Joliet Catholic Academy - Notable Alumni

Notable Alumni

• George Mikan (Class of 1942) Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 and nicknamed Mr. Basketball, Mikan was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mikan had a successful player career, winning seven NBL, BAA and NBA championships, an All-Star MVP trophy, three scoring titles and being member of the first four NBA All-Star and the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams. Mikan was so dominant that he caused several rule changes in the NBA, among them widening the foul lane—known as the "Mikan Rule"—and introducing the shot clock. One of the founding fathers of the American Basketball Association, served as the league's commissioner. Played a critical role in the founding of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minkan made the 25th and 35th NBA Anniversary Teams of 1970 and 1980 and was elected one of the NBA 50 Greatest Players in 1996. Since April 2001, a statue of Mikan shooting his trademark hook shot graces the entrance of the Timberwolves' Target Center.
• Ed Mikan was a professional basketball player, playing in the BAA and its successor, the NBA (1948–54). He was the fifth overall pick in the 1948 BAA Draft.

• Melissa McCarthy is a professional actress
• James Otteson is an American philosopher and economist. Currently he is joint professor of philosophy and economics in Yeshiva College at Yeshiva University, and he is a Senior Fellow at The Fund for American Studies in Washington, D.C.
• Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger (class of 1966) is a motivational speaker best remembered as the inspiration for the film Rudy. An early part of the film shows him playing football at Joliet Catholic.
• Tom Thayer (class of 1979) was an NFL offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, and was a member of the team which won Super Bowl XX. He is currently a radio color commentator for the Chicago Bears
• Terry Gannon (Class of 1981) Gannon played college basketball at North Carolina State, where he was a member of Jim Valvano's "Cardiac Pack" national championship-winning team in 1983. During his four-year career, (1981–85), he was a two-time Academic All-American and NC State's all-time leading free throw shooter. In 1983, he was the #1 three-point shooter in the nation. After a short basketball career in Europe, Gannon turned to broadcasting on the advice of his coach "Jimmy V."
• Mark Grant (class of 1981) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1984-1993 and is now the color commentator for the San Diego Padres. Grant was selected in the 1st round of the 1981 MLB Draft as the 10th overall selection by the San Francisco Giants.
• Mike Alstott (class of 1992) was an NFL fullback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and was a member of the team which won Super Bowl XXXVII.
• Kevin Cameron (baseball) (Class of 1998) Former MLB pitcher who played for the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics. Appeared in 69 games over his MLB career. Was rated 72nd in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects and made all-state and all-area selections in 1998. Also set an Illinois state playoff record with 20 strikeouts in a game. Cameron was drafted out of high school by the Chicago White Sox organization in the 42nd round of the 1998 MLB draft, but elected to attend Georgia Tech on scholarship instead. Cameron was drafted again in the 2001 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins in the 13th round (377th overall pick).
• Allie Quigley (Class of 2004) Currently plays in the WNBA as a member of the Phoenix Mercury. Attended DePaul University and received honors such as Conference USA Freshman of the Year as well as two time first team all Big East.
• Joe Benson (Class of 2006) Drafted after his senior year of high school by the Minnesota Twins with the 20th pick in the 2nd round (64th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft. Made his major league debut on September 6, 2011 for the Twins. His 1st major league hit was a single off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer on September 10, 2011. He began the 2012 season with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings.
• Sean Bergman, Former MLB player (Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins)
• Coby Fleener (Class of 2007) Drafted with the 2nd pick of the 2nd round (34th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Was the 1st tight end taken in the 2012 draft. Attended Stanford University where he started at tight end for the Cardinal. Was an all-conference, all-area, all-state and all-academic honoree his senior season at Joliet Catholic Academy.
• Mike Grace, Former MLB player (Philadelphia Phillies)
• Mark Grant, San Diego Padres broadcaster and Former MLB player (San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros)
• Bill Gullickson, Former MLB player (Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers)
• Chris Michalak, Former MLB player (Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds)
• Jack Perconte, Former MLB player (Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox)
• Ed Spiezio, Former MLB player (St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox)