Page 163 - CBA 1975 YEARBOOK

kitchen. Brother Emery Aloysius the newly appointed director, was the only Brother present: all others were finishing their annual retreat in New York City.
The Brothers' community reappeared on Sunday, September 2, 1900, and were warmly greeted by the people of the St. John's neighborhood, who remembered them from years past. The first day CBA opened its doors was on Monday, September 4, the day after Labor Day. Seventeen boys arrived for instruction, but instead of being instructed, they ended up helping to unpack and arrange some two dozen desks. The number of boys doubled during the first month, and the Academy thrived in spite of the inconveniences caused by converting a private house into a combination school- faculty residence.
CBA's first year was marked by a series of public events. Its "Christmas Greetings" program was attended by Bishop Ludden as well as Syracuse Mayor James K. McGuire.
The Diocese of Syracuse held a Solemn Triduum of Cannonization on January 15, 16, and 17, 1901, for the founder of the Brothers, John Baptist de la Salle, after he was raised to the highest honors of the church (Canonization, 1900). On May 4, 1901, the student body presented a musical and dramatic entertainment.
The community gave much recognition to CBA during this early period. Upon their first annual visit to the school, both the Brother Provincial and the Brother Inspector of Schools expressed great satisfaction with the work of the Brothers and the boys. An editorial in the old EVENING TELEGRAPH praised the Brothers' work, it concluded with, "Those who have been fortunate enough to come in contact with the Christian Brothers and their methods of imparting knowledge may feel really favored.' ’
By the end of the scholastic year, there were seventy pupils at the Academy. The first graduation exercises, held at the Alhambra Theater on June 17, 1902, were attended by over three thousand persons. Scholarships were inaugurated for the school by Mayor James K. McGuire, the Knights of Columbus, and Edward Joy.
CBA Expands
In 1904 a handsome new school building was erected on Willow Street. In 1906, some property was acquired from the
^ Onondaga Historical Association; the faculty residence was moved, leaving a playground next to the school. (Yet truly adequate Brothers’ residence would not be found until 1923, and the school's mortgage would not be paid up until 1945.) As the number of high school pupils increased, the grammar school division of CBA was closed. An intense recruit­
ment program began; individual Brothers and students themselves tried to persuade parents to send their sons to CBA. In 1913, a gold watch was offered to the student who would bring in the greatest number of new students. Attendance began to soar upward, until the Depression, when it declined considerably.
The three greatest extra curricular activities at this time were public speaking, athletics, and publication of a school paper. Riding the crest of a national wave of patriotism, CBA students put on many patriotic displays, especially on Washington's and Lincoln's birthday.
CBA's athletic prowess had early begun to establish itself. David Hall, who later entered the priesthood, was the first coach of the Basketball team, that posted victories over some of the city's best teams. Football came into prominence in the 1917-18 season, when the team dropped only one game (to Fulton, the only team to score on them all season). Dr. Sarsfield O'Connor became coach in 1919, and led the team to a 6-1 record. The dedication of coaches like these and CBA's willingness to take on the best of the well-established competitors set the stage for a long line of fine teams.
The Move to DeWitt
Within twenty-five years of the construction it became evident that the 1904 building was too small to accommodate
the ever-increasing number of boys that wanted to enter. Competitive entrance examinations were introduced under director Brother Cornelius, and the result was a raising of the school's intellectual standards.
From 1926 on, the Brothers had been cautiously considering relocating the school, or at least expanding the present one. Despite the Depression, Brother Bonaventure Thomas examined the possibility of obtaining a new faculty resi­ dence, which would release the old one for office space and auxiliary classrooms. Brother Elwarn Joseph discussed the purchase of some property on Grant Boulevard (near the present Franciscan Academy) for a new school. But no action was taken until the Forties.
The momentum for relocation grew; eventually the Brothers, Bishop Foery and community leaders cooperated in a general fund drive. A new school, chapel, and
Brothers residence in DeWitt were completed in
1961.
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CBA has maintained its prestigious tradition of academics, athletics, and community service over the past three-quarters of a century, a fact we cele­ brate in this special 75th Anniversary edition of the yearbook. Again, we thank Brother Francis for the articles and photos used to make this book special, and we thank the CBA community and the people of Central New York, who, over the years, have made this school SPECIAL.