Ambrose Christianson, or “Mr. C.” as he was better known, was dedicated to I.C. and the sports program. Over his many years here, he ended up coaching boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, baseball, softball, and even soccer, influencing the lives of countless students from grades 4 to 8. He was a tough coach who demanded the best from his athletes, but underneath his somewhat gruff exterior, there was a heart of gold.
Mr. C.’s coaching philosophy was simple. It focused on fundamentals, the belief that defense wins games, and repetition, repetition, repetition. His basketball practices consisted of two main things: working on lay-ups, and defense. When Mr. C. moved from boys’ basketball to girls’, he would coach from 3:15 to 6:30 every weekday. Putting in long hours to see kids improve in their sport was something Mr. C. did routinely.
Generations of athletes will remember Mr. C. for insisting that they wear a hat and warm clothes in the winter; going home in shorts was not allowed. He was known for writing “JMJ” (Jesus, Mary, Joseph) in the corner of the blackboard when instructing players, and he had many memorable quotes, especially when it came to basketball.
“We are a LAY-UP team!”
“Wake up out there!”
“Use the backboard! That’s why God put it there!”
Mr. C. was a man of deep faith who lived out what he believed. Every pre-game huddle included this prayer: "Please, God, let us have fun and no one get hurt in this wonderful game of (your sport here.)” This would be followed by a Hail Mary and then the cheer “Go Raiders!”
Mr. C. will be truly missed by family and friends, and by the Immaculate Conception School community. We will be forever grateful for his contributions to our athletic program. Mary Queen of Victory guide Mr. C, home to your son Jesus and may he rest in peace.