Jude Dworaczyk and his mother, Cathy, relax at home. ''I definitely think she’s where my worth ethic comes from.'' Photo by Marvin Pfeiffer

There’s just something about the East Coast that attracts Jude Dworaczyk.

The standout Alamo Heights basketball player ran the Boston Marathon in 1989 before he ever took his very first steps … or was even born for that matter.

Jude’s mother, Cathy Dworaczyk, actually ran in the storied race, but Jude was along for the ride. Cathy got the idea to try to qualify for the Boston race after running her third New York City Marathon the previous November. After meeting the qualifying time three months later in the Houston Marathon with a time of 3 hours, 17 minutes, she was set.

“I finished in 3:45, but when I got back I wasn’t feeling well,” Cathy said of her Boston experience. “I went to the doctor and found out, sure enough, I was two months pregnant with Jude. So everyone teases me that Jude ran the Boston Marathon and I carried him every step of the way.”

Jude is going back to the East Coast next fall … on his own this time … with a scholarship and will play basketball for New York University, the largest private university in the United States in the heart of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village.

Jude, an only child, was born in Panna Maria, a tiny town about 55 miles southeast of San Antonio. He and his mother moved to Alamo Heights when he was two years old. They lived in a one-bedroom apartment and Cathy worked 20 hours a week part time, while going to school full-time at the University of the Incarnate Word, where she made straight A’s.

“I keep reiterating that to Jude; that’s just one little example,” Cathy said. “If you want something, you just work hard and you can make it happen.”

It’s easy to see where Jude gets his drive and determination, and those traits will be put to the test when the talented senior leads his team into the Class 4-A basketball playoffs this week.

Basketball has been one of Jude’s true loves since the second grade when he started playing in the YMCA and CYO leagues. “I just loved it ever since then and it kind of took off from there,” Jude said.

He also played football for several years, and was pretty good at that sport too, but decided that playing both sports was just too much.

“I wanted to focus on grades and basketball once I got to high school and it worked out for the best.”

While he missed out on last year’s football state championship by focusing on basketball, Jude has no regrets.

“All my friends always used to tease me,” he said. “They show me their rings and say ‘you could have had one of these!’ But it worked out for the best.”

Jude was brought up to varsity at Alamo Heights for the playoffs during his freshman year and was a starter midway through his sophomore season. He has been one of the most consistent scoring threats the school has had in quite a while. Only five other players at Alamo Heights since 1971 have had better back-to-back seasons, with 400 points or more. He still has a chance to move up on that list if the team continues to advance.

Senior forward Jude Dworaczyk moves the ball upcourt in a recent game against Boerne. Photo by Marvin Pfeiffer

He also takes pride in being only one of two players who has won the Coach Boggess’ “One-on-One Championship” twice, a competition open to any underclassman in the school.

Jude said wouldn’t trade his experiences at Alamo Heights for anything.

“When you’re in fifth grade and junior school, you see Coach Boggess coach and go watch the varsity when you’re little and you want to be a part of it so bad,” he said. “You finally get there and it just takes you over. It’s not really just basketball – it’s Alamo Heights basketball. It’s got its own little culture and way around it. The community kind of accepts you and it’s an awesome experience. Hardly any school in San Antonio has a following and tradition like Alamo Heights. I couldn’t ask for more. It’s been a great 12 years here.”

While basketball has been very good to Jude, it’s not his only focus. He has played the violin in the school orchestra since the fourth grade.

“I enjoy it,” said Jude. “And I still play the violin. In all the practices, all the concerts, everything.”

While that sometimes conflicts with his basketball schedule, Jude works around it.

“Sometimes I’ll come in a couple of minutes late, still in my jersey and start playing the violin,” said Jude of his orchestra rehearsals during basketball season. “It’s been a fun experience.”

Another guiding influence on Jude’s life is his faith.

“We’re Catholic, and we’ve been a part of St. Peter’s Parish since we moved here,” Cathy said. “That’s where he made his first communion and his confirmation. He won’t miss Sunday Mass. Last week I just wasn’t feeling well and Jude said ‘Okay, I’m going’. He just won’t miss it.”

Jude was recruited by several East Coast schools after they watched him play in summer AAU tournaments every year. NYU apparently wanted him the most and Jude accepted their offer as soon as they made one.

“I wanted to go to the East Coast,” Jude said of his college preferences. “Somewhere good academically. That’s part of why I thought NYU would be such a great fit. Obviously I’m not going to play professional ball, but NYU will prepare me for life. I’ll get to play college, and get set up for a great future.”

“It will be a great experience to see all the different cultures,” Jude said. “See what the world has to offer, you know?”

The Big Apple is going to love this Mule!