Providence Celtics

Providence athletes uphold a great tradition on and off the playing field. Sitting, from left: Patrick Ward, Alec Pickett, Abbey Keane, Jack Wojcik, Kevin McNally and A.J. Woynerowski. Standing: Alexis Wadowski, Katie Hannemann, Kayla Duffy and Mary Kate Reed.
(Jean Lachat/Sun-Times)

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Providence Catholic is the Sun-Times' Spotlight School of the Week. The Celtics have won 23 state titles, including 10 in wrestling and nine in football. Notable alumni include actor and comedian Steven Fleming, NFL player Eric Steinbacj and Carmen Pignatiello, a Cubs pitcher.

TOP SPORTS MOMENTS

Senffner’s best

1 Of his nine state championship teams, coach Matt Senffner said 2001 was his best. The Celtics (14-0) averaged 40 points and crushed Richards 41-0 for the 6A title behind Mike Mentz (135 yards rushing, two TDs) and Jim Berthold (109 yards, two TDs). The defense, led by LBs Rory Steinbach and Matt Eggert and DBs Matt Gannon and Mark Reiter, was better. Unfinished business

2 After finishing third in 1978, coach Frank Palmisani’s 1979 powerhouse (32-1) romped to the Class A basketball title behind 6-8 sophomore Walter Downing and seniors Barney Mines, Tiger Williams and Tennis Curry. No opponent got within 12 in the last four games. In the final, Downing scored 21 as the Celtics built a 14-2 lead and beat Havana 46-33.

Kucala’s big upset

3 Providence has won 10 state wrestling titles, including six in a row, and finished second six times but coach Keith Healy said ‘‘the greatest moment of all” was in 2001 when senior Matt Kucala pinned heavily favored Eric Tannenbaum of Naperville North in the third period for the 125-pound title. It was the only loss for Tannenbaum in his four-year career.

Game-winning catch

4 Coach Jaime Garcia’s baseball teams won state titles in 1978 and 1982, but 1978 was most memorable. The Celtics upset New Athens 5-4 with P Tom Carruthers, SS Dave Andrade, OF/P Jim Robinson, OF/P Bill Wingate, C Mike Imrie, 2B Jim Boban and 3B Ted Tonelli. With the bases loaded, Andrade made a leaping catch for a double play to save the game.

Johnson & Co.

5 In 1978, Sr. Judith Legan’s girls won the first Class A girls track title as sprinter Cheryl Johnson won the 100 and 220 and anchored the winning 440 and 880 relays. Providence scored 31 points to St. Joseph-Ogden’s 16. Johnson combined with Jayne Glade — who was second in the 220 hurdles — Kaye and Alice Bertagnoli and Leanne Burla to win the relays.

WHAT PROVIDENCE MEANS TO ME

By Steve Morrissette: He pitched on baseball teams that won the state title in 1978 and was third in 1979. President and CEO of the First Community Bank in Joliet.

I remember two great years at Providence. Class A had just been established and my class won five state championships — baseball, girls track, football, wrestling and basketball. In two years, we made 10 state appearances, won five titles and seven trophies.

It was an exhilarating time to be at Providence. What I remember most is the quality of the people —coaches, teachers and students, great people to be around.

No professional athletes came out of that era. But the coaches — Matt Senffner, Jaime Garcia, Butch Markelz, Tim Ruettiger, Frank Palmisani and Dick Mandella — had a tremendous impact on building character and developing us into good people.

When I was there, they built Sacred Heart gym. My brother Jeff and I carried wood flooring out of the truck and laid it where it was going to be.

I spent the summer with coaches Markelz and Garcia and built the dugouts on the baseball field. And I worked with coach Senffner building the football bleachers.

As I look back, those times working with coaches were as intense and developmental as standing on the podium receiving a state trophy.

That’s why my children go there now. Dan graduated in 2007, Mike is a senior, Kate a freshman and Meg, a fourth-grader, can’t want to get there. I want them to hang around adults who will help them to grow into good people.

When I walk in the building, I remember smelling — as a student, as a member of the school board for 20 years and as a parent of three students — how much people care. I also smell the belief and expectation of high performance in the classroom and on the field.

There are places where there is a sense that you will get it done. Some cultures do it and others don’t. Providence gets things done, whether it’s a building project or winning a state championship.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

• Pete Bercich: NFL player.

• Sean Bormet: Three-time state wrestling champion.

• Clarissa Cerda: Former assistant counsel to the president of the U.S.

• Jose Cerda: Chief of Policy for City of Chicago and former special assistant to the president.

• Walter Downing: Mr. Basketball 1981, one of IHSA’s 100 Legends.

• Steven Fleming: Actor, comedian.

• Brad Guzan: Goalkeeper, U.S. soccer team.

• Sarah Jones: Judge, Will County’s 12th Circuit.

• Fr. Burke Masters: Former professional baseball player, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Joliet.

• Kerry Muzzey: Film and television composer.

• Steve Morrisette: Bank president and CEO.

• Jim O’Connor: Principal and founder of KIPP Ascend Charter School.

• Carmen Pignatiello: Pro baseball player.

• Bryan Rekar: Pro baseball player.

• Eric Steinbach: NFL player.