When my dad took Xavier News at St. Xavier in 1993, it was a traditional newspaper class. When I took it, it was something entirely different. a full-scale media platform. Same class name, same school, but two completely different experiences. I sat down with him and reflected on our times in the news room. I learned how different things were 30 years ago during his time on Poplar Level.
My dad’s name is Clay Shulhafer ‘93. He was a four-year varsity tennis player and state champ during his time rocking the Green and Gold. He was also an Assistant Coach from 1998-2002, during that stint the Tiger Tennis team won four consecutive state championships and finished ranked top-15 nationally each season.
During his time as a tennis player, his head coach was St. X legend Joe Kroh 61’. The 2025 Catholic Sports Hall of Fame inductee spent 54 years giving his time as a teacher and coach at St. X. In my dad’s senior year, he not only had Mr. Kroh as his head coach, but he also taught him English and Xavier News.
“He was a tough grader, who wasn’t the easiest class,” Clay said. “I like to write; I would take that class again. It was a good time.”
Throughout my four years here at St. X, I’ve met many people, learned many lessons, and have drastically changed from who I was in 2022. I remember my freshman year, watching the Male game promo on the morning news and wanting to do what they do. I wanted to be in that Xavier News class.
Fast forward to the second semester of my junior year and I was now a Xavier News member. Being one of only two juniors in a very senior-heavy class, it was definitely a different start. I got to take a semester to learn from Mr. Stemle and the seniors about what they knew about being in Xavier News.
Moving into my senior year, I got to put my ideas and new concepts together to form content that was fun to make and to share it to the Xavier News website or on Instagram.
Comparing the creative process with my dad’s shows how journalism has evolved.
“You would have to lay out each page to put in order,” Clay said. “Then you would get your pictures by going and taking them or a photographer if you could.”
The Xavier News is now in the digital world. It shares its stories and videos on its website and Instagram page that dedicates its work to be ‘Consistent, Quality Content for Tigers, by Tigers’. It gave me the chance to create and be in an environment where I can be myself and do what I love. Having fun with my classmates while promoting our school in a positive light, and essentially putting myself in charge of how I will be remembered at this school.
We were digging around in the garage last week and found some of my dad’s high school pictures and old tickets. As I flipped through the tickets of UofL games at Freedom Hall, and all the bowl games he went to with my papa, I found a Xavier News story that he had written in 1993.
I asked him, “did you really write a story about yourself?” He then replied “Well no, I wrote it about the tennis team. I was the captain and happened to be the only tennis player in my class, hence why I wrote the article.” Fair point…
As my time at St. X comes to a close, I will look back on these three semesters in 313 and reminisce all the good times that were had. Whether it was making the Ashton Hall video in my junior year, or writing this Magnum Opus about comparing my time to my dad’s experience here.
This will forever be my favorite class, classroom, and most fun 45 minutes of each day. I’m thankful for these special four years and the opportunities that were given to me. Forever a Tiger.
