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FALL / WINTER / SPRING
ST. LAURENCE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Success Tradition Leadership
St. Laurence Athletics
I am excited and honored to serve as the Athletic Director at STL as we enter our
50th year of varsity athletics. The past 50 years have seen great success for the Vikings,
including State Championships in football in 1976, water polo in 1987, wrestling in
1990, and hockey in 2004. We are a member of the highly competitive Chicago Catholic
High School Athletic League, the oldest continuous high school conference in Illinois.
St. Laurence offers 14 sports at the varsity and club level. Nearly 70% of our students
participate in one of these sports, while almost half of these students compete in more
than one sport. Even though our athletics are highly competitive, we make sure that all
of our student-athletes and coaches have their priorities straight, which are: 1. God, 2. Family, 3. Academics,
and 4. Athletics.
As the Athletic Director, I have the privilege of working with the best group of coaches you will find at
any high school. The coaching staff at STL is comprised of dedicated, passionate, and caring individuals that
are not just concerned about wins and losses, but also are focused on developing our young men into leaders
who are ready to face the greater challenges of life. We have many veteran coaches with years of experience,
and we are excited about the new additions to our coaching staff, including Harold Blackmon (football),
Larry Kluk (golf), Brian Daly (wrestling), Kevin McSweeney (hockey), and Tom Hopkins (lacrosse). We also
welcome aboard a number of new assistant coaches who have strong coaching and playing pedigrees.
While I could continue to boast about our Athletic Program, it is best that you come to see all of the excitement
in our athletics for yourself. We invite all Junior High students to attend any of our home athletic contests
free of charge. Also, most of our programs offer camps and/or clinics throughout the school year and summer
that give you a great opportunity to see what it is like to be a Viking. Finally, all of our coaches will be
available at our open houses to answer any questions you may have about a particular sport. Their contact
info can also be found in this brochure.
For up-to-date sports schedules and the latest news in Viking Athletics, please visit
www.athletics2000.com/stlaurence.
Go VIKINGS!
Best Regards,
Tim Chandler
Athletic Director
FOOTBALLMISSION STATEMENT
The Viking Football program is committed to helping our young men develop as people, students, and athletes. Our goal is to have every player leave our program as a better and more enlightened person than when he arrived. Our program’s foundation is built on family, trust, dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance.
HEAD COACH
Harold Blackmon enters his first season as the Viking’s Head Football Coach. Coach Blackmon brings a wealth of coaching experience with him. During his coaching career,
Coach Blackmon has coached in NCAA Division III, High School, NCAA Division I and also in the National Football League. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Coach Blackmon was an All- Catholic, All-State, and Blue Chip Illustrated All-American Quarterback in High School before accepting a full athletic scholarship
to Northwestern University. During his tenure, Coach Blackmon went on to break Northwestern University’s all time pass break up record in his junior year with 24. After his collegiate career, Coach Blackmon was drafted in the 7th round by the Seattle Seahawks, where he played for two seasons under Coach Mike Holmgren. In 2008, Coach Blackmon accepted a position at North Park University, where he coached the Defensive Line for two seasons. He assisted both of his defensive ends in having the most productive seasons of their career. Coach Blackmon has a passion for coaching and feels his biggest asset is that he truly has a concern for the betterment of every player in his program. His motto is, “You work hard for me for four years, and I’ll work hard for you for forty years.”
PROGRAM SUCCESS
11 time Chicago Catholic League Conference Champions
4 time Prep Bowl Champions
1976 IHSA State Champions
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
31 NHS members, 7 Student Council
Officers, and 1 Student Council President
in the past 5 years
VIKINGS PLAYING IN COLLEGE
2009 Grads: Keegan Wetzel, Naval AcademyJake Gregus, Northwestern UniversityAnthony Rispoli, St. Xavier UniversityAaron Gyrion, Illinois CollegeJake Rotkvich, Lake Forest UniversityMatt Cahill, St. Norbert CollegeRoy Roja, Quincy UniversityAustin Romero, Trinity International University
2010 Grad: Cormack Mulcahy, St. Norbert College
2011 Grads: Steve Fiorella, University of Iowa John Litrenta, Olivet Nazarene UniversityJason Venckus, University of Central MissouriGordon Przislicki, Rockford College
2012 Grads: Dan Cronin, Case Western Reserve UniversityAndrew Javorka, Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBrendan McCann, Illinois Wesleyan University
FOOTBALL: CONTACT COACH BLACKMON | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 242 | Email [email protected]
FALL ATHLETICS
SOCCERHEAD COACH
Nathan Grosse, BA, University of Nebraska at Omaha, is entering his seventh year with the program and his third year as head coach. The winner of the 2011 Lawless
Award for the Chicago Catholic League, Coach Grosse brings 14 years of coaching experience to St. Laurence, including work at the high school and competitive club levels in Missouri, Nebraska, and Perú. He holds a National D License from the United States Soccer Association and has over 26 years of club, high school and collegiate playing experience that he brings to St. Laurence. He was a member of the Burke High School (Omaha, NE) varsity team that made two state tournament finals appearances (’96 and ’97). The 1996 team earned a No. 2 national ranking in USA Today. Coach Grosse continued his playing career at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO and eventually finished his collegiate career on the club team at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In the classroom, Coach Grosse is a member of the Foreign Language Department, teaching the 3rd and 4th year Spanish courses, as well as 2 courses of Spanish for Native Speakers.
BUILDING A TRADITION OF
EXCELLENCE
St. Laurence soccer is building a tradition of excellence on and off the field, including success in recent years in the very competitive Chicago Catholic League. Having won Chicago Catholic League titles in 2008, 2011, and 2012, the program continues efforts to compete on the highest level of high school soccer and gain respect not only in the Catholic League, but across the greater Chicago area.
Undefeated in league play for 2011 and 2012, the program seeks excellence through an increasingly difficult schedule every year. That excellence is driven by development of a strong work ethic in the players, along with a passion for and a knowledge of the game. However, the program focus moves beyond soccer, centering on the development of the entire person not only athletically, but academically and spiritually as well.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
2008, 2011, and 2012 Catholic League
Champions
10 Catholic League All-Conference
recipients in the past 3 years
Peter London ’12 CCL Lawless Player of
the Year Award winner
4 IHSA All-Sectional honorees in the
past 3 years
2011 IHSA Sectional Sportsmanship
Award winner
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
In the past 5 years, the STL Soccer Program has produced 3 Valedictorians, 3 Student Body Presidents, and 23 members of the National Honors Society.
VIKINGS PLAYING IN COLLEGE
2007 Grad: Matt Madera, St. Ambrose University
2009 Grads: Humberto Valencia, Benedictine UniversityAlberto Mendez, Benedictine UniversityRobert Miller, Benedictine University
2011 Grads: Hector Valenca, Benedictine UniversityDiego Carrasco, Dubuque University
2012 Grads: Peter London, Dominican UniversityKonor Tempel, Monmouth University
SOCCER: CONTACT COACH GROSSE | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 425 | Email [email protected]
FALL ATHLETICS
CROSS-COUNTRY
GOLF
COACHING STAFF
Cross-Country has been a highly success-ful program at St. Laurence. In 1976, Terry Murphy, a 1968 STL grad, took over an already successful program as head coach.
By 1981, the team had its first lower level CCL Championship; and, in 1983, it won the Varsity Championship and qualified to send its first team down state. The coaching staff has won three Lawless Awards (CCL top coaches) and multiple league championships and has sent over 30 runners to the State Meet. The 2007 and 2008 cross country teams
were the most recent CCL Champions, and Ryan Sheeran was the latest Viking to qualify for the State Meet in 2010.
OUTSTANDING RUNNERS
Two of St. Laurence’s greatest CC runners
were 1984 grads Pat Tierney and Chris
O’Donnell. All-staters in high school, the
duo went on to Loras College, where they
earned All-American honors in CC and
Track. The 1989 team saw Pasquale Perez
make All-State and become a two-time
Lawless Award winner. Perez attended
Lewis U. Tim Newman was the CCL
Champ in 1998 and was an All-Conference
runner at St.Joseph’s. Aaron Mihaljevich
captained the 1993 Champions and
attended the Air Force Academy. Ed Quinn
(’90), Manny Gonzalez (’06), and Ryan
Sheeran (’10) all were top Regional or
Sectional Runners for STL.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
Since becoming a part of the IHSA in 1974, St. Laurence has qualified the full team out of the Regional 34 of 38 years.
Recent Chicago Catholic League Championships - 2006, 2007, 2008
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
6 NHS members, 2 Student Council Members, and 1 Student Council President in the past 5 years
FALL ATHLETICS
MISSION STATEMENT
The goal of the St. Laurence golf program is to improve the golf skills and knowledge of each participant. We hope to ensure that each young man takes away the important lessons of good sportsmanship and proper etiquette that will serve him well in future years. While accomplishing these objectives, we also intend to be competitive in both the Chicago Catholic League and IHSA contests.
HEAD COACH
Lawrence Kluk, M.S. Ed, M.S. has been coaching golf at St. Laurence since 2003, and he is in his first season as Head Coach. He is a retired Financial Planner and former
teacher with a lifelong love of golf and working with young people.
ASSISTANT COACH
This is Paul Carvey’s, Ph.D., first season at St. Laurence, but he is no stranger to youth golf, having served as the Director of Youth Instruction at Silver Lake CC for 31 years. Paul is the retired Dean of Rush University and teaches part-time at the school.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
IHSA Sectional Qualifiers - 2012
IHSA Regional Champs - 1979, 1980, 1982, 1991
IHSA Sectional Champ - 1982
IHSA State Tournament - 1982 (14th place)
Jordan Velez qualified for the State Tournament as a Freshman last year
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
3 NHS members and 3 Evans Scholars in the past 4 years
CROSS COUNTRY: CONTACT COACH MURPHY | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 459 | Email [email protected]
GOLF: CONTACT COACH KLUK | Phone 708.954.7022 | Email [email protected] COACH CARVEY | Phone 708.921.7942 | Email [email protected]
BASKETBALLMISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the St. Laurence basketball program is to teach our young men life lessons and to prepare them for their futures through the game of basketball. With the dedication and hard work that it takes to be a member of this program, our student-athletes will leave with a better understanding of how hard they must work to succeed in life.
HEAD COACH
Mark Sevedge is the eighth head coach in the basketball program’s illustrious 49 year history. Sevedge is a 1998 graduate of St. Laurence High School, where he was
a 3-year member of the varsity basketball team. He capped off his career as part of a Regional Championship team during the
’97-’98 season with a comeback victory over Oswego High School. Sevedge was a captain both his junior and senior seasons and was later named as one of the top 50 players in St. Laurence basketball history. After his career at St. Laurence, Sevedge attended Eastern Illinois University where earned a degree in English, and he later earned his teacher certification from Trinity Christian College. Sevedge began his coaching career as a varsity assistant for one season before serving as head sophomore coach for 5 years. He has spent the past 3 seasons as the Head Varsity Coach and has finished his ninth season overall at St. Laurence High School. He also coached 6 years in the baseball program.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
5 time Catholic League Champions
11 time IHSA Regional Champions
2 time IHSA Sectional Champions
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
9 NHS members and 2 Student Council Officers in the past 5 years
VIKINGS PLAYING IN COLLEGE
2010 Grad: Sam Passarelli, Carthage College
2011 Grads: Dave Sherman, St. Ambrose UniversityRich Finger, St. Ambrose UniversityTim McGinty, Benedictine UniversityMike Schick, Moraine Valley Community College
2012 Grad: Ryan Risley, Dominican University
BASKETBALL: CONTACT COACH SEVEDGE | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 255 | Email [email protected]: CONTACT COACH FABER | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 213 | Email [email protected]
WINTER ATHLETICS
BOWLING HEAD COACH
Joe Faber has been the Head Bowling Coach for the past 6 years. Coach Faber learned his craft under the tutelage of the house pro at the old Miami Bowl. He has competed in
a number of top leagues and local tourna-ments. He is assisted by Coach Bill Gaichas. Both Coach Faber and Coach Gaichas are full-time faculty at St. Laurence.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
2004 IHSA Sectional Champions
7 time Catholic League Champions
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
8 NHS members in the past 5 years
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Saint Laurence bowling program prides itself on developing young bowlers and maintaining a highly competitive team each season. The program features 3 levels of activity: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and an in-house practice league, totaling over 60 students a year. The varsity team is one of the elite programs in the Catholic League. The team has finished in the top tier in each of the past six seasons. In four of those seasons, individual members qualified for the state finals. The team competes in an 11-match league schedule, as well as several tournaments and the state playoffs. There are usually 6 bowlers on the varsity squad with averages in the mid 180’s.
The junior varsity is also one of the elite teams in the Catholic league. The JV has finished in the top tier in each of the last 6 seasons. This past season, the team finished first in the league. The JV team competes in an 11-match league schedule and the conference championships. There are usually 6 or 7 bowlers on the JV with averages around 160. The in-house practice league operates every Tuesday from November through January. All members of the varsity and junior varsity, as well as student bowlers hoping to improve their games, participate in this league. Over the past six seasons, several of our graduates have gone on to compete in college programs. This past year, our senior anchor bowler, Kyle Feret, was awarded a bowling scholarship to Saint Ambrose University.
HOCKEYPROGRAM OVERVIEW
The St. Laurence Hockey program is structured to create a team atmosphere. The development of each player’s skill is our main priority. Hockey is a physically demanding sport that requires extreme dedication by each player during the regular season and in the off-season. St. Laurence hockey players wear the Viking crest with pride on and off of the ice. Team unity is vital to a successful program. Many St. Laurence graduates from this program have come back to assist in the training and progress of this team. This exemplifies the loyalty and dedication of our past players.
HEAD COACH
Kevin McSweeney, a 1978 graduate of St. Laurence who went on to attend Lewis University, is in his first year as the Vikings’ Head Coach. He previously served as an assistant coach at
Marist High School from 2004-2006. Kevin has been a member of the Illinois Hockey Officials Association (Level 3) for 10 years, and he has coached club hockey and house hockey teams from Mite – Midget levels.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
Blackhawk Cup State Champion (White Division) - 2004
Blackhawk Cup 2nd Place - 1981
Chicago Blackhawks Award: Chris Moore (2005)
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
Chicago Blackhawk Scholarship Winners:• Keith Johnson (1991)• Sean Carter (1993)• Joseph Moore (1996)• Craig Hensley (2000)
2012 St. Laurence Valedictorian Cameron Ivey
WINTER ATHLETICS
WRESTLING: CONTACT COACH DALY | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 402 | Email [email protected]: CONTACT COACH McSWEENEY | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 404 | Email [email protected]
WRESTLINGMISSION STATEMENT
The mission of our St. Laurence wrestling team is to wrestle for Christ and train leaders from the inside out.
HEAD COACH
For close to a decade, Brian Daly competed as a top Nationally-Ranked Wrestler, where he was twice invited to the largest Division I NCAA Tournament. Brian brings a unique
coaching style that focuses on the athlete’s inner game, as well as the skills and techniques of wrestling. Brian is an author and has coached with some of the world’s largest training & development companies. Brian is the President of Awakened Athletes, Inc. and Team Impact International. He is also the recipient of the United States Marine Corp Award.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Justin Curran currently serves as an officer in the United States Army and comes to St. Laurence as a Big Ten Academic All-American, a nationally ranked wrestler in his 2 years as a starter for Indiana University, and a medal winner at the Midlands. Also, Justin has coached for the University of Chicago and is a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School.
Wally Bzdyk has been dedicated to the St. Laurence wrestling program for over a decade. He is an ambassador to the sport of wrestling, investing in our grade school and high school teams. Wally is a Viking alumnus and has coached multiple state qualifiers and IHSA state medal winners.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The wrestling program has a storied history
and is on the way back to the top of the
ultra-competitive Chicago Catholic League.
The talented and experienced coaching staff
places an emphasis on developing the whole
person, spirit, mind, and body. With this
emphasis, the expectation is that all of the
wrestlers will excel in the classroom, on
the mat, and, most importantly, in their
spirituality. Under the tutelage of the
coaching staff, the values and principles
instilled in these athletes over 4 years will
result in the emergence of strong leaders who
are ready to take on any of life’s challenges.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
10 time Chicago Catholic League Champions
5 time IHSA Regional Champions
1990 IHSA State Champions
1 US Olympian and 3 US Olympic Trials participants
Joe Wood placed 4th in the 2012 NCAA Championships for Loras College
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
2 Student Council Presidents, 3 Student Council Officers, and 6 NHS Members in the past 3 years
BASEBALLMISSION STATEMENT
St. Laurence baseball works to instill a love and passion for the game within each of our players so that their efforts will earn them a skill level and knowledge of the game unsurpassed by any other program. The St. Laurence baseball program is committed to the full development of every student-athlete academically, spiritually, and athletically. To accomplish this, we require our players to adhere to a demanding in-season schedule, while maintaining high academic and athletic standing at St. Laurence and within the community. St. Laurence baseball players continually strive toward their individual potential by committing to personal and team goals and recognizing that learning is a lifelong process.
HEAD COACH
Pete Lotus enters his eighth season as the Viking’s head coach with an impressive record of 191-61. In his first 7 seasons, Lotus and his staff have turned St. Laurence into one
of the state’s elite programs, consistently being ranked in the top ten in the state of Illinois. The Vikings have captured five Chicago Catholic League Championships and 5 IHSA Regional Championships in Lotus’ seven seasons. Lotus has sent 39 players on to college programs, including 11 at the Division I level. Lotus’ teams have averaged 29 wins a year and have produced 34 1st or 2nd team All-Area and 5 All-State players in just 7 years. Last year’s team won 30 games, the 2nd highest total in school history, and captured the school’s 9th IHSA Regional title. In Coach Lotus’ first season, the Vikings won their first League and Regional championships in 13 years. For his efforts, Lotus was awarded the Anthony Lawless award for most outstanding coach
in the Chicago Catholic League. Lotus was also heralded as the Daily Reporter’s “High School Coach of the Year.” Lotus won his 2nd Lawless award in 2008 after the Vikings went a combined 13-1 in Catholic League play. Lotus garnered back-to-back Lawless awards by being named “Coach of the Year” in 2009. In guiding the 2011 Vikings to the Blue Division Championship, Lotus won his unprecedented 4th Anthony Lawless “Coach of the Year” award. A 1994 graduate of St. Laurence, Coach Lotus came back to St. Laurence in 2003 and serves as the Division Dean of the Science and Physical Education departments, teaching Anatomy and Biology classes and serving as the intramural director. In 2008, Lotus was recognized as the Blessed Edmund Rice “Distinguished Teacher of the Year.”
PROGRAM SUCCESS
Catholic League Champions - 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
IHSA Regional Champions - 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
Over the last 7 years, St. Laurence Baseball has produced:
61 National Honor Society Members
39 Student Council Officers
4 Student Council Presidents
3 Valedictorians
39 Intercollegiate Student Athletes
34 1st or 2nd team all-area players
5 All-state Players
39 VIKINGS PLAYING IN COLLEGE
SINCE 2006
2006 Grads: Glenn Fischer, Benedictine University (IL) Dan Jedlowski, Benedictine University (IL)Joe Musolino, Lewis University (IL) Joe Scumaci, Lewis University (IL) Joe Prohaska, St. Francis University (IL)
2007 Grads: Matt Foley, Bucknell University (PA) Rob Froio, Lafayette College (PA) Christian Ramierez, College of DuPage (IL) Brian Staatz, St. Joseph College (IN) Dan Wood, Wabash College (IN)
SPRING ATHLETICS
BASEBALL: CONTACT COACH LOTUS | Phone 708-458-6900 ext. 245 | Email [email protected] MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.stlaurencebaseball.com
2008 Grads: Chris Dronzek, Western Illinois University (IL) Jim Eldridge, Dominican University (IL) Garry Flavin, Dominican University (IL) Bill Miller, Rose-Hulman University (IN) John Pikes, Moraine Valley College (IL) Tom Simek, St. Xavier University (IL)
2009 Grads: Jeremy Legania, Chicago State University (IL) Mike Witas, St. Francis University (IL) Bill Wood, Wabash College (IN)
2010 Grads: Josh Johnson, University of Illinois– Springfield (IL) Tom Keating, Northern Illinois University (IL) Scott Koziol, St. Xavier University (IL) John Rafferty, Murray State (KY) Joe Sadowski, Prairie State College (IL) Jim Topps, University of Buffalo (NY)
2011 Grads: Mike Chimera, St. Francis University (IL) Brian Cummane, St. Ambrose University (IA) Charlie Naso, University of Illinois (IL) Tom Samansky, St. Ambrose University (IA) Bryan Villanova, St. Xavier University (IL) Kyle Wood, Purdue University (IN)
2012 Grads: Nick Altobella, University of Alabama- Birmingham (AL) Brandon Mallder, Northern Illinois University (IL) Joel Rotkvich, Lewis University (IL) Declan McCarron, St. Joseph College (IN) Pat Pokrovac, North Park University (IL)Andy Skora, College of DuPage (IL) Matt Skora, College of DuPage (IL) Mike Solofra, Mesa Community College (AZ)
SPRING ATHLETICS
VOLLEYBALLHEAD COACH
Tom Loulousis is a 1996 graduate of St. Laurence High School. He has over 20 years of playing experience and 15 years of coaching experience. Coach Loulousis was the
2012 Lawless Coach of the Year Award Winner in the Chicago Catholic League.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The St. Laurence Volleyball program is dedicated to providing strong leadership and competitive experiences, which provide students the opportunity to
develop athletic skills, knowledge of the game, teamwork, sportsmanship, and character. The focus of the program is to educate and guide students from fundamental to advanced skills. Our student-athletes are encouraged to strive for excellence – on the court, in the classroom, and outside the walls of St. Laurence High School. St. Laurence Volleyball, through a committed coaching staff and athletic department, provides an environment where students are challenged to succeed, inspired to achieve, and instilled with a sense of pride and tradition that exists in the St. Laurence community. The STL volleyball program competes at the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels, giving students in all grades an opportunity to be a part of the program.
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
14 NHS members and 3 Student Council
Officers in the past 5 years
VOLLEYBALL: CONTACT COACH LOULOUSIS | Phone 708.805.7085 | Email [email protected]
TENNISPROGRAM OVERVIEW
The St. Laurence Tennis program strives to maximize each athlete’s physical, mental, and emotional skills in order to achieve his highest competitive level. Our goals are also to instill sportsmanship and respect towards players, coaches, and parents; develop a life-long love for the game of tennis; provide a competitive, yet welcoming, environment that enhances social skills and promotes teamwork; and create positive relationships in the community through various service projects.
HEAD COACH
TBA
OUTSTANDING PROGRAM
Chicago Catholic League Champions -
1967, 1968, 1969, 1975, 1997, 1998
IHSA Sectional Champions - 1998
The past couple of seasons have seen a
young team make tremendous strides in the
prestigious Chicago Catholic League. With
the continued hard work and dedication
of the team, the tennis program is poised to
continue their ascent to the top of the
conference standings.
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
11 NHS members in the past 4 years
SPRING ATHLETICS
TRACK AND FIELDPROGRAM OVERVIEW
Track and Field is one of the most popular sports at St. Laurence, with 75-100 students participating yearly. The coaching staff has a wealth of experience, and as a result, the team consistently finishes in the upper-echelon of the largest conference in Illinois, the 15 member CCL.
HEAD COACH
Terry Murphy is a 1968 STL grad and has been Head Varsity Coach since 1983. Murphy attended Loras College and Chicago State U. He has had great success with
the distance program in track, producing many state qualifiers and athletes who have gone on to become collegiate All-Americans.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Assistant Coach for the past 15 years, Brian Vollan has seen a tremendous amount of success from his throwers.
He has produced many Conference Champions and All-Staters, including defending Catholic League Champion Mike Hyc. No group of athletes has been more successful than the weightmen. Vollan is a graduate of Dakota Wesleyan and is currently head of the Math Department. Brian learned his craft under the tutelage of Coach Walt Shields, STL ’79, an All-Stater, All-Big Ten athlete at Purdue who, while coaching at his alma mater, produced 5 All-Staters of his own.
Assistant Coach for the past 15 years, and former head basketball coach at STL, Dennis Freyer coaches the long, triple, and high jumpers and has produced a number of award winners, including All-Stater Keegan Wetzel ’10. Freyer is a Chicago State grad and former head of the History Department.
Assistant Coach for the past 10 years, Dave Rafter is a Lewis U. grad and head of the English Department. He has produced a host of talented sprinters over the last 10 years, including Phil Hodur (Lewis), Robert Miller (Benedictine), and Dan Capparelli (EIU).
SCHOLAR ATHLETES
26 NHS members, 5 Student Council
Officers, and 2 Student Council Presidents
in the past 5 years
VIKINGS COMPETING IN COLLEGE
2010 Grad: Pole vaulter Josh Hodur cleared 17 feet competing in the Big Ten Championships for the University of Illinois.
2011 Grad: Hurdler Mike Judd finished 3rd nationally for UW-Whitewater.
TRACK AND FIELD: CONTACT COACH MURPHY | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 459 | Email [email protected]: CONTACT ST. LAURENCE FOR MORE INFORMATION | Phone 708.458.6900
SPRING ATHLETICS
LACROSSEPROGRAM OVERVIEW
The St. Laurence Lacrosse program will allow each participant to have a great lacrosse experience from the time he enters the program as a freshman through graduation. The lacrosse program will develop each player’s skills and knowledge of the game and provide each player with the opportunity to achieve his highest level of success as a student-athlete. All student-athletes will work hard in a competitive atmosphere in order to develop character, accountability, and responsibility. The ultimate goal of the program is to make each player understand the importance of being a student-athlete and a team member, in both lacrosse and in the classroom.
HEAD COACH
Tom Hopkins enters his first season as STL’s head coach. Last year, he worked at all levels of the Vikings’ program as an assistant coach. He played high school lacrosse at
St. Rita, where he was a member of the Mustangs’ first lacrosse team in 2006. He was named Defensive MVP for the Mustangs and All-Conference during his senior high school season and also played in the State of Illinois All Star game. Tom then went on to play at Division III Trine University, formerly Tri-State (2008-2011), where he was a 4-year lettermen and a member of the All-Conference team his senior year. He currently coaches the 7th and 8th grade Beverly spring team and also runs the Chicago Finest club lacrosse program. Tom holds a B.A. in Communications from Trine.
PROGRAM SUCCESS
4 NHS members and 1 Student Council
Officer in the 1st year as a varsity sport
STL LACROSSE RECORD
2010 - JV team, 13-2 record (Catholic B Division JV Champs)
2011 - JV team, 15-0 record (Catholic B Division JV Champs)
2012 - Varsity team, 8-8 record
VIKINGS PLAYING IN COLLEGE
2010 Grad: Pat Foley (GOALIE), St. Norbert College
2011 Grads: Kyle Healy (LSM, DEFENSE), Davenport UniversityVinnie Del Cerro (ATTACK), Illinois State UniversityKyle McNicholas (ATTACK), Illinois State UniversityJosh Rotkvich (LSM, DEFENSE), Illinois State University
2012 Grads: Alex Oliver (DEFENSE), Illinois State UniversitySteve Sladek (DEFENSE), Benedictine University
LACROSSE: CONTACT COACH HOPKINS | Phone 708.458.6900 ext. 407 | Email [email protected]
Facilities
St. Laurence boasts some of the finest athletic facilities in Illinois. All of our facilities are on our 23-acre campus. Each facility is fully enclosed, providing maximum security for our athletes during practice and competition.
KAVANAGH STADIUM
This state of the art facility was built in 2008
and is home for Vikings football, soccer,
lacrosse, and track. The playing surface is
Field Turf, and there is a world-class track
that surrounds the field. Kavanagh Stadium
has lights that allow football, soccer, and
lacrosse all to play games at night. A
state-of-the-art scoreboard was installed
when the stadium was overhauled, and
there is seating for 1,250 fans.
VIKING FIELD
One of the premiere baseball stadiums in
high school athletics, Viking Field was
completed in 2008. Amenities include
in-ground dugouts, a brick backstop, a
2 story press box, 2 turfed batting cages,
and a 3 mound bullpen. The field also has
a 14-foot tall berm spanning from left-field
to center-field that is a great place for
watching games. Atop of the berm is a large
state-of-the art 9-inning scoreboard and
message center.
GYM
The spacious gymnasium has been recently
updated with new bleachers and a fresh
coat of paint. Also, brand new main and
auxiliary scoreboards are being installed for
the 2012-13 basketball, wrestling, and
volleyball seasons. The gym holds 1,600 and
has a great environment for sporting events.
CHARLES GRUNHARD FITNESS
CENTER
The 2,500-square foot Charles Grunhard
Fitness Center was made possible by Tim
Grunhard ’86, former Pro-Bowl center of the
Kansas City Chiefs. The fitness center is
equipped with exercise machines and weights
that can accommodate up to 65 people.
TENNIS COURTS
Four full-size tennis courts are situated on
the west end of campus. They are recently
renovated, hard-surface courts that are
utilized by our tennis team in the spring.
PRACTICE FACILITIES
STL has two grass multi-purpose practice
fields situated near Kavanagh Stadium and
Viking Field. One field is equipped with
football goalposts and the other with soccer
goals. There is a discus throwing area on one
of the practice fields, and there is also a shot
put area between the tennis courts and track.
5556 West 77th Street • Burbank, Illinois 60459 • (708) 458-6900www.stlaurence.com
