(9-13-22) DELPHOS — In 1972, Title IX was passed by the US Congress and the opportunities for girls high school sports exploded across the US.

First Blue Jays Volleyball Team – 1973

In the fall of 1973, the era of girls sports began at St. John’s. Under girls all-sports first year coach Jan Stover, the volleyball team took the court in the fall followed by basketball in winter and track and field in the spring. All three sports played limited schedules with no media coverage. The basketball and volleyball teams played home games at the Annex, typically in front of just a few parents.

Fast forward just a few years and the Lady Blue Jays were then sporting official uniforms and playing their games at the high school gym. The fanbase has extended beyond close family to include our many long-time Blue Jay fans and our superfan students. After a 0-3 inaugural season and in only their fourth year of existence, the Blue Jays girls basketball team rolls to an unbeaten season and a state championship sparking an unprecedented run of statewide success.

In the past 49 years multiple Blue Jays girls have won numerous state titles in team and individual sports, sent dozens of athletes to state competition and further on to compete in college athletics.

The 2022-23 school year will feature the 50th team in volleyball, girls basketball and girls track and field. In true Blue Jay fashion, we feel the need to celebrate this milestone. Celebration Games will be held for each sport to recognize and honor all the women who laid the foundation for Delphos St. John’s girls’ sports. We’ll celebrate volleyball in a game against Kalida on Saturday, Sept. 24. First serve for the varsity game is at 10 a.m. Basketball has a special game with LCC set for Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. Tip off of the JV game is 1 p.m., with the varsity game to follow. The final celebration event is the Blue Jay Invitational for track and field set for April 22, 2023.

1973-74 First Blue Jays Girls Basketball Team

After the basketball Celebration Game, the K of C Hall will be open for DSJ alumni, fans and friends to gather and reminisce about their days donning the Blue and Gold. All former Blue Jay coaches, players and anyone associated with the teams is invited and encouraged to attend!

Keep track of the schedule of Celebration Games on the St. John’s Schools website and Facebook page or on the DSJ Alumni Facebook page. We’ll also be sharing photos and highlights of past Blue Jays girls sports and the memories of those who made them. Please share with your teammates and classmates the dates of these special events and visit our website and Facebook page regularly for any updates.

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