St. Francis High School Junior Spartan Newsletter -10/21/2026

"The love of God makes
all heavy things light and all bitter things sweet."

Saint Francis of Assisi

Welcome

More Than Wins: Ted Lasso Lessons in Spartan Athletics

As we’re in the swing of another year of athletics at St. Francis High School, I’ve been reflecting on four memorable lessons from the show Ted Lasso, lessons that beautifully mirror The Francis Way: nurturing relationships, serving others, seeking wisdom, and encouraging peace.

1. “Kindness is powerful” (Nurturing Relationships)

At the heart of Ted Lasso is a coach whose success comes not from tactics, but from care, bringing biscuits to Rebecca each morning, believing in Nate before anyone else did, and slowly winning over even the toughest personalities like Roy Kent. His kindness transforms a struggling team into a united one.

At SFHS, we see the same truth: strong relationships are the foundation of success. Our athletes learn that how we treat one another, on and off the field, matters most.

2. “Being accountable matters” (Serving Others)

A key moment in the show comes when Keeley reminds those around her that accountability is essential, not just apologizing but truly understanding the impact of one’s actions. Later, we see that lesson come full circle when Jamie grows and takes real responsibility.

In our athletic programs, accountability is how we serve our teams. Our students learn that owning their actions builds trust, strengthens community, and reflects a commitment to something greater than themselves.

3. “Be a goldfish” (Seeking Wisdom)

One of Ted’s most famous lines, “Be a goldfish” encourages players to let go of mistakes quickly and keep moving forward. It’s a simple idea: learn the lesson, but don’t carry the burden.

At SFHS, this mindset shapes resilient athletes. Growth comes through experience, reflection, and a willingness to move forward with confidence. Seeking wisdom isn’t about perfection, it’s about perseverance.

4. “Be curious, not judgmental” (Encouraging Peace)

In a powerful darts scene, Ted shares how many people go through life judging others instead of seeking to understand them. His advice; “Be curious, not judgmental”reminds us that empathy builds connection.

This lesson is essential in our community. When we lead with curiosity, we foster respect, unity, and peace, values that define who we are as Spartans.

In recent years, our teams have celebrated tremendous success; conference championships, deep playoff runs, and individual honors. But like Coach Lasso reminds us, wins are not the true measure of success. Those achievements are the byproduct of something deeper: the growth, character, and relationships formed along the way.

At St. Francis, we don’t just build athletes, we form people. And when we live out The Francis Way, success follows naturally. Learn more about our athletic programs, and much much more at our Open House on Sunday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming your family!

Pace e Bene—Peace and all good.

Patrick Jacobsen

Director of Admissions

Click Here to Register for Open House

CLASS OF 2031 ENTRANCE EXAM - 12/5/2026

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Only at St. Francis High School

THIS ISSUE’S FEATURE:

Spartan Athletics – Opportunity Meets Success

SFHS offers a wide array of athletic opportunities for our students:

Baseball, Basketball (B/G), Cheer, Cross Country (B/G), Dance, Flag Football (G), Football, Golf (B/G), Hockey (B/G), Lacrosse (B/G), Soccer (B/G), Softball, Swimming (G), Tennis (B/G), Track & Field (B/G), Volleyball (B/G), and Wrestling. We also expand access through unique partnerships, including boys hockey with the Naperville Hockey Club.

This broad offering reflects our belief that every student should have the chance to compete, grow, and be part of something bigger than themselves. That commitment to opportunity is clear:

74% of SFHS students participate in at least one sport
71 student-athletes have committed to college athletics in the past four years

At the same time, Spartan Athletics has achieved remarkable success:

25 IHSA Regional Titles (since 2020)
13 IHSA Sectional Titles (since 2020)
28 IHSA State Appearances (since 2020)
3 IHSA State Championships (since 2020)
18 IHSA State Championships overall
115 Top-10 State Finishes

While we are proud of these accomplishments, they are the byproduct of something deeper. At SFHS, success grows from dedication, teamwork, and personal development. Our athletes are challenged not only to compete at a high level, but to grow as leaders, teammates, and individuals.

Simply put, SFHS delivers the best of both worlds: unmatched opportunity paired with a tradition of excellence.

"I Am.....

.....disciplined.”

“SFHS athletics taught me about dedication and time management. By committing a lot of time to my sport, I quickly learned to make it worth my time by giving it all my effort, and I also learned how to use my time efficiently after school and practices or games.”
– Arianna W. ‘29

“Athletics has helped me build relationships with people in different classes. This has improved my high school experience because I have teammates older to rely on and learn from and teammates younger to teach and lead.”
– Chase G. ‘28

“I am part of the girls' volleyball program here at SFHS and it has improved my leadership skills and my time management drastically. I've made so many memories with my teammates, and I've built so many friendships through the program as well.”
– Emily A. ‘29

Parent Perspective

More Than a Win-Loss Record

“St. Francis athletics has given my daughter a sense of belonging and identity. Being part of the volleyball and lacrosse programs has instilled in her the importance of teamwork and community. The coaches are deeply invested in their players and create an environment where players feel valued and supported.” – Jeanne Obrochta, Class of 2024 & 2027 Parent