Joliet Catholic Academy’s administration is proud to announce the hiring of George Shimko as the next head girls varsity basketball coach. Shimko is a graduate of St. Rita High School and St. Xavier University in Chicago. Shimko spent his college career playing at both Northeastern Illinois University and St. Xavier University; along with playing overseas.

JCA Athletic Director Mr. Jim O’Brien ’92 said, “Coach Shimko brings years (Queen of Peace and St. Laurence) of coaching experience to our girls program.  His knowledge and attention to detail in building programs perfectly fit what we are trying to do.  I am excited for the future of Angels Basketball.”

Shimko who is currently celebrating his illustrious 29^th year of coaching said “I am grateful to Athletic Director, Jim O’Brien, for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of the girls’ basketball program. I am excited to carry on the rich tradition of Angels basketball.”

QUEEN OF PEACE HIGH SCHOOL: 2013-17
Athletic Director and Head Girls basketball coach from 2013-17.
Rebuilt the basketball program in four (4) years and went from a record of 2 wins & 28 losses to the best record in the school’s history with 28 wins & 4 losses in 2017.
Queen of Peace HS also won Back to back IHSA Class 3A Regional titles in 2016 & 2017. Coach Shimko was the Regional News and IBCA Coach of the Year in 2017 as well.

ST. LAURENCE HIGH SCHOOL: 2017-23
Coach Shimko, as the Varsity head coach, established the first ever girls basketball program after the school turned coed in 2017. The program started with 17 girls and without the benefit of a freshman class.
In six seasons, he built three full levels of girls’ basketball teams and guided the Vikings to a 94-80 Varsity record and an IHSA Class 3A regional title in 2018.
In 2022, set a school record for wins with a 22-win season. The Vikings also earned IBCA All-Academic team award.

GSBS BASKETBALL: 1994-Present
George Shimko is the founder and owner of the George Shimko Basketball School which was created in 1994 and is celebrating its 29th year of youth basketball programming.
The youth basketball program located in Oak Lawn, IL is for boys and girls, 5 thru 18yrs old, and reaches about 3,500 players each year that participate in fundamental programs, weeklong camps and club teams for players in 3rd thru 12th grade.

CHICAGO BULLS BASKETBALL SCHOOL: 1998-2003
Coach Shimko designed and implemented the first ever youth basketball program for the Chicago Bulls in 1998 whereas General Manager he created the Chicago Bulls Basketball School, Bulls weeklong summer camps, Bulls overnight camps and the first ever youth Bulls basketball facility in Lisle, IL.

Shimko earned his degree in Business Administration from St. Xavier University, and is married to Miriam and together they have four children; Alex, George, Kristen and Kara.