2016 - 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees
Chad Isaacson Class of 1992
All WSC Football Team – 1991 Ranked One of Top 50 Football Players in Illinois – 1991 Led DGN to 2nd Place in State in IHSA Football – 1991 Ranked One of Top 50 Baseball Players in Illinois – 1992 Led DGN Baseball Team to Regional Championship – 1991 Four Year Letter Winner at Southern Illinois in Baseball Coached DGN Baseball Team to IHSA Regional Championships – 2000, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 DuPage Area Baseball Coach of the Year - 2000 Coached DGN Baseball to IHSA Sectional Championship - 2004
Doug Rybar Class of 2009
Illinois Senior Gymnast of the Year - 2009 IHSA State Gymnastics All-Around Champion – 2009 IHSA State Gymnastics Ring Champion – 2009 Second in IHSA State Meet in Horizontal Bars – 2009 Second in IHSA State Meet in Pommel Horse – 2009 Third in IHSA State Meet in Horizontal Bars – 2007 Earned 16 IHSA medals at State Meets 2006-2009 Led DGN to WSC Conference Championship – 2009 WSC All – Around Champion – 2009 Earned 28 WSC Medals, 2006-2009 Earned 27 IHSA Sectional Medals 2006-2009
2016 Hall of Fame Inductees
Garrett Edwards Class of 2006
First Team All- State Team – 2004 & 2005 All WSC Football Team – 2004 & 2005 Led the 2004 North Football Team to IHSA State Championship Rushed for over 1300 yards in 2004 & 2005 All WSC Basketball Team – 2005 & 2006 3 year letter winner in Football University of Illinois Second Team All – Big 10 Football – 2009 Defensive captain at University of Illinois – 2009 Member of the 2008 Rose Bowl Football Team at University of Illinois
Tommy Edwards Class of 2004
First team All-State Football Team - 2003 All WSC Football Team – 2002 & 2003 Rushed for over 1000 yards in 2002 & 2003 Lead North Football Team to the WSC- Silver Conference Championship – 2003 DGN Football Team to the IHSA Final Four - 2003 All WSC Basketball Team – 2002 & 2003 All WSC Baseball Team – 2004
2016 Hall of Fame Inductees
Burke Sims Class of 2009
IHSA State Swim Champion - 500 yd. Freestyle – 2009 State Record IHSA State Swim Runner up - 500 yd. Freestyle - 2008 IHSA State Swim 3rd place - 200 yd. Freestyle – 2008 & 2009 Winner of 7 IHSA medals in Swimming from 2006-2009 8 time High School All American & Academic All American Varsity Swimmer at Stanford University from 2009-2013 Member of PAC 10 Conference Champion Team - 2010, 2011, 2012 NCAA Qualifier in 800 yd. Freestyle Relay 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier in 200 meter Freestyle 2012
Haley Sims Class of 2011
IHSA State Swim Champion - 100 yd. Butterfly - 2010 IHSA State Swim Champion - 200 yd. Individual Medley - 2010 IHSA State Swim Champion - 200 yd. Medley Relay -2010 State Record IHSA State Swim Runner up 100 yd. Butterfly 2008 & 2009 IHSA State Swim Runner up 100 yd. Freestyle 2009 Winner of 14 IHSA State Medals in Swimming from 2007-2010 Lead DGN to 4th place team finish at IHSA State Meet 2010 ISA Senior High School Swimmer of the Year - 2010 13 time High School All American & Academic All American Varsity Swimmer at Stanford University from 2011-2015 Olympic Trial Qualifier in 100 meter Butterfly - 2008 Olympic Trial Qualifier in 100 meter Butterfly & 50 meter Freestyle 2012 Member of 2010 NCSA All-Star Team - Dublin Ireland Member of 2010-2011 USA Junior National Team Member of 2010 Junior Pan Pacific Team
2015 Hall of Fame Inductees
Rebecca Rusch Class of 1986
Led DGN Cross Country Team to State Championship in 1985 - Second Place in 1983 and 1984, and Third Place, 1982 All State Cross Country Team, 1984, 1985 All-WSC Cross Country, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 Competed in 6 Eco-Challenges (1997-2002) Adventure Racing World Champion, 2003 Competitor Magazine Endurance Sports Awards “Adventure Racer of the Year” – 2003 World 24-hour Solo Mountain Bike Champion 2007, 2008, 2009 Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Champion 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Singletrack.com Mountain Biker of the Year 2013
John Lackaff Class of 1997
Led DGN is WSC Silver Division Championships in Baseball - 1995, 1997 Led DGN Basketball to Regional Championships - 1995, 1997 All WSC Conference Baseball Team - 1996, 1997 All WSC Conference Basketball Team – 1995, 1996, 1997 Set DGN Basketball Scoring Record in one game – 49 points Played 3 years of Varsity Baseball at Miami of Ohio University All Mid- American Conference Baseball Team, 2000 Led Miami to MAC Baseball Championship, 2000 Drafted by Chicago White Sox in 2000
2014 Hall of Fame Inductees
Alberto Quintana Jr. Class of 1982
Four Year letterman in Varsity Baseball, 1979-1982 All Conference, All Area Baseball, 1982 Four Year letterman at Northwestern University Big 10 Player of the Week, April 1986 Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates 1986 Played in Spanish National League, 1992-1994 Associate Scout for the Atlanta Braves, 1994-1999 Hitting and Infield Coach at Benedictine University 1999-2000 Associate Scout for the San Diego Padres, 2000-2002
Will Kupisch Coach
Head Boys Cross Country Coach from 1990-2011 Served as Assistant Track and Field Coach for 33 years Coached DGN to 3rd Place at IHSA State Cross Country Meet, 2000 Coached DGN to four Top 10 team finishes at the IHSA State Cross Country Meet Coached DGN to WSC Cross Country Championship in 2000 Coached Joe Marconi to State Shot Put Championship in 1981 Coached 4x800m Relay Team to State Championship in 2001 Coached 11 All State Cross Country Runners Coached 6 All State Individuals in Track and Field Coached 8 4x800m Relay Teams to All State Honors
2013 Hall of Fame Inductees
Allison Barrett Class of 2001
First DGN Athlete to qualify in 3 different individual sports for the IHSA State meets Qualified for a total of 11 IHSA State meets in Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving and Track & Field Placed 6th in IHSA State Diving Meet - 2000 Placed 8th in the State Gymnastics Meet in Vault – 1999, 2001 Placed 10th in Pole Vault at the IHSA State Track & Field Meet - 2001 Qualified for the finals in the 4x200m Relay at the IHSA State Track & Field Meet - 2001
Laura DeBruler Class of 2007
Led DGN to WSC Volleyball Conference Championships – 2005, 2006 Member of All – State Volleyball Team – 2005, 2006 Member of WSC All-Conference Volleyball Team – 2004, 2005, 2006 State Qualifier on 2005 State Championship DGN Badminton Team State Qualifier in 3 events on DGN Track & Field Team – 2007 First team All-American Volleyball Team at University of Illinois - 2009 Second team All-American Volleyball Team at University of Illinois – 2008 Named to All Big 10 Volleyball Team at University of Illinois – 2008, 2009
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees
Elizabeth Tumpach Class of 1998
All – State Cross Country Team, 1996, 1997 4-time All WSC Cross Country Team, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Led North to WSC Cross Country Championship, 1997 State Track medalist in 3200m, 1998 4-time All WSC in Track & Field, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 3-time WSC Conference Champ (3200m) in Track & Field Led Loyola University to Conference Championships in 2000, 2001 All Horizon League Cross Country Team 1998, 1999
Mark Zundel Class of 1991
All – State Football Team & Baseball, 1990, 1991 Helped lead North to 2nd in State in Football, 1990 Helped lead North to WSC Football Championship, 1990 Selected the WSC Defensive Player of the Year, 1990 Member of All – WSC Football Team, 1990 Member of All – WSC Baseball Team, 1991 Selected as WSC Player of the Year in Baseball, 1991 Played Varsity Football and Baseball at Brigham Young University
2011 Hall of Fame Inductees
Carolyn Hack Class of 2001
Member of Illinois All-State Soccer Team, 2000 and 2001 Member of the WSC Soccer Team, 2000 and 2001 Athlete of the week by Daily Herald Member of the WSC Basketball Team, 2001 Leading Scorer on 2001 Girls Basketball Team Received Soccer Scholarship to Northwestern University Three Year Captain of Northwestern Soccer Team Started every Soccer Game during her 4 years at Northwestern
Kyle Kleckner – Class of 2001
Member of All-State Football Team, in 2000 for Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Champaign News Gazette & Illinois Coaches Association 1st Team Member of All-State Basketball Team – 2001 Captain of Daily Herald, All – Area Football & Basketball Team in 2000-2001 Only Athlete in the history of DGN to be a member of the a conference champion football, basketball and baseball team in the same school year 2000-2001 Member of the All – WSC Team in Basketball Member of the Taylor Bell All Decade Football Team 2000-2009 Earned Football Scholarship to University of Illinois Three Year Letter Winner in Football at University of Illinois Mark May’s ESPN All May Day Team 2005 acknowledging the 22 toughest college football players of the 2005 season
2010 Hall of Fame Inductees
Drew Carstens Class of 2000
Led DGN Football Team to Final Four Appearance in 1999 Member of All WSC Football Team in 1998 & 1999 Member of All State Football Team in 1999 Led DGN Basketball Team in WSC Championships in 1999 & 2000 Led DGN to Regional & Sectional Basketball Championships in 1999 Led DGN to “Sweet Sixteen” Appearance in 1999 Member of All WSC Basketball Team in 1999 & 2000 Member of All Area Basketball Team in 1999 & 2000 Member of All State Basketball Team in 2000 Member of All American Division III Basketball Team in 2003 & 2004 while playing at Augustana College
Mark Lacy Class of 1988
Member of All WSC Football Team in 1987 WSC Conference Shot Put Champion in 1988 4th in the Shot Put at the IHSA State Track & Field Meet in 1988 All Big 10 Selection in Track & Field while at University of Minnesota in 1991 & 1992 Big 10 Indoor Shot Put Champion in 1991 & 1992 8th in the Nation at the NCAA Track & Field Meet in 1991 Member of All-American NCAA Track & Field Team in 1991 & 1992
2009 Hall of Fame Inductees
Pete Ventrelli Coach
Coached Downers North to first State Football Playoffs, 1989 Coached Downers North Football Team to 2nd in the State, 1990 Overall record at Downers North 133-62 Coached Downers North to 11 State Football Playoffs Coached Downers North to 2 WSC-Silver Division Championships, 1990, 2000 Elected to Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, 2001
Matt Zundel Class of 1988
Member of the Varsity Football and Basketball teams, 1987, 1988 Named to WSC All-Conference Football Team, 1987 Named to All-Area Football Team, 1987 Received first Silver Helmet Award at DGN, 1987 Played in North-South Coaches Association All-Star Football game, 1988 3-time Letter Winner at Brigham Young University, 1989, 1990, 1991 Played on BYU Football teams that won 3 WAC Championships, 1989, 1990, 1991 Served as Graduate Assistant Coach at BYU
2008 Hall of Fame Inductees
Audrey Giesler Class of 2000
3rd Place at IHSA State Track Meet in 800m Run, 1999 800m Champion and Record Holder at Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor, 2000 IHSA State Track Meet Medalist, 1998, 1999, 2000 All- WSC Cross Country Team, 1997, 1988, 1999 All Big Ten Cross Country Team, 2003, 2004 Big 10 Steeplechase Champion, 2002, Indiana University All-American in NCAA 3000m, Steeplechase 2003 Member – NCAA Academic All-American Track Team 2002, 2003
Jane Jacobs Class of 1974
Member of First Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Track & Bowling Team at DGN Captain of Conference Championship DGN Volleyball Team 1973, 1974 Captain of WSC Championship DGN Softball Team 1974 Scholarship Athlete at Northern Illinois University, playing four years of Volleyball and Basketball Coached Varsity Basketball and Softball at Geogre Williams College 1981-1985 Coached Varsity Volleyball at Ithaca College, 1985-1988 Coached Varsity Softball and Volleyball at University of Redlands
Jack Howell Class of 1948
Starting Centerfielder on 1948 Baseball Team at IHSA State Tournament Member of WSC All-Conference Basketball Team, 1948 IHSA District Champion-Long Jump, 1948 Had Longest Jump in State in 1948 Conference Champion in Long Jump at Eastern Illinois, 1950 Member of US Air Force Track Team 1951, 1952 Coached Varsity Softball for 10 years in Scottdale, Arizona Coached Football, Basketball, Softball, Volleyball and Track for 27 years, Scottdale
2007 Hall of Fame Inductees
Casey Leonhardt Class of 1996
Most Career points at Downers North 1993 - 1996 All-WSC Girls Basketball Team, 1993 – 1996 Chicago Tribune & Sun-Times, All-State Team, 1996 Nike All-American Girls Basketball Team, 1996 Street & Smith All-America Girls Basketball Team, 1996 Played for Illinois in NCAA Tournament 1997, 1998 Played for Nebraska in NCAA Tournament 1999, 2000 Honorable Mention All-Big 12, 2001 Scored over 1000 Collegiate Points Played for Chicago Blaze in NWBL, 2002
Jeff Quinn Class of 1980
WSC All–Conference Football, 1979 WSC All–Conference Wrestling Team, 1980 3-Time Division III National Wrestling Qualifier at Elmhurst College Member of Division III All–American Football Team, 1983 Member of Elmhurst College, Hall of Fame Helped coach Grand Valley State to National Division II Football Championship 2002 & 2003 As Head Football Coach, Led Central Michigan to 2006 Motor City Bowl Head Football Coach – University of Buffalo
2006 Hall of Fame Inductees
Bryan Bateman Class of 1965
Became Downers North's first Swimmer in 1965 Place 4th in the 100yd Freestyle and 6th in the 50yd Freestyle at the 1965 IHSA State Swim Meet Member of the Indiana University's, Swim Team, 1966-1969 All-American Swimmer in 50 Freestyle, 1968, 1969
Bob Potter Class of 1948
Leading Pitcher in the West Suburban Conference in 1948 Pitched Downers Grove to a District Championship in 1948 Pitched Downers Grove to a Sectional Championship in 1948 Pitched at the IHSA State Baseball Tournament in 1948 Pitched for the University of Illinois, 1949-1952 Led Illinois to a Big 10 Championship in 1952
2005 Hall of Fame Inductees
Brigitte Buitron Class of 1996
All–State Cross Country Team, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 All-State Track Team, 1993, 1996 WSC Silver Division Cross Country Champion 1992, 1994 IHSA Sectional Cross Country Champion 1992, 1994 IHSA Sectional Track Champion (3200m) 1993, 1994, 1995 WSC Silver Division Track Champion (1600m & 3200m) 1993, 1994 Brevard Junior College All-American Track (3000m) 1998 Mid-American Conference Champion - Western Illinois University (5000m) 2001
Scott Lange Class of 1982
All–State Football Quarterback, 1981 Adidas Honorable Mention All-American High School Football Team, 1981 All-Area and All WSC Football team, 1981 Voted Top Football Player in the WSC, 1981 All WSC Basketball Team, 1982 All WSC Baseball Team, 1982 Four-Year Starter as Quarterback at Valparaiso University All-Conference at Valparaiso University, 1985 Inducted into Valparaiso Athletic Hall of Fame, 2005 2004 Hall of Fame Inductees
William Duffy Class of 1962
All Conference WSC Football 1961, 1962 Member of All-State Football Team in 1962 Member of Chicago Tribune All Star Football Team 1961, 1962 3-Year Varsity Starter in Football and Basketball All-Conference WSC Track Team 1961, 1962 State Track Meet Qualifier 1960, 1961, 1962 Scholarship Athlete at University of Wyoming for Football
Kim Khoe Class of 1979
4-Year Starting Pitcher on Varsity Softball Team 1976-1979 Led Downers North to IHSA State Softball Tournament 1979 All- State Softball Team 1979 All-Conference WSC in Softball 1978, 1979 3-Year Starter Varsity Volleyball Team 1977-79 Pitched for University of Iowa 1979-1980
2003 Hall of Fame Inductees
Clarence Johnson Principal/Coach
Served as Principal of Downers Grove North from 1931 to 1967 Coaches lightweight basketball, football, and track during the 1920’s Led Downers Grove to Lightweight basketball champions in 1926, 1927, and 1928 Played a major role in developing the Downers Grove Athletic Association in the 1920’s Was a strong advocate of High School Athletics and the Illinois High School Association
John Guarnaccia Class of 1972
Member of All-State Baseball Team in 1972 Led WSC Conference in hitting (.500 batting ave) and pitching (8-0) in 1972 Led Downers North to WSC Baseball Championships in 1971 and 1972 Was the 75th pick in the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, Played Professional Baseball from 1972 to 1979 Led the Western Carolina League in home runs in 1974 Was voted MVP in 1974 Western Carolina All-Star Game
Jeremy Sample Class of 1991
Led Downers North to a second place finish at IHSA State Football Championship in 1990 Member of Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times All- State Football in 1990 Voted top football player in West Suburban Conference in 1990 Rushed for 1619 yards in 1990 Earned three letters at The University of Nortre Dame from 1993- 1995 Earned Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Game versus Michigan State in 1994
2002 Hall of Fame Inductees
Don Moravec Class of 1964
All WSC Wrestling Team 1963, 1964 IHSA State Qualifier In Wrestling 1964 IHSA State Qualifier in Track & Field 1964 All CCIW Football Team at North Central College 1968 CCIW Conference Wrestling Champion 1965 Coached DGN Badminton Team to WSC Championships 1984, 1992 Coached DGN Badminton Team to 6 Championships Illinois Girls Coaches Association Badminton Coach of the Year 1992 Coached DGN Girls Tennis Team to Sectional Championship 1999
Bruce Ritter Class of 1964
Coached DGN Girls Cross Country Teams to IHSA State Championship 1980, 1985 Coached DGN Girls Cross Country Teams to 2nd Place at IHSA State Meet 1983, 1984, 1988 Coached DGN Girls Cross Country Teams to 12 WCS-Silver Division Championships Coached 27 All-State Cross Country Runners Coached 72 All-State Track Athletes Elected to Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame 1987 Hold IHSA Record for Most Consecutive Cross Country Dual Meet Victories – 69 Coached DGN Girls Track Team to WSC Championship 1992, 1993
2001 Hall of Fame Inductees
Ron Baukol Class of 1955
Led Downers Grove Baseball Team to WSC and Region Championships in 1954 Led Downers Grove Basketball Team to WSC and Region Championships in 1955 Named to All-Chicago Area Basketball Team in 1955 Named to WSC All-Conference Team in Baseball and Basketball Awarded the Big Eight Conference Scholar Athlete Award in 1959 Member of Iowa State Baseball Team that took 3rd in the NCAA Tournament in 1957 Member of All Big-Eight Basketball Team at Iowa State in 1959
Tom McCabe Class of 1975
IHSA State Qualifier in swimming in the 50 M Freestyle and 100 M Butterfly - 1973 Placed 10th in State at IHSA State Swim Meet in 50 M Freestyle - 1975 Was a 12 time All-American in Swimming at Western Illinois University Competed on 400 M Freestyle Relay Team that place 2nd in the NCAA Nationals Holds 7 Illinois Masters Records and 2 National Masters Record Served as an Assistant Swim Coach at College of DuPage
LaTonya Morrison Class of 1991
Placed 4th at IHSA State Track Meet in 300 M hurdles in 1990 Placed 4th at IHSA State Track Meet in 100 M hurdles in 1991 Won 55 M hurdles at Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor State Meet in 1990 WSC – Silver Division Champion in 55 M, 100 M, 300 M hurdles In 1990 and 1991 Named to All WSC Conference Cross Country Team in 1989 Was member 1988 Girls’ Cross Country Team that placed 2nd in State in 1988 NCAA Qualifier in 100 M in 1995 Won 5 Missouri Valley Conference Track Championships at Southern Illinois University in 1994 & 1995 2000 Hall of Fame Inductees
Art Schlauder Class of 1938
State Champion, 100 Yard Dash, IHSA Track and Field,1938 State Runner-Up, 220 Yard, IHSA Track and Field , 1938 3rd in State, 100 Yard Dash, IHSA Track and Field, 1937 Led Downers Grove to 6th Place at Illinois State Track And Field Meet Member of Downer Grove Varsity Football Team, 1937 Member of University of Iowa Track Team, 1940, 1941, 1942 Captain of University of Iowa Track Team 1941
Jim O’Flaherty Class of 1973
West Suburban Conference Scoring Champ in Basketball, 1973 Honorable Mention All-State Basketball Team, 1973 WSC All-Conference Basketball Team, 1972, 1973 Received 9 Varsity Letters in Baseball, Basketball and Football Received Chicago Tribune Golden Helmet Award, 1972 Received Chicago Tribune Golden Basketball Award, 1973 Played 4 Years of Varsity Basketball at Houston Baptist University, 1973-1977 Varsity Basketball Coach at Abington High School 1996-1998
Erika Chesney Class of 1992
State Champion, IHSA Cross Country 1991 State Champion, 3200m, IHSA Track and Field All-State Cross Country Team, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 All-State Track & Field Team, 1989, 1991, 1992 Harrier Magazine All-American, Cross Country Team 1991 IHSA Sectional Cross Country Champion 1989, 1990, 1991 WSC Silver Division Cross Country Champion 1989, 1990, 1991 WSC Silver Division 3200m Champion 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 WSC Silver Division 1600m Champion 1991, 1992
1999 Hall of Fame Inductees
Al Mejdrich Class of 1962
Illinois State Wrestling Champion, 133 pounds, 1962 Fourth Place at Illinois State Wrestling Meet, 133 pounds, 1961 IHSA Sectional Wrestling Champion, 1961, 1962 IHSA District Wrestling Champion, 1961, 1962 Downers Grove Most Valuable Wrestler, 1961, 1962 Member of Southern Illinois University Wrestling Team
Sue Vander Wagen Class of 1985
All-State Cross Country Team, 1984 All-State Track & Field Team, 1985 All-WSC Cross Country Team, 1984, 1985 All-WSC Track & Field Team, 1983, 1984, 1985 WSC Conference Champion – 800m, 1984 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Cross Country Team, 1986, 1987 Atlantic Coast Conference – 10,000m Champion, 1987
Bill Walker Coach
Started Downers Grove Wrestling Program in 1959 Coached WSC Wrestling Championship Teams in 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979 Coached IHSA Regional Wrestling Championship Teams in 1963, 1964, 1980 Coached Two IHSA Wrestling Champions and Eight Place Winners Coached Sophomore Football from 1958 to 1980 Elected to Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in 1988
1998 Hall of Fame Inductees
Dan Jacobazzi Class of 1961
All West Suburban Conference in Football, 1959, 1960 All-State Football Team, 1960, All-American Football Team, 1960 WSC Conference Wrestling Champion, 1960, 1961 Sectional Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, 1961 Big 10 Player of the Week while at University of Wisconsin, 1963 Played in 1963 Rose Bowl Game
Janelle Marconi Class of 1986
6th in State in Discus, 1984 3rd in State in Shot Put, 1985 IHSA State Champion in Discus, 1986 IHSA State Runner-up in Shot Put, 1986 WSC Champion in Discus, 1984, 1985, 1986 WSC Champion in Shot Put, 1984, 1985, 1986 WSC record in Shot Put, 1986, 43’6” Honorable Mention All-American Track Team, 1986 Member of University of Iowa Track Team 1987, 1988, 1989
Joe Marconi Class of 1981
All-Area Football Team, 1980 Honorable Mention All State Football Team, 1980 All West Suburban Conference Football Team, 1980 WSC Conference Champion is Shot Put and Discus, 1981 5th Place in State Meet in Discus, 1981 IHSA State Champion in Shot Put, 1981 All-American High School Track Team, 1981 Won Shot Put at Midwest Meet of Champions, 1981
June Miller Coach
First Girls Sports Coordinator at Downers Grove North, 1972-1976 First Varsity Girls Softball and Volleyball Coach at DGN Coached Softball Team to IHSA State Tournament, 1979 Coached Softball Team to WSC Championship, 1974, 1976, 1977 Coached Volleyball Team to WSC Championship, 1973, 1974 Voted West Suburban Conference Volleyball Coach of the Year 1976, 1978
1997 Hall of Fame Inductees
Cammi Granato Class of 1989 All-WSC and All-Area Basketball, 1988 All-WSC Soccer, 1988 All-Time leading scorer at Providence College in Ice Hockey Providence College’s Female Athlete of the Year, 1993 New England’s Woman Athlete of the Year, 1993 MVP in Women’s Ice Hockey World Championship, 1992 First American Woman to appear on a Hockey Trading Card ECAC Women’s Ice Hockey Player of the Year 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 US Olympic Women’s Hockey Team, 1998
Sandy Scholtens Hamilton Class of 1985
All WSC Volleyball, 1983, 1984 All-State Volleyball, 1984 Member of DGN Volleyball Team that finished 4th in State, 1984 Member of University of Illinois Volleyball Team that finished 3rd in the NCAA, 1987, 1988 Holds University of Illinois career record of 1133 diggs Member of University of Illinois Volleyball Team that won the Big Ten Championship, 1986, 1987, 1988 Member of National Championship USA Volleyball Team, Open Division, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
Mickey Smith Class of 1964
All WSC in Baseball, 1962, 1963, 1964 All WSC in Football, 1962, 1963 All-State in Football, 1963 All-State in Baseball, 1964 Won two letters in Baseball and Football at the University of Illinois Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, 1968 Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1968
Larry Wyllie Class of 1955
All WSC Conference Baseball, 1954, 1955 All WSC Conference Basketball, 1954, 1955 Member of Downers Grove Baseball Team that won WSC Championship, 1954 Holds Northern Illinois University single game basketball scoring record in 1958, 52 points Fifth leading scorer in Nation in NCAA Basketball while at Northern Illinois University, 1985 Coached Downers Grove to WSC and Regional Baseball Championships, 1964
1996 Hall of Fame Inductees
Jim Dutcher Class of 1951
Set WSC Basketball Scoring Record, 1951, 316 points All-State Basketball, 1951 Inducted into Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988 Member of University of Illinois Big 10 Basketball Championship and 3rd in NCAA Team, 1952 Two Year Letter Winner in Basketball at the University of Illinois Eight Letter Winner at DGN in Football, Basketball,Track , and Baseball
Jim Ferguson Class of 1941
All-State Football, 1940 Member of 1940 WSC Conference Championship Football Team All-Conference Football Team, 1940 Varsity Football Letterwinner at University of Iowa Member of Downers Grove North Chain Gang for 28 Years Purple Heart Recipient in World War II D-Club Man of the Year, 1969
Sheri Krueger Class of 1989
Four Year Letterwinner in DGN in Soccer and Swimming IHSA State Medalist in Swimming, 1988 Set 10 Varsity DGN Swimming Records during her Career All WSC and All Area in Soccer Two Time WSC Conference Champion in Swimming Set 13 Swimming Records at Ball State University M.A.C. Conference Champion at Ball State University Four Time All M.A.C. Swim Team at Ball State University
Lloyd Wasmer Coach
Head Basketball Coach at Downers Grove North, 1963 - 1973 Coached 1969 Basketball Team to WSC Championship Coached all Levels of Football from 1960 to 1992 Offensive Coordinator of 1989 Varsity Football Team which placed 2nd in State Intramural Director from 1974 to 1985. This program was recognized as the Top Intramural Program in the US in 1983. Coached Regional Championship Basketball Team, 1964, 1972 Captain of Drake University Football Team, 1951
1995 Hall of Fame Inductees
Jim Gustafson Class of 1964
Illinois State Wrestling Champion, 1964, 138lbs. Downers Grove High School Athlete of the Year, 1964 All WSC Football Team, 1963, 1964 Four Time State Qualifier in Pole Vault Varsity Wrestling Coach at Messiah College, 17 years National Christian College Coach of the Year
Tracy Laughlin Class of 1985
All-State Cross Country Team, 1982, 1983, 1984 All-State Track & Field Team, 1983, 1984, 1985 Second Place in IHSA State Cross Country Meet, 1985 High School All-American Track & Field Team, 1985 Kinney National Prep Cross Country Meet Qualifier and All-American WSC Conference Cross Country Champion, 1981, 1984 Member of Texas-Austin’s National Championship, Division I Cross Country Team, 1986
Ken Lutgens Class of 1959
First 10 Letter Winner at Downers Grove High School All-Conference Baseball, 1957, 1958, 1959 All-Conference Basketball, 1958, 1959 All-Conference Football, 1957, 1958 Honorable Mention All-State Basketball, 1959 Letter Winner at Northwestern University in Basketball, 1961, 1962, 1963
Guy Wellman Coach
Coached WSC Championship Baseball Teams, 1954, 1956 Coached WSC and Regional Championship Basketball Team, 1955 Worked for 42 Years in the Los Angles Dodger Organization as a Scout, Coach, and Field Coordinator Played Professional Baseball in the Cincinnati and Brooklyn Organization Head of the Health and Physical Education Department at Downers Grove High School, 1958-1962
1994 Hall of Fame Inductees
Herb Borman Class of 1950
Varsity Basketball Letterman, 1948, 1949 Co-Captain West Suburban Conference Football Champions, 1949 Chicago Daily News All Suburban Football Team, 1949 All West Suburban Conference Team, 1949 Member of University of Illinois, Rose Bowl Squad, 1952 Member of University of Illinois, Big 10 Conference, Championship Team, 1952-53 All Big 10 Team, 1953
Karen Campbell Lutzke Class of 1980
All-American in Cross Country, 1978, 1979 All-American in Track & Field, 1980 Illinois State Champion, 1980 -3200 Meter Run All-State in Cross Country, 1977, 1978, 1979 All-State in Track & Field, 1979, 1980 Conference Champion in Cross Country, 1977, 1979 Conference Champion in Track & Field, 1980 Kenny National Cross Country Finalist, 1979 All American Cross Country at Michigan State, 1981 All Big 10 Cross Country at Michigan State, 1981 Olympic Trails Qualifier, 1984, 1988
Dick Carstens Coach 1951-1985
Head Football Coach at North High School, 29 years Accumulated a 148-83-8 Record Illinois State High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, 1986 Coached Illinois State Golf Champion Coached Undefeated Mythical State Champion Football Team, 1970
Barry Cernoch Class of 1970
Football, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 Football Varsity Letter, 1968, 1969 All-State Football, 1969 Chicago Sun Times Player of the Year 1969 All-American High School Scholastic Magazine
1994 Hall of Fame Inductees
Dave Heltmach Class of 1986
All-State, All Around Gymnastics, 1996 All-Conference District, and Sectional Gymnastics Champion, 1986 State Champion on the Floor Exercise and Pommel Horse, 1986 Runner Up on the Parallel Bar, and Vault All-American Status on Floor and Vault, 1986 State Qualifier in Gymnastics, 1984, 1985 1986
Rick Howat Class of 1967
Holds Career Downers Grove North Scoring Record in Basketball Three Varsity Letters in Basketball Two Time All-Conference All-State Basketball, 1967 Two Letters in Baseball Captain of University of Illinois Basketball Team, 1971 All Big 10 Basketball, 1971
Cathy Lumb Class of 1980
Varsity Volleyball Starter, 1977, 1978, 1979 All Conference Volleyball, 1978, 1979 All-Area Volleyball, 1978, 1979 (only sophomore selected in 1978) Team Most Valuable Player 1978, 1979 All-American High School, 1979 Suburban Life Player of the Year, 1979 Head Coach of Chicago Breeze, first Pro-Volleyball Team, 1989 Member of Pacific University National Championship Team, Division I, 1986
Shellie O’Neal Class of 1988
State Champion, Track & Field, 1988 - 800 Meter All-State, Track & Field, 2 years - 800 Meter Midwest Meet of Champions, 800 Meter Champion, 1988 Member of the 1985 State Champion Team Cross Country All-State, Cross Country, 2 years Four Time All-American Atlantic Coast Conference, 800 Meter Champion at Georgia Tech, 1992 US Junior National Champion in 800 Meter, 1989
1994 Hall of Fame Inductees
Stephen Oracko Athletic Director 1963-1984
Downers Grove North High School Athletic Director, 1963 - 1984 Founder and Charter Member of Illinois Athletic Director’s Association Introduced Boys Soccer, Swim, and Gymnastics Programs Started and Developed Girls Swim, Golf, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Bowling, Track, Badminton, Tennis, Volleyball, Softball, and Basketball Coached Football, Golf, Tennis
Randy Poffo Class of 1971
Batting Average .500 in 1970 and .525 in 1971 Team won Conference Championship in 1971 Most Valuable Player, 1970, 1971 Signed by St. Louis Cardinals, 1971 Two Time World Wrestling Federation Champion As The Macho Man Randy Savage
Jim Stahl Coach 1946-1962
Coached Varsity Football from 1946 - 1958 Won Conference Championship in 1949 Head Track Coach 1946-1962 First Director of Intramurals Department Chairman of Health and Physical Education Department, 1962 - 1977 Downers Grove “Citizen of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce, 1988
Criteria for Hall of Fame Nomination
Athlete: A DGN student who has been out of school for at least four years and earned a varsity letter in high school or college. An athlete who has demonstrated an attitude of high quality. An athlete who was recognized for his/her leadership.
Coach: Retired DGN coach who has served as an inspirational leader to student athletes for ten or more years. Coach who has made a significant contribution to North High Athletic Program.