Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Jim Sapienza '81
Jim Sapienza is one of the finest distance runners and scholars to ever graduate from Trinity. He grew up a member of Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church and attended Zachary Taylor Elementary School and Westport Middle School. He currently resides in Santa Clarita, California.
As a student-athlete, Jim was the Class of 1981 valedictorian, a Shamrock Award winner and received the Senior Leadership Award and two Shammy Awards. Jim also was a member of the Spanish Club, Math Team, High Q Team and “ECHO” newspaper staff.
In athletics, Jim captained the cross country and track teams from 1980-81. He led Trinity to two cross country state runner-up titles in 1978 and 1979. Individually, he was twice state runner-up in cross country, and the state 2-mile champion in 1981. Jim set school records for the cross country 5K and the track mile and 2-mile events.
Jim scored well on the Catholic High School Placement Test and was offered a scholarship to Trinity.
“This was one of the first times that I received a signal in my life that another person or organization asked to partner with me,” Jim said. “I have found that saying ‘yes’ in these situations very often leads to positive outcomes.”
Some of Jim’s favorite Trinity memories are hearing “Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp during a freshman assembly, attending Senior Retreat with current and future best friends, and civil classroom discussion.
“I remember the travesty of the one-way tunnel and logjams from Floersh Hall to Sheehan Hall and jugs being handed out trying to get to class on time,” he said, laughing. “I also remember sitting with various cliques at lunch and heading to Father Zettel’s office for college counseling.”
The late Rich Rostel H’93, a Trinity Hall of Famer and former teacher and baseball and cross country coach, made a lasting impact on Jim.
“Coach Rostel demonstrated a model for building strong team culture to achieve results beyond the talent of just the individuals on the team,” he said.
Like many alumni, Jim remembers the positive impact of his English teachers.
“Billy Bradford inspired a generation of Trinity students to pursue knowledge, truth and critical thinking,” Jim said. “For me, the lineup of Frank Ward to Bradford to Father Kevin Caster to Father Ted Sans was extraordinary and likely was the reason I was an English major in college and continue to enjoy culture and the arts to this day.”
Setting records
Following his graduation from Trinity, Jim attended Dartmouth College, where he continued his student-athlete balance. As a student, he was a Senior Fellow, Rhodes Scholarship finalist and Academic All-American. In 1985, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and economics minor, graduating cum laude. He also received the Barrett All-Around Achievement Cup as the highest recognition for service to the college.
Jim captained Dartmouth’s cross country and track teams, setting school records in events from 1,500 to 10,000 meters. Additionally, he established a record-tying 12 individual Ivy League Conference titles and was a seven-time All-American in cross country and indoor and outdoor track.
Continuing his education, Jim attended Indiana University, earning a master’s degree in English 1986. He earned his MBA and a master’s degree in healthcare administration at the University of Minnesota in 1990.
During and after college, Jim enjoyed a seven-year international professional running career. Highlights include an Olympic Trials final at 10K (1988); the World University Games (1985, 1987); and top 10 national rankings at 5K (1983, 1985, 1987) and 10K (1985, 1987).
Jim self-retired from running and embarked on a 35-year career as a healthcare executive. Along the way, he held various positions with hospitals and healthcare companies, including Sutter Health, AstraZeneca, California Neurological Institute, Seattle Surgery Center and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. His positions took him to Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Los Angeles, California. He is currently president of Talenza, a consulting company focused on strategy and operations for the healthcare, education and government sectors of the economy.
His final career chapter will be as a partner track health and life insurance executive focused on financial planning and wealth advisory services.
Men of faith and men of character
Jim has been involved with the Alumni Association as a Class Agent. He helps plan his class reunions, serves on fundraising committees and is a donor to the Trinity Annual Fund for financial aid.
In 2020, despite living in California, Jim participated in the Alumni Phonathon as a remote caller. The COVID-19 pandemic was raging, and in-person events on campus were not possible. In response, the Trinity Foundation team conducted the Phonathon virtually. Alumni were provided with class contact info so that they could make phone calls from home. Michael answered the call to volunteer and was one of nine alumni representing different states.
Each calling night, Jim called classmates to ask them to support the Trinity Annual Fund. Over 43% of students receive financial aid, and it’s critical to many families. The Class of 1981 has great Annual Fund participation. Jim has participated in every Alumni Phonathon since 2020.
In 2001, Trinity honored Jim by inducting him to the Hall of Fame, the school’s highest honor.
“I support Trinity because it’s a school of excellence that provides an anchor and a reference for the various successes I have experienced with work, family, athletics and volunteerism” Jim said. “Trinity delivers standards for critical thinking and a moral education, which is stated today as ‘Forming men of faith and men of character.’ Trinity offers a model and pathway for education that enables any young man in the greater Louisville community to do the work as an adolescent to become the best person they can be – whether remaining in the community or extending into the national or international arena. I, and other of my classmates, have explored opportunities beyond at a high rate and with considerable successes.”
Jim also has served numerous community boards and councils that combine his professional interest in healthcare and love of running with service to his community. He recently resumed playing tennis.
Jim has two children (Hunter, 30, and Jenner, 25), four step-children (Alexis, 40; Jamie, 38; Joe, 34; and Rianna, 23) and three step-grandchildren (Jack, 14; Luke, 11; and Liam, 7).
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
A History of Greatness
Since 1953, Trinity has benefitted from great teachers, resources, and activities to shape and guide promising boys into great men. The 106 students from our first graduating class have been followed by a legacy of academic, personal and cultural achievement. To learn more about our proud heritage, visit https://www.trinityrocks.com/o/trinityfoundation/page/about-us.
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