the World

May 5 was a very busy morning at Cathedral Prep. Three
guest speakers visited the students sending out positive
vibes prior to many celebratory activities including prom
and graduation.
Daryl Craig of Abundant Life Ministries and the Non-
Violence Coalition spoke to students at Cathedral Prep.
Craig, a former gang member from Buffalo, shared his story
with the students. He told them that they have a personal
responsibility to stop violence, which is an individual choice.
The mantra of the Non-Violence Coalition is that “Non-
Violence begins with me.”
While Craig was speaking
in the gym, students also
had the opportunity to hear
two speakers in the H. David
Bowes Auditorium. John
Davis, owner and president
of JD Sports Academy, is
a retired Army Lieutenant
Colonel. He served 23
years on active duty, first
as an infantry soldier and
officer, then as an Army
comptroller. In addition to a
myriad of Army training and Daryl Craig of Abundant Life Minsitries.
leadership education, Coach Davis holds a B.A. in Business
Administration from Methodist University (Fayetteville, NC)
and an M.B.A. from Syracuse University. During his tenure on
active duty, John served in a variety of command and staff
positions, including Director of Resource Management for
U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
Davis coached for the last 14 years of his career, enabling
him to spend quality time with
his own four children during their
sports endeavors. He has coached
now for over 20 years, both baseball
and football teams from ages five
up through and including high
school. Coach Davis has been or is
an active member of the National
Youth Sports Coaches Association,
National High School Coaches
Association, American Baseball
Coaches Association and Amateur
Athletic Union.
Davis brought with him Head
Coach and Faculty Advisor Kurt Barber. He was a standout
prep athlete and HS All American WR/LB at Paducah-
Tilghman HS, where he won the Kentucky “Mr. Football”
Award in 1987. Kurt attended the University of Southern
California, graduating in 1992 with a Communications
The Men of Prep
Guest Speakers at Prep Send Positive Messages to Students
John Davis, owner and
president of JD Sports
Academy/ retired Army
Lieutenant Colonel.
Degree. At USC, he was a four-year letterman and two-year
starter, as well as “All PAC-10” LB for the Trojans. Barber was
selected as the 42nd pick in the 2nd round of the 1992
NFL draft by the NY Jets. He
enjoyed a five-year career with
the Jets, Broncos and Bears.
Following his NFL career,
Barber began coaching in
1998 at Riverside Community
College. He has enjoyed a
14-year career of collegiate
coaching, including stops at
TN-Martin, Kent State, the
University of Utah, UNLV, and
Western Kentucky University.
Former NFL player Kurt Barber. He most recently served as the
offensive line coach at Campbellsville University in Kentucky.
While at Campbellsville, Kurt also pursued his master’s degree
in special education. Coach Barber brings extensive player
and coaching experience to the team, making him uniquely
qualified to recruit, manage and lead the JD Sports Academy
faculty of current and former NFL coaches and players.
Both Davis and Barber shared their life experiences with the
students and told them to continue to focus on themselves
and their goals.
With prom and graduation right around the corner, the
speakers’ positive messages could not have come at a better
time.
Prep Receives CPR Training System
Bianchi Honda, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania
Automotive Association and the National Automotive Dealers
Charitable Foundation, presented Cathedral Preparatory
School with the Resusci Anne Torso Complete CPR training
system for their first aid and CPR certification. Pictured from
left to right: Matt Rhodes, Western Regional Manager, PAA;
Sister Margaret Ann Hardner, Sisters of St. Joseph; Fr. Scott
Jabo, President, Cathedral Preparatory School; and Jason
Porreco, General Sales Manager, Bianchi Honda.
22
FALL 2013
The Magazine of Cathedral Preparatory School