Honors arrive in sports for excellence, which may be in many facets.
Marmion Academy’s ice hockey team was given honors and a mayoral commendation at Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting. Ten members of the State championship team and coaches and administrators were given a special salute for their accomplishments. See pages 1 and 8.
Marmion won the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. White Division State championship. The accomplishment is to be lauded for dedication, ability, and accomplishment. Schools are growing in number in high school hockey. The organization is not to be confused with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
Marmion is part of the first-year IHSA lacrosse competition in boys and girls. Marmion will be host to its annual Cadet Challenge in lacrosse Saturday, May 12.
The accomplishment of the hockey team is all the more remarkable because the program is in its infancy. Marmion defeated New Trier Gray, 2-1, in overtime in the White Division tournament championship. There are three divisions, to include the Red Division and the Combined Schools Division.
Dan Heckle, Marmion’s director of hockey operations, said at the Aurora City Council meeting after the presentation of the award that he is pleased that Marmion is Aurora’s first ice hockey State champion. Marmion nearly had to share the award of first hockey State champion. The Aurora Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley team advanced to the championship game of the Combined schools championship game, however, fell to Buffalo Grove/Hersey/Wheeling team, 7-2, in the championship game.
Members of the Marmion team include: Mark Picchietti, Andrew Galle, Sammy Greco, Matthew Sitar, Logan Gayton, Cole Hostasa, Nicholas Greco, Dylan Foster, Gino Viscomi, Aaron Munson, Sean Gillian, Jacob Carlson, Collin Ayres, Sean Galle, Henry Walton, Tom Nowicki, Zachary Dietz, and Andrew Madej. That list is 18 players. Ten attended the honors. Most of the remaining eight were playing Spring sports for the Cadets.
The Marmion head coach is Michael Perillo and assistant coaches include Greg Sauers, Jared Weaver, Graham Mosey, and strength coach Joe Koup. Andrew Damato is the athletic director. Anthony Tinerella is the head school. He once was a student at Marmion and is a former head football coach at Marmion. Loyola Academy Gold won the Red Division championship in a championship game against Stevenson.
• The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) released its coaches of the year list recently. Some of the coaches selected included high school, college, and middle school, listed alphabetically by coaches last names: Boys high school, Dan Beebe, Aurora Christian; Deryn Carter, Larkin; Gene Heidkamp, Benet Academy; Brian Johnson, West Aurora; Chris Perkins, Willowbrook; Brett Porto, Burlington Central; Jeff Powers, Naperville North; Jimmy Roberts, Jacobs; T.J. Tyrrell, IC Catholic Prep; Girls high school; Jeff Boldog, Harvest Christian; Ernie Colombe, Kaneland; Morgan Kasperek, Glenbard West; Rob Kroehnke, Wheaton Warrenville South; Andy Nussbaum, Naperville Central; Barb Scott, Newark; Michele Strube, Timothy Christian; men’s college basketball: Porter Moser, Loyola, from Benet Academy; Steve Christiansen, Triton, from Hinckley-Big Rock; women’s college basketball: Kent Madsen, Wheaton College; junior high boys David Jonathan, Rotolo Middle School, Batavia; junior high girls, Serena Cruz and Mark Peter, Troy Middle School, Plainfield.