Mount Carmel High School (Chicago)

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For other schools with the same name, see Mount Carmel High School.

Mount Carmel High School

Motto	"You came to Carmel as a boy. If you care to struggle and work at it, you will leave as a man."
Established	1900
Type	Private, All Male
Affiliations	Catholic, Carmelite
President	Fr. Carl Markelz, O.Carm
Students	900
Grades	9–12
Location	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Campus	Urban
Colors	Brown and White
Mascot	Caravan
Yearbook	Oriflamme
Newspaper	The Caravan
Website	http://www.mchs.org

Mount Carmel High School is an all boys Catholic high school in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, the school is operated by the Carmelite order of priests and brothers, some of whom live in the nearby Saint Cyril Priory. These Carmelites are assisted by dedicated lay faculty and a nationally recognized coaching staff. Mount Carmel's student body is highly diverse- a tribute to its mission on Chicago's heavily segregated south side.

Mount Carmel is occasionally confused with Carmel High School in Mundelein, Illinois, and Mount Carmel High School in Mount Carmel, Illinois. The former is also a Carmelite school, while the latter is the town of Mount Carmel's only public high school.

Contents 1 History 2 Campus 3 Academics 4 Athletics 5 Complete List of Competitive Activities 6 Notable alumni 7 References 8 External links

[edit] History

In the Fall of 1900, the Carmelite order established St. Cyril College at 54th and Jefferson (now Harper) on Chicago's South side. In the first year there were 13 students and five priest teachers. The following year the college was moved to 64th and Washington (now Blackstone) because of the need for a larger building and better access to public transportation. The St. Cyril College Building at 64th and Star (now Dante) was completed in 1902, and classes began with 137 students and 11 faculty members.

At first the college had three departments: (1) Academic, which included both a junior high and a high school program; (2) College, a four-year program with emphasis on Greek and Latin; (3) Commercial, a three-year course. In 1918, with young men being called to serve in World War I, the college curriculum was dropped while the high school department was enlarged and improved.

In December of 1922, Father Elias Magennis, General of the Carmelite Order, and Archbishop Mundelein of Chicago agreed on the need for the immediate construction of a new St. Cyril High School Building. In the spring and summer of 1924, a three story main building was erected by the Thompson-Starrett Construction Company with Zachary Davis as the architect.

William Lynch, a St. Cyril College graduate, was in charge of construction. Later that fall, the new building was dedicated as Mount Carmel High School.

Even in its early years, the school's tradition of alumni sending their sons to Mount Carmel was strong. But during the late 1960's, the economic deterioration of the Woodlawn neighborhood contributed to a significant decrease in enrollment. Mount Carmel's close proximity to the Black P. Stones/El Rukn street gang may have also hurt the school's ability to attract students. But thanks to the efforts of Father David Dillon and numerous other Mount Carmel faithful, the school survived by bussing in students from neighboring areas- many of whom are carrying on family legacies. Current redevelopment projects in the Woodlawn area and southern expansion by the University of Chicago have improved the future outlook of the school and its surrounding community.

[edit] Campus

The Mount Carmel campus is located at the intersection of East 64th Street and South Dante Avenue, less than a mile from the shores of Lake Michigan. The oldest surviving structures are the three-story main building and the Carmelite Chapel.

In the 1950s and 60s, Mt. Carmel saw the addition of two buildings: the Student Center and the two-story Learning Center. Since then, the campus has gradually been enlarged, beginning with the student parking lot and the athletic field on the south end of the property. Thanks to the Capital Campaign Case Study, the campus was further expanded to include the Scott School property. In 1992, construction began on a new monastery for the Carmelites. Additionally, a science and computer center called the Graham Center was built on the site of the old Carmelite Monastery. Although the old Priory was demolished to make room for the Graham center, the original Chapel was saved and given a facelift.

The school again expanded in 2005 by adding the Mt. Carmel Convocation Center. The structure houses three gyms, an indoor track, weight room, offices, locker rooms, meeting areas for alumni and faculty, a student center/dining hall, and new computer and science labs. A new student parking lot was built on the north end of the campus.

In addition to the Convocation Center, Mt. Carmel's athletic facilities include Carey Field for football and Haggerty Field for baseball and soccer. The 'Old Gym' still hosts athletic competition, including the school's annual Fight Night boxing event. The original four-lane, 20 yard pool hosts the Swimming and Water Polo teams. Off-campus facilities used by the school include the Jackson Park trails and practice fields, Gately Stadium, Eckersall Stadium, and the Homewood-Flossmoor ice arena.

[edit] Academics

Academic excellence is the trademark of Mt. Carmel High School, as it has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon ^[1] and National Exemplary School. Mount Carmel currently offers a curriculum that is as comprehensive as that of any Catholic High School in Chicago. With four programs of study, the school serves the needs of all types of college bound students:

The Honors/Advanced Placement Program

The Honors Program challenges students to maximize their potential by placing them in accelerated courses, and enriches their experience through Advanced Placement courses in Literature, American, European and World History, Physics, Calculus and Foreign Languages.

Accelerated College Prep Program

Students in the Accelerated College Prep Program pursue a challenging curriculum developed to prepare them for acceptance into the college of their choice. All requirements meet the standards for college admission established by the Illinois Board of High School Education.

College Prep Program

The College Prep program prepares students to successfully meet the standards for college admission. To be admitted to this program, a student's standardized test scores must show college potential and his grammar school transcript and letters of recommendation must confirm a solid work ethic.

McDermott-Doyle Program

The McDermott-Doyle program meets the needs of young men with specific learning disabilities who seek a college education but require accommodations to achieve their goals. There a limited number of seats in this program, with preference given to students who are Catholic or graduates of Catholic grammar schools.

[edit] Athletics

Mt. Carmel has long been host to champions of the athletic field. The 1950 football team has been considered by local prep journalists as the best in Illinois history. Led by running back Frank Pinn and future Notre Dame coach Terry Brennan, the Caravan rolled to an 11-0-0 record that included both the Catholic League and Prep Bowl championships. In addition to 1950, Mount Carmel's football team has won city championships in 1927, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1943, 1951, 1952, 1960, 1967, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1993 and 2001.

In 1974, the Chicago Catholic League agreed to participate in IHSA state tournaments, signaling a new era of Mount Carmel athletics. Coach Bill Barz led the Caravan to its first ever IHSA state championship in 1980, when the football team defeated Hinsdale South 15-10. Since then, the school has claimed 9 additional state football crowns under coach Frank Lenti in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Only Joliet Catholic Academy has won more IHSA football titles (13), although the Caravan leads the head to head series by a 28-9 count.

Mount Carmel's athletic success extends far beyond the gridiron. The school's first state championship was won by the Water Polo team in 1975, when they defeated perpetual powerhouse Fenwick High School in triple overtime.

The Ice Hockey club has amassed 5 state championships (1979, 86, 87, 88, 90) and a Catholic League record 20 Kennedy Cups.

In 1985, coach Ed McQuillan and the Caravan captured the first IHSA Boys Basketball Championship won by a Chicago Catholic League School. From 1992-94, legendary coach Bill Weick and future Olympian Joe Williams led Mt. Carmel to 3 consecutive IHSA Wrestling titles. The Rugby team has won three state championships (1998, 1999 and 2000.)

Several other Caravan squads have placed in the finals for state, including: Baseball 2005, runner up; Football 1986, 1995, 2005, 2006, runner up; Volleyball 2000, third place; Wresting 1998, 2002, runner up; Rugby 2002, 2005, runner up; 2003, 2006, 2007, semi-finalists. Caravan teams and individuals have also won countless Catholic League Championships in Football, Golf, Soccer, Cross Country, Wrestling, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Baseball and Track & Field.

[edit] Complete List of Competitive Activities

• Football (Varsity, Sophomore, Freshman)
• Cross Country (Varsity, Junior Varsity)
• Soccer (Varsity, JV)
• Golf (Varsity, JV)
• Ice Hockey (Club Varsity, Club JV)
• Rugby (Club Varsity, Club JV)
• Swimming (Varsity, JV)
• Wrestling (Varsity, JV)
• Water Polo (Varsity, JV)
• Volleyball (Varsity, JV)
• Tennis (Varsity, JV)
• Track and Field (Varsity, JV)
• Bowling (Varsity)
• Baseball (Varsity, Sophomore, Freshman)
• Basketball (Varsity, Sophomore, Freshman)
• Speech
• Mock Trial
• Scholastic Bowl (Varsity, JV)
• Intramural Boxing
• National Hackey Sack Tournament

[edit] Notable alumni

Academics and Science

• Richard Anthony Parker, Egyptologist who studied the mortuary temple of Ramses III, founded the Brown University Department of Egyptology and selected as a Corresponding Fellow at the British Academy.^[2]
• Jacob Matijevic, Chief of Engineering for the Mars Roverproject and Microrover Flight Experiment Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.^[3]

Authors and Journalism

• James T. Farrell, author of over 40 published works, including the Studs Lonigan trilogy.
• Robert Cooley, author of When Corruption was King. ^[4]
• Mike Houlihan, former Chicago Sun Times columnist who both wrote and starred in the comic memoir Goin' East On Ashland.

Business and Politics

• William B. Graham, CEO of Baxter International from 1953 to 1980. Under Graham's guidance, the organization built the first artificial kidney.
• William Harty, marketing executive who created the Keebler Elves.
• John F. Gilmore, Jr., former CEO of Goldman Sachs, Chairman of Chicago Board of Trade in 1986 and elected to the Future's Industry Association Hall of Fame.^[5]
• John Pope, Alderman of Chicago's 10th Ward.
• Tom Dart, Sheriff of Cook County.

Professional Athletes, Olympians and Sports Figures

• Elmer Angsman, former Notre Dame and Chicago Cardinals running back. Angsman holds the NFL postseason record for yards per carry (15.9) thanks to a 10 carry, 159 yard performance against the Eagles in the 1947 title game.
• Count Dante, born John Timothy Keehan, controversial martial arts champion, comic book hero and hair stylist for Playboy Playmates^[6]
• Denny McLain, former Detroit Tigers pitcher, Cy Young Award winner in 1968 & 69, AL MVP award in 1968 with 31 wins, last MLB pitcher to win 30 games in a season ^[7]
• Frank Lenti, Caravan's 'Coach of the Century'^[8] and his staff have led Mt. Carmel varsity football to 13 state championship appearances.
• Lloyd Walton, former Marquette Warrior and Milwaukee Bucks guard
• Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings defenseman and US Hockey Olympian in '84, '98, '02 and '06. Chelios did not graduate but attended the school until his family moved to California in 1977.
• Tony Furjanic, former Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins linebacker.
• Erik Pappas, former Chicago Cubs catcher and Greek Olympian.
• Frank Cornish, former NFL offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys.
• Mel McCants, former Purdue University and Los Angeles Lakers forward.
  

  

  Chris Calloway

• Nate Turner, former Buffalo Bills running back, 1993-1994.
• Chris Calloway, former New York Giants wide receiver.
• Ed Stewart, consensus All-American and captain of the 1994 National Champion Nebraska Cornhuskers. Stewart was named Assistant Commissioner of Big 12 Conference in 2006.
• Simeon Rice, defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, two-time All-American linebacker at the University of Illinois, and Super Bowl XXXVII Champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Joe Williams, six-time U.S. National Wrestling Champion, member of 2004 US Olympic Team, and assistant coach at the University of Iowa.
• Matt Cushing, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, 1999-2005.
• Donovan McNabb, 5 time Pro Bowl quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, 2004 NFC Champion.
• Antoine Walker, 3 time NBA all-star was a forward for 2006 NBA champion Miami Heat and 1996 NCAA Champion Kentucky Wildcats.
• Steve Edwards, offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.
• Darrell Hill, former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver.
• Cesar Carrillo, professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres organization.

Television, Stage and Hollywood

• Richard Kiley, television, film, and theatre actor who created leading roles in the Broadway productions of Kismet, No Strings, and Man of La Mancha; also did the voiceover track for the film Jurassic Park. Kiley was the recipient of multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards.
• Daniel Sunjata (Dan Condon), Tony-nominated actor who plays Franco Rivera on the TV series Rescue Me. Sunjata also appeared in Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada.
• Brendan Conway, ABC News Milwaukee.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Mount Carmel High School- official website
• IHSFW.com's Mt. Carmel football page - sports web site
• Prep Sports Online, Mount Carmel Caravan page - sports web site