Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet Catholic or JCA) is a coed Catholic High School located in Joliet, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet. One of the oldest Catholic high schools in the Chicago area, Joliet Catholic is perhaps best known for its prowess in football. Since the advent of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state football playoffs in 1974, JCA has won more state football titles than any other team in the state, with 13 as of 2007.
The modern school is itself the result of a merger between the all-girls St. Francis Academy and the all-male Joliet Catholic High School, which itself was formerly known as DeLaSalle High School for Boys. It is this merger that results in the school's shared affiliation with the Carmelites and the Joliet Franciscan Sisters.
The Joliet Franciscan Sisters opened St. Francis Academy in 1869 as an all-girls school. The academy was founded in a small stone building convent by Mother Mary Alfred Moes, who later would help found the Mayo Clinic. In 1923, the school moved to the campus of the University of St. Francis, which had opened in 1920. In 1956, the school moved to the building at 1200 N. Larkin, which is the current site of JCA.
George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago, had the De La Salle Christian Brothers create a new high school for boys as a part of their renovation of St. Patrick Church in Joliet. The school opened in 1918 as DeLaSalle High School for Boys with only two classrooms in the parish center, but moved to a new building in 1927. In 1933, the Carmelites took possession of the school, at which time, the school became Joliet Catholic High School.
In the summer of 1990, Joliet Catholic High School and St. Francis Academy merged to form the modern Joliet Catholic Academy.
In terms of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the school offers Biology, Chemistry, U.S. History, Government and Politics, and European History. The school also offers one of the two courses in AP English and AP Calculus.
While there are no AP courses offered in foreign languages, students who take a fourth year of study in Spanish, French, or Latin may opt to take the appropriate AP test. There will, however, be an AP French class offered to seniors starting in the 2014–2015 school year.
The men's teams at the school are referred to as the Hilltoppers, the same named used by the former Joliet Catholic High School, while the girls teams retain the name used by St. Francis Academy; the Angels. The school is a member of the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
The school sponsors teams for men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Men also compete in baseball, football, and wrestling, while women also compete in softball, and cheerleading. The school also has a competitive dance team, which does not compete under the auspices of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
The football team host home games at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective state championship series sponsored by the IHSA:
Baseball: 3rd place (2007–08); 2nd place (1989–90, 99–2000, 03–04); State Champions (1993–94), (2008–09), (2012–13)
Football: 2nd place (1992–93, 96–97, 09-10, 11-12); State Champions (1975–76, 76–77, 77–78, 78–79, 81–82, 87–88, 90–91, 99–2000, 00–01, 01–02, 03–04, 04–05, 07–08)
Golf (boys): 3rd place (1956–57, 59–60); 2nd place (1958–59); State Champions (1957–58)
Softball: 4th place (1987–88)
Volleyball (girls): 4th place (1998–99, 2005–06); 3rd place (1986–87, 2006–07); State Champions (2003–04, 07–08, 08-09, 09-10)
Basketball (girls): 2nd place (2013–2014)
Of special note, the football team has won more football titles than any other team in the state. Since the start of the IHSA State Tournament for football in 1974, JCA has qualified for the playoffs 33 times (as of 2009–10 season)
James Otteson (Class of 1986) is a philosopher and economist. Currently he is Executive Director of the BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism, and Teaching Professor of Political Economy, at Wake Forest University. He is also a Research Professor in the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom and in the Philosophy Department at the University of Arizona and a Senior Fellow at The Fund for American Studies in Washington, D.C.
Melissa McCarthy is an award-winning actress, starring in the films such as Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy (2015 film) and the television series Mike & Molly.
Joe Benson (Class of 2006) was drafted after his senior year of high school by the Minnesota Twins with the 20th pick in the second round (64th overall) of the 2006 MLB draft. Made his major league debut on September 6, 2011 for the Twins. His first major league hit was a single off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer on September 10, 2011. He began the 2012 season with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings.
Sean Bergman, former MLB player (Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins). A pitcher, he threw a shutout for the Tigers against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 11, 1995.
Kevin Cameron (Class of 1998) is a former MLB pitcher who played for the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics. Appeared in 69 games over his MLB career. Was rated 72nd in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects and made all-state and all-area selections in 1998. Also set an Illinois state playoff record with 20 strikeouts in a game. Cameron was drafted out of high school by the Chicago White Sox organization in the 42nd round of the 1998 MLB draft, but elected to attend Georgia Tech on scholarship instead. Cameron was drafted again in the 2001 MLB draft by the Minnesota Twins in the 13th round (377th overall pick).
Mark Grant (Class of 1981) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1984–1993 and is now the color commentator for the San Diego Padres. Grant was selected in the 1st round of the 1981 MLB draft as the 10th overall selection by the San Francisco Giants.
Mike Grace, former MLB player (Philadelphia Phillies).
Bill Gullickson (Class of 1977), former MLB pitcher (Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers). Selected as the second pick of the 1977 MLB draft, Gullickson spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, winning 162 games. His 18-strikeout game for the Expos is still a record for the franchise, which is now the Washington Nationals.
Chris Michalak, former MLB player (Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds).
Jack Perconte, former MLB player (Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox). A second baseman, he had 180 hits and 29 stolen bases during the 1984 Mariners season, batting .29
Terry Gannon (Class of 1981) played college basketball at North Carolina State, where he was a member of Jim Valvano's "Cardiac Pack" national championship-winning team in 1983. During his four-year career, (1981–85), he was a two-time Academic All-American and NC State's all-time leading free throw shooter. In 1983, he was the #1 three-point shooter in the nation. After a short basketball career in Europe, Gannon turned to broadcasting on the advice of his coach "Jimmy V."
Ed Mikan was a professional basketball player, playing in the BAA and its successor, the NBA (1948–54). He was the fifth overall pick in the 1948 BAA draft.
George Mikan (Class of 1942) Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 and nicknamed Mr. Basketball, Mikan was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mikan had a successful player career, winning seven NBL, BAA and NBA championships, an All-Star MVP trophy, three scoring titles and being member of the first four NBA All-Star and the first six All-BAA and All-NBA teams. Mikan was so dominant that he caused several rule changes in the NBA, among them the widening of the foul lane — known as the "Mikan Rule" — and the introduction of the shot clock. One of the founding fathers of the American Basketball Association, served as the league's commissioner. Played a critical role in the founding of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mikan made the 25th and 35th NBA Anniversary Teams of 1970 and 1980 and was elected one of the NBA 50 Greatest Players in 1996. Since April 2001, a statue of Mikan shooting his trademark hook shot graces the entrance of the Timberwolves' Target Center.
Allie Quigley (Class of 2004) currently plays in the WNBA as a member of the Chicago Sky and won the 2014 and 2015 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Award. She attended DePaul University and received honors such as Conference USA Freshman of the Year as well as two-time first team all Big East.
Mike Alstott (Class of 1992) was an NFL fullback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was a member of the team which won Super Bowl XXXVII. He also played fullback for the Purdue Boilermakers where he was three-time MVP and set nearly every school and several conference rushing records.
Coby Fleener (Class of 2007) was drafted with the second pick of the second round (34th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Was the 1st tight end taken in the 2012 draft. Attended Stanford University where he started at tight end for the Cardinal. Was an all-conference, all-area, all-state and all-academic honoree his senior season at Joliet Catholic Academy.
Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger (Class of 1966) is a motivational speaker best remembered as the inspiration for the film Rudy. An early part of the film shows him playing football at Joliet Catholic.
Tom Thayer (Class of 1979) was an NFL offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, and was a member of the team which won Super Bowl XX. He is currently a radio color commentator for the Chicago Bears.
Josh Ferguson (Class of 2011) Josh played football at the University of Illinois as a running back. Going undrafted he was later signed by the Indianapolis Colts for preseason. He proved he belonged and now is on the Colts roster.
Swimming
• David Sims (Class of 1980) was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team in the 1500 meter Freestyle. He was a member of the USA Swimming National Team from 1980 to
1986. At Stanford University, he was a NCAA All-America from 1981 to 1984.
Kelly Murphy Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2008. Played Division 1 volleyball at the University of Florida. Represented Team USA in the 2016 Rio Olymipic Games winning a bronze medal.
Bob Zak (Class of '79) is a radio personality who has performed on a variety of stations in the Chicago market including WJRC, WCCQ, WJOL, I-Rock, WKKD, WJTW, WCSJ as well as Chicago's WCFL, WCKG, Star Station, and Y107.9-The 70's station, among others.
Gordie Gillespie was the football coach from 1959 to 1985, leading the school to five state titles. He has also served as the head baseball coach at the University of St. Francis (1977–1995 and 2006–present). He is the all–time leader in baseball coaching victories among American college coaches, recording his 1,800th career win on April 3, 2009. He was named NAIA "Baseball Coach of the Century", and was named by the Chicago Tribune as the Head Football Coach for the "All-Time Illinois High School Football Team".
