– By Edwin Hearn, President, St. Augustine High School

Describes and Embodies the Importance of Being a Saintsman

This month’s alumni spotlight is on Michael Inzunza (’91), who has taught at Saints for the past eight years in a variety of academic areas, has coached track at both Saints and the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and is the founder of The Loyal Sons, a community service group for students.

Currently, he is the Director of the Associated Students and moderates the school’s yearbook. Michael, his wife, Alejandra and two daughters, Isabella and Sophia reside in Chula Vista.

What is your most memorable moment at Saints?

Where do I begin? Fr. John Sanders was always such an understanding priest and friend to all of us. I wrote an article for the student newspaper, Augustinian, protesting the Desert Storm war in Iraq encouraging the entire student body to walkout of class, march to the football field and sit in on the 50-yard line. Well, I was the only student who showed up and Fr. John brought his lunch and sat down with me throughout fifth block sharing his thoughts on injustice in the world. I never forgot that. I also remember tagging along Coach Downey as a freshman to all the track meets hoping to get a chance to run with the varsity starters. As it turns out, a senior rolled his ankle during warm-ups and coach put me in as the third leg of the 4×400. We ended up winning the relay and coach eventually awarded me MVP of the team as I finished the season on the varsity roster. I keep that trophy in my office right next to my wife’s photo.

Tell me something about one of your favorite teachers? Why was this person important to you?

I have a difficult time calling my colleagues who were my teachers by their first name. I have way too much respect for them. Whether it was Mrs. Eggleton opening up her classroom at lunch and tutoring us or Mr. Cudal teaching us about classroom etiquette, the staff at Saints helped shape my confidence and sense of belonging as an adolescent. Fr. Bob Gavotto must be the most forgiving Augustinian around after all the pranks and shenanigans I pulled during his first year of teaching at Saints. I suppose that’s why I go out of my way to assist him with anything he needs. He’s an incredible Saintsman (Class of 1955) who has dedicated his life in supporting every spiritual and educational program our campus community offers. I’m just waiting for him to pull a master prank on me someday!

What is it about Saints that keeps you coming back?

While in college, I always felt accepted and appreciated especially after being greeted by so many alumni and teachers when stopping by to say hi or catching a great playoff game against Uni. As a professional, I remember bringing my wife, then girlfriend, to a football game to finally show her what I had been bragging about. To her good fortune, her first Saints experience was witnessing in 2004 the legendary miracle game over Uni when Chris Forcier threw a 25 yard pass to Menelik Holt in the end zone as time expired. She got it.

Overall, how would you describe your Saints Experience?

I was incredibly fortunate my parents were able to send me to Saints and for that reason I never took for granted what the school offered. I participated in five sports and lettered in two; served as ASB class president; played in the school band all four years and even managed to play in my own rock band for school dances. Simply put, I was surrounded by classmates and teachers whom encouraged me to pursue my aspirations as a teen and eventually as an adult. Saints was much more than a school for me, it was another home.

If you had one word to describe Saints what would it be? Why?

Let’s start with Unitas, Veritas and Caritas or perhaps R-e-s-p-e-c-t or brotherhood. The Saints community is comprised of so many unique experiences that would make it impossible to describe in a single word! As for why, I was taught to be a gentleman, a scholar and a servant of Christ in an environment that was always nurturing, safe and too much fun. A Saintsman knows how to be courteous to their elders, respectful during school-wide mass and be incredibly loud in the same gym during basketball games. While Saintsmen are incredibly diverse culturally and share different athletic and artistic talents, our common denominator is that we share this tradition of brotherhood that embodies the way we are responsible to our communities, families and parish.

In your view, why should a young man apply to Saints?

I’ve always described St. Augustine High School as an incubated environment that fosters the many individual talents that our students possess. Moreover, everyone fits in at Saints. I was a student who surrounded myself equally with athletes, musicians, artists and ASB officers and I never distinguished a difference between one specific clique over another. This campus provides a strong sense of belonging where we celebrate mass weekly, our academics are outstanding and our sports programs compete for league and CIF banners every season. I can’t think of any school in San Diego County whose residents refer to our alumni and students by our nickname: “He’s a Saintsman”.

Q: During the past two decades, you have experienced Saints in a multitude of ways? What has remained the same and what has changed?

While I was a student at St. Patrick’s, I lived right across the street on 33rd and awaited the year I would become a Saintsman like my older brothers, dozens of cousins and my great uncle Jorge MacFarland (‘49). I vividly remember putting on my freshman football jersey for the first time and eventually my purple graduation gown. Eight years ago, I was asked to become part of the staff as a teacher and now the ASB Director.

What has remained the same?

Everything! Our rich culture and history has provided thousands of boys from San Diego and Tijuana an incredible journey of becoming great men. You won’t find a stronger alumni base, lasting friendships and professional connections more than our community. I have been able to witness the development of St. Augustine High School as a resident, student, active alumni and finally as a member of the faculty.

What has changed? Just some old buildings with great memories that are being replaced with state of the art facilities for future generations of Saintsmen to create new memories! Saints On!