Dress Down Days at St. Joseph Catholic School will be interesting this fall.
The new principal is introducing “Jeans-and-Jerseys Days” where students can swap school uniforms for their favorite team’s jerseys.
Many will probably wear Tampa Bay Bucs colors.
Not the new principal.
A Wisconsin native, Dr. Tom Noonan is a Green Bay Packers fan.
So he’ll be sporting his No. 4 Brett Favre jersey.
Oh, he’s well aware he’s in Bucs Country, all right.
New St. Joseph Principal Tom Noonan, a Wisconsin native, is a big Green Bay Packers (and Brett Favre) fan.
“I grew up with the ‘Battle of the Bays’ when both teams were in the NFC Central [1977-2001],” he said. “But [checking his 2025 Packers desk schedule] I see they’re not playing each other this year.”
Just as well.
Noonan’s focused on Manatee’s only Catholic parochial school, supporting its faculty and staff and expanding its enrollment of 295. It’s what drew him here after 25 years as a Catholic education administrator and teacher in Wisconsin and Montana.
“The Diocese of Venice is growing in terms of Catholic education and I wanted to be part of that growth. My role is to be an ambassador, invite folks to consider the values we offer – intellectually, emotionally, physically, spiritually – for the whole child.”
Noonan’s inspiration came while getting a masters in history and Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership at Marquette, a Jesuit institution. Founded in 1540, the Jesuits are historically known for their commitment to education.
“When I met them and got my teaching certificate, I decided Catholic education was my calling,” said Noonan, whose two daughters received Catholic educations. “I love being around younger students and the joy they bring.”
Especially on Jeans-and-Jerseys Day.
“I’m looking forward to it. Go Pack Go!”
· Oh, no! Kim Klement Neitzel hit the Big 4-0!
· Sean Tuttle, too!
· It’s Comedy Night this Friday, 7-9 p.m., with comics Tim Boyd, Drew Warren and Jean Marcley at American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24, 2000 75th St. W., Bradenton. Proceeds go toward replacing the roof. Tickets are $20 in advance or at the door. Cash bar. Call Carolyn Ellis at 941-782-7854 for details.
· Good luck to Josh Hicks. The former Palmetto High and Rutgers University running back has joined the Tiger coaching staff.
· It might’ve been a brutally hot summer inside the 13th AV Dream Center when AC units needed to be replaced or repaired in the gym, back office and weight room. But $15,000 grants from both the Bishop-Parker Foundation and the Conrad and Ruth Ann Szymanski Fund, and $13,500 from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County kept things chilly.
“I was grateful and proud to be part of a community that pulls together and steps up to support each other in crisis and in unity,” said Chianti Josey, Dream Center business and development manager.
· Happy trails to Bradenton Police Sergeant Mike Kriebel, retiring after 20 years.
· A bow to Dr. Marc Kallins, retired after more than 42 years at Blake Hospital. His many roles? Board of Trustees chair, Chief of Staff, Chief of Medicine, Medical Director of inpatient rehabilitation, President of the Manatee County Medical Society, and mentor with Blake’s Graduate Medical Education program and the State College of Florida.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN MANNIX: St. Joseph principal inviting grief with Green Bay jersey?