What's Happening in Cougar Country

On August 23, Lake Catholic proudly celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated locker rooms, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing top-notch facilities for our student-athletes. This impressive $1 million renovation project, which commenced in May, was fully funded by the generosity of our benefactors, demonstrating their unwavering support for our school's athletic programs.

“Our student-athletes deserve facilities that reflect their hard work and achievements,” said John Morabeto, President of Lake Catholic High School. “This renovation is a testament to the generosity of our benefactors and the collective dedication of our community to our mission. We are thrilled to provide our students with an environment that supports their growth and success.”

The renovation, which started in May at the end of last school year, introduces a range of state-of-the-art features designed to enhance both functionality and comfort. The boys' locker room now boasts 100 brand-new lockers, including distinct areas designated for the football and boys' soccer teams. The girls' locker room, which accommodates 35 new lockers, is currently divided between the volleyball and girls' soccer teams, as well as the cheerleaders. To ensure that all teams have optimal access, locker room rotations will be organized according to the sports seasons.

“The new locker rooms are a game-changer," said football coach Marty Gibbons ('11). "They provide our players with a space that reflects the hard work and dedication they put into their training. The upgrades will undoubtedly boost team morale and performance.”

Each locker in both facilities is equipped with padded seats, two separate lockable compartments, and multiple hooks, combining convenience with security. Additionally, both locker rooms feature a dedicated coaching area complete with whiteboards for pre-game strategies and in-game instructions.

The renovation also includes new amenities for physical education classes, with extra lockers added to both locker rooms. The upgrades extend to the shower facilities, with eight individual shower stalls installed in each locker room, including one designed for handicapped accessibility. New bathroom facilities complement these enhancements, ensuring that the locker rooms meet the highest standards of comfort and accessibility.

“The renovation is a fantastic upgrade for our volleyball team," said new coach Tess Connolly-Alcantara ('16). "The added amenities and improved facilities will give our girls the edge they need and make a real difference in their daily training and preparation.”

The newly renovated locker rooms are part of the larger Zappitelli Family Athletic Performance Center. The Zappitelli family has been instrumental in funding previous improvements, including the weight room and softball field renovations. Their ongoing contributions underscore a deep commitment to enhancing Lake Catholic's student-athletes experience and performance.

The team room, generously donated by the Pecjak family in 2020, remains a centerpiece of our athletic complex. This addition exemplifies the spirit of community and support that defines our school's approach to fostering athletic excellence.

The opening of the new locker rooms is not just a celebration of our past achievements but a look forward to an exciting future. With these enhanced facilities, Lake Catholic reaffirms its commitment to providing our student-athletes with the best resources to excel both on and off the field. Thank you to all our benefactors for making this transformation possible and for continuing to support our mission of excellence in athletics and beyond.

Here’s to many more victories and memorable moments in our upgraded locker rooms at the Zappitelli Family Athletic Performance Center!

Photos and videos of the new spaces can be found on our athletics page

Caden Boyes (Lake Catholic Class of 2025) has been selected as one of 16 high school students from around the state for the 2024-2025 Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council. 

The Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) made the announcement on Thursday, May 30.

Boyes said he filled out the application for the position, which included several lengthy answers, more than a month ago. That led to a 30-minute virtual interview with OSSC members. He almost didn’t get the word that he was actually selected.

“They typed my email wrong, it was missing a letter,” he said. “So, I never got the email. Mr. (Tom) McKrill sent me the email he received.”

Although he said he believes he and his fellow students are safe at Lake Catholic and that they’re all taken good care of, nothing is perfect and there are always ways to improve.

“School safety has to be the No. 1 priority of our days,” he said. “So this is a big opportunity to learn more about it and bring ideas for upgrades, whether physical or procedural, back to Lake Catholic.”

Governor Mike DeWine created the council in 2022 to help OSSC leadership identify school safety concerns and develop innovative solutions to address them. Students from last year’s council will present their capstone projects at the 2024 School Safety Summit this summer, according to a press release.

“This year’s students took their capstone projects to new levels and got their peers more involved in the everyday safety activities at their schools,” said OSSC Executive Director Emily Torok. “Our alumni members quickly got the new council onboarded and they all supported each other in a student network to promote safety across the state. I encourage everyone to reach out to their local council members to learn about their projects and initiatives. They are very impressive.”

The Council will be invited to attend the in-person Ohio School Safety Summit on July 31-Aug. 1 at the Columbus Convention Center to network with their peers and attend initial informational sessions on violence prevention strategies and emotional safety.

Council members will develop strategies to encourage their peers to actively engage in maintaining a safe school environment and will be advocates for students’ overall well-being. Students will work directly with OSSC school safety liaisons to organize events, focus groups, and trainings to help highlight student success and safety best practices at various schools. These members will also act as a sounding board for the Ohio School Safety Working Group and OSSC on student marketing campaigns and other projects to ensure that student voices are represented. 

Eight of the previous year’s Council members have agreed to return this upcoming year as mentors for the incoming council. They will continue to work on projects in their communities and act as force multipliers for school safety improvements.

Governor DeWine created the Ohio School Safety Center in 2019. It is housed within the Ohio Department of Public Safety and works to assist local schools, colleges and universities, and law enforcement agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety.