Marian Matters (Winter 2013)

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MARIAN

Matters

A Newsletter for Marian Catholic Alumni, Parents and Friends. . . Because Marian Catholic Really Does Matter WINTER 2013

Athletic Director, Dave Mattio ’66,

STEPS DOWN AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, O.P. presents a commendation for years of service from the Illinois House of Representatives to Dave Mattio ’66 at halftime of the December 7 basketball game. Mattio was joined by his wife, Jody, and football alumni who came to surprise their coach with a Disney World trip and special celebration in the Leadership Center.

Dave Mattio ’66, the 19th winningest coach in IHSA history with a 252-241 (.644) record, has spent the majority of his life on Marian Catholic’s campus. A 1966 graduate of Marian Catholic, the Northern Illinois University graduate returned to Marian Catholic on the football staff in 1971 and assumed the reins of the program in 1976. “It goes without saying that spending 42 years doing something you really enjoy and appreciate is not the norm for today’s society,” Mattio said. “It has always been my belief that those who represent Marian Catholic have been ‘woven from a special cloth.’ My thanks go out to those great student-athletes who have so positively represented this high school in the great sport of football. Your impact on Marian Catholic High School will never be underestimated and your influence on my life will always be treasured. “None of the past 42 years would have been possible without the fine support group of family and friends. Special thanks to my parents whose sacrifices taught me many of life’s lessons. Most importantly, a very heartfelt ‘thank you’ is extended to my beautiful wife and my best friend. Thanks, Jody, for allowing me to be a ‘kid chasing dreams’ for the last 42 years,” Mattio concluded. Mattio’s teams have made 20 IHSA playoff appearances, capped off by the 1993 Class 4A state championship and made another appearance in the 5A title game in 1999. His squad also captured the 2000 Chicagoland Prep Bowl and made one other Prep Bowl titlegame appearance. The Spartans have compiled seasons of .500 or better in 31 of the 37 campaigns, including 22 in a row. Under Mattio’s leadership, Marian has won seven conference championships in the Illini-8, East Suburban Catholic, and Catholic Metropolitan Blue. His squads have made four overall IHSA state semifinal appearances, played in six Chicagoland Prep Bowls, produced six seasons of 10 wins or more, and turned out numerous All-State players and media Players of the Year.

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Hall of Fame

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Whether carrying the title of alumni, parent, educator, or volunteer, all six individuals to be inducted into the Nineteenth Annual Hall of Fame on Thursday, February 7, at Olympia Fields Country Club have shown a remarkable commitment to molding students academically and spiritually. Their commitment to Teaching Scholars with a Soul will continue to have a strong influence upon current and future Marian Catholic students for years to come.

Three who will be recognized are Marian Catholic alumni who continue to use the skills originally cultivated on the Chicago Heights campus. Three others, of whom two are Dominican Sisters of Springfield, are educators with impeccable records for what they do in and beyond the classroom. All of these inductees are tremendous models of leadership in their own right.

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JERRY VERDE ’95 IS MARIAN CATHOLIC’S SEVENTH FOOTBALL COACH Marian Catholic graduate Jerry Verde has been named to lead the Spartans as their seventh coach in history. The 1995 Marian alum also led the Spartans to the IHSA Class 4A state title as a linebacker in 1993 (a 13-6 victory over Geneseo Darnall). “I am excited to come back to Marian and begin working on the football program,” Verde explained. “Marian Catholic has always been a special place for me. It’s a great honor being named head football coach of the Spartans, after Dave Mattio’s retirement from the program.”

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