Annual hoops contest puts spotlight on vocations

As another Houston basketball team helped March Madness reach a frenzied crescendo down the road in San Antonio, a different basketball game in Houston brought thousands together to support vocations at the annual Priests vs. Seminarians Basketball Game.

The Mariners of St. Mary’s Seminary took home this year’s win at the religious showdown of the year with a final score of 54 to 39.
The annual tradition sold out, with over 4,000 fans in attendance, and raised awareness to vocations to the priesthood throughout the Archdiocese.

The eighth annual match-up was on April 4, at Rice University’s Tudor Fieldhouse, where parishioners and Catholic school students filled up the stands in support of their priest, family members showed up for their loved ones playing in the game, and friends drove in from out of town to cheer on the good-natured annual rivalry. Diocesan clergy also were courtside at the highly anticipated contest.

The priests upset the seminarians last year with a defeat that broke the seminarians’ four-year winning streak, but the seminarians reclaimed themselves as victors after a competitive game with the priests, who are viewed as underdogs against the seminarians, sometimes half their age. 

Seminarian Tim Spjut was awarded the 2025 Most Valuable Player and was humbled by his new title. 

“I didn’t expect it. I just came to play some basketball,” Spjut said. “It was great teamwork. It was a lot of fun playing with these guys. I’m going to miss them.” Spjut, who helped the seminarians stay ahead in the game, is planning to transfer to the Pontifical North American College in Rome to continue his studies. 

Father Jacob Ramirez, parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish in Galveston, who has played in the game since 2017, started on the seminarians’ team and after his ordination in 2022, now plays for the priests’ team. 

“What this game is all about is to really just show the fun and the beauty of the life of a priest and to support our seminarians,” Father Ramirez said. “It’s a wonderful event, and I love to be a part of it every year.” 

Father Ramirez, along with the players, coaches and staff of both teams, enjoyed meeting new people and catching up with friends and family after the game. 

“The seminarian team has worked hard this year to put forth their best efforts and hone their skills, even amidst all the demands that come with full-time academics and priestly formation,” Father Eurel Manzano, rector of St. Mary’s Seminary, said. Proud of the seminarians for their resilience and fraternal spirit, Father Manzano said that the seminarians have overcome setbacks after being defeated in other tournaments and games this past year. 

“I hope that all who attended were able to experience what a joy it is to unite with other fellow Catholics in support of their priests and seminarians,” Father Manzano said. “I also hope they were reminded that priests come from families and parishes like their own and that the flourishing of a culture of vocational discernment comes as a natural fruit of living the Christian life with intentionality and joy.”

The priests compete with the seminarians to help the Office of Vocations highlight the priesthood in a way that is athletic, energetic and relatable while garnering ticket sales, which benefit the formation of seminarians in the Archdiocese. 

“It’s always such a joy to see all the support that people give to their priests and seminarians. This year, the seminarians had the better game, but we’ll see what happens in the future,” Father Richard McNeillie, director of the Office of Vocations for the Archdiocese said. “Our goal is to unite parishioners from all over the Archdiocese in supporting their current and future priests. We wanted to create a fun, Catholic event for the whole family, one that gives people a slightly different perspective on priests. Most people, especially younger Catholics, see priests only at the altar. It’s true, that’s where a priest is most himself, but we also do other things, including sports and having fun with brother priests and seminarians.” 

The fanfare and game awards make for a unique and lively sporting event that promotes a good cause, and all are welcome to each year. To learn more about the Office of Vocations, visit houstonvocations.com.