Worldwide Kristallnacht, or Obama's 'Just Some Random Jews'

I don't have a Nobel Prize.  Yet. Could happen.  A former Illinois State Senator, currently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in D,C. has one.  He's the very same gent who asked me 'Where's the Gate?," when asked to climb into the boxing ring at an amateur boxing show in the old Saber Room on 95th Street in Hickory Hills, Il.  In 2000, this celebrity trophy presenter did not remember that one climbs through the ropes of the square ring - pretty confusing in itself, for some, that term.  Barack Obama is now Mr. President.

Back then in 2000, Illinois State Senator Barack Obama was looking for any opportunity to get his face and name out there - that's politics.  My task that night was to steer our celebrity trophy presenters to ring just before the bout -" Senator,  the referee will raise both kids' arms because it is an exhibition.  I'll have both trophies near by on the canvas - hand one to each and then give your spiel."

Illinois State Representative Kevin McCarthy(ret.), a Leo Class of 1968 went before Mr. Obama. Prior to McCarthy, two Chicago alderman and Chief Tim McCarthy who dove in the path of bullets meant for Ronald Reagan awarded trophies to the kids.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to be and future leader of what we then called The Free World, asked me, "How do I get in there? Where's the gate?"

I smiled that sort of busy " YOU GODDA BE$HIDDING ME smile and then realized that Senator Obama was confused.

"You climb through the ropes, like in Rocky and all those boxing movies, Senator."

"Oh."

He was fine after that, but he was later elected President and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

I mentioned this incident when people asked me why I could not back Obama for President; they said, " Who are you? Some @#$%ing genius?  Anyone could get they wrong."  True, maybe this guy can be President.


Well,  here we are in 2015!.

A little girl was murdered by ISIS(L) only hours ago.  A Jordanian pilot was put to the torch last week.  Japanese gents were beheaded.

The guy who looked for the gate at the Saber Room blamed Crusades.

More importantly 70 years after Leo High Graduates like Lou Knox killed SS men in Italy, Bernie Ingersoll recovered from Battle of Bulge wound and three score and more of their schoolmate gave their lives, Jews are refugees once again.

There is a worldwide Kristallnacht ( The Night of the Broken Glass) signalling another wholesale slaughter of Jews.  This Kristallnacht is not sparked by the cries of Seig Heil nor limited to German states but by an prayer ( Takbir) shouted allahu akbar! This atrocity is worldwide and religious.

President Obama is the same young ambitious guy who does what he is told. President Obam is told to do everything by Valerie Jarrett; simple as that.

Jews are fleeing Paris, London, Berlin and even Dublin 

Here is Barack Obama's reply to the Retro Exodus, PRESIDENT OBAMA: "My first job is to protect the American people. It is entirely legitimate for the American people to be deeply concerned when you've got a bunch of violent, vicious zealots who behead people or randomly shoot a bunch of folks in a deli in Paris. "

That's the Obama I know - whithout Valerie Jarrett he'd go on and on " Jews are folks - random folks.
Islamist savages are just bunch of knuckleheads . . .probably Tea Partiers and Ferguson haters . .  religious zealots like Catholics through history . . .who burn and lynch black folks, lie Dr. Ben Carson and Col. Allan West . . .as American as a Clinton Eastwood western . . .random Jews can go whereever they want . . .not to Gaza . . .or here . . . random Jews aren't Dreamers . . ." until 2017, when he boards Air Force One to Hawaii.

Obama still looks for the gate.

Leo High School Mourns the Passing of Emanuel Steward

Leo Boxing Coach Mike Joyce, President Dan McGrath and the Leo Boxing Team lead the Leo High School Community in saying good by to a great friend and mentor - Boxing Legend Emanuel Steward.Steward, who has been hospitilized since September, had been had been suffering from diverticulitis, though he reportedly had contracted colon cancer.Steward was known for running Kronk gym, where he bred champion fighters like Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. Over the years he also trained world champions Michael Moorer, Evander Holyfield, Oliver McCall, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. andOscar De La Hoya.
He was a father figure to dozens of other boxers, whom he trained by day and parented by night. In recent years he became known for his commentary during HBO-TV's boxing matches.

Emanuel Steward's last stop before entering Chicago hospital was at  the Celtic Boxing Gym in Mount Greenwood run by Leo Coach Mike Joyce, where the two great trainers watched over some young talent. Kids first.



Christ welcome home a great son.

Muhammad Ali Lights Up London!

The nattily attired young gentleman with his mug facing his Grandpa is Master Jake Joyce of Chicago, IL.  Jake is the son of Jamilah and Mike Joyce.  
Mike's father-in-law, The Toast of London and the World, gave him sound counsel on marriage, boxing, and fatherhood -


Young Master Joyce did not accompany Gramps to London.

Muhammad Ali is so hot that following his last birthday celebration the site of that fete - the fabled Franconello's at 102nd & Western here in Chicago - was closed due to fire.  CFD officials determined the cause of fire to be caused by a gas leak, but this attendee feels the cause may have more to do with the boxing luminaries collateral effect upon the environment.

Muhammad Ali lit up London last night -The handout photo provied (sic) by Beyond Sport shows soccer player David Beckham, right, and former boxer Muhammad Ali, center, together at the Beyond Sport Summit in London to present the inaugural Generation Ali Beyond Sport Award. The boxing legend and the former England captain presented the award, which recognizes Service, Leadership, and Action in the community, to Matiullah Haidar at The Grange Hotel, London. (AP Photo/Action Images for Beyond Sport

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/25/3722367/column-in-olympic-london-muhammad.html#storylink=cpy

LONDON -- Muhammad Ali moving people to tears by starring again, however briefly, at the Olympic opening ceremony - this time in London? That really would be something.
Only ceremony director Danny Boyle and a few well-informed others will know for certain if British newspapers are wrong with their speculation that Ali could play a role on Friday night.
He surely won't, as he did at the Atlanta Games, light the Olympic cauldron. Ali, 70 and imprisoned by Parkinson's disease, seems far too frail for that now. And one imagines that Boyle, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, is clever enough to realize that it would be foolish and crass to try to recreate that Atlanta moment as poignant and powerful as anything that happened on the Olympic fields of play in 1996.
But even a glimpse of Ali in London's Olympic Stadium would be, well, just wow. The former heavyweight champion's presence this week in London - he attended an award ceremony on Tuesday - seemed to lend credence to the notion that he might somehow be involved on Friday.

Young Master Joyce is seen here with the late Angelo Dundee who mentored and trained Grandpa - a surrogate Great Grandpa Angelo.
Jake's Dad runs the Leo Boxing club and Celtic Boxing*.
here on the south side of Chicago and is responsible for mentoring a score of Golden Gloves Champions, Pro Boxer Thomas Hayes, Team USA Boxing Captain Lamar Fenner, U.S. Army Boxing Captain, Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran Sgt. Marvin Carey and beautiful mother and sisters run both Jake and Dad - as intended.

God Bless this family and every family.

*

Celtic Boxing Club Gallery

The Celtic Boxing Club of Chicago had it's beginnings on the city's South Side in 1993. Due to the success of the program, Coach Mike Joyce started a youth outreach program at his alma mater Leo High School to help troubled teens get on the right path in life.

The Leo High School Boxing club was formed in 1996 and has evolved over the years into one of the finest boxing programs in the US. Here we have collected images of the both of the clubs. The first gallery is at Leo High School. The next two pertain to Coach Mike Joyce and Chicago's Celtic Boxing Club.

Click on the image to enter the galleries.

 http://www.celticboxing.com/Chicago-celtic-boxing-club-gallery.php

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/25/3722367/column-in-olympic-london-muhammad.html#storylink=cpyhttp://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/25/3722367/column-in-olympic-london-muhammad.htmlhttp://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/25/3722367/column-in-olympic-london-muhammad.htmlhttp://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/25/3722367/column-in-olympic-london-muhammad.htmlY

Beverly Review's Great Coverage of Tom Zbikowski's Leo Boxing Workout!

The Beverly Review is a great neighborhood newspaper. Local School news and sports are especially well covered. Last week, NFL Star Tom Zbikowski of the Baltimore Ravens returned to the second floor boxing gym at Leo High School for an open workout that was also recorded by the NFL Network for an upcoming feature.

Tommy Z has been a familiar fixture around the halls of Leo, having worked out and sparred with Leo Boxers for years.

Much thanks to the great staff of the Beverly Review! Pick up a print copy at County Fair or Kean Gas here in the Hood or, better yet subscribe on line - click my post title for The Beverly Review

by Scott Fredericks

National Football League (NFL) players are accustomed to attending spring mini camps at this time of the year, but with the NFL in the midst of a lockout, most players are looking for something else to do.

That wasn’t a problem for Baltimore Ravens safety and former Notre Dame University star Tom Zbikowski, who has resumed his pro boxing career.

Zbikowski stopped at Leo High School for a workout on April 15 in preparation for his next fight and also to help promote Leo Boxing Night, which will raise money for the Officer Eric Lee Scholarship Fund. He’s enthusiastic about being in the ring.

“The opportunity was there, so I had to take it. I’ve been watching the sport closely for the last few years waiting to get back in,” said Zbikowski, who started six games and recorded 19 tackles before suffering a shoulder injury last season. “It’s been a lot of fun, and nobody will be in better shape than me when football comes back. Every time I’ve done serious boxing after football, I’ve had my best seasons. You know the season’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of when the lockout ends.

“Boxing always made me a better football player. When you go into a fight, everything has to be working together with the footwork and balance. Those are the attributes you need to have on the football field as a defensive back.”

Zbikowski isn’t just another athlete giving a different sport a try. He has excelled in the ring since he was young. Zbikowski competed in 90 amateur fights, posting a 75- 15 record in those bouts.

Zbikowski turned pro in 2006 when he was still at Notre Dame. He received permission from the NCAA to compete in a pro boxing match. Zbikowski needed only 49 seconds to dismantle Robert Bell in his first professional fight at Madison Square Garden.

“I didn’t play football 365 days a year when I was younger,” said Zbikowski. “As an athlete, you always had other sports to play. There is nothing like being on the football field on Sundays, and there are no words to describe what it feels like to get in the ring. I want this to last as long as I can.”

Zbikowski is getting his money’s worth during the lockout. He has posted a pair of victories already and has three more fights scheduled in the next three months, including a bout against Blake Warner in Las Vegas on April 23.

Legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward is working with the talented two-sport star. Zbikowski said that experience has been a thrill.

“As soon as I walk in, we just start working, and you can see why he is the best,” said Zbikowski. “This dude has a rhythm, and he knows how to get the best. He’s going to take what the fighter has and make you better. He won’t change anything, but he will find things that work.”

Mike Joyce, Zbikowski’s manager and the Leo High School boxing coach, said Zbikowski has been an avid supporter of the Leo football and boxing programs, donating money and equipment to both sports.

Joyce also said he thinks Zbikowski could be one of boxing’s best if boxing were his main focus.

“If he was boxing full time, I think he’d go all the way,” said Joyce. “He’s been fighting since he was 9 years old. He has some ring rust from being away from the ring so long, but he has all the tools.”

Joyce said the Leo Boxing Night will be held at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., in Merrionette Park, on May 10 at 7 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Eric Lee Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Lee, a Chicago Police officer, was a 1981 graduate of the school who was gunned down in the line of duty.

For tickets or more information, contact Joyce at (708) 227-8425.


This is part of the April 20, 2011 online edition of The Beverly Review.

Leo Boxing Night Will Support Leo High School Officer Eric D.Lee Memorial Scholarship

Boxing legend Emanuel Steward gives life lessons to Leo Men in October 2010.


Today at noon, Baltimore Ravens Safety and Heavyweight Boxing Pro Tommy Z - Tom Zbikowski will hold a workout in the Leo High School Boxing Gym. Leo Boxing coach Mike Joyce has guided Tommy since the Pro NFL Star and Boxer was nine (9) years old. This workout will be filmed by the NFL Network for an upcoming broadcast. Attending this event will be Leo Boxers, local press, and most importantly Mark Lee and his mother, Mrs. Anna Lee.


Mark Lee is a Leo Alumnus. In 2001, Mark's brother Officer Eric D. Lee was killed in the line of duty. Mark established a Memorial Scholarship in the name of Eric D. Lee to benefit families in need of help meeting the costs of tuition.

Tommy Zbikowski has boxed with the Leo Boxing Club, while a high student and athlete, through his great career as an All-American at Notre Dame and trained for his first professional fight at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2006, right here in the gym on the second floor of Leo High School. Tommy Z has supported both the Leo Boxing and Leo football programs.

The school is literally alive with ongoing academic, mentoring, college placement and career counselling programs. This Catholic high school for boys has been serving young men like Officer Eric D. Lee, CPD, who was a member of the Leo Track Team and Class Valedictorian. Eric Lee gave his life defending his community.

Mark Lee and the Lee family are pumping more energy into this 86 year old young school. The Lee Family lives by the Leo Motto of Facta Non Verba - Deeds Not Words.

Get active and come and support the Eric D. Lee Memorial Scholarship for Leo High School and take in some great boxing on May 10th at 115 Bourbon Street - Chicago's Charity Venue!

Leo Boxing Night at Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park on May 10th which will benefit a Scholarship in the Memory of Fallen Chicago Police Hero - Officer Eric Lee (Killed in the Line of Duty).

Leo Boxing Night 115 Bourbon Street 3359 West 115th Street Merrionette Park, IL 60803 (708) 398-8881

Donations $ 20 at the door Contact Leo Boxing Coach Mike Joyce ( 708) 227- 8425 for more information or to pre-order reserved seats.

Name: Lee, Eric D.
Star: 16947
Rank: Police Officer
District / Unit: 007 District (Englewood)
End of Watch: 19-Aug-2001
Incident Details: Officer Eric D. Lee was shot and killed as he and two other tactical officers attempted to aid a citizen.

Officer Lee and his partners were on a special patrol in the Englewood neighborhood when they spotted a man being beaten in an alley. They rushed to assist the victim and announced they were police. One of the fleeing assailants unexpectedly fired, striking Officer Lee in the head.

Several suspects were apprehended and held for questioning. The shooter was charged with the murder of a police officer. On January 23, 2004, Officer Lee's killer was found guilty of first-degree murder. On September 17, 2004, he was sentenced to life in prison. On November 22, 2005, following many continuances, the Cook County Criminal Court judge balanced the scales of justice and denied Officer Lee's killer both motions for a new trial.

Officer Lee was a 9-year veteran officer, a former Marine with a magna cum laude university degree, whose personnel file spoke to his nine years of good judgment on the job. He had volunteered to be a tactical officer, an especially dangerous line of police work. He had passed up his once-every-month options to “bid out” of Englewood for easier duty in a less stressful district. Friends said he liked the people of Englewood, enjoyed the uphill struggle to make their lives safer. Eric Lee became the 4th tactical officer to be shot to death in Chicago in 2 years.

His wife, 6-year-old daughter, parents, two brothers, and a sister survive Eric Lee.


http://www.cpdmemorial.org/fallen_hero/po-eric-lee-16947

Tommy Z Fights in AC tomorrow night on HBO - Leo Boxing Coach Mike Joyce is in His Corner!

Leo Boxing Coach Mike Joyce will be in Tommy Z's corner tomorrow night at Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City, NJ. Tommy will be fighting for another victory in his professional boxing career that paralles his NFL career as a safety for the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens safety and former Notre Dame captain Tommy Zbikowski*, Chicago wishes undefeated WBA/IBF featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, Miami, Florida good luck during media day in Atlantic City Thursday. Gamboa gets set to battle challenger Jorge Solis, Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday, March 26, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Zbikowski will also take on Caleb Grummet in a special attraction heavyweight bout. Highlights from Zbikowski’s fight will be shown during the telecast. Gamboa vs Solis is promoted by Top Rank, in association with Arena Box and Caesars Atlantic City and will be televised on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.

*

Thomas Michael Zbikowski was born on May 22, 1985 in Park Ridge, Illinois, the youngest of four children born to Edmund Richard Zbikowski and Susan Lois (née Schatz) Zbikowski. His siblings are Kristen Nicole Zbikowski, Edmund Joseph "E. J." Zbikowski and Stephen Zbikowski, who died in infancy in 1980. He is of Polish descent on his father's side of the family and of German descent on his mother's side of the family. He grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He attended Greenbrier Elementary School and Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights, Illinois and then high school at Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. He graduated from Buffalo Grove in 2003. He played youth football with the Buffalo Grove Bills during elementary and middle school. At Buffalo Grove High School, he played quarterback where he set the school records in scoring (202 total points), and rushing (2357 yards, 7.4 average, 32 tds) before becoming a defensive back as well.

[edit] College careerHe went to the University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, he had a very productive collegiate career. He was an all-independent safety for 2 of his 4 years.

[edit] BoxingOn June 10, 2006, Zbikowski made his professional boxing debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City, beating his opponent, Robert Bell of Akron, Ohio, by TKO within 49.0 seconds of the first round. The fight was compliant with NCAA guidelines.[citation needed] Bell, who is an Ohio State fan, wore an Ohio State football jersey into the ring. He signed a three-fight contract and has one fight left. Zbikowski boxed a three-round exhibition fight against Ryan St. Germaine on March 2, 2007 at the Belterra Casino & Resort, Belterra. After the 2008 NFL season he decided to put his boxing career on hold to focus on football.

On March 12, 2011, Zbikowski returned to the ring for the first time since 2007, taking on 1-2 35-year-old Richard Bryant in Las Vegas, amidst ongoing NFL labor contract discord.[1] Zbikowski won by TKO after 1 minute 45 seconds in the first round of the scheduled four-round fight.[2]

[edit] Professional boxing record2 Wins (2 knockouts), 0 Losses 0 Draws 0 No Contest[1]
Res. Record Opponnent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
N/A N/A Caleb Grummet - - (4) 2011-03-26 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 2-0 Richard Bryant TKO 1 (4), 1:45 2011-03-12 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 1-0 Robert Bell TKO 1 (4), 0:49 2006-06-10 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Zbikowski's Professional debut.

Another knockout!

Boxing Legend Emanuel Steward Schools Leo Students

Legendary Boxing trainer Emanuel Steward visited the students at Leo High School to talk about personal commitment and work ethic only hours before his fighter Andy Lee took down another opponent at Hammond’s Horseshoe Casino, on Friday October 1st*.

Mr. Steward met with nearly one hundred Leo High School students in the Leo Boxing facility. Boxing Coach Mike Joyce introduced the man who trained such boxing greats as Thomas Hearns, Miguel Cotto, Vladimir Klitschko, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Andy Lee. Mr. Steward told the Leo Men about a boxer’s day that begins and ends with hard work. Vladimir Klitschko, Steward explained, dances for eighty minutes, before he begins his morning’s workout, in order to temper his balance. Boxing is not all hitting and Emanuel Steward to the Leo students that European boxers concentrate much more on boxing basics -balance, footwork and timing – much more than hitting and are therefore better schooled than American fighters. Emanuel Steward, as a trainer, does much to correct that and has opened his own boxing gymnasiums in Detroit and Phoenix.

Mr. Steward spent the better part of hour talking to Leo Men about committing themselves to their school work and developing a strong work ethic. Mr. Steward’s words were reflected in the victory of middleweight boxer Andy Lee (25-1-0, 19 KOs) over Troy Lowry (27-12-0, 11 Kos) by TKO when the Referee stopped the fight in the 3rdRound.
The training by Emanuel Steward will make Andy Lee the next Middleweight Champion; the words to the students of Leo High School by Emanuel Steward will help make committed and courageous scholars, athletes and citizens.

*Lee-Lowry: Photo/Report By Jacob Chavez at ringside
Photos by John Booz

Rising star Andy Lee (25-1-0, 19 KOs) of the middleweight division stayed active with an annihilation of Troy Lowry (27-12-0, 11 Kos) Saturday night at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN., just 15 days after scoring a TKO over Michael Walker. This victory secures a proposed meeting against fellow Irishmen, John Duddy at Madison Square Garden in December. In Lee’s corner was Legendary trainer Emanuel Steward and IBF Junior Middleweight champ, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage. The fights were promoted by Bobby Hitz, who also celebrated his birthday before the cheering of the entire crowd.
Lee got right down to business, using his height and a stiff jab to set up Lowry with wicked left. Lowry appeared very willing to mix-it up with Lee but had no game plan as to how to shorten the distance. After a very one sided opening round, things only got worse for Lowry, as a big right to the ear dropped him seconds into round two. Lowry got up shaken more than hurt, but he was limited to ineffective counter punching.

In round three there was another knockdown scored by Lee, courtesy of a quick three-punch combo to Lowry’s head. Midway into the stanza, there was a flash knockdown after another right-hook tagged him. The game Lowry got up but the frustration on his face was very apparent. Lee looked to end it in round four. He came out loading up on heavier punches and setting up the left uppercut with the jab. With a minute into the round, a left to the body hurt Lowry and he dropped in complete agony. Surprisingly, he got up but Lee was waiting to pounce. After enduring some more punishment, it seemed as though Lowry would survive the round, but seconds before the bell, the final right to the head dropped Lowry hard. He got up once again but was unable to continue when questioned by Referee Celestino Ruiz. The official time was 2:59 of round four.

Leo Men Never Box at Air - St. Paul, Support and Boxing as a Christian Prayer

“So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.” – 1 Corinthians 9:26

"Well, it's a contact sport, and you're going to get hit," Mayweather said. "You got to suck it up and keep on fighting." -Floyd Mayweather

Yesterday, I toured members of the Leo High School Jubilee Class of 1960 following the April 30th Leo Banquet at the Lexington House in Hickory Hills, IL. This annual event is the template for alumni events and the empirical evidence of the support and love for our Catholic high school at 7901 South Sangamon.

There were about forty Leo Men and their wives shepherded by Chicago Fire Commissioner (ret) James T. Joyce and classmate Larry Bahnaman. We viewed the Leo Hall of Fame, the cafeteria which once served as the annex chapel for St. Leo Parish, classrooms, the storied Leo 3rd Floor Gym and the now famous Leo Boxing Room.

One 1960 Classman questioned the propriety of promoting the violent sport of boxing -'Should Christians try to knock one another out?"

God, Yes! St. Paul was a jockstrap and 1 Corinthians attests to athletics as prayerful path to spiritual power. The Greek for sports was Agonistes. The Struggle - The Battle. This is not some New Age Path to Enlightenment. Christ got nailed to a Cross after being spat upon, scourged, kicked and reviled, The Square Ring is a Crucifix for young scrappers. No excuses.

The guy rolled his eyes and asked, "Is the pool still open?"

No sir. Locked up. I am sorry but we had pipe damage and it is very costly. Not many kids ask to swim these days, but more than one third of the school box. They understand Agonistes.

In the gym, Jim Joyce and Larry Bahnaman informed the group of Leo's need to get its walk-in freezer replaced so the kids can be sure of lunch. It will cost upward of $ 5,000. Some blow? Not to Leo Guys.

Last night Floyd Mayweather had his knees buckled by Shane Mosely in the 2nd Round, but came back to win the decision.

The Class of 1960 stays in the fight - all Leo Men do. They don't box at air.

Leo Lions Honor Commitment and Courage: William Koloseike Man of the Year!

I am on my way over to Leo High School to welcome home the 104 members of the Class of 1959, after the Jubilee Class revelled in the return of pals, many not seen by the classmates in fifty years.

Alumni President Rich Furlong, one last night's Hall of Fame Inductees, will lead bus loads of Leo Men and their wives over to 7901 S. Sangamon to tour the school that helped them launch their lives.

Ronnell Reynolds, the Chief Engineer of Leo High School, will have opened class rooms, the famous 'band box' gym on the third floor, the Leo Boxing Room -home to ten Golden Gloves Champions, the cafeteria that 50 years ago had been the Chapel of St. Leo which served as an annex chapel to the now closed St. Leo Parish, and the courtyard War Memorial and Shrine to Our Lady, where each year Leo High School Honors America's Veterans on the Friday before Veterans Day.

On the War Memorial is the name of nearly two-hundred Leo Men who died in the service to their Country - Pro Deo et Patria: for God and Country - is inscribed on the cornerstone of school set by Cardinal Mundelein in 1926. One of those names, Lt. Col. Thomas O'Dea*, reminds us of 'the full measure of devotion' exercised in living a courageous and committed life.

Last night more than 600 Leo Men paid tribute to the values that maintain Leo High School. Other Catholic high schools have closed, but Leo continues in the public imagination,because of the courage and commitment of thousands of Leo Men.

Leo High School brought generations of young men, most of them the sons of immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Belgium and Germany, together in order to be 'led' (educare -in Latin)to an other directed life - a life beyond the self.

These tough and willful kids met Irish Christian Brothers, tasked with disciplining but also nurturing a love of science, art, literature, and most of all the Faith. The Christian Brothers are gone from Leo, but their presence remains in the spirit of the school and witnessed in the school's crest. Primarily, it may be witnessed in the lives of men who do for others. Last Night, William Koloseike '45, was named Leo Man of the Year.

Bill Koloseike, Bill Kay to Chicago's automobile buyers, was a hard-as-nails football player. Last night, Leo Hall of Famer Jerry Tourville, asked me to re-introduce him to the man who 'knocked him on his ass every day on the cinders and broken beer-bottles of Shewbridge Field.' Jerry played football at Colorado after he graduated from Leo and had not seen Bill Kay in decades. In that time Bill Koloseike has been a river of moral and financial support of Leo President Bob Foster, as well as a Jesuit Volunteer teacher and establishing a school for poor kids in Africa.

Bill Kay is about 5'6" and Jerry is about 6' in height. 'Jesus!'replied Mr. Tourville upon introduction, not in prayer,but in honor of the fierce impact the smaller man had in Mr. Tourville's life.

Bill Kay went into the Marines at the end of WWII, instead of playing college football. Another Leo Man and Leo Hall of Famer, Dick Prendergast '43 asked to meet Bill Koloseike. The last time these two men met was in April 1946 at Great Lakes Naval Station. The young Bill Koloseike processed ( 'mustered')Dick Prendergast out of the Marine Corps, after Dick's three years of combat as a forward oberserver ( Joint Assault Signal Company JASCO) all over the Pacific -Guam especially.

Leo Honored Bill Kay and Jack Hallberg and Jim Farrell another quiet hero who served in Vietnam as a Captain in the U.S.Army in Vietnam. Each of these men deflected the Honor bestowed upon him last night to Bob Foster, Leo President, who has remained the anchor to this great school and to the great Leo Alumni who lived and breathed the Spirit of the Lion and have gone Home to Christ- Dr. Thomas 'Doc'Driscoll, Jim Coogan and especially Jack Howard.

Nine Leo Men and a veteran teacher, Bob Schablaske, were inducted into the Hall of Fame 2009 Class.

600 and change Leo Men provide hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to Leo High School, so poor black kids who live in the same bungalows, three flats, and street-front apartments along 79th Street as the older white Leo men can develop character, courage and a deep sense of commitment as they had years before.

These are magnificent people.

Time to get over to Leo and make sure the men of 1959 get the tour they deserve.

* Click my post title for yesterdays tribute to Leo Men.

Italian American Hall of Fame Boxing to Benefit St. Jude's Hospital

Don't Miss this opportunity to be a huge part of 'The Sweet Science!' Help St. St. Jude's Hospital for Children! Get a great Wednesday Night's sporting glow and meet with the giants of Boxing - Boom-Boom Mancini and fight promoter Burt Sugar.

Leo High School Boxing Club with fight under the banner of Celtic Boxing Club directed by Leo Boxing Coach Mike Joyce. Get ready to watch the talent Rumble!