Beefsteak Dinner Draws Record Crowd

An all-time record number of alumni returned to 16th Street last Friday, January 15, for a beloved annual tradition—the Xavier Beefsteak Dinner.

Nine hundred and fifteen Sons of Xavier packed Larkin Hall and the gym, feasting on unlimited beef and spirits. Alumni in attendance represented nearly every Xavier class from 1951 through 2012.

“What an honor it was to witness alums return to 16th Street for one of our most anticipated events of the year,” said Zane Massey ’96, Director of Alumni Relations. “I am truly blessed to be able to hear and share perspectives on how special Xavier is to all of us.”

The night began in the newly renovated student chapel, where nearly 100 alumni attended Mass. Rev. Jack Replogle, SJ ’51, Assistant to the President and Alumni Chaplain, presided. After Mass, alumni flooded down to Larkin Hall and the gym in waves, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, reunions with friends and former faculty, and of course, great steak from Nightingale Caterers. Rev. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. ’59, Xavier’s 32nd President, led alumni in a rousing rendition of “Sons of Xavier,” adding a moving historical touch to the event.

“With well over 900 Sons of Xavier in the house, the energy in the room was overwhelmingly positive,” Mr. Massey said. “I am always in awe of how big and unique a family we’ve become.”

To view photos from Beefsteak 2016, please visit Xavier's Flickr album.