Street and, most importantly, a new all weather track and all weather playing Field.

June 2007

Fundraising total now reaches $3.6 million dollars from 240 donors. The campaign for Panther Park has involved the largest number of donors to any Saint Mary’s campaign

September 2006

Saint Mary’s is blessed with a $1 million dollar challenge grant from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation.

August 2006

The Fall issue of the Peralta Park Press is dedicated to the introduction of “Panther Park” The $5.5 million dollar project is the largest in Saint Mary’s history

June 2006

Saint Mary’s submits an application to the City of Albany Planning and Zoning Commission which including the near future renovation of the outdoor athletic facilities.

October 2005

Over 100 Saint Mary’s alumni, parents and friends participated in the 21^st Olympic Club Foundation Golf Classic and Grand Auction on Monday October 17^th at Olympic Club Lakeside. Saint Mary’s was designated a beneficiary of the event and by providing players, sponsors, auction items and willing bidders. Brother Edmond and Tournament Chair Matt Kelleher were presented a check for $65,000 at the banquet following play. The $65,000 grant was designated for the much needed renovation of our track and field.

December 2004

John A. Sabatte ’36, AFSC donated $25,000 to be designated for the renovation of Saint Mary’s outdoor athletic facilites.