On Saturday, December 2, 2023, Marist High School celebrated 60 years of excellence in Catholic education with A Night of Honor, Glory and Fame. The event took place at the newest Marist facility, the 75,000 square foot Marist SportsPlex. With over 750 people in attendance, the evening included silent and live auctions, a paddle raise, dinner and live music from the Ron Burgundy’s. The successful night raised necessary funds for Marist financial assistance with net revenue of $575,000!
At the event, Gerald Beeson ’90 and Br. Hank Hammer, fms announced that the facility would be given a proper name that exemplifies the Marist tradition. Although there currently is a capital campaign taking place to raise funds to support renovations of the facility, there was a secret campaign that very few were made aware of.
“This past year we have been raising money on a parallel track to give this facility a proper name that exemplifies the Marist tradition. As we sit here tonight in a place that was once called Palos Courts, I’m proud to announce it will now forever be known as The Larry Tucker Marist Sportsplex.”
-Gerald Beeson ’90
There is no better way of encapsulating a significant career that is far from being done, but honors his incredible sense of duty to carry the torch forward and so that he can pass along the love for the Marist way. This extremely touching moment was felt by the entire crowd at the event. Larry has made such a lasting mark on Marist High School and has impacted Marist for over half of its existence.
Larry graduated from Marist in 1979, and returned as a coach and then teacher in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He then served as the first lay principal of Marist from 1998-2020, before being named as the first lay president of Marist High School. In a world that is ever evolving, Larry finds ways to stay ahead of the curve, while keeping the Marist pillars alive. He remains committed to carrying out the Marist mission. Larry’s resilience, persistence, and commitment to excellence in all areas for our students and community embodies what it means to be Marist. The vision and execution of ideas for the growth and benefit of Marist High School has propelled Marist to the forefront of all high schools in the state and throughout the country. Larry stood on the shoulders of the brothers and lay faculty and staff to carry on the legacy of those before, while building Marist into more than just a four-year high school, but a place where students become brothers and sisters for life.
Congratulations, Larry, on a highly deserved honor!
