Homecoming 2026 Preview: Welcome Home, Crusaders!
Spirit Week is officially underway, and we’re heading into our 2026 Homecoming Pep Rally this afternoon! As we gear up for an exciting weekend of Homecoming matchups, we can’t wait to welcome familiar faces back to campus.
Homecoming Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 16
- Pep Rally, led by our very own AD Ramsay
- 4:30 PM – Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Portledge (The Turf)
- 4:30 PM – Varsity & JV Volleyball vs. St. Dominic (Visscher Gymnasium)
Saturday, October 17
- 2:00 PM – Varsity Football vs. St. John’s College (DC) (The Turf)
Saturday brings a BBQ, food trucks, alumni connections, and a chance to celebrate the 2026 LuHi Athletics Hall of Fame class.
Meet this year’s inductees:
Meet the 2026 LuHi Athletics Hall of Fame Class
Halftime of Saturday’s football game will be packed! Our Varsity Cheer and Varsity Dance teams will perform, and we’ll honor this year’s Homecoming Court along with our three inductees into the 2026 LuHi Athletics Hall of Fame: Achraf “Ash” Yacoubou (‘11), Celeste Taylor (‘19), and David Rodriguez (‘00).
Achraf “Ash” Yacoubou – Class of 2011
A Bronx native and cornerstone of LuHi’s basketball resurgence, Ash led the Crusaders to two Class A Federation Championships. In 2009 he held Jamesville-DeWitt star Brandon Triche to 8 points in a 68–51 win, LuHi’s first Fed title in 12 years. As a senior he took tournament MVP with 18 points and 12 rebounds in a 78–51 win over undefeated St. Mary’s. He also scored 24 in a historic road win that snapped Bob Hurley Sr.’s St. Anthony’s six-year home winning streak. Named 2011 NY Gatorade Player of the Year and NYS Mr. Basketball, Ash played at Villanova and Saint Louis, then in the G League and overseas, winning championships in Croatia, the Dominican Republic and Israel. He now lives in South Florida, works in luxury real estate and mentors young athletes.
Celeste Taylor – Class of 2019
A five-year varsity standout under Coach Rich Slater, Celeste was part of more than 100 wins and a 2015 AA Federation Championship. She was a McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand athlete, 2019 NYS Gatorade Player of the Year, and a three-time Team USA gold medalist. She went on to star at Texas, Duke (2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year) and Ohio State (2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year). She was then drafted 15th overall by the Indiana Fever and also played for Connecticut and Phoenix. Celeste is now an assistant coach at Grand Canyon University and gives back through her own camp in New York.
David Rodriguez – Class of 2000
One of the top pitchers in LuHi history, David touched 90 mph in front of major league scouts. He helped lead the Crusaders to the 2000 PSAA Championship over rival Berkeley Carroll. He was a two-time captain, Senior MVP and the 2000 Pro Deo et Schola recipient. He pitched at George Washington, going 5–0 on a 2002 A-10 championship team, and at Fordham, where his 14 starts in a season remain tied for eighth in program history. David earned his MSW from Fordham. He now lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Katrina, and twin sons, Xavier and Quintin, where he works as a therapist at Providence and teaches social work at Portland State.
Come out, cheer on the Crusaders, and help us celebrate the 2026 Hall of Fame class, with alumni receptions to follow! We’ll see you on campus this weekend!
See for Yourself!
Schedule a tour, and see first-hand why families choose LuHi for their athlete.
