St. Patrick

Shamrocks have talent, tradition

TOP SPORTS MOMENTS

Tops in water polo

1 Led by Dominik Przekota, St. Patrick capped an undefeated season with a 12-10 win against Fenwick for the 1997 Illinois Swimming Association water-polo state title. Przekota had seven goals. Other standouts include Ron Hernandez, Bob Leonardo, Bill Devine, Chris Rydelski, Todd Kleist, Dan Georges and Edgar Diaz. The Shamrocks also finished second in 2003.

An amazing state run

2 In 2006, the St. Pat’s baseball team made an unprecedented run at the Class AA state title. St. Pat’s, led by Mike Giller, Mike Bolger, Dan O’Donnell, Steve Yopchick, Paul Delles and Nick Luburich, had the most losses of any state finalist with 18. The Shamrocks rallied to defeat O’Fallon 2-1 in the semis, before falling to Naperville Central in the championship game 2-0.

Talented on the court

3 Led by Ray Meyer, St. Pat’s won the 1932 National Catholic Basketball title. In 1949, the Shamrocks beat Tilden for the city title. St. Pat’s has won three sectional, 17 regional and 13 conference titles. Top players include 1983 Player of the Year Len Bertolini, Frank Hollendoner, Anthony Scala, Emmett McGovern, Chris Mroz, Carlos Martinez, Keith Bunkenburg and Sam Maniscalco.

Grappling with success

4 In 2003, the wrestling team made its first trip Downstate. The Shamrocks qualifed five wrestlers: Dominic Angelo (125), Alexander Rivera (130), Kevin Hawkins (140), Mike DiNino (152) and Pat Gamboney (275). Joe Fagiano (215) and Mike Mroczek (heavyweight) won state titles in ’06 and ’85, respectively. Pat Duggan (160) took fourth in 1990.

Family affairs

5 The Ridgeways and Cermaks are two of the most accomplished families athletically. James Ridgeway won the 100-yard breaststroke state title in 2006, beating his brother Paul’s school-record time. In ’07, Michael and Patrick Cermak led the golf team to the state tourney for the first time in school history, while brothers Joe and Matt qualified four and three times, respectively.

WHAT ST. PATRICK MEANS TO ME

By Dan Santucci: Santucci played defensive end and tight end for the Shamrocks and guard at Notre Dame. He was drafted by the Bengals in 2007.

When I look back at St. Pat’s, it is my friends, the coaches and the teachers — who were just primarily family people and who taught me the values of life — that stick out. St.Pat’s really has a camaraderie about it.

My favorite memories are definitely Friday night football games at Hanson Stadium.

Most of my memories have to deal with football — from working out in the weight room to practicing. It is something I will never forget.

Honestly, my greatest memory has to be the second-round playoff game against Hubbard my senior year. There were a couple of thousand people there, and for a Chicago-area game, that is something. We may have lost, but it was a hard-fought game.

I will also never forget our win over Holy Cross my senior season. It was called the Battle of Belmont back then. A lot of my friends from my grade school, St. Francis Borgia, were on Holy Cross.

I also remember going to Friday night basketball games and being part of the ‘‘Stud Section.’’ I played basketball my first year there but decided to focus on football and baseball.

Still, all the football players that didn’t play basketball would go to the games together. It was kind of a bonding thing we did on Friday nights. We were there supporting the basketball team, which is a big part of St. Pat’s. It was a small gym, but it was always packed. It was fun.

I keep in touch with a lot of people still at St. Pat’s. They were all really great. I just connected really with all of them — from the teachers to the coaches to the students. I really enjoyed my time at St. Pat’s and have a lot a good friends from there. They are all like family to me.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

•   Five members of the band ‘‘New Colony Six’’: James ‘‘Chic’’ Chitkowski, Ray Graffia, Wally Kemp, Pat McBride and Gerry Van Kollenberg.

•   Jack Cloherty: Senior producer, ‘‘Dateline NBC.’’

•   Dr. Steve Gryzlo: Cubs team physician.

•   Pat Levar: Alderman (45th Ward).

•   Joseph Lyons: State representative (19th District).

•   Tim Mayerbock: Heroic Northern Illinois lineman.

•   Tim McGarigle: Former Northwestern linebacker; NCAA record-holder for tackles in a career.

•   Ray Meyer: Legendary DePaul basketball coach.

•   Frank Pellico: Blackhawks organist.

•   Phil Stefani: Owner, Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants.

•   Dan Santucci: Former Notre Dame offensive guard, currently with Cincinnati Bengals.

•   Lowell I. Stahl: Co-founder of Century 21 Real Estate.

•   Jacob Zachar: Actor.

Location: 5900 W. Belmont, Chicago

Conference: East Suburban Catholic

Colors: Green and gold

Nickname: Shamrocks

Enrollment: 913 (boys)

State titles: 1 (water polo)

Behind the name: Named after the patron saint of Ireland.