U-High is the Sun-Times Spotlight School of the Week. The Maroons have won five state titles, all in boys track and field. Notable alumni include Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-13th), ABC News correspondent Bill Blakemore and the Chicago Storm's Andy Rosenband.
1 In 2006, the Maroons' boys soccer team -- one year removed from the Class A sectional finals -- beat Reavis on penalty kicks for a Class AA regional title at U-High. The game-winner came from freshman Evan Dorfman on the Maroons' fifth shot, and students stormed the field after the goal. The Maroons topped Kelly 1-0 in the sectional semis at Brother Rice, then eventually lost to Mount Carmel in the sectional final.
2 Not to be outdone, the U-High girls soccer team won regional and sectional titles in 2007. The Maroons won 19 games and eventually lost 3-2 in overtime to Lyons in the supersectional. Standout players included Allie Brudney, Gabrielle Clark and Emily Kuo. ''There is a perception that we are only good at academics,'' athletic director David Ribbens said. ''But we can play sports well, too.''
3 University High's success in track and field is unquestionable. The Maroons won five state championships from 1909 to 1919. In 1992, U-High finished second in Class A with standouts such as Chris Harper, Toby Meadows, Mark Arnecilla and Craig Slaughter. Harper was a three-time state champion. In all, U-High has produced 40 boys track and field champions.
4 U-High's success in tennis is undeniable. The Maroons have won 19 sectional titles and have had six state champions. The Maroons' most notable player was George Lott, a three-time state champ. The 1924 grad is considered one of the greatest doubles players of all time, winning five U.S. titles with three different partners. Recent standouts include Lars Nelson, Gabbie Clark and the Chavin twins (Grant and Chase).
5 The Maroons also have had success in boys swimming and girls cross-country. With runners such as Leah Drew and Becky Levine, the girls cross-county team advanced to the state regionals seven times in an eight-year span from 2000 to 2007. With swimmers such as Arthur Compton, Ralph McCollum, Frank Reach and William Lewis, the Maroons finished second in state in back-to-back seasons (1934-35).
By Arne Duncan: The CEO of the Chicago Public Schools graduated from U-High in 1982. He was a standout on the Maroons basketball team.
Going to Lab (University High School) was an absolutely formative experience for me. My vision of what it takes to give students a great education started there. I was so lucky to go there, along with my brother and sister. Most of my closest friends today (John Rogers, president and CEO of Ariel Capital Management, and Sen. Kwame Raoul) are from Lab. It's the kind of place where you can build relationships that last.
I loved the chance to play high school basketball and continue to play in college (Harvard) and then overseas (Australia). Growing up, watching players such as John Rogers, James Fleming and Eric Kuby was amazing. They all became my heroes. I felt so lucky to have the chance to watch them and then play on the same court as them.
My senior year, we left the Independent School League and played some bigger public and Catholic schools. That was really good for me (as a basketball player). I still love to play. I practice occasionally with our Public League teams; it's a lot of fun and a great way to build relationships with my students.
There are a couple of (U-High) students I play with and try to help. There is a real sense of continuity there -- just working with the next generation, like John and others worked with me. My wife was also the athletic director and a physical-education teacher there for 10 years.
So much of the Lab School culture helped shape my philosophy. It really had a small-school feel. You knew the teachers, and you knew the students. Academic achievement and intellectual curiosity were really fostered. I had some great teachers who challenged me and taught me to write and think critically. The diversity and commitment to helping others are so important. That is why you see so many alums go into public service. We were given a gift, and it's our responsibility to give that gift to others.
Bill Blakemore: ABC News correspondent.
Paul Butterfield: Jazz musician.
Stanford Goldblatt: Partner, Winston & Strawn.
Ted Haydon: USA Track & Field Hall of Fame member.
Ben Heineman: Founder of Northwest Industries.
Margo Jefferson: Pulitzer Prize-winning critic.
Sherry Lansing: Former Paramount Studios chief.
Edward Levi: Former U.S. attorney general.
Ian Lipkin: His team discovered West Nile virus.
John Rogers: CEO Ariel Capital Management.
George Lott: Tennis star.
Emily Mann: Award-winning playwright.
Peter Muller: Recent cross-country champion.
Salli Richardson: Actress.
Andy Rosenband: Chicago Storm player.
John Paul Stevens: U.S. Supreme Court justice.
Urlacher threatens to miss Bears' mandatory mini-camp
Jay Mariotti 24/7
Quick Hits
Facebook App
Font Size
Black Text
