A new class of inductees has been welcomed to the St. John’s Jesuit Hall of Fame. These individuals were selected as Inductee Class of 2026 based on the criteria of academic excellence, altruistic spirit, and athletic achievement.
John Amaechi, Class of 1990
Everything good in John Amaechi’s life started somewhere. Much of it began at St. John’s Jesuit.
When Amaechi arrived at SJJ, he was a young man who had barely touched a basketball. He left with a belief that would shape his life far beyond the court: that hard work, perseverance, and the support of others can take a person further than talent alone.
That belief helped propel him to an extraordinary career as a professional basketball player, becoming the first British player to compete in the NBA. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Utah Jazz, and earned First Team Academic All-American honors twice while playing college basketball at Penn State University. Yet, for Amaechi, professional achievement has never been the ultimate measure of success.
His life’s work reflects a deeper commitment to service, advocacy, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their potential.
In Manchester, England, Amaechi founded and funded a community basketball center to give young people a place to develop their athletic abilities, build confidence, and discover their potential. Two decades later, approximately 2,000 young people pass through its doors each week.
His commitment to service extends well beyond his hometown. Amaechi has served as an Ambassador for Special Olympics since 1995 and as Vice-President of Activity Alliance, a charity dedicated to making sport more accessible to people with disabilities, since 2002.
Following his basketball career, Amaechi pursued a path in psychology and leadership development. Today, he is an organizational psychologist, author, and leadership consultant whose work helps individuals and organizations build stronger cultures, improve performance, and lead with greater integrity.
David Colturi, Class of 2007
David Colturi set the bar high during his time at St. John’s Jesuit, establishing himself as an exceptional student-athlete on the Titans swimming and diving team. In 2007, David captured the District Championship and qualified for the State Championship. After executing 11 dives at the state meet, he earned the title of Ohio State Champion.
David continued his diving career at Purdue University, where he became one of the most accomplished divers in the program’s history. He earned multiple Academic All-American honors, captured Big Ten Conference titles and USA Diving national titles, and represented Team USA on the podium at numerous international competitions.
After his collegiate diving career, David transitioned to the demanding world of high diving and cliff diving, where he has spent more than a decade competing against the best athletes in the sport. As a professional cliff diver, he has represented the United States on the international stage through the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, the World Aquatics High Diving Championships, and other premier competitions. His career has taken him to more than 50 countries, where he has competed from platforms and cliffs reaching heights of 90 feet. Through these accomplishments, David has become one of the sport’s most recognizable American athletes.
Beyond competition, David is passionate about growing the sport of diving and helping others reach their full potential. He coaches and mentors athletes of all ages and speaks to organizations and educational institutions about high performance, resilience, and overcoming adversity. He is also the co-founder of No Limits Tour, a professional cliff diving league dedicated to creating new opportunities for athletes and introducing the excitement of high diving to audiences around the world.
Walter “Jay” DeGroft, Class of 1986
During his time at St. John’s Jesuit, Jay was involved in student council, the newspaper, the spirit committee, tutoring, Christian service, and the yearbook committee. He also served as a retreat discussion leader, experiences that helped shape his lifelong commitment to faith, leadership, and service.
Today, Jay puts those values into action through his longstanding involvement with Saturday Hoops, a Cincinnati-based program that empowers at-risk youth through basketball, mentorship, and the belief that every young person has tremendous potential. Through encouragement, positive relationships, and faith, Saturday Hoops helps young people recognize their worth and possibilities. Jay has served the program in several capacities, including volunteer, mentor, coach, and site coordinator at the Winton Hills Recreation Center. Operating at multiple locations throughout Cincinnati, Saturday Hoops serves more than 1,000 young people each year.
Chris McComish, Class of 1983
One of the most versatile athletes of the 80’s, Chris McComish was a standout football and baseball player in his time at SJJ. Chris’s senior year he received all-city recognition in both sports. He was also involved with intramurals, The Ski Club and Christian service. Chris remembers Mike Savona ‘75 as his favorite teacher and coach in his time at SJJ.
After graduating, Chris went to Ohio Wesleyan University where he received a BS in International Business and played both football and baseball as well. Fun Fact, Chris is the record holder for the oldest baseball record in the NCAC conference, with the most strikeouts. No Chris was not a pitcher!
Chris is currently the chairman and CEO of S & T Bank in Pittsburgh, PA. Chris is on the board of directors for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund and United Way of SW Pennsylvania. Chris has also held leadership/board positions with numerous other charitable and philanthropic organizations.
Randi Thomas, Class of 1983
A natural-born leader, Randi Thomas ’83 has demonstrated a commitment to leadership and service since his days at St. John’s Jesuit. During his time at SJJ, Randi participated in football, track, and theater, served as basketball team manager, and was actively involved in student government. Recognized by his peers for his leadership, he was elected student government president his senior year.
Following graduation, Randi attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science and a master’s degree. He later earned his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University.
Throughout his professional career, Randi has brought together strategic leadership, public policy, and economic development to advance initiatives that strengthen communities and create opportunities for growth. He currently serves as Vice President of Advancing State Priorities, Igniting Regional Economies (ASPIRE) at Miami University, where his work focuses on advancing state priorities and supporting regional economic development. His leadership also extends to public service as a commissioner on the Ohio Fatherhood Commission, serving under his third gubernatorial appointment. In this role, he contributes to statewide efforts to increase fathers’ engagement in their children’s lives. Additionally, Randi supports regional economic and workforce development through his service on the REDI Cincinnati Executive Committee and the Oxford Community Improvement Corporation.
Fr. Charles Sweeney, SJ (posthumously)
Fr. Charles Sweeney was born on November 1st, 1927, in Allentown, PA. He went on to earn a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit in June of 1951. His entrance to the Jesuits was just 2 months later. He later went on to earn a master’s degree in chemistry in 1958 at St. Louis University. He was ordained a priest in 1962 at the Colombiere Center in Clarkston, MI. He took his final vows as a Jesuit in 1977.
Fr. Sweeney went on to teach Chemistry at SJJ for 37 years. In that time, he taught thousands of students in only a way that Fr. Sweeney could. Every student was important to Fr. Sweeney, and they always had a great bond with him because of this. Never one to raise his voice, his lectures and experiments were legendary. Fr. Sweeney’s students were prepared for his class as they didn’t want to let him down.
Many of Fr. Sweeney’s students went on to have successful careers working in the sciences and many became doctors. His impact on his students was tremendous, and you can’t attend an alumni gathering without Fr. Sweeney’s name coming up. The Fr. Charles Sweeney S.J. Scholarship was established in 2001
Fr. Sweeney taught at SJJ until 2004. He passed away in 2009 at the Colombiere Center.