By Abbie O’Ryan July 23, 2014 at 7:36 am
Chief Supporter Cardinal Frances George Inducted in Hall of Fame
The Leo High School Alumni Golf outing Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Gleneagles Country Club in Lemont carries significance that goes well beyond eagles, birdies and bogies.
For the South Side Catholic School alums there is greater meaning attached to the outing because they all share the same intent in getting together with friends and former classmates to support a small school in troubled financial times “because you can.”
For years the outing has supported the Jack Howard Scholarship as well as the other financial needs of the all-boys, inner city school. Despite the departure of the Irish Christian Brothers decades ago, the school has remained true to its mission to provide educational opportunities to inner-city young men who might otherwise not be enrolled in a parochial school.
At games, alums can be seen supporting the teams, meeting with players after games or attending special events, such as the Cardinal’s visit to bless the bus fleet last year. When the bus fleet was torched last year, alums funded the drive to provide new busses.
In May, a contingent of alums was on hand as Cardinal Francis George was inducted into the Leo High School Hall of Fame during a ceremony in his office at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.
The Leo Alumni Association voted the Cardinal into the Hall as a member of the Class of 2014. (The Cardinal was unable to join his fellow inductees at the alumni banquet so arrangements were made to honor him a month later.)
Leo Alumni Association President Dan Stecich ‘75 did the honors, along with Bob Sheehy ‘71, Chairman of the Leo High School Advisory Board. They were joined by Leo President Dan McGrath ‘68, Admissions Director/Head Football Coach Michael Holmes ‘76, Development Director Pat Hickey and Leo juniors Latrell Giles and Isaiah Nichols.
Cardinal George was honored for his strong support of Leo. In 2013 he served as Honorary Chairman of the Lions Express to Opportunity campaign to obtain two new buses to enhance the school’s transportation capabilities. The Cardinal then officiated at a “blessing of the buses” ceremony after the vehicles were purchased.
“I’m very grateful for this honor,” Cardinal George said. “I have great respect for the Leo mission, and I’ve been impressed with the young men I’ve met on my visits to Leo. I will continue to pray for the school’s success.”
This kind of clout differs from that of a Big Bertha drive off the tee. This kind of clout and support helps keep schools open when others have closed.
Bob Standring, class of 1970, has singular ties to Leo students through a mentoring program he created after graduating from the University of Illinois and starting up an insurance services business.
“The bonds between Leo men run deep and are never impacted by a difference in age or ethnicity, so, when the head of the archdiocese makes a point of investing time with our students, it strengthens each alumni’s resolve to support Leo,” said Standring.
Since 1926 when Leo first opened it doors the men of Leo have left an impression wherever they’ve gone, and they always seem to return to 79th street or the site of contest featuring the orange and black uniforms. The economy and other contributing factors have created unique challenges to continue to make the school accessible and affordable to young man, while also maintaining the Leo Tradition of academic excellence.
GOLF OUTING
Leo’s annual golf outing invites sponsors to help defray costs: sponsors can pick up the whole sponsorship fee or split it with others for: golf balls ($900.00), goody bags/ sign in gift ($4000.00), on-course liquid refreshments ($900.00), and lunch on the course ($900.00). The names of our supporters are displayed prominently on the day of the golf outing. For more information, alums or friends of Leo can contact Larry Lynch (llowrad4@att.net) 312.804.1254 or Rich Furlong (rc5463@sbcglobal.net) 815.436.6345.
Location: Gleneagles Country Club
Address: 13070 McCarthy Road, Lemont, IL 60439
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