Marmion Academy in Aurora Monday announced Joe Piekarz has joined the Marmion Athletic Department as the head basketball coach. Piekarz spent the last 15 years as the head boys basketball coach at Indian Creek High School in Shabbona.
At Indian Creek, Piekarz and his teams had unprecedented success at the school and became one of the top small school programs in northern Illinois. Indian Creek’s overall record was 292-147 during Piekarz’ tenure and was recently named the 25th winningest program by the Chicago Sun-Times. Indian Creek won four regional tournament championships, one sectional tournament championship, and has been ranked in the Associated Press top 10 over the last few years.
Piekarz was named Illinois Basketball coaches Association (IBCA) Coach of the Year three times, in 2014, 2020, and 2021, and helped multiple Indian Creek players achieve their dreams of playing basketball at the college level.
Piekarz and the Indian Creek basketball team’s successes go beyond the basketball court. Twelve Indian Creek basketball players have been named either valedictorian or salutatorian over the last 10 years. The Indian Creek basketball teams have been honored by the Village government of Shabbona and the Oak Crest Rotary Club for their positive impact on the community.
Piekarz has had a passion for basketball since his days of playing for four years at Streamwood High School. After high school, he attended Northern Illinois University where he received a bachelor of science in history while playing baseball.
After graduation, Piekarz signed with the Oakland A’s Major League Baseball team where he played four years in its minor league system, including the Kane County Cougars in 2006. During that time, Piekarz was named Pitcher of the Year in 2006, and put together the lowest earned run average in the Oakland A’s organization in 2006.
He was awarded the Karl Kuehl Community Service Award for his commitment to serving the community while playing baseball.
—Marmion Abbey & Academy