JCA announces 2022 Hall of Champions-Athletics Inductees

Joliet Catholic Academy inducted the eighth Hall of Champions class in a ceremony this afternoon in the Warning Innovation Research Center. This year’s honorees continue to highlight the depth of tradition and talent on and off the playing fields that the Angels and Hilltoppers have produced over the years.

The previous classes made up a “Who’s Who” of athletics in the Joliet area with Gordie Gillespie, Bill Gullickson, Allie Quigley, Patricia Carbery, Tom Thayer, Mike Alstott, Terry Gannon, Mark Grant, Dave Sims, Pat Mudron, Pat Sullivan, Liz Tortorello-Nelson, Jane Condon, Kelly Murphy, Mark Parker, Chris Scheibe, Dan Sharp and Jack Perconte among them.

JCA’s Hall of Champions pays tribute to the boys and girls athletes, coaches and contributors from the three schools that make up JCA: De La Salle (1920-1933), Joliet Catholic High School (1933-1989) and St. Francis Academy (1869-1989). JCA was established July 1, 1990.

This year’s class, introduced by JCA president/principal Dr. Jeffrey Budz and athletic director Jim O’Brien, includes Ronald Boyter ’67, Dave Douglas ’75, Mike Grace ’88, Samantha (Tortorello ’02) Haas, Annemarie Hickey ’10, Mike Kolodziej ’02, Jared Voss ’92, and J.R. Zwierzynski ’02. The morning was highlighted by tours of the school, were honorees spoke to current JCA students about their athletic journey. The afternoon featured Mass presided by Fr. Brian Henden, O.Carm., followed by a luncheon and induction ceremony in the Warning Innovation Research Center.

Ronald Boyter ‘67
Joliet Catholic High School
Coaching

  • Graduated in 1967 from Joliet Catholic High School as the first student athlete to be named 1st Team All-conference in three sports – baseball, basketball and football.
  • Earned a full scholarship to play basketball and baseball at Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona earning four varsity letters.
  • Teacher, counselor, assistant principal and head basketball coach for 23 years at Sahuarita High School in Arizona.
  • Conference “Coach of the Year” in 1981, 1984 and 1996 along with 3 appearances in the 3A Arizona State Championship games.
  • Inducted into the Sahuarita High School Hall of Fame in 2004.

Dave Douglas ‘75
Joliet Catholic Academy
Football Coach
Softball Coach

  • During his 37-year tenure as an assistant and associate head football coach at JCA, he has been a part of ten IHSA State Championships and four runners-up.
  • Over 100 JCA offensive linemen have continued their careers at all levels of collegiate football under his direction.
  • Head girls’ softball coach from 1990-2016; led the Angels to 527 wins, including nine regional softball titles.
  • Coached badminton, baseball, wrestling and served as head girls basketball coach during his time at JCA. 
  • Inducted into IHSA Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021.

Michael Grace ‘88
Joliet Catholic Academy
Baseball

  • Joliet Herald News and Chicago Tribune 1988 All-Area Team.
  • Tenth round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1991 out of Bradley University.
  • Class AA “Pitcher of the year” for the 1995 Eastern League Champion Reading Phillies.
  • Threw 2 complete game MLB shutouts against the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves (5/12/96) and the defending World Champion New York Yankees (9/2/97).
  • MLB record of 16-16 with a 4.96 ERA.

Samantha (Tortorello ’02) Haas
Joliet Catholic Academy
Volleyball

  • 2001 Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year while at JCA.
  • 2002 Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Penn State University.
  • 2005 Big Ten Player of the Year.
  • 2003, 2004, 2005 AVCA All-American.
  • 2006 USA Volleyball National Team member.

Annemarie Hickey ‘10
Joliet Catholic Academy
Volleyball

  • 2009 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois for JCA; led the Angels to back-to-back state championships in 2008 and 2009.
  • The University of Wisconsin Badgers Women’s 2013 Volleyball Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
  • 2013 University of Wisconsin Division I Final Four tournament appearance.
  • Recipient of the “Bring It!” award (prestigious honor of badger volleyball) in 2013.
  • Assistant coach to the University of Wisconsin 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball National Champions.
  • 2022 American Volleyball Coaches Association “30 under 30” coaching award winner.

Michael Kolodziej ‘02
Joliet Catholic Academy
Football

  • Starter at defensive line and tight end on the JCA football 2000 and 2001 IHSA Class 5A State Championship teams.
  • 2001 Chicago Metropolitan Conference 1st Team along with being named All-Area 1st team in the Chicago Sun-Times and the Joliet Herald News.
  • 2001 IHSFCA Class 5A 1st Team All-State; Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Star Newspapers 1st Team All-State
  • All-American Awards from Riddell and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game.
  • 2002-2006 University of Michigan 3-year letterman, 2-time Big Ten Champion; three Rose Bowl appearances.

Jared M. Voss ‘92
Joliet Catholic Academy
Baseball Coach

  • Since 1999, coached the Hilltopper baseball team to over 600 career victories.   
  • Hilltopper teams have earned 34 IHSA state playoff trophies and 8 East Suburban Catholic Conference titles during his tenure.
  • Named JCA Alumni Association’s 2014 Rev. Patty McGowan Award Honoree for Athletic Excellence.
  • Coached the Hillmen team to three state championships in 2009, 2013 and 2022.
  • Inducted into the 2015 Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association and the 2019 East Suburban Catholic Conference Halls of Fame for achievement and accomplishment in coaching high school baseball.

Jeremy (J. R.) Zwierzynski ‘02
Joliet Catholic Academy
Football

  • Member of the 1999, 2000, and 2001 Hilltopper Football State Championship teams, graduating as the school’s all-time rushing leader and all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (89).
  • At JCA, earned the 2001 Illinois Gatorade Player of The Year Award and was First Team USA and Prep-Star All-American. Also played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game.
  • Won the Butkus Award and was a finalist for the High School Heisman Award.
  • Earned Academic All-Big Ten Honors in 2004 at Penn State University, where he played linebacker for four years.
  • At Western Illinois University, named to the Gateway Conference All-Newcomer Team at tight end and earned Honorable Mention All-Region Honors from the Football Gazette in 2006.

JCA is grateful to the following individuals/businesses that have sponsored this event and have been generous in their contributions: Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. (Chris Adler), Brown & Brown of Illinois (Brent Wagner), Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, LLC (Frank Cservenyak) and D’Arcy Motors (Terry D’Arcy).

Click Here to view the 2022 Hall of Champions-Athletics program.

This year’s honorees will also be recognized at halftime of the JCA football game on Friday, September 2 vs. Immaculate Conception at Joliet Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.


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