Academics
Since we launched "The Program" in the Spring of 2011, one of the most prominent areas of focus has been on
the complete implementation of the best academic program in all of Junior Hockey. To reach this goal we
have required the following steps
1. The drafting & acquisition of elite students.
2. The total commitment of our academic partners at all levels.
3. The total commitment of our owners and board of directors to tremendous investment in academics.
4. Staff who care deeply about the academic development of each young man, as much as they care about
the on-ice development of each young man.
Often times, you will hear other hockey clubs - at the junior and college level - mention academics as a "fall
back" to be used "in case hockey doesn't work out". That is not acceptable for us here in Sault Ste. Marie.
Regardless of the hockey playing future of each young man they are going to need a strong academic back
ground, and all are going to need to carry on their academic pursuits beyond their time with us. Our goal is
that each young man completely maximizes his academic potential while in Sault Ste. Marie. We have built our
Program so that each young man will be put into the position to be at his best academically.
Jerry Bumbacco is in his 29th season as the team's Academic Advisor and is the longest serving member in this
position in the Ontario Hockey League.
Prior to joining the team Mr. Bumbacco was a Mathematics and Physical Education teacher at the now
defunct Bawating Collegiate & Vocational School for 33 years. Jerry also combined academics and athletics
while he was instrumental in the creation of local high school hockey where he coached for 16 years.
Jerry earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Michigan Technological University where he attended on a
hockey scholarship.
We can assure you that with Jerry as our education co-ordinator, and our relationship with Superior Heights, St.
Mary’s College (Catholic High School), Notre Dame des Grands Lacs (Fully French High School), Algoma
University, Sault College and our distance education programs, that all players who enter our program will
leave having maximized their academic potential.
Here are just a few of players who have graduated from our program and gone on to use their education
package to forge tremendous careers after hockey:
• Jake McCracken
Pharmacist
• Tim Zafiris
Chiropractor
• Brian Gualazzi
Former Crown Attorney (Now Private Lawyer)
• Kevin Murnghan
Office of Member of Parliament
Due to the nature of Major Junior hockey, our approach to academics needs to be extremely flexible in order
to meet the needs of both secondary and post-secondary students. Here is how we approach all students in
order to ensure their academics development.
SECONDARY STUDENTS
All members of The Program are required to maintain their full course load. We do not accept players delaying
their high school graduation or taking on a reduced course load. Instead, we place each player in a situation
to achieve success academically and do not waver from that commitment. Each player is given every possible
resource they may require in order to not only maintain, but to improve their academic standing while playing
for the Greyhounds.
Through the first two years that the Program has been in place, our secondary students have achieved a
cumulative average of over 84% while maintaining a full course load. This achievement is testament to the
players, the academic institutions and our organization's commitment to academic success.
In order to ensure complete comfort and the total meeting of academic needs for each member of the
Program we offer each member three options while they are in their 16 and 17 year old seasons in Sault Ste.
Marie.
1. Superior Heights (Public High School)
750 North Street
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6B 2C5
Phone: 705.945.7177
Fax: 705.945.7170
www.superiorheights.com
Principal: Michael McCabe
Vice Principals: Grant Kahtava & Steve Caruso
Head of Guidance: Tony Notte
Enrollment: 900 students
SCHOOL INFO – Opened in September 2011
2. St. Mary’s College(Catholic High School)
130 Wellington Street East
Principal: Dan Viotto
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Vice Principal: Chris Czop
P6A 2L5
Team Liason: Adriano Carota
Phone: 705.945.5540
Fax: 705.945.5561
www.stmaryscollegeknights.com
Enrolment: 700 students
*Note - St. Mary's will be replaced in 2015 by a brand new school, also to be named St. Mary's College**
3. Notre Dame Du Sault (French High School)
600 N. Rue
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6B 2B9
Phone: 705.945.5520
Fax: 705.945.5515
http://www.nouvelon.ca/nos_ecoles/ecole.php?ecole=NDS
POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS
Following each player’s graduation from high school, our Program mandates that each player takes a
minimum of two courses in the fall & winter semester when they are in Sault Ste. Marie. Players are able and
encouraged to take more than the minimum of two courses per semester.
In the off-season, members of the Program are encouraged to take spring and summer courses, by either
remaining in Sault Ste. Marie or by using the online options available.
In-Person
1. Algoma University
The Soo Greyhounds and Algoma University have forged a long-standing, positive relationship to offer our
players quality, post-secondary programs.
When scheduling programs at Algoma U, the player’s hockey commitments (including practices, roadtrips and
games) are considered to maximize their academic potential.
Players’ have full access to all programs available to the general student population.
An important note is that following each OHL season, Jerry works closely with the players to ensure that all
courses are completed and exams are written.
Academics
Number of Academic Departments: 12
Number of Academic Programs: 30+
Full-Time Faculty: 57
Research Institutes: 3
Students
Student population: 1253
Residences: 4
Residence beds: 277
Percentage International Students: 12%
Students employed on campus: 48
Student Employment Ratio after graduation: 100% within 2 years
Main Contact: Dave Marasco, Reigstar
1520 Queen Street East | Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Phone: 705,949.2301 | Fax: 705.949.6583 | www.algomau.ca
2. Sault College
The teams’ relationship with Sault College mirrors that of Algoma University with the guidance and assistance of
Ms. Sylvana Turpin.
Sault College is the lone Community College in our community and offers a wide-variety of programs
highlighted by it’s renown Aviation and Police Foundation programs.
Main Contact: Sylvana Turpin
443 Northern Avenue | Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4G3
Phone: 705,759.2554 | Fax: 705.759.1319 | www.saultcollege.ca
ONLINE
1. University of Guelph
One of the best academic institutions in North America has partnered with our Program and offers our players a
very thorough course catalogue through the University of Guelph's online program.
This past season Brandon Alderson earned credits from the University showing again, the flexibility of our postsecondary program.
Players requiring assistance with the online courses are offered tutoring and guidance as needed.
www.uoguelph.ca
2. Athabasca University
Another one of the online opportunities for members of our Program is Athabasca University.
Athabasca is a Canadian leader in flexible online post-secondary education, offering a wide variety of courses
to students around the world.
A variety of courses, undergraduate & graduate programs
AU offers over 900 courses, and 50 undergraduate and graduate degrees, diploma and certificate programs in
a range of arts, science and professional disciplines. Be sure and check out all the options available. You might
discover some new educational opportunities.
A trusted distance education leader with a proven track record
AU is a distance education leader, not only in Canada, but also around the world. We’re known as an
innovator in international distance education, and a trusted name in online and distance learning.
www.athabascau.ca
So as you can see, our Program offers many opportunities for players’ to achieve their goals off the ice and
maintain their personal academic goals, along with the goals of their family and our organization.
Through Educational Co-Ordinator Jerry Bumbacco, team staff, and the various institutions located locally, and
abroad we are committed to ensuring this important part of your son’s development is upheld with the utmost
standards.
Should you have any questions for Mr. Bumbacco please feel free to contact him by phone at 705.759.6604 or
e-mail at [email protected].