Joliet Catholic Academy

Infobox School
name = Joliet Catholic Academy
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location =
streetaddress = 1200 N. Larkin Ave.
region =
city = Joliet
state = Illinois
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zipcode = 60435
country = USA
country1 =
coordinates = coord|41.545555|-88.12395|display=inline
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religion =
denomination = Roman Catholic
oversight = Diocese of Joliet
affiliation = Carmelites
Joliet Franciscan Sisters
superintendent =
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founder =
specialist =
president = Sr. Faith Szambelanczyk, O.S.F.
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principal = Mr. Jeffrey Budz
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teaching_staff = 53
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gender = coed
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type = secondary parochial
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tuition = US$7,900 [ [http://www.jca-online.org/tuition/index.htm 2008-09 tuition] ]
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grades = 9—12
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campus = suburban
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conference = East Suburban Catholic Conference
slogan = "Inspiring Growth in Knowledge and Faith"
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nickname = Hilltoppers (m)
Angels (f)
school_colours = color box|#9BDDFF columbia blue
color box|brown brown
color box|white white
school_colors =
yearbook =
publication = "41—88"
newspaper = "The Victory View"
opened =
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status =
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enrollment = 857
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homepage = http://www.jca-online.org/

Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet Catholic or JCA) is a coed Catholic High School located in Joliet, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet. One of the oldest Catholic high schools in the Chicago area, Joliet Catholic is perhaps best known for its prowess in football. Since the advent of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state football playoffs in 1974, JCA has won more state football titles than any other team in the state, with 13 as of 2007.

The modern school is itself the result of a merger between the all girls St. Francis Academy and the all male Joliet Catholic High School, which itself was formerly known as DeLaSalle High School for Boys. It is this merger that results in the school's shared affiliation with the Carmelites and the Joliet Franciscan Sisters.

History

The Joliet Franciscan Sisters opened St. Francis Academy in 1869 as an all girls school. The academy was founded in a small stone building convent by Mother Mary Alfred Moes, who later would help found the Mayo Clinic. In 1923, the school moved to the campus of the University of St. Francis, which had opened in 1920. In 1956, the school moved to the building at 1200 N. Larkin, which is the current site of JCA.

George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago, had the Christian Brothers create a new high school for boys as a part of their renovation of St. Patrick Church in Joliet. The school opened in 1918 as "DeLaSalle High School for Boys" with only two classrooms in the parish center, but moved to a new building in 1927. In 1933, the Carmelites took possession of the school, at which time, the school became Joliet Catholic High School.

In the summer of 1990, Joliet Catholic High School and St. Francis Academy merged to form the modern Joliet Catholic Academy. [ [http://www.jca-online.org/current_students/index.htm "History of JCA"] ]

Academics

In terms of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the school offers Biology, Chemistry, U.S. History, Government and Politics, and European History. The school also offers one of the two courses in AP English and AP Calculus. [ [http://www.jca-online.org/pdf_files/curriculum_guide.pdf Curriculum guide] ]

While there are no AP courses offered in foreign languages, students who take a fourth year of study in Spanish, French, or Latin may opt to take the appropriate AP test.

Athletics

The mens teams at the school are referred to as the "Hilltoppers", the same named used by the former Joliet Catholic High School, while the girls teams retain the name used by St. Francis Academy; the "Angels". The school is a member of the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

The school sponsors teams for men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Men also compete in baseball, football, and wrestling, while women also compete in softball, and cheerleading. The school also has a competitive dance team, which does not compete under the auspices of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

The football and both track & field teams host home games and meets at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective state championship series sponsored by the IHSA: [ [http://www.ihsa.org/school/records/sum1008.htm IHSA records for Joliet Catholic Academy] ]

* baseball •• 3rd place (2007—08); 2nd place (1989—90, 99—2000, 03—04); State Champions (1993—94)
* football •• 2nd place (1992—93, 96—97); State Champions (1975—76, 76—77, 77—78, 78—79, 81—82, 87—88, 90—91, 99—2000, 00—01, 01—02, 03—04, 04—05, 07—08)
* golf (boys) •• 3rd place (1956—57, 59—60); 2nd place (1958—59); State Champions (1957—58)
* softball •• 4th place (1987—88)
* volleyball (girls) •• 4th place (1998—99, 2005—06); 3rd place (1986—87, 2006—07); State Champions (2003—04)

In addition, the school also claims the following [ [http://www.jca-online.org/athletics/index.htm State and national title claims] ]
* Dance Team 3rd Place: 2006 Fact|date=July 2008
* 6 pom pom national titlesFact|date=July 2008
* 2 cheerleading national titlesFact|date=July 2008
* 1 basketball national titleFact|date=July 2008

Of special note, the football team has won more football titles than any other team in the state. Since the start of the IHSA State Tournament for football in 1974, JCA has qualified for the playoffs 31 times (as of 2007-08 season) [ [http://www.ihsa.org/activity/fb/records/sum.htm IHSA football table of titles] ]

Notable alumni

* Mike Alstott (class of 1991) is an NFL fullback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and was a member of the team which won Super Bowl XXXVII. [ [http://www.nfl.com/players/mikealstott/profile?id=ALS635685 Mike Alstott page at nfl.com] ]
* Terry Gannon is a former basketball player for, and current sports announcer for North Carolina State University.Fact|date=July 2008
* Mark Grant (class of 1981) was a Major League Baseball pitcher and is now a color commentator for the San Diego Padres. [ [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/draft/1981/June-Reg/1.shtml 1981 MLB draft] ]
* Melissa McCarthy is a professional actressFact|date=July 2008
* Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger (class of 1966) is a motivational speaker best remembered as the inspiration for the film "Rudy". An early part of the film shows him playing football at Joliet Catholic. [ [http://www.directsportslink.com/find-a-speaker-celeb.jsp?speakerid=613 Rudy Ruettiger bio] ]
* Tom Thayer (class of 1979) was an NFL offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, and was a member of the team which won Super Bowl XX. He is currently a radio play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Bears [ [http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/3908.php?contentType=4&contentId=95619 Tom Thayer bio] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.jca-online.org/ Joliet Catholic Academy on-line]
* [http://www.jolietcatholicfootball.com/ Joliet Catholic Football]
* [http://www.ihsa.org/school/schools/jolcatha.htm IHSA's JCA page]
* [http://www.ihsfw.com/links/J_Folder/jolietcatholic.html IHSFW's JCA football page]