Gonzaga College High School

Gonzaga is the oldest educational institution in the old Federal City of Washington. Gonzaga College opened its doors to the young men of the Federal City in 1821.   It was then located on the north side of F Street, N.W., between 9th and 10th Streets.   The building's foundation stone had been laid in 1815 by Bishop Leonard Neale, auxiliary to Archbishop John Carroll, the first American bishop of the Catholic Church.   Both men were originally Jesuits.   The building was first intended to become a House of Novices for the Jesuits, but this plan was abandoned.   According to one report, the building housed a small school during the period of abandonment.   However, after standing empty for several years, the Jesuits finally entered their building in 1820 and started a House of Philosophy for Jesuit Scholastics.   In the months that followed, the Jesuits were besieged with requests from Catholics and non-Catholics alike in Washington to allow their sons into the college (which was originally under the charter of Georgetown College), not to become Jesuits, but for a good basic education.   The Jesuits agreed, and the Washington Seminary, as Gonzaga was originally called, began classes for lay students in 1821.

The mission of Gonzaga's sports program is to nurture student athletes to achieve their potential as young men. Sports fulfill a role of developing leadership, teamwork and discipline. These are all characteristics instilled in "Men for Others" and graduates of Gonzaga College High School.

Gonzaga Hockey Program

The Hockey Program began in 1993, with a varsity program that was one of 12 teams in the Maryland Scholastic Hockey League.   The league has grown along with Gonzaga's program to include Varsity and Junior Varsity levels. Gonzaga plays under the MSHL in the WCAC conference. In the 2004-05 season Gonzaga won the Maryland Scholastic Hockey League State Championship for the first time in school history.

Gonzaga hosts the Gonzaga National Capital Hockey Tournament, the Purple Puck, every Christmas.   The tournament has enjoyed 13 seasons and continues to grow in popularity and talent level.   Recently, in 2003 Gonzaga won the Purple Puck title and defended the crown again in 2004.

Gonzaga's Hockey Program has graduated players into Division I, Junior A programs, Prep schools and ACHA College programs.   The success of the program has continued to grow and every year produces better players.

Facts and Figures