Athletics News | St. Rita H.S. Athletics

St. Rita Athletic Director Mike Zunica Inducted into CCL Hall of Fame

May 4, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

On May 3, 2012, St. Rita Athletic Director and Varsity Head Baseball Coach, Mike Zunica was joined by family, friends and colleagues at the 52^nd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet of the Chicago Catholic League. Zunica was one of fifteen men honored by the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association for their contributions to academic and athletic excellence within Chicago Catholic high school athletics

Coach Mike Zunica is currently entering his 16^th season as Varsity Head Baseball Coach at St. Rita High School. He has amassed an overall record of 440 – 141. During his tenure, he has lead the Mustangs to 9 regional championships, 4 sectional championships, 4 super-sectional championships, and 9 Elite 8 appearances, including summer state championships in 2005 and 2009, and a 2^nd place finish in both the spring of 2009 and 2010.

In addition to their success on the field, the St. Rita Mustangs Baseball team is proud of their comparable achievements in the classroom. This year’s Varsity Mustangs have 17 student members of the National Honor Society. During Mike’s tenure as head baseball coach, he has witnessed four members of his team earn the distinction of Class Valedictorian. St. Rita principal, Brendan Conroy said, “We are fortunate to have a baseball coach and athletic director like Mike, whose passion for St. Rita and commitment to the growth and improvement of his athletes and all our students is truly an inspiration.”

“I believe the greatest gift you can give your kid is a Catholic education,” said Zunica, who gave special thanks to his parents for the sacrifices they made to send him to Catholic schools. Zunica’s wife, Jacqui and three children, Camille, Michael and Mateo were also present at the induction ceremony. During the past four years, Zunica had the opportunity to coach his son, Mike, who will be graduating from St. Rita this month and entering Columbia University in New York to play football in the fall.

Chicago Tribune | Boys hockey state final | Sojka, Faron lead St. Rita past St. Viator

March 23, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

By Paul LaTour Special to the Tribune9:47 p.m. CDT, March 23, 2012

A broken wrist that required surgery during the summer subsequently resulted in a staph infection for St. Rita senior Stan Sojka.

It nearly derailed his hockey season.

Fortunately for the Mustangs, Sojka completed his final season Friday with a two-goal, one-assist performance in a 5-0 victory against St. Ignatius in the Illinois High School Hockey Championships boys final at the United Center.

“I spent a week straight in the hospital and lost 13 pounds, but I came back strong,” said Sojka, who missed 34 games this season and entered the final with eight goals. “I was told there wouldn’t be any complications regarding the wrist, so that kept my hopes up.”

Marty Napleton stopped 29 shots and Rick Faron scored twice for the Mustangs (46-13-4), who won their second title in three years and third overall. Sojka was one of six current Mustangs who played in the 2010 title game. Read Full Story

Filed Under: Athletics News, Hockey News, Top Sports News

Southtown Star | Boys Hockey: Marty Napleton stymies St Viator, lifts St Rita to title

March 23, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

St. Rita goalie Marty Napleton has been marvelous all season — a 31-8-2 mark, including 13 shutouts, and 1.45 goals-against average is testament to that.

Napleton, however, saved arguably his finest performance of the campaign for Friday night.

The junior netminder turned aside 28 shots, many in spectacular fashion, to carry St. Rita to a dominant 5-0 victory over St. Viator in the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois’ state championship at the United Center. Napleton earned Most Valuable Player honors for his performance.

Stan Sojka (assist) and Ricky Faron paced the offense, scoring two goals each. Jack Warren added a solo tally for the Mustangs.

“Marty has been unbelievable all year,” Faron said. “He stood on his head tonight.” Read Full Story

Filed Under: Athletics News, Hockey News, Top Sports News

Hockey: St. Rita wins fifth straight Kennedy Cup

March 6, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

By Tim Tierney For Sun-Times Media March 5, 2012

The shouts of “This is our house’’ that came from St. Rita fans when Keith Burchett gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead became a boisterous celebration after the players lived up to the chant.

St. Rita scored three unanswered goals in the second period Monday night, then held on to earn its fifth straight Catholic League Kennedy Cup with a 3-2 victory over Benet at Southwest Ice Arena.

“It’s awesome,’’ Burchett said. “It feels like it keeps getting tougher and tougher every year. Benet played awesome. It was tough. I think it was the toughest one yet.’’

St. Rita won the last two games in the best-of-3 series after falling in overtime to Benet in Game 1.

When time expired Monday, St. Rita goalie Marty Napleton threw his stick and gloves into the air as his teammates rushed to the crease to start the mob scene near the net.

“For two periods we were rolling along,’’ St. Rita coach Craig Ferguson said. “Marty came up big when he had to. He made some big saves at the end.’’

A rebound goal by Jack Warren that put St. Rita ahead 3-0 with 3 minutes, 53 seconds to go in the second period turned out to be the winner. Read Full Story

Game Photos from MJB Images

Filed Under: Athletics News, Hockey News, Top Sports News

ESPN Chicago: POTW: St. Rita shooting guard Tony Hicks

February 24, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

Scott Powers/ESPNChicago.com

St. Rita coach Gary DeCesare recognized Tony Hicks‘ potential long before Hicks did. Upon arriving at St. Rita three years ago, DeCesare saw a player who was blessed with some natural gifts, but needed to put in a lot of work if he wanted to be special.

“I’ve been hard on a lot of kids in my career,” said DeCesare, who was a DePaul assistant coach prior to St. Rita. “I’ve been really hard on Tony. I’ve been on him from Day 1 to the end of the season. I told him he could be one of the best players in the state of Illinois.”

As Hicks now puts it, he “sort of” believed what DeCesare was saying. Hicks wasn’t in love with basketball and wasn’t completely convinced he had that large of an upside, but he was willing to give it a shot and spend the additional time DeCesare thought was necessary to develop his skills.

What Hicks discovered through the process was a passion for the game and that his coach knew exactly what he was talking about. Now in his senior season, Hicks has turned himself into what DeCesare always thought he could be — one of the Illinois’ premier players. Read Full Story

Filed Under: Athletics News, Basketball News

Junior Chris Foley Talks About Hockey on the Chet Coppock Show

February 16, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

Check out Junior, Chris Foley’s interview with Chet Coppock:
Click:

Filed Under: Athletics News, Hockey News

SouthtownStar: Disabato | St. Rita shooting for fifth straight Kennedy Cup

February 15, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

They are attempting to accomplish what only three other teams have in Catholic League hockey history: win five consecutive Kennedy Cup championships.

It’s a tremendous feat, one that requires great reserves of skill and discipline, and the occasional puck bouncing the right way.

For the St. Rita Mustangs, who finished the regular season 19-2-1 and in first place in the Catholic League, the drive for five begins Thursday night against Notre Dame at Southwest Ice Arena.

“We’re happy with the way we’ve been playing,” St. Rita coach Craig Ferguson said. “We know we’re going to get everybody’s best effort. A big key for us is knowing that we have to play hard against everybody at all times.”

In other words, the Mustangs frequently must put the pedal to the metal, but do so in an intelligent manner.

Translation: stay out of the penalty box.

“There have been times where we get lazy a couple of shifts in a row and we shoot ourselves in the foot with silly penalties,” Ferguson said. “But we haven’t had the penalty situation we had the past couple of years. These kids have been pretty disciplined. The playoffs are a different story. Emotions can get high.” Read Full Story

Filed Under: Athletics News, Hockey News

Ten Mustangs Sign National Letters of Intent

February 1, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

Ten members of the Fighting Mustangs, St. Rita of Cascia High School’s football team, signed national letters of intent on Wednesday, February 1. Among the players, three are headed to the Ivy League, four to Division I schools and three players will be playing on teams that are current National Champions. The players’ family members were present for the signing, along with Head Football Coach, Mr. Todd Kuska, Athletic Director, Mr. Michael Zunica and President, Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A.

Michael Zunica (RB) signed a letter of intent to attend Columbia University in New York City. Mike attended St. Alexander Grammar School and resides in Palos Park, IL.

Max Kurucar (DB/P) signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Max attended Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School and resides in Oak Lawn, IL.

Will McNamara (LB) signed a letter of intent to attend Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Will attended St. Catherine of Alexandria Grammar School and resides in Oak Lawn, IL.

Dan Fitzgerald (OLB) signed a letter of intent to attend St. Xavier University in Chicago. Dan attended St. Christina Grammar School and resides in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago.

Dan Ladd (WR) signed a letter of intent to attend St. Xavier University in Chicago. Dan attended St. Cajetan Grammar School and resides in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago.

Ricardo Valadez (LB) signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, WI. Ricky lives in the Ashburn neighborhood of Chicago and attended St. Bede the Venerable Grammar School.

Kenny Golladay (WR) signed a letter of intent to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. Kenny resides in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood of Chicago and attended St. Ethelreda Grammar School.

Nick Dachota (OL) signed a letter of intent to attend Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. Nick resides in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago and attended St. John Fisher Grammar School.

Patrick O’Connor (DL) signed a letter of intent to attend Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. Pat attended Mt. Greenwood Elementary School and resides in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago.

Charles Elmore (DB) signed a letter of intent to attend South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. Charles resides in Bridgeview, IL and attended George Washington Elementary School in Lyons.

Photo: Ten members of the Fighting Mustangs, St. Rita of Cascia High School’s football team, signed national letters of intent on Wednesday, February 1. Pictured (standing, left to right): Head Football Coach, Mr. Todd Kuska, Michael Zunica, Max Kurucar, Will McNamara, Dan Fitzgerald, Dan Ladd, Ricky Valadez, St. Rita Athletic Director, Mr. Mike Zunica. (seated, left to right): Kenny Golladay, Nick Dachota, Pat O’Connor and Charles Elmore.

Filed Under: Athletics News, Football News, Top Sports News

Southtown Star – Boys Basketball: St. Rita lays down the Law against Mount Carmel

February 1, 2012 By St. Rita HS Leave a Comment

A sophomore starting on the varsity, St. Rita’s Victor Law has taken the coaching staff’s message to heart, especially in Tuesday’s game at Mount Carmel.

“Coach (Gary) DeCesare says ‘We’re not sophomores, just varsity players,’ ” Law said. “You can’t think of yourself as a sophomore so I think like I’m a senior.”

Dressing just eight players because of injuries and suspensions, St. Rita was dealt another blow in the third quarter when leading scorer Tony Hicks left after taking an inadvertent elbow that produced a cut over his right eye.

With a 23-point lead shrinking to 12, a Law three-pointer helped hold off a Mount Carmel charge and No. 7 St. Rita won 57-43 in the Catholic League crossover.

“With your best player in Tony going down, somebody has to step up, and it’s a team effort,” Law said. “I was just trying to make a play and whatever it takes to win. Making that three was a big part of the win.”

Hicks (16 points) and Law (13 points, 10 rebounds) led St. Rita (11-8, 7-1). Alex Austin scored 15 points and Billy Patterson had 11 for Mount Carmel (6-13, 3-5). Read Full Story