Addison (population 36,378) is located in the far northeastern portion of Illinois and is a western suburb of Chicago. Addison is situated in the northeastern portion of DuPage County. Interstate Highway 290 passes by the northside of Addison, while Interstate Highway 355 borders the west side of town. Illinois Routes 53, 64, 83, and U.S. Route 20 also pass through Addison.
Addison is named after a British writer named Joseph Addison. The town was incorporated as a city in Illinois in 1884. A nice history of the town can be found at http://www.friarscove.com/history.htm .
In the mid-1960s, under the administration of Bishop Martin McNamara, first bishop of Joliet, plans were finalized for the creation of a new Catholic high school to be located in Addison, IL. The school was named in honor of Elizabeth F. Driscoll, a generous supporter of Diocesan education, and the Highlander was adopted as the official mascot.
In the fall of 1966 Driscoll Catholic High School opened its doors with an enrollment of 134 students. The faculty consisted of three Christian Brothers, five School Sisters of St. Francis, and three lay teachers. Over the next three years, an additional class of students was admitted every year until the 1969-1970 school year, when Driscoll became a full, four-year, co-educational institution.
Over the years, Driscoll has altered its programs to meet the changing academic needs of the nearly 5,000 students who have attended the school. Since 1986, the school has been operated solely by the Christian Brothers and their lay associates; Driscoll provides a high quality, college preparatory education in the tradition of St. John Baptist de la Salle. The school has students from over 40 elementary and middle schools, located in 25 towns and villages throughout suburban Cook and DuPage counties. Enrollment stands at approximately 410 students, with an average class size of 22 and a student/teacher ratio of 14:1. Driscoll is fully accredited by the State of Illinois and the North Central Associates of Secondary Schools, both of which require regular and extensive evaluations of school personnel, programs, and facilities. Driscoll is also a member of IHSA and the Lasallian Schools Association.
Driscoll offers three academic programs designed to challenge students at the highest level possible while offering assistance and guidance as needed. Honors and college-level advanced placement (AP) courses are offered to those students capable of the most rigorous of academic endeavors, while all courses offered as part of the College Prep I or College Prep II sequences are designed to prepare students for university study. Driscoll students boast an average composite ACT score of 23.1, while students in the honors program average a composite score of 27. Members of the Class of 2006 were awarded college scholarships and grants in excess of $2.5 million.
Driscoll also offers 18 interscholastic sports programs and 26 extracurricular clubs and activities. Since 1990, Driscoll has won nearly two-dozen conference championships, 15 regional or sectional championships, and 9 state titles.
In addition, Driscoll continues to promote a strong tradition of service to the community. As a requirement for graduation, each Driscoll student must perform 12 hours of community service per academic year, but many significantly surpass this number. Even the school’s annual fundraiser “Help-A-Thon” revolves around the central theme of service to the community.
Since 1966, nearly 5,000 students have walked the hallways of Driscoll Catholic High School. These students, our alumni, have created a lifetime of memories, they have shared joy and laughter, and they have studied hard and earned their diplomas. Together, they make up the history and tradition that is Driscoll Catholic High School.
Driscoll High School began to see a slippage in its enrollment in 2006. By 2009 the school’s enrollment had fallen to the point that it was suffering from economic hardships. In spite of the many athletic successes Driscoll was experiencing, the financial toll became too much of a burden. On April 2, 2009 the Christian Brothers decided that Driscoll high school would close after 43 years of service. Many fundraiser efforts went underway in order to save the high school, including millions from alumni across the world. Many appeals to the Diocese were also put forth. However, even that was not enough to prevent it’s closure.
Driscoll Catholic High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1966
Year closed: 2009
School team nickname: the “Highlanders”
School team colors: Black, Old Gold, & Cream/White
School Fight Song: “Black and Gold”
Submitted by MIKE KORBY
Black and Gold come on let’s go
We’re gonna fight right through the foe
Shouting a battle cry
Whether we do or die
Side by side along we’ll go
Rah! Rah! Rah!
We will win the victory
And we will fight fight fight straight through
We’ll lead you on with cheers of loyalty
Come on and fight we’re right with you
DR DR DRIS CO CO COLL D R I S C O L L
DRISCOLL! DRISCOLL! DRISCOLL!
Driscoll HS Door To The Weightroom
ATHLETICS
The athletic program at Driscoll Catholic High School was clearly one of the most successful in the state of Illinois during its tenure. The Highlanders had great successes on a state-wide level. The football program has several IHSA records that will likely never be broken. Among the many achievements attained by the Highlanders are the followng, as listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) are:
12 – IHSA TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
6 – IHSA Individual State Champions!!
6 – “Other” IHSA Team Final 4 Appearances!
10 – “Other” IHSA Team Elite 8 Appearances!
4 – “Other” IHSA Team Sweet 16 Appearances!
15 – Sectional Championships!
26 – Regional Championships!
31 – IHSA Individual Medalists!
FOOTBALL
The Driscoll High School football program will go down in Illinois high school football history as one of the most powerful and successful programs of its era. The Highlanders entered the IHSA playoffs a total of 18 times. The results are amazing:
8 – TOTAL IHSA State Championhips (8 – 0 in Title Games!!)
6 – IHSA Class 4A State Championships
2 – IHSA Class 3A State Championships
3 – IHSA Semi-Final Appearances
3 – IHSA Quarter-Final Appearances
2 – IHSA Sweet 16 Appearances
IHSA Football Playoff Records that will be tough to beat:
7 – CONSECUTIVE IHSA State Championships Won – (2001 – 2007)!!
This is likely one of the top accomplishments on a national level as well!
37 – CONSECUTIVE IHSA State Playoff Games Won – (2001 – 2008)!!
2004-05 12 – 2 IHSA Class 3A STATE CHAMPS! Coach Tim Racki
Beat Dwight 41 – 6
Beat Stillman Valley 32 – 14
Beat Wilmington 14 – 11
Beat Tolono Unity 28 – 7
Beat Manlius Buruae Valley 37 – 14
2005-06 14 – 0 IHSA Class 4A STATE CHAMPS! Coach Mike Burzawa
Undeafeated Regular Season
Beat Harvard 49 – 0
Beat Hampshire 27 – 0
Beat Richmond Burton 31 – 15
Beat Coal City 30 – 7
Beat Newton 42 – 7
2006-07 13 – 1 IHSA Class 4A STATE CHAMPS! Coach Mike Burzawa
Beat Morton 12 – 7
Beat Bloomington Cent. Cath. 28 – 12
Beat Harvard 28 – 7
Beat Fairbury Prairie Central 17 – 7
Beat Breese Mater Dei 35 – 0
2007-08 14 – 0 IHSA Class 4A STATE CHAMPS! Coach Mike Burzawa
Undefeated Season
Beat Kankakee McNamara 47 – 19
Beat Chillicothe IVC 42 – 7
Beat Chicago Christian 48 – 7
Beat Coal City 41 – 14
Beat Bloomington Cent. Cath. 48 – 24
2008-09 9 – 3 IHSA Class 4A Qualifier! Coach Brandon New
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Herscher 42 – 14
Beat Mendota 14 – 7
Lost to Aurora Christian 24 – 17
Aurora Christian Placed 2nd
Addison (Driscoll) was 56-10 in IHSA Playoff competition!!
Driscoll Catholic High School has many records in the IHSA Football record books. Check out the IHSA web address of http://www.ihsa.org/activity/fb/records/index.htm to view these records, many of which will stand for decades to come!
BOYS BASEBALL
The Highlanders have enjoyed many successes on the baseball diamond as well, including THREE state championships, one second place finish and two third place finishes! Driscoll High School has MANY records listed in the IHSA record books. Check out the web address of http://www.ihsa.org/activity/ba/records/index.htm and enjoy!!
1969-70 Coach Ed Bobowski
1970-71 9 – 1 Coach John James
1971-72 Coach John Ostrowski
1972-73 9 – 1 Coach Joe Wargin
1973-74 15 – 8 Coach John Benedetti
1974-75 9 – 9 Coach John Benedetti
1975-76 Coach John Benedetti
1976-77 Coach Dick Eufrasio
1977-78 Coach Dick Eufrasio
1978-79 3 – 8 Coach Dick Eufrasio
1979-80 Coach Dick Eufrasio
1980-81 9 – 10 Coach Rod Molek
1981-82 28 – 5 Regional Champions Coach Rod Molek
1982-83 19 – 5 Coach Rod Molek
1983-84 26 – 5 Regional Champions Coach Rod Molek
1984-85 25 – 11 Class ‘A’ Elite 8 Finalists!! Coach Rod Molek
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Eldarado 5-3
Eldarado lost in semi-final
1985-86 14 – 13 Coach Rod Molek
1986-87 16 – 14 Coach Rod Molek
1987-88 21 – 11 Coach Rod Molek
1988-89 23 – 9 Coach Rod Molek
1989-90 29 – 6 Class ‘A’ Elite 8 Finalists!! Coach Rod Molek
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Dupo 14 – 3
Dupo finished 2nd
1990-91 36 – 6 IHSA 3RD PLACE – CLASS ‘A’! Coach Rod Molek
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Dunlap 10 – 1
Final 4 Finalist
Lost to Harrisburg 2 – 1
Harrisburg finished 2nd
Consolation Game
Beat Effingham St. Anthony 3 – 0
1991-92 34 – 2 – 1 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Rod Molek
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Riverton 10 – 1
Final 4 Finalist
Beat Danville Schlarman 10 – 1
Championship Game
Beat Harrisburg 7 – 2
Coach Rod Molek overall – 280 – 97 – 1 as head coach for 12 years
1992-93 22 – 8 Coach Jeff Sefcik
1993-94 25 – 13 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Jeff Sefcik
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Carmi White County 7 – 1
Final 4 Finalist
Beat Nashville 3 – 2 (13 innings)
Championship Game
Beat Lewistown 6 – 0
1994-95 19 – 9 Coach Jeff Sefcik
1995-96 24 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Jeff Sefcik
1996-97 33 – 7 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Jeff Sefcik
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Teutopolis 10 – 7
Final 4 Finalist
Beat Rock Island Alleman 12 – 2
Championship Game
Beat Williamsville 8 – 6
1997-98 18 – 17 Coach Jeff Sefcik
1998-99 26 – 16 Elite 8 Finalists!! Coach Jeff Sefcik
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Herscher 4 – 3
Herscher became State Champs
1999-00 35 – 6 IHSA STATE 2ND PLACE!! Coach Jeff Sefcik
Coach Sean Bieterman overall 161 – 74 as head coach for 7 years.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Highlander Girls Basketball program really excelled during the late 2000s. Head coach Steve McCuiston guided the program during it’s prestigous final seasons, going from a combined record of 24-54 to 75-20 the next three years. The season, and program, cultimated with winning the IHSA Class 2A State Championship in Normal! All of this occured just a month before the closure of the school was announced. Driscoll is the only school in IHSA history to have a program win a state championship in it’s final year. We are looking for any records and such from years before 2003.
2003-04 9 – 16 Coach Steve McCuiston
2004-05 6 – 18 Coach Steve McCuiston
2005-06 9 – 20 Coach Steve McCuiston
2006-07 16 – 13 Coach Steve McCuiston
2007-08 25 – 6 Elite 8 Finalist Class ‘A’ Coach Steve McCuiston
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Kankakee McNamara 55-42
McNamara placed 4th
2008-09 34 – 1 IHSA STATE CHAMPS – ‘AA’ Coach Steve McCuiston
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Kankakee McNamara 54 – 35
Final 4 Finalist
Beat Olney East Richland 44 – 29
Championship Game
Beat Hamilton 40 – 35
School’s Final Season!
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Driscoll Boys Basketball program has also enjoyed many successes on the hardwood. The program won IHSA Sectional championships in 1992 and 2003, as well as seven Regional championships and seven 20+ win seasons.
1977-78 Regional Champs
1978-79 19-8 Coach Tony Lux
1979-80 16-10 Coach M. Pisano
1980-81 14-13 Coach Jim Danforth
1981-82 14-13 Coach Jim Danforth
1982-83 3-20 Coach Jim Danforth
1983-84 14-12 Coach J. Leonard
1984-85 12-15 Coach J. Leonard
1985-86 13-14 Coach J. Leonard
1986-87 15-12 Coach Mark Kleeman
1987-88 15-12 Coach Mark Kleeman
1988-89 5-22 Coach Mark Kleeman
1989-90 12-14 Coach Mark Kleeman
1990-91 22-6 Regional Champs Coach Mark Kleeman
1991-92 27-3 Regional & Sectional Champs Coach Mark Kleeman
1992-93 14-13 Coach Mark Kleeman
1993-94 10-19 Regional Champs
1994-95 7-13
1995-96 13-13
1996-97 10-12 Coach Terry O’Donnell
1997-98 3-22
1998-99 Coach Vince Doran
1999-00 14-12 Coach Nick Latorre
2000-01 12-14 Coach Nick Latorre
2001-02 20-8 Coach Nick Latorre
2002-03 24-9 Regional & Sectional Champs Coach Nick Latorre
2003-04 24-7 Regional Champs Coach Nick Latorre
2004-05 15-14 Coach Nick Latorre
2005-06 17-13 Regional Champs Coach Nick Latorre
2006-07 21-7 Coach Nick Latorre
2007-08 21-9 Coach Nick Latorre
2008-09 No record available (school’s final season) Coach Adam Szyszko
BOYS GOLF
The Highlander Boys Golf program had two state medalists, four state qualifying teams, three Regional championships and one Sectional championship.
The Highlander Girls Golf program had two state medalists throughout it’s history. Both Mary Ellen Murphy and “GiGi” DiGrazia finished among the top ten each year they competed. DiGrazia won the Class A State Championship in the school’s final season, 2008-09.
1977-78 Individual Medalist:
Mary Ellen Murphy – 8TH Place!
1978-79 Individual Medalist:
Mary Ellen Murphy – 4TH Place!
2006-07 Individual Medalist:
Gianna “GiGi” DiGrazia – 7TH Place!
2007-08 Individual Medalist:
Gianna “GiGi” DiGrazia – 2ND Place!
2008-09 Individual Medalist:
Gianna “GiGi” DiGrazia – STATE CHAMPION!
GIRLS SOFTBALL
The Highlander Softball program had many successful seasons in it’s history. The 1991-92 team made it to the Class A State Tournament.
1989-90 19 – 6 Coach Mike Batka
1990-91 8 – 11 Coach Mike Batka
1991-92 20 – 6 IHSA Class ‘A’ Elite 8 Finalist! Coach Mike Batka
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Casey-Westfield 4 – 0
Casey-Westfield placed 3rd.
1992-93 21 – 5 Regional Champions Coach Mike Batka
1993-94 27 – 5 Coach Mike Batka
1998-99 12 – 14 Coach Mike Batka
1999-00 15 – 14 Coach Mike Batka
2000-01 28 – 8 Coach Mike Batka
2001-02 17 – 14 Regional Champions Coach Mike Batka
2002-03 28 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Mike Batka
2003-04 25 – 13 Regional Champions Coach Mike Batka
2004-05 26 – 6 – 1 Regional Champions Coach Mike Batka
2005-06 5 – 20 Coach Mike Poulos
2006-07 10 – 24 Coach Nick Christopher
BOYS SWIMMING
The Highlander Boys Swimming program had one individual medalist:
1999 Individual Medalist:
Anthony Arbogast 200 IM 12TH Place!!
GIRLS SWIMMING
The Highlander Girls Swimming program had two individuals that really stood out: Christina Ceppi and Amy Migawa. Ceppi had two top five finishes in 1981, while Migawa won two state championships each in 1996 and 1997!
1981 Individual Medalist:
Christina Ceppi 200 Free 5TH Place!!
Christina Ceppi 500 Free 4TH Place!!
Amy Migawa 200 IM State Champion!!
Amy Migawa 500 Free State Champion!!
1997 Individual Medalist:
Amy Migawa 200 Free State Champion!!
Amy Migawa 500 Free State Champion!!
CROSS COUNTRY
The Highlander Cross Country program had two runners (one boy and one girl) who ran in the top 25 at the Class A State Meet. The boy’s program won a Regional championship in 1984.
BOYS
1980 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalist:
Lance Murphy 4TH Place!!
1984-85 Regional Champions
GIRLS
2005 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalist:
Vanessa Bain 21ST Place!!
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
The Driscoll Track and Field program had four medalists in addition to one relay team at the Class A State Meet throughout it’s history. One athlete, Lance Murphy, won the 3200 Meter Run in 1981!
1981 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalist:
Lance Murphy 1600M Run 8TH Place!!
Lance Murphy 3200M Run State Champion!!
1985 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalist:
Bill Walenda Discus 4TH Place!!
2005 Class ‘A’ Relay Medalists:
4X100 Relay 5TH Place!!
4X200 Relay 5TH Place!!
2008 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalists: Coach Pat Ryan
Pierre Washington-Steel 100M Dash 6TH Place!!
Jeremy Wilk 800M Run 6TH Place!!
2009 Class ‘1A’ Individual Medalists: Coach Dierdre Archer
Pierre Washington-Steel 100M Dash 2ND Place!!
Jeremy Wilk 800M Run 4TH Place!!
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
The Driscoll Girls Track and Field program had two Class A State Meet medalists in it’s history.
1983 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalist:
Renee Simek 200M Dash 6TH Place!!
2006 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalist:
Vanessa Bain 3200M Run 5TH Place!!
BOYS WRESTLING
The Driscoll Wrestling program had one wrestler who placed in the top five at the Class A State Meet. We are looking for more records regarding Driscoll Wrestling.
2008 Class ‘A’ Individual Medalist:
Tom Randich Weight Class 189 4TH Place!!
2009 Class ‘1A’ Individual Medalist:
Jake Randich Weight Class 189 2ND Place!!
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Below are two seasons we found information from on the IHSA Web Site regarding the Driscoll Volleyball program. We are looking for more records regarding Driscoll Volleyball.
2005-06 Team Qualified for State Finals Competition! Coach Calvin Buado
CHESS
The Driscoll Chess program had two seasons in the mid-1980s where they achieved State Meet success:
1986 IHSA Class ‘A’ 7TH Place!!
Final Team Standings
1) Urbana University HS 6.0
2) Aurora Marmion Academy 5.0, 146.0
3) Rockford Christian Life 5.0, 126.0
4) Roanoke-Benson 4.0, 110.3
5) Ridge Farm 4.0, 082.5
6) Sherrard 4.0, 075.3 7) Addison Driscoll 3.0
1987 IHSA Class ‘A’ 10TH Place!!
Final Team Standings
1) Aurora Illinois Math & Science 5.0
2) Poplar Grove North Boone 4.5, 153.0
3) Stillman Valley 4.5, 121.0
4) Roanoke-Benson 4.5, 120.0
5) Urbana University HS 4.0, 131.0
6) Aurora Marmion Academy 4.0, 116.0
7) Westmont 4.0, 106.0
8) Hampshire 3.5
9) Rockford Christian Life 3.0, 092.5 10)Addison Driscoll 3.0, 091.0
SCHOLASTIC BOWL
The Driscoll Scholastic Bowl program won one Regional championship: in 2003. We are looking for more records regarding the “Schol Bowl” program.
2000-01
2001-02 2002-03 Regional Champions
MEMORIES
**From Mary Jo Tuohy:
“I read with interest your site on closed Illinois high schools. I’d like to thank Ms. Oneyear and Sr. Julene Stromberg for my superb math skills!”
**From Peter Rung (Class of 1974):
“The Driscoll School Song was composed by the Sophomore Basketball team while watching the varsity game in the winter of 1972-1973. Driscoll was playing Marmion Academy in a lopsided game. It was borne out of frustration and was quickly sung at subsequent games by the cheerleaders and fans alike.
True story! I was there.”
IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE …
There’s a lot more to Driscoll Catholic than athletics, and the athletic records. We’d like to make this page even bigger with personal memories you may have about the school (and we know there are plenty of them).
If you have any further information you would like to share regarding Driscoll High School before its closure, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:
