Jay Standring, Jr. ’70 attended Chicago’s Leo High School, where he was the team’s MVP running back, punter, kicker, and option passer, leading Leo to a Catholic League championship showdown with Loyola at Chicago’s Soldier Field. He brought his skills to bear as a 5-9, 190-pound Notre Dame defensive back, making a Cotton Bowl appearance. 

Football was a vehicle for an education. Jay followed the family tradition of his maternal grandfather, Edward J. Figel, ND class of 1911, four uncles and several cousins who earned Notre Dame degrees. Education became a way of life and expression.

A natural-born leader, teacher, and coach, Standring used the lessons learned from Coach Ara Parseghian, Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, and Notre Dame professors to guide youngsters to greater heights in academics and sports, with a zest that is his own signature style. 

After coaching stints at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, he settled in at Saint Rita of Cascia High School, where he would teach theology and coach baseball and football for four decades. He also created summer recreation camps that always culminated in unforgettable visits to the sacred grounds of the Notre Dame campus.

“Jay Standring is one of the kindest and most sincere people that I know,” says Todd Kuska, St. Rita athletic director and varsity football coach. “He is there for his students, players and fellow teachers in every way possible. Jay committed himself to serving others when he decided to be a teacher and a coach many years ago and everyone that has crossed paths with Jay has been impacted in a positive manner. His personality is infectious as he motivates others to strive to do their best.”

Saint Rita refuses to let Standring retire and completed the spring baseball season naming the field after Coach Standring—Jaybird Field at St. Rita.