Showing posts with label Leo Alumni Association. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leo Alumni Association. Show all posts

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Leo Alumni Banquet 2015 -Leo Man of the Year Dan McGrath '68

The Lexington House is the Home of Leo ReUnion - Begun at the La Salle Hotel in 1955


                                  The 50 Year Jubilee Class of 1965
          My Buddies Bill Murphy, John Linehan and John "Moose" Gilmartin
                                               John Linehan and Chris Burris
      Man of the Year and His Bride -Dan and Joanne McGrath
                         Emerald Society Piper Calls the Classes In
           Leo Class of 1967 - Cousin Mike Hickey and Mitch Miller . . .Mike McCann
                               WWII Heroes Jack Schaller and Don Hogan
                              Piper Calls Up Hall of Fame Inductees
                Jack Hogan Stopped the Wermacht at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944
                                                                   Leo Jubilee Class of 1990
       Man of the Year Dan McGrath paid tribute to Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. & Leo 2012

Jim Corbett '52 was Leo's Left Handed Quarterback Who Mentored Hundreds of Lions
        The Foe Shall Feel the Lions Might and Spirit of Our Teams Attack!

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Leo Alumni Meeting at Father Perez Knights of Columbus Hall in Mount Greenood



Every third Wednesday of the month, the Old Lions roar, buck up for a kid in need, chart new speedlanes to help the school that had a hand in helping their parents form their lives and plan the annual banquet, decal drive and the golf outing.

These meetings tale place at the venerable Father Perez Knights of Columbus Hall. Father Perez is located at 422 W 111th St, Chicago, IL . In my youth the Knights met at a hall at 84th & Ashland and that was the site where young guys joined 16" softball teams, bowling leagues and waited to come of age Catholic gentlemen.The value imparted in home, reinforced in the parishes and the high schools of the south side were honed like a great set of Swiss knives.  The KCs actively sought out the means and manpower to protect the unborn, help struggling families through acts of charity and encourage Catholic worship - 'Hey, spend more time with you wife an kids, a little less at the Sea Breeze lounge and here and get to Mass, Hickey, you're a mess.'







Our Church was the stronger because of the Knights, in my opinion. Today, fewer young people get active and that is a shame.

The Father Perez Council seems to be more vital than many other benevolent associations, including other KC Councils. The Knights at Perez have long made their facility open to the Leo Alumni Association.

The meetings of the Alumni Association always begin with the sad litany of recently departed Leo Men, followed by prayers.  President Larry Lynch took over duties from Dan Stecich in February and the transition is smoother than an Ed Joyce '70 pick up line at Leo Dance in the Sixties.  Ed was slicker than snot on a doorknob - still is.

The Minuets of the previous meeting is called for a vote and after the more veteran Alums like President Emeritus Rich Furlong, Don Hogan, or Bob Sigel ask for clarity on a statement or typo.  The minuets are approved and seconded - always by Jack Benedek '67.

Leo High School, represented by President McGrath, VP Mike Holmes, or yours truly, reports on the activities at the school. Last night, I requested some immediate help for a Leo senior whose mother had just been laid off, passed my Irish Shandon cap, which was much too shallow, transfered the cash to a larger vessel and counted several hundred dollars, which President will give to the boy's mother today.

My report included





  • Senior college acceptances - every graduating senior has been accepted to solid colleges including teh United States Coast Guard Academy, Loyola, St. Joe's in  Rensselaer, Northern Illinois, University of Illinois & etc.
  • Leo chess team captain and Catholic League Champion Dexter Dale honored at City Hall
  • Big Shoulders Fund lend a shoulder day with 80 Price Waterhouse interns
  • Loyola University Aruppe College two year program
  • St. Patricks Day March
  • Chicago Blackhawks visit to Leo
  • Q & A on plans for the future

The questions are always of the  " How can we help?" variety.

President Larry Lynch calls for a report from the various commitees taskled with selling tables or tickets for events.  Then we close with a prayer and "The Bar is Open!"

The Alumni always have hot trays loaded with good eatin' treats - last night was Italian Beef and St. Joseph sweets table.

God Bless all Knights and every Leo Man!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

IHSA Football Quarter Finals in Class 1-A: Leo v. Ottawa Marquette















St. Laurence High School, operated by the Irish Christian Brothers will host the Class 1-A Quarter Final game between Leo and Ottawa Marquette at 2 PM on Saturday November 16, 2013.After a great Leo Family Get-Together last Saturday at St. Rita's Pat Cronin Field featuring a win by the Lions over visiting Stark County 31-20, the Lions head to Burbank for the Quarter Finals. Generations of Hogans, Mahoneys, Coopers, Paynes, Halls, Torres, Garzas, Greens, Jacksons, Sheehys and McNallys followed Jay Standring in whatever cheer, chant or taunt he could shout out.  

If you did not run into a pal that you had not seen in decades, you must have had your eyes riveted to the action on the field.  Me?  I'm a rubber-necker.  I caught up with Ernie Kelly, Bud Monaco, Marquis "Biggs" Ball, Akim Hunter,  Johnny Vasi, Bob Quick, Jack McNamara, Wally Macaulay,the Brothers Hopkins: Jack and Tom, George Spearekis, Mike Gurgone,The Brothers Finn: too numerous to name, George Newell, Coach Jack Fitzgerald, Senator Ed Maloney, Father Bill McFarland, Standrings and Earners and McElligotts Oh, My!!!!


When I was not peeling off five-spots to Canaryville's own Duke Rusty Montana (2016), whom I drove to and from the game, and who eats like he's going to the chair, I made happy re- acquaintance with old friends.  We all look exactly the way we did in 1967,'68. '69, & '70 - at least through the lens of Leo High School and parish camaraderie ( VIZ, John 'O God, Sabina's, KillYuns, Sain Nicks, Big Weed, Tommy More ( too old to fight, or just mellowed?) R Lady a Moun'Carmel, Caj-uhtins, & da res').







Come out and watch the Lion, catch the Ottawa Crusaders in its brawny paws. .St. Laurence High School 5556 W 77th St, Burbank, IL 60459(708) 458-6900











Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Pat Elwood's Fox 32 Coverage of Francis Cardinal George's Blessing of Leo Buses



Here's the lede

Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

Here's the Heart


Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

Here's Our Newest Video Star
back row - Mike Joyce, Kimberly Hickey, front row, Amir Holmes, Francis Cardinal George ( undefeated) and James Davis
Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

Please NOTE - Mike " Pickle" Joyce, Esq. ( 10-1 Pro Boxing career) is the Leo Head Boxing Coach and bears no resemblance to Miss Kimberly Hickey* our Math Teacher and Leo Assitant Boxing Coach.

* Miss Hickey is not a relative of the this post-hole digger and has no relative in Local # 399 IUOE.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Leo High School “The LION Express To Opportunity” Safe Here & Safe Home

                             Leo Lion Sam Leno, a back of the yards kid from the Class of 1963, has crafted this great campaign to beef up Leo's ability to get Young Lions to and from school - Facta Non Verba!

                                       
“The LION Express To Opportunity

                                                               Safe Here & Safe Home



Goal
Establish a safe,
reliable, modern
school bus system
for students who
have no other
transportation
options, to get
to/from school and
home, as well as
to/from school
events.

As the city and neighborhoods began to change, public
transportation became less reliable and less safe.
Leo High School desperately
needs our help!
Dear Leo Alumni, friends and family,
As you know, attending Leo has contributed significantly to
providing each of us a strong foundation of integrity,
discipline and sound moral values, molding us into the men
that we are today. While our backgrounds are varied, we
have all successfully transitioned from young boys to good
husbands, fathers and grandfathers. Thanks to the
commitment of the Irish Christian Brothers, as well as
countless lay-teachers, we were all blessed with the
opportunity to enjoy an outstanding education grounded in
our faith in God.
Throughout the years, most of us got to school either by
walking or riding city transportation. However, as the city
and neighborhoods began to change, public transportation
became less reliable and less safe. Many other Catholic
High Schools added their own bus transportation over the
years, but unfortunately, Leo did not. As a result of this
and other less significant factors, enrollment has decreased
2
Lorem Ipsum Dolor Spring 2016
We are all part of an important legacy and now we have an opportunity to keep that legacy
alive by helping Leo help itself. A modern and effective transportation program will:
-- provide much improved recruiting initiatives and results by being able to expand its
geographic reach
-- increase the school’s enrollment numbers, providing increased tuition proceeds
-- provide the means for Leo leadership to address many of its other facility needs, making
the school even more desirable potentially increasing enrollment even more
The “bottom line” - This campaign “The LION Express To Opportunity
Safe Here & Safe Home will provide the money necessary to materially increase the
number and quality of its buses and become the “gift that keeps on giving!”
Many of you have been strong supporters of Leo with your donations over the years.
However, given the importance of this specific need, which is vital to the future of the school, I
am praying that each of you will join me and others who are reaping the benefits of having
attended Leo High School, in making a 1 time donation to this unique enrollment expanding
initiative. It is a meaningful way for us to "give back" and help students, much like us when
we were high school age, receive an education like no other.
LEO HIGH SCHOOL DESPERATELY NEEDS OUR HELP
from over 1200 at its peak, to about 160 today. This is sad to see,
especially when the school offers so much good and hope to young
men trying to make a difference in their lives by receiving a quality
education, excellent values and spiritual guidance.
The single most significant factor preventing Leo from increasing its
enrollment is it’s inability to compete with other Catholic High Schools
that do supply transportation to students who have no other means of
getting to/from home and school, as well as to/from student events.
Leo has as much to offer its young impressionable students today as it did when we all
attended, but the single biggest concern expressed by the parents of prospective students is the
need for the school to supply safe, reliable transportation for their children.
In spite of its transportation limitations, Leo has been successful at recruiting many outstanding
students and student athletes who excel and compete successfully against much larger schools,
both Public and Catholic. Imagine how much more successful they could be if they could
enhance their recruiting efforts through a vital transportation program?
3
Lorem Ipsum Dolor Spring 2016
Alumni Quote
LEO HIGH SCHOOL DESPERATELY NEEDS OUR HELP
Here are some of the specifics:
“The LION Express To Opportunity
Safe Here & Safe Home
O Goal: Establish a safe, reliable, modern
school bus system for students who have no
other transportation options, to get to/from
school and home, as well as to/from school
events.
O Needs: 2 large school buses and 3 to 4
mini-vans
O Why: Materially improve new student
recruiting initiatives and significantly expand
the size of Leo’s student body every year.
O How: Create a targeted and highly visible
“special campaign” by soliciting 1 time
donations from Alumni and “Friends of Leo
High School”
O Target: Raise $300,000
O When: over the next 30 days
O Involvement: Alumni, student body
and key faculty members
“Looking back retrospectively at
the foundational experience
provided by Leo and the Irish
Christian Brothers, my high
school experience played a
pivotal role in molding me into a
better human being in almost
every respect. The education,
values and discipline instilled by
brothers Sloan, McCabe, Beyer,
McDermott, Acker, Miller, Shea,
Nash, Martin, Coogan,
Castellanos, McDonough,
McKenna, Ryan and the other lay
teachers, taught me how to make
a meaningful difference in my life
and expand my experiences well
beyond the South Side of
Chicago. The Leo experience
helped me become and be a
better Naval Officer, a more
effective businessman, a better
father and husband.”



The school has created a separate bank account for
these donations to ensure that all donations are used for
the explicit purpose of creating a small fleet of student
buses as described above. If you’d like discuss this
initiative or receive any additional information, please
call (773) 224-9600 and ask to speak with either Dan
McGrath, President of Leo High School, or Pat Hickey in
the Development Office.
We will keep all of you informed of the success of this
program by posting updated results at the Leo Website:
http://www.leohighschool.org
Please make your donation checks payable to:
Leo High School – The Lion Express to Opportunity
Mail your donations to:
Leo High School
Attention: Dan McGrath, President
7901 S. Sangamon St.
Chicago, IL 60620
No matter how much you are able to give, Leo
will benefit greatly from your sincere generosity!
Gratefully yours,
LEO HIGH SCHOOL DESPERATELY NEEDS OUR HELP

GO LIONS !!!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Leo High School Football Schedule 2012




It's Fall in Chicago, well almost.  It is time for the Leo Lions -Orange and Black terrors of the gridiron, brawny stalwarts all,  to take the field!  It is time to move pigskin ellipsoid over the goal-lines of foes!  That means it is time for my phone in the Alumni/Development cubicle to flash red with messages!

" When are you gonna send out the #$%^^&^ athletic schedules?"

As they have yet to return from the printers, I have been helped by Leo Alumnus Dan Moss who googled the Football Schedule off of the IHSA site.  I have been far too pre-occupied with my new CVS hand-sanitizer (32Fl.oz.) and driving duties delivering the Bronzeville/Canaryville crowd to Leo High School -my thoughts are less than at their usual  razor-honed and articulated state of readiness.

We open Friday Night at St. Laurence High School -

The Freshman at 5 PM

Varsity at & 7:30PM
N.B. We have an op-en date on the week of September 15, 2012.  We will notify you of the changes.


.




Leo Football Schedule 2012


Date
Time

Opponent


24-Aug
7:30
A
Burbank (St. Laurence)
1172

1-Sep
1:30
A
Chicago (Hales Franciscan)
246

7-Sep
7:30
A
Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep)
1382
Univ. of Chicago
22-Sep
7:00
H
Washington (Friendship Academy), DC

Gately Stadium
29-Sep
3:00
H
Westchester (St. Joseph)
675
Stagg Stadium
6-Oct

H
Chicago (Gordon Tech)
434
TBA
12-Oct
7:30
A
Kankakee (McNamara)
608.85

19-Oct
7:00
A
Chicago (Brother Rice)
2778.6
St. Xavier