Illinois High School Glory Days

Joliet St. Mary Academy

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Joliet St. Mary Providence School Building

Joliet St. Mary Academy

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courtesy of http://www.providencecatholic.org

The History of Joliet St. Mary’s Academy & Providence High School

Joliet (population 129,519) is located in northeastern Illinois, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. As a community that has grown in recent years to spill over from it location as the county seat of Will County into Kendall County to the west, Joliet’s population has grown by close to 20 percent since the 2000 census was taken.

A number of roads lead to Joliet, including Interstates 55 and 80 (which replaced the legendary Route 66), along with US Routes 6, 30, 45, 52, and Illinois Routes 7 & 53. The town’s history to the railroads is still prevalent today as the Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern (EJE) RR, along with the AT & SF RR still run their routes thru the city. Daily commuter service to Chicago is offered by Metra (short for Metropolitan Train Service) from the Regional Transportation Authority based in Chicago. The Des Plaines River also flows thru the heart of Joliet, and the community also served as a primary stop on the Illinois & Michigan Canal.

Joliet was settled in 1834 under the name Juliet as a honor to settler James B. Campbell’s daughter, although some felt that it had something to do with William Shakespeare’s novel “Romeo & Juliet” since there is a Romeoville about 10 miles north of Joliet. The name and spelling changed to its current form in 1845 to honor Louis Jolliet, a French explorer that visited the area with Father Jacques Marquette in 1673. The town was incorporated in 1852, and has earned many titles, including “All-American City,” “City of Stone,” and “Crossroads of Mid-America.”

St. Mary’s Academy was opened with eight students on September 8, 1880 by the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) from Toronto, Canada in charge at the behest of the pastor of St. Patrick Church, Rev. Walter H. Power. A number of hardships and disappointments during that first school year may have discouraged the nuns, but they prevailed and moved the school to St. Mary’s Parish with the help of Chicago Archbishop James Feehan (Joliet was part of the Chicago diocese at the time).

The following school year, 70 girls were enrolled when classes began exactly one year to the date from its original open date. A new building was opened in 1883 as the school was chartered as St. Mary Academy by the state and 200 students were enrolled. The first students graduated in 1886 as eight girls received their diplomas.

The “Ladies of Loretto” (a nickname for the IBVM sisters) continued to educate the young ladies of the Joliet area, most of which were studying to take the state teaching exam. However, the order’s numbers dwindled in Joliet around the time during World War I in order to meet needs in other locations, so they decided to close the school in 1918. Of the 236 graduates from St. Mary’s, 153 received teaching certificates after graduation.

The school building was turned over to the Sisters of Providence, who renamed the school Providence High School and continued to operate in the same location until 1959 when the building was declared unsafe.

Further information on St. Mary Academy and Providence High School was provided to us by our avid historian and good friend, Michael M.:

“When the original Providence High School building on Ottawa Street in downtown Joliet was condemned in 1959, it was evacuated immediately, even though the construction of the beautiful new building that would eventually become the co-educational Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox was still a long way off. Father Aloysius Sinsky, the pastor of Saint Mary’s Nativity Church near the corner of Ruby and Broadway Streets on the west side of Joliet, invited the Sisters of Providence temporarily to relocate their small high school to the unused classrooms in his parish grade school. So for several years between the evacuation of the old (original) building and the relocation to the (present) new building, Providence High School bravely maintained its existence in borrowed space, using the four unused classrooms on the first floor and the balcony in the school gymansium at St. Mary’s Nativity Grade School.

Providence had only about five teachers at that time, and it is my recollection that the faculty membership maintained a certain stability during those years. Faculty members during those “guest” years at St. Mary’s Nativity included Sister Marie Loretta (Principal); and Sister Remigia, Sister Joseph Eleanore, and Miss Kuban. This must have been a particularly challenging assignment for the Sisters assigned to the school. First of all, it must have been hard for them to feel completely at home in their borrowed surroundings, since St. Mary’s Nativity Grade School was not one of their own schools; it was run by a different Order of nuns, the Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King (whom I recall treated them with great kindness, as you would expect). Secondly, they didn’t live near their temporary campus. Rather, they lived in their convent near downtown Joliet in conjunction with the Sisters of their own Order who ran the grade school at St. Mary Carmelite Parish. (In an unusual set of circumstances for that era, St. Mary Carmelite School and Convent were at a distant location from the parish Church, which was only one block away from the old Providence High School in downtown Joliet.)

When the new Providence High School was opened in 1962, it no longer operated as an academy of the Sisters of Providence. Rather, it was a co-institutional (not co-educational, as it would later become) diocesan high school, which the Sisters of Providence continued to help staff for several more years, but which was run for the diocese under the administration of the Christian Brothers.”

Brother David N. Kuebler, FSC, adds the following information:

“The first Christian Brother principal of the new Providence H.S. in New Lenox, IL, was Brother Jeremiah Edmund Burke, FSC. The Assistant Principal in charge of discipline was Brother Kieran Daniel McMullen who later became Principal after Brother Edmund was transferred to another school (in the late 1960s). Brother Daniel, my religion teacher, became quite well known (and well liked) by going on television with his famous “SOS” proposal: “Save Our School.” Providence was slated to be closed by the diocese in 1968, but, with Brother Daniel’s charisma and charm, the school remained open.

The brothers so impressed me that, in 1968, I joined the order to become one of them!”

Providence High School later built a new location six miles east of Joliet in New Lenox and still retains the Providence name as it is known as Providence Catholic High School.

FACTS ABOUT JOLIET ST. MARY’S ACADEMY

Year opened: 1880

Year closed: 1918

Now known as: Providence Catholic High School

SPECIAL THANKS….

We would like to thank Jamie O’Brien at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox for some of the information we have posted on this page along with granting us the permission to use the photo of the school building you see above. You can visit their website at www.providencecatholic.org.

Another great source of information comes from the dissertation “The History of Catholic Secondary Education in the Archdiocese of Chicago” by Sr. Mary Innocenta Montay, written in 1953. The book itself covered the histories of all secondary schools that were part of the archdiocese from 1833 to 1952, including St. Mary’s Academy.

IF YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ST. MARY’S ACADEMY….

then please contact us! We are always looking for additional facts and memories about the school. Our address is ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or just click on this CONTACT US link. Another way is to send your information to us at:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL 60631

Joliet St. Joseph Commercial H.S.

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

St. Joseph Commercial High School

The History of St. Joseph Commercial High School

Joliet (population 129,519) is located in northeastern Illinois in west-central Will County. In fact, is the county seat of Will County and spills over into Kendall County to the west. Joliet was platted in 1834 and officially incorporated in 1852. After much discussion over the town’s early name (it was known as Juliet from 1834 to 1845), Joliet was settled upon to honor Louis Joliet, famous explorer who first viewed the area in 1673.

A number of routes have served as ways to reach Joliet, including the legendary Route 66, which was replaced by Interstate 55, along with Interstate 80, US Routes 6, 30, 45, 52, and Illinois Routes 7, 53, and 171. The rail service has been provided by the Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern (EJE) RR, along with the AT & SF RR, & the former Rock Island RR, which shut down in 1980. Daily commuter service to Chicago is offered by Metra (short for Metropolitan Train Service) from the Regional Transportation Authority based in Chicago. The Des Plaines River also flows thru the heart of Joliet, and the community also served as a primary stop on the Illinois & Michigan Canal.

St. Joseph Commercial High School was opened in September 1914 by the Rev. John Krajnec on Scott Street near Chicago Street on the city’s east side by the Des Plaines River as a two-year commercial high school with nine co-ed students enrolled. The school’s beginning coincided with the opening of a new school building for grade school students of the parish, which still stands today. St. Joseph first opened a grade school in 1895 and is located in a neighborhood that was the home of many Slovenian immigrants. High school courses for the school were held in the building pictured above, on the second floor in the rooms to the left.

Joliet St. Joseph Academy Class of 1916

The School Sisters of St. Francis Mary Immaculate were in charge of the school, which closed in 1919 due to the opening of DeLaSalle High School & the renaming of Providence High School (from St. Mary’s) in order to allow those students in the neighborhood to pursue a Catholic education at a four-year academic high school.

FACTS ABOUT JOLIET ST. JOSEPH COMMERCIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened: 1914

Year closed: 1919

Memories & Facts

**From an informed historian, who wishes to remain anonymous:

“The parish schools at Saint John’s and Saint Joseph’s were both grade and high schools until 1918, and also until 1918, the original Providence High School (at Cass and Ottawa) was called Saint Mary’s Academy.

Joliet was then part of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the bishop, Cardinal Mundelein, believed very strongly in the superiority of larger, centralized high schools. These were usually run by religious Orders that were expert in teaching, as opposed to the smaller parish high schools, which he saw simply as outgrowths of the grade schools and under the immediate supervision of the parish priest, who was not typically expert in pedagogy as were the various Orders of teaching Brothers, teaching priests and school Sisters. As a result, Cardinal Mundelein not only encouraged the Christian Brothers to found the new, centralized De La Salle High School (precursor to Joliet Catholic) in Joliet in 1918, but at the same time, he stressed unambiguously to pastors throughout the archdiocese that to upgrade the quality of secondary education, he wanted the small parish high schools closed (or at least phased out gradually) in order to lend strength to the emerging centralized high schools. Although not every parish in the archdiocese complied, most did, including the two Joliet parish high schools at Saint John’s and Saint Joseph’s.

At that same time, the Order responsible for Saint Mary’s Academy departed from Joliet (where they were also staffing four of the parish grade schools) and sold the high school to the Sisters of Providence, who renamed it Providence High School, in honor of God, the Faithful PROVIDER.”

If You Have ANY Further Information to Share…

…regarding the history of Joliet St. Joseph Commercial Academy please contact us via the following means:

e-mail: ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

USPS: IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Joliet St. John the Baptist H.S.

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Joliet St. John Baptist School Building

The History of St. John the Baptist High School

During the early part of the 20th Century, the city of Joliet was home to a number of high schools that existed. St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph Commercial High Schools were parish-operated institutions that served their purpose during World War I and both closed their doors in 1919. Anyone who may have more should contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .

St. John the Baptist High School opened in Joliet in 1904 as a co-ed commercial parish school. The school was operated by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate at St. John the Baptist Parish, which still functions today as a church.

Very little is known about the school and how long of a commercial course was taught. In part because of the opening of DeLaSalle High School, St. Francis Academy, and St. Mary’s Academy, St. John the Baptist closed in the spring of 1919, mainly due to low enrollment and competition from those three schools.

FACTS ABOUT JOLIET ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened: 1904

Year closed: 1919

Memories & Facts

**From an informed historian, who wishes to remain anonymous:

THE MORE INFORMATION WE HAVE…..

the better we can tell the stories of this school. Granted, there may not be any graduates left from St. John the Baptist, but there is always the possibility that information has been documented somewhere by a graduate or someone who knew about these schools, and that’s what we’re all about. Please contact us if you have more details at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or send it thru the USPS to the following address:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva Ave.

Chicago, IL 60631

Joliet St. Francis Academy “Angels”

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Joliet St. Francis Academy

Now Joliet Catholic Academy (courtesy of http://www.jolietchamber.com)

The History of Joliet St. Francis Academy

Joliet (population 129,519) is located in northeastern Illinois, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. The community has grown in recent years from over 106,000 in the 2000 census to the number noted above. Not only is it the county seat of Will County, but also has extended its city limits into Kendall County to the immediate west.

A number of routes have served as ways to reach Joliet, including the legendary Route 66, which was replaced by Interstate 55, along with Interstate 80, US Routes 6, 30, 45, 52, and Illinois Routes 7 & 53. Rail service has been provided by the Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern (EJE) RR, along with the AT & SF RR, & the former Rock Island RR, which shut down in 1980. Daily commuter service to Chicago is offered by Metra (short for Metropolitan Train Service) from the Regional Transportation Authority based in Chicago. The Des Plaines River also flows thru the heart of Joliet, and the community also served as a primary stop on the Illinois & Michigan Canal.

Joliet was settled in 1834 under the name Juliet as a honor to settler James B. Campbell’s daughter, although some felt that it had something to do with William Shakespeare’s novel “Romeo & Juliet” since there is a Romeoville about 10 miles north of Joliet. The name and spelling changed to its current form in 1845 to honor Louis Jolliet, a French explorer that visited the area with Father Jacques Marquette in 1673. The town was incorporated in 1852, and has earned many titles, including “All-American City,” “City of Stone,” and “Crossroads of Mid-America.”

it is believed that Joliet first offered education to students in the mid-1850’s, but parochial education was begun in 1869 with the formation of St. Francis Academy for girls by Mother Alfred Moes in a small stone convent located near the Illinois & Michigan Canal. With help from the Franciscan order, the school later relocated to the site of the College of St. Francis, which was an all-womens’ college and remained there until 1956, when it moved to a location on North Larkin Avenue. That location is still open today as Joliet Catholic Academy, which is the result of the 1990 merger between St. Francis Academy and Joliet Catholic High School.

Facts About Joliet St. Francis Academy

Year opened: 1869

Year closed: 1990

Merged with: Joliet Catholic High School

School colors: Columbia Blue and Gold

School nickname: “Angels”

School song: “We Are The Angels”

Courtesy of SHERI L. VOSS

We are the Angels you can bet we are

For Victory is our loudest cry by far

We are the best you can tell the rest that

S F A Angels win or lose are great

We are the Angels as everyone can see

Forever we will ever always be

And when we’re down and out you can hear us shout

S F A…You are GREAT!

University of St. Francis Tower Hall

Home to St. Francis Academy 1922-56 (courtesy of http://www.stfrancis.edu)

ATHLETICS

St. Francis Academy offered a number of interscholastic athletics to its female student body, including volleyball, basketball, softball, badminton, tennis, along with track and field.

VOLLEYBALL

More often than not, the Angel netters got the school year off on the right foot wth a successful season, with 10 winning seasons in 16 years. Two was a magic number in SFA volleyball history, two district titles, two class AA regionals, two class AA sectionals, two supersectional victories, and two trips to the state AA finals for the Angels. One team even brought home a third place trophy, which speaks for itself in an area that is considered a hotbed for prep volleyball in the state of Illinois.

1973-74 First Season Coach Mary Anne Konopasek

1974-75 10- 5 Coach Mary Joe Moran

1975-76 9- 8 District Champs Coach Sr. Sondra Davis

1976-77 9- 3 Coach Steve Bacharz

1977-78 20- 1 District Champs Coach Diane Barnes

1978-79 13-11 Coach Diane Barnes

1983-84 20- 8 Coach Jodi Traficanti

1984-85 14-11 Coach Jodi Traficanti

1985-86 19-11 Coach Beth Boland

1986-87 37- 5 IHSA Tourney 3RD Pl. Coach James Kelly

Regional Champs

Sectional Champs

Supersectional Champs

Third Place in State

Defeated Oak Park-River Forest 15-12, 15-9

Lost to Oak Lawn Richards 15-7, 15-8

Beat St. Charles for 3rd place 10-15, 15-12, 16-14

1987-88 33-6-2 IHSA Tourney Elite 8 Coach Connie Smyder

Regional Champs

Sectional Champs

Supersectional Champs

Lost to Wheaton St. Francis 15-7, 15-10

in quarterfinals

GREAT JOB ANGEL SPIKERS!!!!

SOFTBALL

More success was recorded by St. Francis on the softball diamonds during the 1980’s, winning six regionals (three of them in Class AA) three sectionals, and qualifying for the state finals three times with one fourth place to show. Terry Benter guided the Angels to a mark of 165-75 in seven seasons in the 1980’s.

1975 9- 5 First season Coaches Ed Russell & Mary Anne Konopasek

1980 12- 2 Coach Lynn Boston

1981 20- 6 Regional Champs Coach Lynn Boston

1982 27- 9 Regional Champs Coach Terry Benter

Sectional Champs

State Qualifers–

Beat Belleville West 6-0

Lost to Quincy Notre Dame 7-1

(QND eventual state champs)

1983 19-13 Regional Champs Coach Terry Benter

1984 20- 8 Coach Terry Benter

1986 31- 9 AA Regional Champs Coach Terry Benter

Sectional Champs

State Qualifiers–

Lost to Belleville West 5-0

in quarterfinals

1987 23- 9 Coach Terry Benter

1988 31-12 AA TOURNEY 3RD PLACE Coach Terry Benter

Regional Champions

Sectional Champs

State Qualifiers–

Shutout Centralia 1-0

Lost to Moline 2-1 in 11 innings

Lost to Chicago St. Francis DeSales for 3rd, 6-2

1989 AA Regional Champs Coach unknown

NICE WORK, ANGEL SOFTBALLERS!!!

BASKETBALL

Coach Terry Benter also left his mark on the basketball program with a 125-52 record in six seasons at St. Francis. But according to the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), the Angels only had three losing seasons, and began their history by going undefeated in their first two seasons!

1973-74 11- 0 Coach Mary Anne Konopasek

1974-75 11- 0 Coach Jean LeCuyer

1975-76 8- 4 Coach Mike Vioiit

1976-77 11- 9 Coach Kip Gasper

1977-78 11- 8 Coach Jean LeCuyer

1981-82 16-12 Coach Terry Benter

1982-83 20- 9 Coach Terry Benter

1983-84 24- 7 Sweet 16 Qualifier Coach Terry Benter

Regional Champs

Sectional Champs

Lost to Aurora East 52-44

in Supersectional

1984-85 28- 3 Elite 8 Finalist Coach Terry Benter

Regional Champs

Sectional Champs

Defeated Aurora East 62-59 in Supersectional

Lost to Peoria Richwoods in Quarterfinals 65-58

Chris Toscas named to all-tournament team

1985-86 18- 9 Coach Terry Benter

1986-87 19-12 Coach Terry Benter

GOOD JOB BY THE SFA HOOPSTERS!!!

TENNIS

The Angel netters brought home eight plaques from state tournament play. Among the totals were five district titles in six years, three sectional championships, a 10th place finish as a team and an individual who placed fourth.

1977 District Champions Coach unknown

1978 District Champions Coach unknown

1 Hinsdale Central 19

2 Champaign Central 12½

3 LaGrange Lyons 12

4 Winnetka New Trier East 11

5 Barrington 9½

6 Lisle Benet Academy 8

Lincolnshire Stevenson 8

8 Highland Park 7½

9 Northbrook Glenbrook North 7

10 Joliet St. Francis 6½

1980 District Champions Coach unknown

1981 District Champions Coach unknown

1982 District Champions Coach unknown

1984 Sectional Champions Coach unknown

1986 Sectional Champions Coach unknown

1988 Individual Medalist

Jenny Karges—4th in Singles

1989 Sectional Champions Coach unknown

Job well done!!

TRACK & FIELD

SFA showed their worth on the all-weather ovals, taking home a 9th place finish as a team in 1984, and having one relay team along with an individual bring medals from the state finals…including two gold medals.

1984 Team finished 9th overall

Individual Medalist

Tonya Scott—100 Meter Dash–STATE CHAMPION!!

200 Meter Dash–3rd place

Long Jump———8th place

1985 Individual Medalists

Tonya Scott—100 Meter Dash–STATE CHAMPION!!

800 Medley Relay——————–4th place

BADMINTON

One Angel team did win a district title in this sport, which has been long dominated at the state championship by Chicagoland schools.

1979 District Champions

ACCOMPLISHED ALUMNAE

“Melissa McCarthy is an actress known for her portrayal of Sookie St. James on the television series Gilmore Girls. She currently plays the role of Dena on the ABC sitcom Samantha Who?.

McCarthy, a cousin of actress Jenny McCarthy, was born in Plainfield, Illinois.^[1] She graduated from St. Francis Academy in Joliet, IL. Her career started with stand-up comedy and includes film, television, and theater.

She has had small roles in the films The Kid, Charlie’s Angels, Go, The third wheel and The Life of David Gale. She also did voice work in three episodes of Kim Possible where she played DNAmy. McCarthy is a member of the Los Angeles-based Groundlings improvisational comedy troupe. In 2007 she acted opposite Ryan Reynolds in The Nines, written and directed by John August

McCarthy married her longtime boyfriend, Ben Falcone, on October 8, 2005. They have a daughter, Vivian, born May 5, 2007.”

JUST REMEMBER, WE CAN ALWAYS USE MORE INFORMATION FROM YOU!!

If you have more information about the history of St. Francis Academy, its alumni, or its activities, please let us know, We’d enjoy reading your stories and seeing additional photos by e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or by sending it to:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il 60631

Joliet Guardian Angel High School

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

The History of Joliet Guardian Angel High School

Guardian Angel High School was opened in the fall in 1927. Its’ history actually goes back 30 years to 1897 when the Sisters of St. Francis of Michigan, with the approval of Chicago Archbishop James Feehan, opened a home for neglected and destitute children.

A large residence was purchased the following year, which was dedicated in October 1898. That building was added onto in 1904 when there were 100 girls in the orphanage. The orphanage and school stayed in that location until 1926 when a modern-equipped building was opened on Plainfield Road and a three-year high school was opened.

The Guardian Angel graduates went onto to nearby St. Francis Academy to complete their four-year diploma requirements before making their career choices. The school was always small in enrollment, and in June of 1942, the school was discontinued. The orphanage still remains in Joliet, and it is still run by the Sisters of St. Francis.

FACTS ABOUT JOLIET GUARDIAN ANGEL HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened: 1927

Year closed: 1942

School colors: unknown

WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION!!

If you or someone you know has more details about the history of Guardian Angel High School in Joliet, please contact us. The more information we get, the better we can tell the story about the school. Items we are interested include (but not limited to) photos of the school, words of a school song (if one existed), names of notable graduates, and memories of attending the school are fine by us.

Here’s how to reach us:

by email: ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

by USPS: Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL 60631

Joliet Township East High School “Kingsmen”

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Joliet East High School

Photo by Cody Cutter: April 2009

The History of Joliet East High School

Joliet (population 129,519) is located in northeastern Illinois in west-central Will County. In fact, is the county seat of Will County. Joliet was platted in 1834 and officially incorporated in 1852. After much discussion over the town’s early name (it was known as Juliet from 1834 to 1845), the Joliet was settled upon to honor Louis Joliet, famous explorer who first viewed the area in 1673.

According MapQuest (www.mapquest.com) Joliet has several major roadways and railways leading to and from it. Interstate Highway 80 is the main thoroughfare leading to Joliet, which is located just east of Interstate Highway 55. The Illinois Routes of 7, 53, and 171 as well as the U.S. Routes of 6, 30, and 52 all lead to Joliet. The Illinois River flows through town as it has for thousands of years. Railroad tracks include Amtrak, the Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe, the Elgin, Joliet, & Eastern, and the Illinois Central Gulf.

Joliet’s excellent location led to its population bursting soon after its incorporation. A high school for the children of the town was certainly in place by the late 1800s. The residents of Joliet were served by one high school (Joliet Township High School, or JTHS, as it is known locally) for several years. The student population continued to grow each decade, finally forcing the issue of more than one high school to appropriately serve the community. In the early 1960s this initiative was realized. The year was 1964 when two new high schools emerged, Joliet East and Joliet West. These schools were added to the newly named Joliet Central High School (the former JTHS).

Joliet East served the community for several years. Dwindling enrollment in all three schools along with financial difficulties led to the decision to close one of the schools. After much debate, the school it was decided to close was Joliet East. This occurred in 1983.

The Joliet East High School building is now occupied Joliet Job Corps owned by the government.

Joliet East High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1964

Year closed: 1983

Consolidated to: Joliet Central High School

Joliet East HS nickname: the “Kingsmen”

JEHS team colors: Kelly Green, Gold, White

School Fight Song: “Oh, Hail the Kingsmen”

East’s fight song was taken from “Navy Blue and Gold” and had words fitted to that tune about the “Kingsmen”.

Oh,hail the Kingsmen, mighty Kingsmen,

School of green and gold
We’ll fight for the right to prove

Our might against our many foes.

Rah! Rah!

Oh, East our pride will never cease for Victory is our goal.
Our battle cry for J.T. East
Is, “Onward we will go!”
We’ll follow you to Victory
Kingsmen will reign on high.
Our loyalty, our pride, our might
Will never fade or die.

Rah! Rah!

There’s none so fair, none can compare
If they be new or old,
For we will ‘ere be loyal to
The Kingsmen Green and Gold

(Thank you to Paula Hurst for the Kingsmen FIght Song words)

Athletics

The Joliet High School East Kingsmen and Lady Kingsmen had some great seasons during their nineteen year history. The school offered several sports for both the boys and girls and had many successful seasons. We are only able to provide the ones found on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We are searching for the school fight song along with many other great team records and coach’s names that are not listed below.

Girls Basketball

The Lady Kingsmen of Joliet East High had a great run in the early 1980s. Back to back Elite 8 Finals appearances were hi-lighted by a Third Place Finish in the 1979-80 season. The girls followed this with two more Regional Champions including one in the school’s last season. The Ladies were led by Coach Bob Dwyer. Unfortunately, many of the season records are not available.

1978-79 Regional Champions Coach Bob Dwyer

1979-80 30 – 3 IHSA Class AA THIRD Place Winners Coach Bob Dwyer

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Naperville Central 70 – 53

Elite 8 Winner – Beat Sterling 56 – 43

Semifinal Game – Lost to Chicago Marshall 72-35

Third Place Winners

Beat Buffalo Grove 68 – 59

Pam Gant named to All-Tournament Team

1980-81 27 – 5 IHSA Class AA Elite 8 Qualifier!! Coach Bob Dwyer

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Naperville Central 63 – 40

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Elk Grove Village 52 – 51 (O/T)

Pam Gant named to All-Tournament Team

1981-82 Regional Champions Coach Bob Dwyer

1982-83 Regional Champions Coach Bob Dwyer

Baseball

The Joliet East Kingsmen baseball team won a pair of Regional titles. We are searching for team records and coach’s names of these and other great JEHS teams. One of its earliest stars went on to a Major League career with three teams…Larry Gura (see information below).

1967-68 Regional Champions

1978-79 Regional Champions

Boys Basketball

The Kingsmen did not win any IHSA hardware in this sport, but they did have some competitive seasons under a variety of coaches. Coaches names and winning season records are listed below.

1964-66 Coach Dale O’Connell

1966-67 12-11 Coach Dale O’Connell

1967-73 Coach Don Nichols

1973-74 15-10 Coach Don Nichols

1974-76 Coach Don Nichols

1976-77 15-12 Coach Stan Tyrrell

1977-78 17- 8 Coach Stan Tyrrell

1978-80 Coach Stan Tyrrell

1980-81 Coach Don Nichols

1981-83 Coach Mike O’Connell

Joliet East Football Field

Photo by Cody Cutter: April 2009

Football

Most seasons in which the Kingsmen competed on the gridiron were not very successful as far as overall wins and losses are concerned. The IHSA website lists only two seasons in which the Kingsmen managed winning records. There were, however, four seasons in which the teams finished at 4 wins and 5 losses. Other nice seasons were researched and provided by our own Tom Sikorski.

1964 1-8 First team Coach Howie Scheidt

First win in school history–9-7 over Joliet Central

1967 8-1 Illini 8 Conference Champions Coach Lloyd Atterbury

1972 5-4 2nd place (tie) Illini 8 Conference Coach Jim Hoffman

1978 6-3 3rd place (tie) Illini 8 Conference Coach Mike Monken

1982 4-5 Last team Coach Mike Monken

Won last game in school history–20-12 over Sterling

Girls Volleyball

Though short-lived, the Lady Kingsmen volleyball program did win two District championship plaques for the school. Again, team records and coach’s names are being sought.

1973-74 District Champions

1978-79 District Champions

Boys Track & Field

The Joliet East High School boys track team had some excellent success in the mid 1970s. Besides two top-ten finishes, the Kingsmen saw four individuals and three relay teams bring medals back from the IHSA Class AA State Meet. In fact in 1975-76, Tim Graf was Illinois’ fastest high school runner, winning the 100 Yard Dash State Championship!.

1974-75 Team Finished SIXTH in the IHSA Class AA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Tim Graf 100 Yard Dash 2ND Place

Relay 440 Yard Relay 3RD Place

Relay 880 Yard Relay 4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1 East St. Louis (Sr.) 29

2 Chicago (Phillips) 19

2 Rockford (East) 19

4 Maywood (Proviso East) 14

5 Alton (Sr.) 12

6 Oak Lawn (Community) 11

6 Joliet East High School 11

1975-76 Team Finished NINTH at the IHSA Class AA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Tim Graf 100 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!

220 Yard Dash 4TH Place

Art Baker Long Jump 7TH Place

Relay Team 440 Yard Relay 5TH Place

Final Team Standings

1 East St. Louis (Sr.) 30

2 Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.) 26

3 Maywood (Proviso East) 14

4 Harvey (Thornton) 12

5 Rockford (East) 10

5 LaGrange (Lyons) 10

5 Orland Park (Sandburg) 10

5 Chicago (King) 10

9 Joliet East High School 9

1976-77 Individual Medalist –

Larry Thompson 880 Yard Run 5TH Place

1977-78 Individual Medalist –

Tim Herring Triple Jump 2ND Place

MEMORIES from Lynn Hargrow, Sr.:

“I would like to add since I was a part of history during the years of 1976-78 the track team was 3-time Illini-8 Conference Champions and District Champions. The 1978 team recorded the first, and to my knowledge, only undefeated team record (12 – 0) in any sport. We were also one of only two undefeated track teams in the state. Unfortunately we could not claim to be the only undefeated team because Minooka was the other. We were scheduled to have a meet with Minooka but it was cancelled due to bad weather. We were never able to reschedule them and prove our superiority. We did, however, defeat them at the District Meet.”

Girls Track & Field

The Lady Kingsmen thinclads brought home some IHSA Class AA State Meet medals of their own. One relay team and two individuals were responsible for the four medals won by the Lady Kingsmen tracksters.

1972-73 Relay Team 440 Yard Relay 2ND Place

Connie Abott Shot Put 5TH Place

1973-74 Vanessa Sims 50 Yard Dash 4TH Place

1974-75 Vanessa Sims 50 Yard Dash 5TH Place

Wrestling

The Grapplers of Joliet East won individual medals as well. Though no team trophies or plaques were won, individual medals were earned. This includes back to back STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS won by John Gurka in 1974 and 1975!!

1973-74 Individual Medalist

John Gurka Heavyweight Class STATE CHAMPION!!

1974-75 Individual Medalist

John Gurka Heavyweight Class STATE CHAMPION!!

1979-80 Individual Medalist –

Eric McEwen 112 Lbs. Class 6TH Place

1982-83 Individual Medalist –

Sam Parker 112 Lbs. Class 5TH Place

Speech Individual Competition

Three Kingsmen “thespians” showed the school had some well-rounded curiculum. Robert Talkie even won a State Championship in his event of Humorous Interpretation. His efforts in 1976 led the Joliet East team to a SECOND Place Finish in State Competition!!

1972-73 Individual Medalists

Doug & Robert Talkie Duet 3RD Place

Keith White Humor Interp. 6TH Place

1974-75 Individual Medalist

Robert Talkie Humor Interp. 2ND Place

1975-76 Team Finished SECOND in STATE Competition!!

Individual Medalist

Robert Talkie Humor Interp. STATE CHAMPION!!

Original Comedy 2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1 South Holland (Thornwood) 24

2 Joliet East High School 12

2 Chicago (Luther South) 12

4 Rock Island (H.S.) 9

4 Peoria (H.S.) 9

FAMOUS ALUMS

–Larry Gura (class of 1966) — Was a pitcher for the Kingsmen baseball team before going to Arizona State University, then played professionally for the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Kansas City Royals from 1970-85. Gura was 126-97 with a 3.76 ERA, having his best years with the Royals as they became World Series contenders in the late ’70’s. His best seasons were 16-4 in 1977, 18-10 in 1980, and 18-12 in 1983.

–Lionel Richie (class of 1967) — Played tennis at JEHS, then attended Tuskegee Institute on a tennis scholarship before forming the Commodores, a rhythm-and-blues band of the 1970’s. Richie also made it big as a singer-songwriter in the 1980s with five albums that went platinum in sales, and five singles that went to number one on the US charts.

–Pam Gant (class of 1981) —Basketball star for the Lady Kingsmen, leading scorer of two state AA tournament qualifiers. In 113 games over four seasons, she scored 3,205 points, third on the IHSA’s career scoring list. Pam wound up at Louisiana Tech, leading the Lady Techsters to two NCAA championships, made first-team Kodak All-American in 1985 along with Cheryl Miller and was the first woman to try out for the Harlem Globetrotters!

If You Have ANY Further Information

If you have any further information you can share regarding the many accomplishments and history of Joliet East High School, especially a photo of the original school building, please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Joliet East Football Field and Scoreboard

Photo by Cody Cutter: April 2009

Joliet DeLaSalle High School “Irish”

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Joliet DeLaSalle High School–opened 1927

Later Joliet Catholic High School (courtesy of Joe Randles)

The History of Joliet DeLaSalle High School

Joliet (population 129,519) is located in northeastern Illinois in west-central Will County. In fact, is the county seat of Will County and spills over into Kendall County to the west. Joliet was platted in 1834 and officially incorporated in 1852. After much discussion over the town’s early name (it was known as Juliet from 1834 to 1845), the Joliet was settled upon to honor Louis Joliet, famous explorer who first viewed the area in 1673.

According to MapQuest (www.mapquest.com), Joliet has several major roadways and railways leading to and from it. Interstate Highway 80 is the main thoroughfare leading to Joliet, which is located just east of Interstate Highway 55. The Illinois Routes of 7, 53, and 171 as well as the U.S. Routes of 6, 30, and 52 all lead to Joliet. The Des Plaines River flows through town as it has for thousands of years. Railroad tracks include Amtrak, the Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe, the Elgin, Joliet, & Eastern, and the Illinois Central Gulf.

Joliet first offered education to students in the mid-1850’s, but parochial education was begun in 1869 with the formation of St. Francis Academy for girls. Boys did not receive the same opportunity until 1918 when DeLaSalle High School was opened by the Christian Brothers order, under the direction of George Cardinal Mundelein of Chicago at the former St. Patrick’s Church Hall.

DeLaSalle started out with 45 boys & grew as an all-boys’ institution as a school was built and opened in 1927. However, due to the growth along with the Great Depression of the 1930’s, the Christian Brothers relinquished control to the Carmelite order in August of 1933, who renamed it Joliet Catholic High School. In addition, the Carmelites changed the school colors to brown and white, plus switched the nickname from Irish to Hilltoppers in honor of the school being located on higher ground.

The DeLaSalle building is still in use today as Victory Senior Center Housing, which offers assisted living to senior citizens and is operated by Pathway Senior Living, LLC.

FACTS ABOUT JOLIET DeLaSALLE HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened: 1918

Year new building opened: 1927

Change in name to Joliet Catholic: 1933

School building use today: assisted living center for seniors

School colors: Purple & Gold

School nickname: Irish

ATHLETICS

As a member of the Chicago Catholic League since 1920-21, DeLaSalle offered football and basketball as far we have been able to find, but it is could be possible that baseball and track were also offered. More information is needed about these sports at DeLaSalle, so we welcome more input about that sport at the addresses listed below.

BASKETBALL

In its early days as DeLaSalle, the school built up a great program and won two National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournaments (hosted by Loyola University) under John Carroll’s guidance, not to mention two Catholic League championships. The tradition continued at Joliet Catholic with another national title, then seven regional titles after they joined the IHSA.

1920-21 7- 3 First season Coach Andy McEwan

1921-22 16- 4 Catholic League Champs!! Coach Andy McEwan

1922-23 14- 5 Coach Andy McEwan

1923-24 11- 5 Coach Andy McEwan

1924-25 10- 7 Coach Barney Grogan

1925-26 15- 5 Coach Andy McEwan

1926-27 25- 0 NATIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach John Carroll

Catholic League Champs

1927-28 21- 6 NATIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach John Carroll

1928-29 16- 5 (good record!) Coach John Carroll

1929-30 13- 7 Coach John Carroll

1930-31 19- 7 Coach John Carroll

1931-32 19- 5 (good record!) Coach John Carroll

FOOTBALL

The Purple and Gold gave their followers some thrills during the fall, including three outstanding seasons in the 1920’s, and eventually it carried over to Joliet Catholic after the change in name and operating order, where the school would win seven state titles and countless conference titles as an all-boys’ school. An excellent source of information about the history of the DeLaSalle and Catholic High football program is www.jolietcatholicfootball.com, which is operated by JCHS alumnus Mike Menozzi.

1920 First season Coach Earl Gilfillan

1924 5-1-1 Coach Barney Grogan

1926 5-0 Coach John Carroll

1927 5-2 Coach John Carroll

A good fan of the Glory Days website, Mark Jurenga, has provided the following information on the DLS football program from the book “Hilltopper Pride: The Triumph & Tradition of Joliet Catholic Football,” 2005. Mojo Media, Inc.

1920, first season opponents Chicago (St. Patrick), Chicago (St. Rita), Chicago???? (DeLaSalle), Lockport.

1921 coach Martin Gleason; First year in the Chicago Catholic League

1922 ” ” ”

1923 coach Fred Larson

1924 coach Barney Grogan 5-1-1 (First winning season).

1925 coach Francis Dailey

1926-1934 coach John Carroll 22-39-1 record

-1926 5-0 (First undefeated season). JCHS shut out each of their opponents that season.

-1928 first meeting between JCHS and Chicago (Mt. Carmel), JCHS 12-0 winner.

MEMORIES & FACTS

**From a well-informed local historian who wishes to remain anonymous:

“The Christian Brothers, who founded the boys’ Catholic high school in Joliet in 1918 as De La Salle High School, are an Order of lay, teaching Brothers only; they have no priests in their ranks. They must always bring in a local priest when they want a Mass or the Sacraments performed in their schools and monasteries.

By the 1930s, Joliet had developed into a city with an extremely high Catholic population and many priests were needed. In addition to parish work, chaplains were needed at the prisons, the jail, the police and fire departments, the two hospitals, the three Catholic high schools, teaching and chaplaincy work at what was then called the College of Saint Francis, the orphanage, the two Motherhouses of Sisters and their accompanying novitiates that were in Joliet at the time, and to help the overburdened parish priests in the city’s numerous Catholic churches that were growing larger by the year. The only monastery of priests in Joliet at that time was the Franciscan friary at Saint John’s, and although they filled most of the roles just listed, they too had their limits. The Cardinal needed to find more priests for Joliet.

As a result, he searched for an Order of priests who could take over the high school and in doing so, establish another monastery of priests in Joliet who could join forces with the Franciscans from Saint John’s in assisting in the priestly, sacramental needs of the churches and the other institutions throughout the city. Many of us remember Carmelites from Catholic High saying some of the early morning Masses and helping with the weekend Masses and Confessions at the various Joliet parishes in past years. The Carmelites also assumed responsibility at that time for the pastoring of the parishes of Saint Mary’s Irish (which became known thereafter as Saint Mary’s Carmelite), Mt. Carmel and Saint Bernard’s. The arrival of the Carmelites in Joliet has been a very great thing for the city in many ways.

Unfortunately, in his desperation to find adequate priests for Joliet and in his enthusiasm for this plan, the Cardinal was less than gracious in his treatment of the Christian Brothers, whom he “urged” to leave. The whole process constituted a betrayal of the Brothers after they had served Joliet so generously. The Carmelites were surely unaware of these circumstances or they probably would have resisted getting involved in a dynamic that placed a parallel religious Order at a disadvantage. What is noteworthy (and frankly, surprising) is how loyal and generous the Christian Brothers always remained to Joliet thereafter. While the new co-educational Providence High School eventually opened with a New Lenox address, it was originally planned to be Joliet’s new east side Catholic high school and the Christian Brothers assumed the responsibility for running that school for as long as they could. Also, the Christian Brothers sponsor neighboring Lewis University, which has been an invaluable ingredient in the greater-Joliet community for decades.”

FACTS ARE FUN TO READ ABOUT…..

but we’re also interested in stories about the history of Joliet DeLaSalle High School. We’re hopeful that a couple of alumni are still around to provide information about their school days at DLS, and we welcome it by email at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or by using the USPS at:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL 60631

Joliet Central High School “Steelmen”

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Joliet Central High School

Designed by alum Louise Lentz Woodruff, courtesy of http://www.jths.org

The History of Joliet Central High School

Joliet (population 129,519) is located in northeastern Illinois in west-central Will County. In fact, is the county seat of Will County and spills over into Kendall County to the west. Joliet was platted in 1834 and officially incorporated in 1852. After much discussion over the town’s early name (it was known as Juliet from 1834 to 1845), the Joliet was settled upon to honor Louis Joliet, famous explorer who first viewed the area in 1673.

Joliet’s excellent location led to its population bursting soon after its incorporation. A high school for the children of the town was opened in 1880 when students from both sides of the river came together for educational purposes under the guidance of Colonel D.H. Darling. The Joliet Township district was created in 1899, extending past the city limits to widen its tax base, and build the four-story castle-like structure you see at the top of the page.

Construction began in 1900 by the Adam Groth Construction Company, using Joliet limestone, Bedford stone, and marble to construct the school. A week-long series helped opened the school in April 1901, which included electric lights. Two hundred and thirty-five students moved into the new school, and it grew to more than one thousand within the next fifteen years. School additions were made in 1908, 1917, 1922, and again in 1931, and is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The residents of Joliet were served by one high school (Joliet Township High School) for several years. The student population continued to grow each decade, finally forcing the issue of having more than one high school to appropriately serve the community. In 1964, two new high schools, Joliet West & Joliet East, were opened to relieve overcrowding at Joliet Township High (which was renamed Joliet Central).

All three schools served the community tremendously for two decades until declining enrollment forced board of education members to make some tough choices. In the fall of 1981, the board decided to close the school after the 1981-82 school year, but after three members were voted in on a platform of reversing that decision, and public outcry in the form of petitions with over 15,000 signatures were presented to the board presidents, the Joliet Township board reconsidered and kept Central open. However, a year later it closed Joliet East as it merged with Joliet Central.

Ten years later in 1993, it was decided to keep both Joliet Central & Joliet West open, but all extra-curricular activities were combined as if they were only one high school district. This arrangement continued until the fall of 2010 when both Joliet Central and Joliet West resumed their separate extra-curricular activities. Due to the resumption of their own programs and given the unusual turn of events, it has been decided by the site authors not to add information to this page as well as Joliet West’s beginning with the 2010-11 school year, but rather leave them as if each school stopped their program as of 1993.

FACTS ABOUT JOLIET CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened at JTHS: 1880

Year that high school building opened: 1901

Year opened as Joliet Central: 1964

Year it reverted back to JTHS: 1993

Resumption of Central HS: 2010

School colors: Blue & Gold

School nickname: “Steelmen”

School newspaper: “JTC Journal”

School yearbook: “The J”

School song: “JT Central Loyalty”

(written by Warren Wood, Florence Martin, Claude Robison, & Allen Touzalin, all JTHS class of 1927 members)

Joliet High, we’re always loyal

To thee we’ll e’re be true

With a battle cry of “Onward,”

We will fight for Gold and Blue

Rah! Rah!

Joliet High is on to battle

We’ll conquer ev’ry foe

We have a fighting spirit

on to vict’ry we will go!

J-J-JOL

I-I-IET

J-O-I-L-E-T

JOLIET!!

ATHLETICS

Joliet Central offered a wide-variety of sports and activities for its students. The boys had their choice among football, cross-country, soccer, basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball, tennis, and track. On the other hand, the girls could compete in volleyball, tennis, basketball, track, softball, and bowling, According to the IHSA website (www.ihsa,org) no records were found for cross-country, golf, and gymnastics for both genders, and soccer, swimming, and softball for girls. We are aware that several of those sports were offered, and would appreciate more information if it is available by contacting us at the addresses listed below,

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

From the moment Joliet Township split into three schools, Central staked its reputation as a basketball school. Coaches Ed Woods, Dale Glenn, and Greg Peden all had winning percentages of at least .575 to keep the school at the forefront of top basketball teams in the state of Illinois. The 1969-70 team is considered the best team to have represented the school, getting third in the single-class state tournament, and led by All-Stater Roger Powell, the father of University of Illinois hoops star Roger Powell, Jr. from the 2005 Fighting Illini squad that took second in the NCAA Division I mens’ tournament.

1964-65 15-12 First season as Joliet Central Coach Ed Woods

Centralia Tourney Cons. Champs

1965-66 24- 8 Regional Champions Coach Ed Woods

Ottawa Sectional Champions

Peoria Super Sectional Winners—Beat Pekin 63-50

Lost in Elite Eight to Belleville 74-72

Albert Crusoe named to All-Tournament Team

1966-67 20- 6 Coach Ed Woods

1967-68 10-15 Coach Ed Woods

1969-70 27- 7 3rd in State!! Coach Dale Glenn

Joliet Regional Champions

Lockport Sectional Champions

Evanston Super Sectional Winners

Beat Park Ridge Maine South 71-68

Beat in Okawville in Elite Eight 56-43

Lost to LaGrange Lyons 63-52 in semifinals

Downed Peoria Spalding 82-75 for third place

(LaGrange Lyons eventual state champ)

Roger Powell leading scorer & was all-tournament

1970-71 26- 4 Joliet Regional Champions Coach Dale Glenn

Lost to eventual state champ Dolton Thornridge in Joliet Central Sectional finals 68-63

Rated #3 in final Regular Season Associated Press Poll

1971-72 23- 6 AA Regional Champions Coach Dale Glenn

Lost to Lockport Central in Joliet Central AA Sectional Finals 59-58

1972-73 24- 4 AA Regional Champions Coach Dale Glenn

Rated #8 in final regular season Associated Press Poll

1973-74 15-11 Coach Dale Glenn

1974-75 25- 4 AA Regional Champions Coach Dale Glenn

Rated #15 in final regular season Associated Press Poll

1975-76 26- 5 AA Regional Champions Coach Dale Glenn

Lost to Bloomington HS in Kankakee Westview AA Sectional Finals 87-63

Rated #12 in final regular season AP poll

1976-77 21- 5 AA Regional Champions Coach Dale Glenn

1977-78 24- 7 AA Regional Champions Coach Dale Glenn

Lost to Danville HS in Normal AA Sectional Finals 57-52

1978-79 14-11 Coach Dale Glenn

1979-80 19- 7 Coach Dale Glenn

1980-81 15-10 Coach Dale Glenn

1981-82 16-10 Coach Greg Peden

1982-83 21- 6 Coach Greg Peden

1983-84 20- 7 Coach Greg Peden

1984-85 15-12 Coach Greg Peden

1985-86 12-15 Coach Greg Peden

1986-87 15-12 AA Regional Champions Coach Greg Peden

1987-88 11-14 Coach Greg Peden

1988-89 21- 9 AA Regional Champions Coach Greg Peden

AA Sectional Champions

Lost in AA Aurora East Super Sectional to Chicago Hts. Bloom Twp. 69-68

1989-90 23- 7 Coach Greg Peden

1990-91 17- 8 Coach Greg Peden

1991-92 22- 5 Coach Greg Peden

1992-93 21- 8 Coach Greg Peden

**Success attained at the Bloomington-Normal State Farm Holiday Classic Tournament as submitted by Mark Jurenga:

All-Tournament Selections

1979 – Novel Woods

1977 – Isiah Williams

WRESTLING

Wrestling did not take a back seat to basketball in the winter as a sport; in fact, it produced seven state champions along with a team title under legendary coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin.

1969-70 Individual Placer

Mike Barden STATE CHAMPION– Heavyweight

1970-71 7- 9 Coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin

1971-72 9- 5 Coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin

Individual Placer

Greg Maxey 4^th place—98 pounds

1972-73 13- 2 1 District Champions Coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin

Individual Placer

Greg Maxey 2^nd place—105 pounds

1973-74 Individual Placer

Greg Maxey STATE CHAMPION —112 pounds

1974-75 Individual Placer

Scott Trizzino STATE CHAMPION—132 pounds

1975-76 6th in State Coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin

Individual Placers

George Barefield 5^th place—126 pounds

Scott Trizzino STATE CHAMPION—132 pounds

1976-77 Individual Placer

Andy Tomala 4^th place—167 pounds

1977-78 Individual Placer

Mark Trizzino STATE CHAMPION—105 pounds

1978-79 Individual Placer

Mark Trizzino STATE CHAMPION—112 pounds

1980-81 Individual Placer

Louis Reed 3^rd place—167 pounds
1982-83 AA Regional Champions Coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin

1983-84 Individual Placer

Joei Bales 2^nd place—126 pounds

1984-85 21- 0 STATE AA CHAMPIONS!!! Coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Individual Placers

Joei Bales STATE CHAMPION—126 pounds

Carl Barefield 6^th place—138 pounds

Sam Parker 2^nd place—132 pounds

1985-86 20- 2 SECOND IN AA FINALS!! Coach Eural “Mac” McLaughlin

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Individual Placers

Ray Palacios 2^nd place—98 pounds

Steve Harmon 6th place—155 pounds

Scott Edman 2^nd place—167 pounds

1986-87 Individual Placers

Tim Chaplin 2^nd place—132 pounds

Mike Poloskey 3^rd place—-Heavyweight

1987-88 Individual Placers

Tim Chaplin 3^rd place—138 pounds

1988-89 Individual Placers

Joe Esparza 2^nd place—103 pounds

George Hoffman 2^nd place—140 pounds

1989-90 Individual Placer

Warren Snapp 6^th place—135 pounds

GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD

There must have been something in the water in Joliet to produce outstanding track athletes at Joliet Central. Just like Joliet West, these girls could complete on the oval track and in field events. One team came home with a fifth place finish at the state meet one year, while several others came home to the City of Champions with medals.

1974 Individual Placer coach unknown

Helen Walker 2^nd place-discus

1975 Individual/Relay Placers coach unknown

880-yard relay 6^th place

Marsha Tate 4^th place-440-yard dash

1976 Individual/Relay Placers coach unknown

880-yard medley relay 4^th place

Yoland Summitt 7th place-long jump

Marsha Tate 2^nd place-440-yard dash

1977 Individual Placer coach unknown

Marsha Tate 3^rd place- 440-yard dash

1978 Individual Placer—AA finals coach unknown

Rhonda Winfrey 8th place-100-yard dash

1980 Individual Placer—AA finals coach unknown

Marilyn Mitchell 5^th place-high jump

1981 Individual/Relay Placers—AA finals coach unknown

4 x 400 meter relay 8^th place

800 meter medley relay 5^th place

Theresa Kula 6th place-discus

Beverly Neal 4^th place-100 meter hurdles

1982 AA District Champions coach unknown

Individual/Relay Placers—AA finals

800 medley meter relay 7th place

Cynthia Mitchell 3^rd place-100 meter hurdles

3^rd place-long jump

Sheila Thomas 8^th place-400 meter dash

1983 Individual/Relay Placers—AA finals coach unknown

4 x 200 meter relay 6^th place

Jody Sims 2^nd place-100 meter dash

1985 Individual/Relay Placers—AA finals coach unknown

4 x 100 meter relay 6^th place

4 x 200 meter relay 5^th place

800 meter medley relay 7^th place

Rhonda Price 6^th place-long jump

Beverly Thomas 6th place-200 meter hurdles

1986 AA Sectional Champions coach unknown

Individual/Relay Placers—AA finals

4 x 100 meter relay 4^th place

4 x 200 meter relay 5^th place

1987 AA Sectional Champions coach unknown

Individual Placers—AA finals

Lusonji Childs 6th place-100 meter dash

1988 AA Sectional Champions coach unknown

Individual/Relay Placers—AA finals

4 x 200 meter relay 6th place

Lusonji Childs 5th place-100 meter dash

6th place-200 meter dash

1989 5th in AA State Finals coach unknown

Team Standings

1 East St. Louis Lincoln 98

2 Evanston 66.5

3 Wheaton North 33

4 Wheeling 30

5 Joliet Central 20

6 Blue Island Eisenhower 19

Hinsdale Central 19

8 Belvidere 18

Edwardsville HS 18

Olympia Fields Rich Central 18

Individual Placers

Sharron Evans STATE CHAMPION!!–100 meter hurdles

2^nd place-300 meter hurdles

7^th place-long jump

1991 Individual/Relay Placers—AA finals coach unknown

4 x 100 meter relay 8^th place

Dela Cooper 7th place-long jump

1992 Individual Placer—AA finals coach unknown

Sue Dixon 4^th place-high jump

1993 Individual Placer—AA finals coach unknown

Sue Dixon 3^rd place-high jump

BADMINTON

The Steelwomen were active indoors on the badminton courts during the spring, winning three sectional titles in five years and placing in the top 10 of the state on one occasion, along with having two players place in the top five in singles.

1986 Sectional Champions coach unknown

7^th in State

Standings—

1 Palatine HS 13½

2 Villa Park Willowbrook 13

3 Des Plaines Maine West 12

4 Winnetka New Trier 11½

5 Evanston Twp 10½

6 Mt. Prospect Prospect 9½

7 Tinley Park Andrew 8

Joliet Central 8

9 Aurora West 7½

Deerfield 7½

Individual Medalist

Terry Hibner—–4^th in singles

1989 Sectional Champions coach unknown

1990 Sectional Champions coach unknown

Individual Medalist

Kris Sitar——5^th in singles

BASEBALL

The Steelmen program was tremendous on the diamonds of Joliet under Coach Jerry Pius, establishing a winning tradition and taking home a second place in state prior to the two-class system. One player went on to play in the Major Leagues… Jesse Barfield.

1972-73 26- 2 Coach Jerry Pius

1973-74 27- 4 Regional Champions Coach Jerry Pius

1974-75 36- 4 2^nd in State Coach Jerry Pius

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Elite Eight Qualifier

Beat Aurora West 2-1 in 9 innings

Edged Decatur MacArthur 3-2

Lost to Skokie Niles West in Championship game 7-4

1975-76 27- 4 Coach Jerry Pius

1976-77 13-12 Coach Jerry Pius

FOOTBALL

After a slow start following the opening of Joliet West & East, Central began to assert itself with a good football program in Joliet and in the Illini-8 Conference, taking on East, West, Joliet Catholic, Lockport, Romeoville, Summit Argo, and Marian Catholic of Chicago Heights for the conference title. The school later moved over the SICA West before merging the Central & West athletic programs in 1993. Here are some of the better records compiled by the Steelmen:

1967 5- 3- 1 coach unknown

1969 7- 2 Coach Ken Robbins

1970 6- 3 Coach Ken Robbins

1974 6- 3 Coach George Legan

1976 8- 2 4A State Quarterfinalist Coach George Legan

Illini-8 Co-Conference Champion

Lost to Roselle Lake Park 28-22

1977 5- 4 Coach unknown

1989 5- 4 Coach unknown

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Joliet Central was a player in the prep basketball wars, winning three consecutive AA regionals before Joliet West and Central merged their athletic departments. One of its’ better players was All-State guard Chris Prieboy, who won the honor three consecutive years in the late 1970’s and went on to set the career scoring record at the University of St. Francis right there in Joliet.

1990-91 AA Regional Champions coach unknown

1991-92 AA Regional Champions coach unknown

1992-93 AA Regional Champions coach unknown

VOLLEYBALL

One team made it all the way to the supersectional before losing, but their win-loss record and coaches’ name is unknown. If you have any information, please contact us at the address below.

1979-80 District Champions Coach unknown

Sectional Champions

BOYS’ SOCCER

The Joliet Central soccer program built itself up at the school in the mid-‘80’s and early ‘90’s, proving their worth to the school’s athletic department under coaches Pat O’Connell and Mark Wilson.

1985 13- 1 Coach Pat O’Connell

1986 12- 4 Coach Pat O’Connell

1987 12- 9 Coach Pat O’Connell

1991 17- 1- 1 Coach Mark Wilson

1992 10- 8 Coach Mark Wilson

BOYS’ SWIMMING & DIVING

While there are no win-loss records or coaches’ names to report, the Steelmen were represented at the state swimming meet on three occasions with as many medalists in the top six of their events.

Individual medalists

Curt Cramer 1965 100 back 5^th place

1966 200 free 5^th place

Steve Weston 1970 100 free 6^th place

BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD

The men of Steel were also stars on the track and field circuit, with several of them bringing home medals from the state track meet. Here’s a listing of those individual medalists:

1965 Al Crusoe 440 yard dash—4^th place

1974 Steve Martin triple jump—5^th place

1975AA Steve Martin long jump—4th place

1981AA Craig Easley 100 meter hurdles—4th place

1986AA Mike Poloskey discus–5th place

1986AA Phil Whitehead 100 meter hurdles—4^th place

1987AA Jeep Bales 300 meter hurdles—5^th place

Mike Poloskey shotput—6^th place

1988AA Darrell Stuckey 800 meter run—7^th place

1991AA 4 x 400 meter relay—6^th place

1993AA 4 x 200 meter relay—4^th place

4 x 400 meter relay–5th place

GIRLS’ BOWLING

The Steelwomen could also roll the ball down the lane. One individual was able to advance to the state bowling meet and place in the top five.

Individual Medalist

Lisa Larsen 1985 4th place—2,187 pins

BOYS’ TENNIS

Joliet Central’s boys brought home some hardware from the state tournament series and even qualified one team for the state meet in 1985. If you have more information regarding the individuals or the boys’ tennis program, please contact us.

1970 District Champions coach unknown

1975 District Champions coach unknown

1985 Sectional Champions coach unknown

State Qualifiers

DRAMA

The Joliet Central drama club was prominent in the state as being one of the better thespian groups in the state, going to state three times and picking up some hardware in the process.

1974-75 District Champions sponsor unknown

1978-79 State Qualifiers sponsor unknown

1981-82 District Champions sponsor unknown

1982-83 Regional Champions sponsor unknown

1987-88 Regional Champions sponsor unknown

1990-91 State Qualifiers sponsor unknown

4th in State

Standings—

1 Harvey Thornton 7

2 Charleston 7

3 Oak Lawn Richards 10

4 Joliet Central 11

5 Roselle Lake Park 15

6 Tremont 16

7 Gurnee Warren 19

8 Glen Ellyn Glenbard West 21

9 Benton 24

10 Peoria Richwoods 29

1992-93 State Qualifers coach unknown

OUTSTANDING PLAYERS AND COACHES

–Chris Prieboy (class of 1979), three-time all-state basketball player, later attended the University of St. Francis and scored 2,377 pts—best in Lady Saints’ history. Chris won 15 letters at JT Central HS in five sports (4 in basketball, 3 in softball, 4 in volleyball, 1 in tennis, 1 in track, and 2 in swimming.

–Jesse Barfield (class of 1977), drafted (1977, 9th round) & played with Toronto (1981-89), then traded to the New York Yankees (1989-92). He hit .289 with 40 HR & 108 RBI in 1986 during his best season with Toronto, along winning two Gold Gloves, and led AL outfielders in assists from 1985-87, which gave proof to having a strong and accurate arm from rightfield. Barfield was an American League All-Star in 1987, and played in what some baseball analysts consider one of the finest all-around outfields in the Major Leagues during the 1980’s with George Bell and Lloyd Moseby in Toronto. Son Josh (second baseman) played with San Diego in 2006, and another son, Jeremy, was drafted by the New York Mets in 2006 as well as the Oakland Athletics in 2008. Jesse’s Major League career totals are 241 home runs, 716 runs batted in, and a batting average of .256.

–Roger Powell (class of 1970), all-state basketball player in 1970, led the Steelmen to a third-place finish in one of the final single-class state tournaments, losing to eventual champion LaGrange Park Lyons in the semifinals. Powell was an all-tournament selection and later played his collegiate ball at Illinois State. His son Roger Junior starred at Joliet Township and at the University of Illinois where he was a member of the NCAA Division I tournament runnersup in 2005. Roger was named to the All-Time IHSA Tournament team in 2007! Check out his bio at http://www.ihsa.org/initiatives/legends/index.htm.

–Ed Woods, basketball coach 1964-68. In just four seasons, his Steelmen cagers were 67-41, but made a trip to the Elite Eight in 1965, and left the program in good hands for Dale Glenn.

–Dale Glenn, basketball coach 1968-81. Glenn picked up where Woods left off as his teams won seven regionals in eight years, had 20 wins or more in eight seasons, plus were state-ranked squads. Glenn’s Joliet Central teams were 270-96 for a winning percentage of .738 in 13 seasons, and took third in the 1970 tournament.

–Greg Peden, basketball coach 1981-93. JT Central continued their winning ways under Peden, who had six 20-win seasons and two regionals, plus a sectional and a supersectional appearance in 1989. The school had three consecutive 20-win seasons in as many years before Central & West consolidated their athletic programs.

–Jerry Pius, baseball coach 1973-77. In five seasons, Pius’ boys of spring won 129 games against just 26 losses (an .832 winning percentage), took two regional titles and second place at the state tournament in 1975.

–Eural “Mac” McLaughlin, wrestling coach. Coach Mac got the most of the wrestlers he had and produced a team championship in 1985, along with a second in 1986, and sixth in 1976. His teams were undefeated in 1984-85 at 21-0 and went 20-2 the following season.

–Scott (class of 1976) and Mark (class of 1979) Trizzino, wrestlers. Both Trizzinos were state champions on the mat for the Steelmen, winning not once, but back-to-back state championship in their weight classes. Scott took home the gold at 132 pounds in 1975 & 1975, while Mark won the 105 pound title in 1978, following it up with the 112 championship in 1979.

–Pat O’Connell, soccer coach 1985-87. O’Connell’s teams may not have won any state tournament trophies, but they did win a fair share of their matches in his three years as skipper of the Steelmen soccer program, going 37-14 (.725 percentage) in those seasons.

–Marsha Tate, (class of 1977), track. She was Joliet Central’s first female medalist, bringing home three in successive seasons for her work in the 440-yard dash by placing seventh, second, and third, respectively, in those seasons.

–Sharron Evans (class of 1989), track. As the Steelwomen were placing sixth in the state AA track finals, Evans was state champion in the 100-meter hurdles, second in the 300-meter hurdles, and seventh in the long jump.

There are other notable alums from Joliet Central, To find out who they are, this link has all the details:

http://www.jths.org/community_alumni/alumni_default/central_history.aspx

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION OR PHOTOS WE CAN USE?

Then we invite you to contact us so we can possibly use the information. You can either email us at veemonster1@yahoo.com or by using the USPS at:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL 60631

Joliet Catholic High School “Hilltoppers”

Posted on March 3, 2022December 16, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Joliet Catholic High School

Home of the Hilltoppers (courtesy of Joe Randles)

The History of Joliet Catholic High School

Joliet (population 129,519) is located in northeastern Illinois, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. The community has grown in recent years from over 106,000 in the 2000 census to the number noted above. Not only is it the county seat of Will County, but also has extended its city limits into Kendall County to the immediate west.

Joliet was settled in 1834 under the name Juliet as a honor to settler James B. Campbell’s daughter, although some felt that it had something to do with William Shakespeare’s novel “Romeo & Juliet” since there is a Romeoville about 10 miles north of Joliet. The name and spelling changed to its current form in 1845 to honor Louis Jolliet, a French explorer that visited the area with Father Jacques Marquette in 1673. The town was incorporated in 1852, and has earned many titles, including “All-American City,” “City of Stone,” and “Crossroads of Mid-America.”

it is believed that Joliet first offered education to students in the mid-1850’s, but parochial education was begun in 1869 with the formation of St. Francis Academy for girls. Boys did not receive the same opportunity until 1918 when DeLaSalle High School was opened by the Christian Brothers order, under the direction of George Cardinal Mundelein of Chicago at the former St. Patrick’s Church Hall. DeLaSalle started out with 45 boys & grew as an all-boys’ institution as a school was built and opened in 1927 (see picture below).

Joliet Catholic High School Building 2013

However, due to the growth along with the Great Depression of the 1930’s, the Christian Brothers relinquished control to the Carmelite order in August of 1933, who renamed it Joliet Catholic. The order also started fresh with new school colors (brown and white), plus changed the nickname to Hilltoppers in honor of the school’s location on high ground above the Des Plaines River.

The school remained open as an all-boys’ facility on an elevated site above the Des Plaines River until 1990 when St. Francis Academy merged with Catholic High to form Joliet Catholic Academy. That school is located in the St. Francis Academy site. The Catholic High building is still standing & in use as an assisted living facility for senior citizens that is called Victory Centre Senior Housing, owned by Pathways Senior Living, LLC.

FACTS ABOUT JOLIET CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Year that name changed to Joliet Catholic: 1933

Year school closed: 1990

School colors: Brown & White

School nicknames: “Hilltoppers”

JCHS fight song: JCHS Loyalty

(words and music courtesy of http://www.jolietcatholicfootball.com/)

Joliet Catholic High, we’re for you
Get in that battle, win that fight
Joliet Catholic High, we’re for you
With your colors Brown and White … fight, fight, fight!
You’re the kind of men, who’s courage
We want our foes to see
Joliet Catholic High march onward
To VIC-TOR-YYY

C-A, C-A, C-A-T-H
O-L, O-L, O-L-I-C
C-A-T-H-O-L-I-C
Hey, Catholic High!

Gordie Gillespie

222-54-6 in 27 years at Joliet Catholic

ATHLETICS

While its doors were open to the high school-aged males of Joliet and the surrounding area, Catholic High offered football, basketball, baseball, golf, wrestling, swimming, tennis, track, and possibly cross-country, excelling in these activities at the state level. More information is needed about cross-country at the school, so we welcome more input about that sport at the addresses listed below.

FOOTBALL

If there was any one sport that was closely idenitified with the school, football was it. Even though it had a slow start under the DeLaSalle moniker, Catholic High would wind up winning SIX state championships, five of them under the legendary Gordie Gillespie. No single coach that mentored the Brown & White had more success at the school or stayed as long as Gillespie did, posting a 222-54-6 record in 27 years at JCHS from 1959-85.

Hilltoppers celebrate another state football title

A picture containing text, outdoor, old, posing

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courtesy of Joe Randles

Joliet Catholic Academy HS Athletic Success Sign

A picture containing text, sign, tree, outdoor

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His success has carried over to other sports at Lewis University, the University of St. Francis, and Ripon (WI) College in baseball as he coached four NAIA baseball champs and he developed other winners in mens’ and womens’ basketball at the collegiate level. Gillespie passed away on February 28, 2015 at the age of 88, having won 2,402 contests in football, baseball, and basketball, and was inducted as a member of numerous hall of fames, including Joliet Catholic Academy’s “Hall of Champions.”

1933 5-1-1 Coach John Carroll

1936 5-4 Coach Fr. Gilbert Burns

1937 5-4-1 Coach Fr. Gilbert Burns

1940 8-1 (great record!) Coach Fr. Gilbert Burns

1950 7-2 Coach Gene Dwyer

1951 6-2 Coach Phil Cantwell

1952 6-3 Coach Phil Cantwell

1953 8-0 (great record!) Coach Phil Cantwell

1954 6-3 Coach Ernie Zaleski

1955 4-1-2 Coach Ernie Zaleski

1956 5-3 Coach Ernie Zaleski

1957 5-3 Coach Ernie Zaleski

1958 4-3-2 Coach Ernie Zaleski

1960 4-3-2 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1961 5-4 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1962 7-2 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1963 5-4 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1964 6-3 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1965 10-0 (GREAT RECORD!) Coach Gordie Gillespie

Suburban Catholic Conference Champions

1966 8-1 (excellent mark!) Coach Gordie Gillespie

Suburban Catholic Conference Champions

1967 9-0 (GREAT RECORD!) Coach Gordie Gillespie

Suburban Catholic Conference Champions

1968 6-3 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1970 6-2-1 Coach Gordie Gillespie

Illini-8 Conference Champions

1971 6-2-1 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1972 8-1 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1973 9-1 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1974 7-4 Illini-8 Champs Coach Gordie Gillespie

State Class 4A Playoff Qualifier

Beat Tinley Park 22-8

Lost to Barrington 28-20 in quarterfinals

1975 13-0 Illini-8 Champs Coach Gordie Gillespie

4A PLAYOFF STATE CHAMPS!

Beat Bradley-Bourbonnais 20-7

Downed Country Club Hills Hillcrest 20-16

Beat Naperville Central 20-8

Defeated Springfield Griffin 34-14 in title game

1976 12-1 Illini-8 Co-Champs Coach Gordie Gillespie

4A PLAYOFF STATE CHAMPS!

Defeated Country Club HIlls Hillcrest 28-14

Beat Roselle Lake Park 34-14

Edged Rockford Boylan 8-7

Beat Danville HS in title game 16-8

1977 13-0 Illini-8 Champs Coach Gordie Gillespie

4A PLAYOFF STATE CHAMPS!

Beat Crete-Monee 42-8

Defeated Glen Ellyn Glenbard South 20-3

Downed Woodstock HS 26-7

Beat LaSalle-Peru in championship game 30-6

1978 13-0 Illini-8 Champs Coach Gordie Gillespie

4A PLAYOFF STATE CHAMPS!

Shutout West Chicago HS 22-0

Blanked Olympia Fields Rich Central 26-0

Beat Lake Forest HS 33-0

Shutout LaSalle-Peru in finals 25-0

1979 9-4 Illini-8 Co-Champs Coach Gordie Gillespie

Chicago Prep Bowl Finalists

Lost to Chicago Julian 30-22 in championship game

1980 5-4 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1981 13-0 Illini-8 Champs Coach Gordie Gillespie

5A PLAYOFF STATE CHAMPS!

Beat Olympia Fields Rich Central 30-18

Downed Darien Hinsdale South 30-13

Defeated Champaign Central 44-7

Edged Deerfield in title game 8-7

1982 10-1 5A Qualifiers Coach Gordie Gillespie

East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Champs

Shutout Bradley-Bourbonnais 40-0

Lost to Chicago Mt. Carmel 28-22

1983 11-1 5A Qualifiers Coach Gordie Gillespie

ESCC Champs

Edged Sterling HS 26-21

Beat Peoria Richwoods 28-21

Lost to Bartonville Limestone 31-28

1984 11-1 5A Qualifiers Coach Gordie Gillespie

ESCC Champs

Blanked Chicago Julian 36-0

Beat Orland Park Sandburg 22-13

Defeated by Peoria Richwoods 27-15

1985 10-2 5A Qualifiers Coach Gordie Gillespie

ESCC Champs

Defeated Chicago Robeson 50-26

Downed Chicago Young 34-6

Lost to Park Forest Rich East 14-7

1986 7-4 5A Qualifier Coach Jim Boyter

ESCC Co-Champs

Edged Crete-Monee 20-14 in 3 OT

Lost to Chicago Heights Marian Catholic 14-0

1987 12-2 5A STATE CHAMPS! Coach Jim Boyter

ESCC Co-Champs

Beat Bolingbrook 40-19

Downed Palos Hills Stagg 24-6

Shutout Lansing Thornton Fractional South 23-0

Beat Belvidere 34-15

Edged Peoria Richwoods in title game 14-13

1988 7-4 5A Qualifier Coach Jim Boyter

ESCC Co-Champs

Defeated Addison Trail 27-7

Shutout by Wheaton Central 28-0

1989 10-2 5A Qualifier Coach Bob Stone

ESCC Champs

Beat Oswego 34-11

Shutout New Lenox Providence Catholic 15-0

Defeated by Oak Lawn Richards 34-12

A very informative website about the history of Joliet Catholic High football is handy when needing facts about past Hilltoppers football feats at http://www.jolietcatholicfootball.com/ which was kept by JCHS alumnus Mike Menozzi.

Joliet Catholic Victory Light

Was lit after each Catholic High victory

RB Andy Bebar

Offensive leader of 1981 state champs (courtesy of Joe Randles)

A good fan of the Glory Days website, Mark Jurenga, provided the following information on the JCHS football program:”All info from the book Hilltopper Pride: The Triumph & Tradition of Joliet Catholic Football. 2005. Mojo Media, Inc.

-In Coach John Carroll’s last year, 1934, JCHS played South Bend (St. Hedewig), IN at South Bend in Notre Dame Stadium.

1951 coach Cantwell comes to JCHS after playing and coaching for Frank Leahy at Notre Dame.

-First season JCHS plays Joliet (Twp.)

1953 first win (21-19) over Joliet (Twp.)

1954 Zaleski replaces Cantwell. Zaleski had played for Leahy at Notre Dame.

p. 13 in the book, talks about Gordie Gillespie’s “Most Memorable Games.”

1951- First Joliet (Twp.) vs. JCHS game

1976 vs. Rockford (Boylan) 8-7 win

1975 vs. Hillcrest 20-16 victory

1981 vs. Deerfield in state championship 8-7 win

1981 vs. Chicago (Mt. Carmel) 16-15 win

1965 vs. Niles?????? (Notre Dame) 19-10 win

“All of our games vs. Lockport.”

1977 state championship vs. LaSalle-Peru 30-6

1966 at Mundelein (Carmel) 26-20 win”

—–

BASKETBALL

In its early days as DeLaSalle, the school built up a great program and won two National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournaments (hosted by Loyola University) under John Carroll’s guidance. The school won another National title in its first year as Joliet Catholicm but did not join the IHSA until sometime in the late ‘40’s, and won seven regional titles, six of them in class AA. Catholic High returned to hoops prominence in the late 1970’s and 80’s under Mike Gillespie, son of the legendary football coach at the school. The better seasons of the Hilltoppers’ basketball seasons are listed below.

1933-34 30- 3 NATIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach John Carroll

1935-36 16- 4 (good record!) Coach John Carroll

1936-37 26- 4 (excellent record!) Coach Howard Bond

1937-38 15- 9 Coach Howard Bond

1940-41 20-11 Coach Frank Gaglione

1941-42 13- 9 Coach Frank Gaglione

1942-43 15- 6 Coach Frank Gaglione

1943-44 11- 9 Coach Owen Cote

1944-45 12- 7 Coach Owen Cote

1946-47 17-13 Coach Stan Sosnowski

1948-49 15- 8 Coach Bob White

1949-50 16- 7 Coach Bob White

1951-52 16-10 Coach Gordie Gillespie

1952-53 14-10 Coach John Goonen

1953-54 19- 5 (good record!) Coach John Goonen

1955-56 27- 3 REGIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach Leroy Lesile

1956-57 18- 9 Coach Leroy Lesile

1957-58 19- 9 Coach Leroy Lesile

1958-59 17-11 Coach Leroy Lesile

1961-62 13-10 Coach Don Berg

1962-63 18- 6 Coach Jim Gannon

1963-64 17- 9 Coach Jim Gannon

1965-66 15-10 Coach Jim Gannon

1966-67 13-12 Coach Jim Gannon

1967-68 21- 2 GREAT RECORD!! Coach Jim Gannon

1968-69 21- 4 GREAT RECORD!! Coach Jim Gannon

1973-74 15-10 REGIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach Dusty Rhodes

1974-75 17- 8 Coach Dusty Rhodes

1977-78 19- 7 Coach Mike Gillespie

1978-79 25- 5 REGIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach Mike Gillespie

SECTIONAL CHAMPS!!
Lost in Normal Super-Sectional to Quincy Sr. 47-46

1979-80 18-10 REGIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach Mike Gillespie

1980-81 20- 7 REGIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach Mike Gillespie

1981-82 17-10 Coach Mike Gillespie

1982-83 18- 9 REGIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach Mike Gillespie

1987-88 15-15 REGIONAL CHAMPS!! Coach Dan McCarthy

SECTIONAL CHAMPS!!

Lost in Aurora East Super-Sectional to Chicago Hts. Bloom Trail 58-56

EXCELLENT WORK BY THE JCHS HOOPSTERS!

—–

BASEBALL

Joliet Catholic baseball has its place in Joliet sports history. The Hilltoppers qualified for the state tournament on five occasions, bringing home a second place trophy in the school’s final year of being an all-boys’ institution. The school also opened some eyes with its performances in the early ‘80s, which earned them a place in the IHSA record books (www.ihsa.org).

1952 District Champions Coach unknown

1957 Regional Champions Coach unknown

1959 Regional Champions Coach unknown

1960 Regional Champions Coach unknown

1977 26- 7 Regional Champions Coach Roger Gifford

Sectional Champions

State Tournament Qualifiers

Beat Canton in Quarterfinals 3-1

Lost to Glenbard East in Semifinals 2-1

1980 38- 9 Regional Champions Coach Jack Schimanski

Sectional Champions

AA State Tournament Qualifiers

Lost to Winnetka New Trier East 6-0 in Quarterfinals

1981 45- 9-1 Regional Champions Coach Jack Schimanski

Sectional Champions

AA State Tournament Qualifiers

Shutout Wauconda 4-0

Lost to Chicago Brother Rice in Semifinals 7-4

1982 Regional Champions Coach Jack Schimanski

1988 34- 6 Regional Champions Coach Jack Schimanski

Sectional Champions

AA State Tournament Qualifiers

Lost to Edwardsville 4-0 in quarterfinals

1990 25- 6 2^nd in AA State Finals!! Coach Joe Rodeghero

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

AA State Tournament Qualifiers

Beat Machesney Park Harlem 10-3 in quarterfinals

Edged Oak Park-River Forest 3-2 in semifinals

Lost to Edwardsville 4-1 in championship game

WELL DONE, HILLTOPPER BASEBALL!!!!

—–

WRESTLING

The school competed on the mats and was represented by several grapplers who medalled at the state wrestling finals in Champaign.

Tom Creamens 1966 4th place 133 lbs

Pat Mudron 1966 4th place Heavyweight

Pat Mudron 1967 STATE CHAMPION!!!! Heavyweight

Fred Fey 1969 5th place 103 lbs

Scott Sheen 1985AA 6th place 126 lbs

Tony Marchio 1986AA 3rd place 126 lbs

—–

GOLF

The Hilltoppers made their mark on the links, finishing in the top three of the state meet for four consecutive springs (1957-60, including the title in 1958) before the sport was switched the fall by the IHSA in 1974. Joliet Catholic qualified for the state meet 12 times before it merged with St. Francis Academy in 1990.

1935 Catholic League Champions coach unknown

1949 District Champions

Team finished 6th in State Coach unknown

1 Kewanee 648

2 Pekin 659

3 Highland Park Deerfield-Shields 668

4 Decatur 672

5 Rockford East 678

6 Joliet Catholic 687

7 Hinsdale Twp. 692

8 Centralia 694

9 Mt. Vernon 703

Chicago Schurz 703

1951 Individual Medalist

Joe Korst—-7th in State (shot 163)

1956 District Champions coach unknown

Qualified for State Tournament

1957 District Champions

Team finished 3rd in State coach unknown

1 Rockford East 648

2 Quincy Sr. 650

3 Joliet Catholic 650

4 Northbrook Glenbrook 655

5 Arlington 658

6 Kewanee 660

7 Peoria Central 661

8 Chicago Taft 662

9 West Frankfort 666

10 Champaign 670

INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS

Jay Swardenski & Jack Thorington–tied for 9th (shot 159s)

1958 DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

STATE CHAMPIONS!!! Coach Rev. Berthold Fahey

1 Joliet Catholic 634

2 Highland Park 637

3 Waukegan 640

4 Winnetka New Trier 641

5 Barrington 642

6 Berwyn-Cicero Morton 646

7 Champaign 651

Peoria Central 651

9 Arlington 652

LaGrange Lyons 652

1959 DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

SECOND IN STATE FINALS!!!

1 Highland Park 637

2 Joliet Catholic 657

3 Arlington 661

4 Peoria Central 662

Urbana 662

6 Chicago Heights Bloom Twp. 665

7 Quincy Sr. 669

8 Rockford East 670

Joliet 670

10 Winnetka New Trier 672

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST

Frank Mores—-4th in state (shot 152)

1960 DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

3RD IN STATE FINALS!!!

1 Peoria Richwoods 663

2 Urbana 666

3 Joliet Catholic 670

4 Downers Grove 677

Elgin 677

6 Wheaton Central 684

7 Galesburg 685

8 Evanston 689

9 Crystal Lake 693

10 Alton 694

1964 District Champions Coach unknown

Qualified for State Tournament

1965 District Champions Coach unknown

Qualified for State Tournament

1971 District Champions Coach unknown

1975 INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST

Mike Komar—5th in class AA meet (155 score)

1981 AA District Champions Coach unknown

1983 AA Regional Champions Coach unknown

Qualified for State Tournament

1985 10th in AA STATE FINALS Coach unknown

1 Rockford Guilford 602

2 Edwardsville 621

3 Pekin 629

4 Deerfield 631

5 St. Charles 631

6 Springfield H.S. 632

7 Rockford East 636

8 Lake Forest H.S. 637

9 Homewood-Flossmoor 640

10 Joliet Catholic 645

1986 AA Sectional Champions

Qualified for AA State Tournament

A TIP OF THE CAP TO THE HILLTOPPERS FOR SOME FINE GOLF!!!

—–

SWIMMING

JCHS had several tankmen that came away with medals at the state finals, and even placed a team in the top ten standings in 1951.

1951 Team finished 8th in State Finals Coach unknown

Individual Medalist

(???) Talbot—3rd in 100 freestyle

1980 Individual Medalist

Dave Sims—3rd in 200 freestyle

STATE CHAMPION in 500 freestyle!!!!

1986 Individual Medalist

Michael Wiegand—9th in 200 freestyle

1987 Individual Medalist

John Rubocki—8th in 200 Individual Medley (IM)

1988 Individual Medalist

John Rubocki—11th in 200 IM

—–

BOYS TENNIS

During the 1970’s, Joliet Catholic developed a reputation for having a solid program on the tennis courts, winning several district and sectional titles. The names of the coaches from these teams are unknown, so if there is anyone that has information, please let us know.

1972 District Champions

1974 District Champions

1976 District Champions

1977 District Champions

1980 District Champions

1982 District Champions

1983 Sectional Champions

1984 Sectional Champions

1990 Sectional Champions

—–

TRACK & FIELD

The Hilltoppers offered this spring sport, even though they never had a track to really call their own to host meets…always going on the road. One Brown & Gold athlete represented the school and medalled at the state finals.

1983AA Individual Medalist

Kurt Schneider Discus—5th Place

—–

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

At one point in the late 1960’s and early ’70s, Joliet Catholic was competitive with other schools in speech, bringing home three district plaques and three more medals from individuals.

1970 District Champions

Individual Medalist

Jim Hickey After-dinner speaking—3rd place

1971 Individual Medalists

Jim Hickey After-dinner speaking—4th place

Larry Zinkiewicz Extemporaneous speaking—5th place

1972 District Champions

1973 District Champions

Memories regarding the speech program from Joseph Monshau, Class of 1969

“Under the inspired coaching of Father Cyprian Hibner, O.Carm., a number of us achieved notable success in I.H.S.A. speech competition. In addition to numerous distinctions earned by many of the team members at various invitational contests, in 1968, three of us, Frank Sanello, Paul Preston and Joseph Monshau, won medals at the district or regional levels of the I.H.S.A. State competition. In my case, Father Cyprian’s coaching laid the groundwork for the Ph.D. I earned eventually at Vanderbilt University in a closely-related discipline.”

—–

CROSS COUNTRY

Joliet Catholic High School participated in cross country. Information regarding this sport is needed.

—–

SCHOLASTIC BOWL

Before merging with St. Francis Academy, the Hilltoppers made it to three consecutive state meets, placing within the Final Four each time out, including a second place finish in 1990.

1988 35- 9 Sectional Champions Coach Daniel Puetz

State Qualifier

Beat Charleston 395-247 in first round

Defeated Murphysboro 301-219 in quarterfinals

Lost to Quincy Sr. in semifinals 384-142

(Quincy Sr. eventual state champion)

1989 30- 8 Sectional Champions Coach Br. Tom Murphy

State Qualifier

Downed Evanston 316-234 in first round

Defeated Winnebago in quarterfinals 349-190

Lost to Aurora Illinois Math & Science Academy (IMSA) 451-205

(Aurora IMSA eventual state champion)

1990 41- 3 Sectional Champions Coach Br. Tom Murphy

State Qualifier

Defeated Taylor Ridge Rockridge 371-202 in first round

Edged Springfield Southeast 256-239 in quarterfinals

Beat Carlinville 334-227 in semifinals

Lost to Aurora IMSA in championship match 365-331

—–

FAMOUS ALUMNI AND STUDENTS

There have been a number of students have walked the halls of DeLaSalle/Catholic High that went on to make their marks in the world, most of them in athletic endeavors.

George Mikan (1937-38) — Although he wound up becoming the first “big man” in the NBA, Mikan did not play prep basketball while enrolled at Joliet Catholic his freshman year. Mikan later transferred to Quigley Prep Seminary in downtown Chicago with the intention of becoming a priest, so he never did play in high school. However, DePaul coach Ray Meyer worked with him as a college freshman and turned the 6-10, 245 center into a household name. The bespectacled giant became an All-American his junior and senior years, and later went on to professional basketball where he played on four championship teams in his first six years with the Chicago Gears and Minneapolis Lakers. He was voted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1959, and served as the first commissioner of the ABA from 1967-69.

Daniel (Rudy) Ruettiger (class of 1967) — As an undersized player, Rudy was a member of the 1965 football team that went 10-0. After a stint in the military and working back home in Joliet, he decided to follow his dreams and enroll at Notre Dame for a chance to try and play for the Fighting Irish. Even with some setbacks, he worked his way thru Holy Cross Junior College (next to the Notre Dame campus) to get into the Golden Dame, then continued the same type of ethic onto the practice squad at the school. In the final 27 seconds of the last game in 1975, Rudy got into the game and made the most of his opportunity, sacking the quarterback on the final play of the game before being carried off the field. Ruettiger graduated in 1976 from Notre Dame and his life was made into a movie in 1993, starring Sean Astin. Today, Rudy is in high demand as a motivational speaker and uses his real life experiences as proof that dreams can come true.

Terry Gannon (class of 1981) — Long before he became a fixture on ABC Sports’ coverage of figure skating, Little League baseball, college football and basketball, along with World Cup Soccer and many other sports, Terry was a star for the Hilltopper hoops program, leading his teams to regional championships in his junior and senior years. From there, Gannon attended North Carolina State University on scholarship, majoring in history while leading the Wolfpack to the 1983 NCAA Division I title. He set the school record for career free throw percentage at .854, and has the seasonal free throw percentage award named after him. Gannon also shot a school record .589 from three-point range during the 1982-83 season to set the single-season mark for the Wolfpack.

Bill Gullickson (class of 1977) — After leading his Hilltopper baseball team to its first-ever state tournament appearance, the Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) used the second pick overall to select him in the June 1977 amateur draft. He came up for good in 1980, recording a 10-5 mark that season, and was 7-9 the following season when the Expos made the playoffs for the only time in franchise history. Gullickson was 17-12 in 1983 during a stretch where he recorded 10 or more wins for seven consecutive seasons. Bill also pitched for Cincinnati, New York Yankees, Houston, and Detroit, along with two seasons in Tokyo before hanging up his spikes in 1994. Gullickson’s best season was 20-9 in 1991, and wound up with a 162-136 mark in MLB history with a 3.93 ERA.

Mark Grant (class of 1981) — Just like Gullickson, Grant was a first round pick in the MLB amateur draft, just days after leading his team to a state tournament. Mark was the 10th overall choice, taken by San Francisco, and worked his way thru the Giants’ farm system before getting called up in 1984 for a late-season appearance. Grant was later traded to San Diego and had his best season in 1989 with an 8-2 mark & 3.33 ERA. He also played for Atlanta, Houston, Colorado, and Seattle during his career before quitting in 1995. Grant is still involved in the game today as a broadcaster on the Padres television network.

Tom Thayer (class of 1979) — One of the key linemen in the 1977 & 1978 seasons that won a pair of 4A state championships, Thayer wound up at Notre Dame like Ruettiger and was an honorable mention All-America his senior year. Tom went on to play professionally with Chicago and Arizona of the former USFL from 1983-85, before joining the Bears in their Super Bowl season (staying until 1992) along with a season in Miami. Thayer still has ties to the Bears organization as a color commentator on their radio network, along with being a regular with long-time Chicago radio personality Steve Dahl on the latter’s afternoon show on radio station WCKG.

Elmer (Tippy) Madarik (class of 1939) — In a time when players went both ways for the entire game, Madarik was involved with Joliet Catholic football before enrolling at the University of Detroit prior to World War II. Tippy was versatile enough to play halfback, wingback, and tailback in the single-wing offense used in the 1930’s and ’40s before it was replaced by the T-formation. Madarik played with Detroit and Washington between 1945-48 before hanging up his spikes.

Mike Alstott (1988-1990) — As an up-and-coming football player who would later be an all-state fullback at Joliet Catholic Academy, as well as star for Purdue University and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers…making the Pro Bowl six times and starting for the Super Bowl XXXVII champions. Alstott saw action on the varsity football team as a sophomore durng JCHS’ final season, and wound up with 3,877 career rushing yards in three seasons. More about the “A-Train” can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Alstott,

Jack Perconte (Class of 1972) (From the Joliet Catholic Hall of Champions)Perconte played seven seasons in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners, finishing up with the Chicago White Sox . His best season was .294 with 29 steals and 31 RBIs in 1984 with Seattle. A second baseman, he batted .270 for his career.

He played in college at Murray State University before being taken by the Dodgers in the 16^th round of the 1976 amateur draft. He’s the author of two books on baseball and the website www.baseballcoachingtips.net.

Jack was a member of the first Hillmen baseball team to capture an Illini-8 Conference Title. In 1972 as a senior he finished second in the area in batting average (.434) and first in steals (13). He was a two-time All-Conference and All-Area nominee.

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WE NEED MORE FROM YOU!!!!

We’re looking for more information about the history of Joliet Catholic High School, and we can certainly use your help. Items such as the school fight song (words and music), names of coaches and individuals, win-loss records, etc. of successful seasons, photos, and more are needed to tell the story of the school’s history prior to the merger with St. Francis Academy. Just send your information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

Joliet Catholic High School today (2006)

Now Victory Centre Senior Housing (courtesy of http://www.pathwayseniorliving.com)

Jewett High School “Redskins”

Posted on March 3, 2022March 22, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Jewett High School Building 1940 Yearbook Photo

Submitted by Rosanna Hogarty

Jewett School Building

A picture containing text, sky, outdoor, building

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The History of Jewett High School

Jewett (population 232) is located in the lower-eastern portion of Illinois in the south-central part of Cumberland County. U.S. Route 40 is the main roadway to and from Jewett. County Highways #5 and #6 also bring you to the small village. Interstate Highway 70 passes by town to the north. The Conrail Railroad also passes through town. Jewett sits about 4 miles due south of Toledo. According to the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/cumberland/villages.html

, Jewett was platted in 1870.

An excellent history of Cumberland County was located “on-line” in the form of a book titled “Cumberland County Illinois 1843 – 1993“. The book can be read in its entirety at the web address of

http://www.archive.org/stream/cumberland1843county1993lindrich/cumberland1843county1993lindrich_djvu.txt

A nice history of the Jewett school district was found on page 63 of the book. The history is copied below.

“Jewett School started with a small school, located two blocks west of the last one. The last school was built in 1881 with the help of Alfred Williams, grandfather of Bess Laughter. It was a red brick building, later a basement and furnace were added.

In 1920 the inside burned out and was rebuilt. A one, then two years of high school work was added.

A front hall was added to the entrance in 1926. A frame room was added to the north side and three year high school work was made available.

In 1928 an outside stairway was added to the basement to meet state fire codes. Later a small two story gymnasium was built of brick.”

After the third year of high school courses was added in 1926, the graduates would attend either Greenup or Toledo high schools for the fourth year of study.

It was in the late 1940s that consolidation talks arose for the many small schools in Cumberland County. It was soon determined that the schools in Jewett, Greenup, and Toledo would consolidate to form the Cumberland School District. This consolidation effort took place in the late 1940s and likely was completed in 1948 or 1949. The new high school was located in the county seat of Toledo.

Jewett continued to host grade school classes in the school building through the 1966-67 school year. The final school classes in Jewett concluded in May of 1967. The school building was then used as a community center for several years, and may still be so utilized today.

Jewett High School Quick Facts

Year GS opened: 1881

Year HS opened: 1920

Year HS closed: 1949

Year GS closed: 1967

Consolidated to: Cumberland School District (Toledo)

Jewett HS nickname: “Redskins”

Jewett HS colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

ATHLETICS & EXTRA-CURRICULARSJewett High School’s athletic and extra-curricular activities are in need of research. We could find no mention of the school’s accomplishments on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). Jewett HS team nickname, colors, fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all items we are seeking. If you have any information please contact us via the means listed below.

We do know that Jewett High School competed in boys basketball and baseball. It is likely that other extra-curricular activities such as chorus, band, FFA, FHA, and other clubs were available for the students to participate in.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Though we do not have any information regarding season records or coaches’ names for the Jewett HS basketball program we did locate one basketball score from the IHSA Tournament involving the school. This was found on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores” and is reprinted below.

1944-45 Dietrich District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Montrose 50-32

Montrose lost to Strasburg in semi-final

Strasburg beat Toledo in title game

Jewett High School Class of 1940

Submitted by Rosanna Hogarty

Memories

**From Rosanna Hogarty:

“Above is a copy of a photo of the Class of 1940 for Jewett High School in Cumberland County, Illinois. My mother is Irene Flood in the photo. She is still living at age 92. As I remember my mother telling me, Jewett HS only went to Junior year. She wanted to graduate from high school so she secretly worked for a family in a nearby town that had the 4th year of high school. It might have been Greenup High School. She went to school during the day and babysat for her room and board after school and at night. I think it was the town physician she lived with.”

Searching For More Information

Jewett High School was the pride and joy of Jewett for at least 3 decades. JHS’ many successes and achievements should not be forgotten. If you have any information you can share about Jewett High School, especially a photo of the old high school building, please send it to us. You can contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or by real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Jewett HS 1940 Yearbook Photo Compilation

Submitted by Rosanna Hogarty