Detroit — When you win the Catholic League’s first Class A boys basketball state title in 40 years, you’re bound to be noticed.

Following an impressive 69-49 win over North Farmington in the Class A final, the University of Detroit Jesuit has been named the 2016 James Leary Catholic League School of the Year in recognition for its overall excellence across the board in athletic programs, sportsmanship, spirit and representing the values that exemplify the Catholic League.

“U of D, without question, is one of our top schools as far as all three of the criteria for the award goes,” said Vic Michaels, athletic director for the Catholic League. “When they’re in a championship game, they are one of our best crowds. The student body has been present at championships, and they really support their teams and show tremendous spirit.”

It’s U of D Jesuit’s first James Leary Award since 2001, a special honor for the Cubs in particular, as the award is named after the late U of D Jesuit athletic director James Leary, who served several terms on the Catholic League’s executive board.

“The award means a great deal to us at U of D, especially because of where our athletic program is right now,” said U of D Jesuit athletic director Nicholas Kocsis. “It’s especially meaningful to us because the award is named after Jim Leary’s honor, a longtime athletic director here.”

The award will formally be presented to U of D Jesuit president Fr. Karl Kiser, SJ, at the Catholic League Hall of Fame dinner and awards banquet June 13 at Fern Hill Country Club in Clinton Township.

“It’s a great honor for all of our athletic accomplishments throughout the year,” Fr. Kiser said. “It’s an honor to be named the school of the year, and the award is named after a former AD of ours.”

The Cubs dominated prep sports headlines in the Detroit area during the basketball season, with 2016 Mr. Basketball and Michigan State University commit Cassius Winston leading the Cubs to a 28-0 season and a state title.

In addition to Cubs winning their fourth consecutive boys basketball league title, U of D Jesuit’s golf team is poised to defend its Division 1 title.

“The award was named, or given, before the basketball championship was won,” Kocsis said. “People think of U of D for all the basketball success, which we’re so proud of, but when you think about it, we were in MHSAA top four in tennis, the final four in hockey for the fourth straight season, went to the football playoffs. We were in the top eight in swimming, the bowling final four and we just won the CHSL golf title. That’s what I want people to know about, that were proud of our teams across the board.”