by Owen Miklos ‘16
MID-YEAR GRADE: A-
FINAL GRADE: A
Almost one year ago, current sophomores, juniors, and seniors elected the slate of Michael Zupan and Owen Manning to serve as the Student Senate executive branch for the upcoming year. Along with his running-mate Owen Manning, Zupan preached a policy of involvement, a legislative agenda focusing on increased support at sporting events and dedication to improving on the tried-and-true methods set up by the previous presidents.
Now, fast-forward to now, and “Czar” Zupan is preparing to hand the reins over to his successor, Pat Mulach.
So, how’d he do? The question has two dimensions – public opinion, and his ability to keep his campaign promises.
The majority of the feedback he’s received has been positive, and between the success of Homecoming and the overwhelming crowds present at the playoff basketball and hockey games, the Zupan administration was evidently doing something right. The athletic director and varsity hockey coach Pat O’Rourke credits much of their success to the student section, led by the president himself.
Zupan is also credited for broadening the scope of the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, this year drawing record numbers for players and making it one of the premier extracurricular sporting activities at St. Ignatius.
However, not all of his promises were kept.
From the beginning, there was speculation as to how Zupan would be able to draw crowds to lesser-attended sporting events. It seems that that initiative was abandoned right from the get-go. Certainly, football and basketball and hockey drew record-breaking attendance, but that was where the success ended. Sports like golf, wrestling, bowling, and tennis continued their surge in proficiency in everything except crowd-drawing. Swimming finished fifth in the state with nary a supporter in sight.
When asked if he thought the presence of a larger crowd would’ve made a difference, golfer Andrew Zawie ’16 gave an emphatic yes, recalling his 121-yard hole out mid-season.
“If there was a crowd, I’d probably have body surfed,” Zawie said.
But despite this relatively minor misstep, President Zupan was – and for the remainder of the year, still is – one of the more charismatic leaders this school has had. Like El Presidente last year, Zupan won over the student body early on, and this effect has never worn off.
