On the first day that members of the Class of 2024 could make their signing with college athletic programs official, six Crusaders were part of our first commitment ceremony of the school year.
 
The senior athletes who expressed their gratitude during the ceremony in our Center for Excellence were:
 
James Dodman '24 of Buffalo – Columbia University (rowing)
Aaron Eberhard '24 of Buffalo – St. Bonaventure University (lacrosse)
Teddy Hibbard '24 of Buffalo – University of California-Berkeley (rowing)
Ivan Roeder '24 of Orchard Park – Le Moyne College (lacrosse)
Colton Schoenberger '24 of Williamsville  – Le Moyne College (lacrosse)
Vito Verni '24 of Buffalo – Walsh University (baseball)
 
More ceremonies are anticipated as seniors make their college decisions.
 
Canisius is again in line to have around 15% of its senior class participate in college athletics, far about the national average of less than 2%.
 
The seniors were highlighted for their athletic accomplishments and the service they have participated in while at Canisius.
 
Athletic Director Jim Mauro, who emceed the ceremony, told a story that reflected the CHS experience right after Eberhard spoke.
 
"To me, it's not about just going out and playing a sport, but what I firmly believe Canisius High School does is it forms you into being the best version of yourself as a young man," Mauro said. "We played St. Joe's in football back in September, and it was a packed, packed place.
 
"The game ends, and cars are leaving Stransky, and our maintenance director Roy Lauta taps me and he says 'look up in the stands by the student section.' And forgive me, I forget who the other young men were with him, but Aaron was up there cleaning the student section for our maintenance crew.
 
"They get formed here. It was an outstanding, small moment."
 
The six seniors were introduced during the ceremony, and they each stood up and expressed their gratitude.  
 

James Dodman '24 of Buffalo – Columbia University (rowing)
 
Athletic highlights:

- 2022 Scholastic National Champion in the Varsity Lightweight 4
- 2023 Bronze Medalist at the Youth National Championships in the Youth Pair
- 2023 Summer National Champion in the Youth Pair
- 2023 member of the US National Team who competed in the U19 Pair at the World Championships in Paris, France
 
Community service:

- Mentor and Tutor for middle school boys at NativityMiguel school
- Volunteered in the Salish Native American community on Montana service trip
- Stocked shelves of donated items for teachers at the Teachers Desk
 
Dodman:
 
"I'd like to thank all my coaches for helping me get to where I am today, especially Coach Flaherty and also R.J. Rubino for really setting me on this path. I want to take thank my teammates for really pushing me – the memories of them will be some of the best memories I'll have the rest of my life. I'll always cherish that. I want to thank my teachers for preparing me academically for my time at Columbia, and Father Fred and Father C for being there for me. And thank you to my family for everything. I'm really excited about the next four years. Go Lions."

 
Aaron Eberhard '24 of Buffalo – St. Bonaventure University (lacrosse)
 
Athletic highlights:
 
- Varsity starter since freshman year
- Two-time First Team All-Catholic
- 2022 Under Armour All American Upstate Team
- 2023 New Balance All American Upstate Team
- Lake George Invitational All Tournament Team
- Inside Lacrosse All Tournament Team
- Inside Lacrosse All-Star Team
 
Community service
 
- Camp counselor at Journey's End Summer Camp
- Volunteer at St. Luke's Mission
- Volunteer for WNY Heroes
 
Coach Jeff White '09:
 
"Aaron has not only been a leader on the field, but more importantly grown to be a great leader off the field. He is one of the hardest working kids I've had the privilege to coach and he has grown up so much over the last four years. He is a great teammate and great lacrosse player and no doubt will continue that next year at St. Bonaventure. He will be missed next year, but has no doubt left his mark on the program."
 
Eberhard:
 
"I want to start off by thanking Coach White, he has been absolutely amazing to me. There's no doubt I wouldn't be the player I am today without him and his leadership. My teammates, many of you are here today, two of them I'm sitting next to: They have been a big part of me growing as a player and my success as a player, so I want to thank them. Last but certainly not least, my family: There's been a lot of sacrifice – my sisters are always cheering me on games, always there's poor me as well as my mom; my dad always giving me that tough love and pushing me harder and instilling that work ethic in me certainly has led to the player I am today. Thank you all very much."
 
 
Teddy Hibbard '24 of Buffalo – University of California-Berkeley (rowing)
 
Athletic highlights:
 
- Winner of Men's Championship 8 and Senior Lightweight 8 at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta
- National champion in the men's Lightweight 4
- Canadian National Champion in mens Junior 8 and Junior 4.
- Four-year member of the crew team
- Member of US Rowing National team reserve
 
Community service:
 
- Founder and creator of musical therapy non-profit organization at Oshei Children's Hospital
- Member of church choir at St. Louis Church
- Volunteer for annual cleanup and maintenance at St. Louis Church
 
Hibbard:
 
"I can remember my Canisius Open House visit when I came out to the gym floor and I think I passed by coach Flaherty at the at the rowing tent about five times, and I think at that point it was pretty set in stone. Thank you to all my teammates for pushing me as hard as I can possibly go. Thank you Canisius High School for trying to keep me on the straight and narrow [laughs]. Thank you to my parents, especially my mom, it's her birthday today. Thank you to everyone that has helped me along the way."
 
 
Ivan Roeder '24 of Orchard Park – Le Moyne College (lacrosse)
 
Athletic highlights:
 
- Four-year member of the lacrosse team and a three-year starter.
- Two-year team captain
- First Team All-Catholic last year
 
Community service
 
- Has served with Meals on Wheels and various ECMC service projects
 
Coach Jeff White '09:
 
"Ivan is one of the most talented kids I've had the chance to coach. He is a difference-maker on the field with his ability to lock down the other team's best player and control the middle of the field,  pushing the ball in transition. He has also grown and matured off the field and turned himself into a leader. He has been asked to do a lot of different things, but is willing to do whatever he is asked to help the team win."
 
Roeder:
 
"Thank you all for coming out. I'd just like to thank my coaches, particularly Coach White, my teammates, Eberhart, Colton, and my friends and family who helped me along the way."
 
 
Colton Schoenberger '24 of Williamsville  – Le Moyne College (lacrosse)
 
Athletic highlights:
 
- Four-year member of the lacrosse program and has been a starter each year.
- Chosen a team captain in his senior year
 
Community service:
 
- Was a member of the service immersion trip to Richmond, Va.
- Has served at St. Luke's and St. Basil's in various capacities
 
Coach Jeff White '09:
 
"Colton has come a long way since his freshman year. He has worked his extremely hard to put himself in the position that he is in. He is always in the right spot and rarely ever gets beat because he is the most fundamental defenseman I've coached. He will do great things at the next level."
 
Schoenberger:
 
"I'd like to thank my parents, my brothers, my family – I couldn't have done it without them. Thanks especially to my coaches, including coach White … and thanks to Canisius for pushing me. Thanks also to Fr. Fred, and I'm glad to go to Le Moyne like Father C."
 
 
Vito Verni '24 of Buffalo – Walsh University (baseball)
 
Athletic highlights:
 
- Varsity starter led team with .417 BA and .600 OBP in Monsignor Martin league play.
- Second Team All-Catholic 2023
- PBR NYS Games 2023
- Perfect Game WWBA July 2023
- New Balance Future Stars 2023
 
Community service:
 
- Kairos Lead Facilitator & Emmaus Leader 2023
- Volunteer for Harrison's Heroes
- Catholic Academy cleanup volunteer
 
Verni:
 
"My heart's racing a little bit. This is a dream come true. It couldn't have been done without the help of my mom and dad, my entire family. They've made so many sacrifices for me, I can't even list them. They've always been there for me, to pick me up, to push me to work harder, and I can't thank them enough for that. Also, huge thanks to coach Justin for giving me the opportunity to play shortstop on varsity last year and helping me develop as a player, to get me to this point in time. Also, I'd like to thank all my friends, thanks for coming today boys. You guys give me joy, and it means a lot more than you guys probably think."