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The History of Chicago St. Mel High School
Chicago
(population 2.8 million) is in northeastern Illinois in eastern Cook
County. Lake Michigan, along with the Chicago
and Des Plaines Rivers
are the main waterways in the city. Interstates 55, 57, 90, & 94 will all lead you to the "Windy City." From what started as a small village
in the early 1800’s along the banks of Lake Michigan, Chicago has grown to the nation's third largest city and one of
the most famous places in the world, as the result of an ethnically diverse community that adopted the city.
St. Mel High School was an all-boys' insitution
during its lifetime, served by the Christian Brothers. According to Brother Tom Hetland, who serves
as Alumni Director for the St. Mel Alumni Association, "It began in 1917 at One North Kildare in Chicago and remained an all-boys school at that site until 1969 (I believe). At
that time the boys merged with the girls and all created Providence-St. Mel in the Providence HS building at Central Park and Jackson. When
Providence-St. Mel began as a merged school both the Christian
Brothers and the Sisters of Providence were still actively involved."
Br.
Tom's statement is accurate and we should add that in the Chicago Archdiocese records that the school opened with
a three-year commercial course as well as a four-year college course in 1917, in addition to prep classes for junior
high students. Founder and St. Mel pastor Rev. Patrick J. McDonnell saw a need for the school, which then-Archbishop George
Mundelein helped him realize.
Three hundred
boys and 10 Christian Brothers were present when the school first began operation at St. Mel's Parish. The first graduates
received their diplomas in 1921 with a class of 33 being honored.
In 1924, the
commercial and junior high classes were dropped. St. Mel continued to grow in the 1940's to the degree that it expanded
the size of the parish grade school in 1942 and housed freshmen and sophomores in one building (also known as the West Building).
The school reached
a high enrollment mark of 1,593 in the fall of 1958, but some of the problems that plagued sister school Providence High School
also were concerns at St. Mel. Some of the reasons to closed the all-boys' school were lower enrollment, continuing financial woes,
inadequate facilities, and low morale among students and faculty alike.
We have been
informed that the building that housed St. Mel High School was demolished in 1979. Steven Sawula (Class
of 1964) believes that the property was turned into a parking lot. The other building may well be
in use as an educational facility of some sort today.
Bob
Langworthy tells us the "East Building" that once served as part of the St. Mel campus is now a parking lot. The
"West Building" serves as an apartment complex. Bob also tells us the following information about Saint Mel, the person:
"Saint Mel was
one of two brothers (both saints, what a family!) who were nephews of Saint Patrick. Folklore has it that one of them,
which one is unknown, was living with an aunt, and St. Pat advised him to move out, as it might look bad to their neighbors."
FACTS ABOUT CHICAGO ST. MEL HIGH SCHOOL
Year opened:
1917
Year closed:
1969
Now part of: Providence-St.
Mel High School
School Colors:
Purple and Gold
School Nickname: "Knights"
School Song:
St. Mel School Song
(courtesy of Br. Tom Hetland)
St. Mel Knights are marching to victory today
Hand clasping hand for a win, we will pray
Pledging
allegiance to God and our flag
St. Mel Knights will conquer and never lag.
Another version of the St. Mel school song was submitted by Ann Jasper (daughter of alumnus John Corcoran):
Come on, let's yell
For Old St. Mel,
For Old St. Mel,
The school we love.
A yell will tell
The team that we
Are fighting out there
Along beside them.
Give three cheers,
A rah-rah-rah!
A sis-boom-bah!
To spur them on their way today
To make another VICTORY
For Old St. Mel!
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ACTIVITIES
St. Mel students could
complete in football, basketball, tennis, and fencing, according to information received from the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). However, George Fornero's 1990 dissertation about Chicago Catholic high schools between 1955-1980 states the school also
had wrestling, swimming, track, and boxing. The school also had its own ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) unit in 1935,
making them the only Catholic high school in the city to have this activity. A drum & bugle corps (see photo at bottom
of page), choir, glee club, drama, and debating were also offered as activities for Knight students.
| St. Mel Coach John (Paddy) Driscoll |
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| courtesy of Bill Meyer |
FOOTBALL The Knights were members
of the Chicago Catholic League starting in 1918 and later joined the Chicagoland Prep Conference
in 1961. They were a competitive bunch and turned out a number of players that
went onto play professionally, such as Bernie Leahy, Tom Bettis, Tom Keating,
and Walt Barnes. St. Mel's football program was once headed by pro football Hall of Famer Paddy Driscoll, who had once played
and/or coached with the Bears and then-Chicago Cardinals. Some of the
better records posted by St. Mel teams are posted below (courtesy of Tom Sikorski): 1942
6-2 2nd Chicago Catholic League North Division Coach Emmett Murphy
| 1942 Homecoming Program |
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| courtesy of Ann (Corcoran) Jasper, daughter of alum John Corcoran |
| 1943 Knight football roster |
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| Courtesy of Ann (Corcoran) Jasper, daughter of alum John Corcoran (#28 on roster) |
| St. Mel versus DeLaSalle in 1943 |
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| Courtesy of Ann (Corcoran) Jasper, daughter of alum John Corcoran |
1945
5-3 1956
5-3 1957
4-4-1 1959
6-2 1961 5-3 Moved to the Chicagoland
Prep Conference Coach John Hosinski 1962 7-2
Coach John Hosinski 1963
4-4-1
Coach Warren Jones 1964
5-4 The last Knight
team took the field in 1966, coached
by Bob McAlpin, losing its last game, 20-0, to Little Flower.
BASKETBALL
As early as
1925, the Knights gained recognition for their school as they won the National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament
in Chicago against a field of parochial schools nationwide at Loyola University, and later picked up a second place in
1932 when Chicago St. Patrick beat St. Mel in the title game, 22-20.
Prior to 1925,
the Knights were involved in one of the lowest scoring games in IHSA history as it edged Chicago St. Rita on February 2nd,
1921 by a score of 4-3. St. Mel also won four heavyweight titles in Chicago Catholic League play in addition to four lightweight
championships thru 1939, according to research done by Illinois prep sports historian Robert Pruter. Coaches of these
teams are unknown at this time.
1925-26 Chicago
Catholic League Lightweight Champions
| St. Mel 1925 Championship Medal - Thomas J. Kearns |
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| Submitted by Karen J. (Kearns) Richman |
| 1925-26 Chgo Catholic League Lightweight Champs |
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| Courtesy of Karen J. (Kearns) Richman (Right Click on Photo for Enlarged Version) |
| St. Mel Basketball / 1926-27 |
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| Submitted by Karen J. (Kearns) Richman (Right Click on Photo for Enlarged Version) |
1928-29
Chicago Catholic League Heavyweight Champions
1930-31
Chicago Catholic League Heavyweight Champions
1931-32
Chicago Catholic League Heavyweight Champions
1933-34
Chicago Catholic League Lightweight Champions
1934-35
Chicago Catholic League Heavyweight Champions
1935-36 Chicago
Catholic League Lightweight Champions
1936-37
Chicago Catholic League Lightweight Champions
1953-54
Chicago Catholic League & City Basketball Champions!! 1966-67 20-5 Chicagoland
Prep Conference Champions Coaches Slingerland and Saturnus
Memories
From John
Moeller (Class of 1962):
"Back in the late '50s and early '60s, I and my two older brothers, Richard and Daniel, attended
St. Mel's grade school and high school. We lived in a couple of apartments in the neighborhood and
were never more than two blocks from the school. For a few years, we lived in an apartment at 4337 W. Washington Blvd., or
about 100 to 200 yards from the school.
I mention this because all three of us were into basketball and were gym rats of the highest
order. In fact, the Christian Brothers gave us a key to the gym so that we could use it
on the weekends...with a rule being that we had to call them to let them know a game was on so that they could join
us. During these years, we often played with former
St. Mel players, with some being from the 1954 team that won the City High School Basketball Championship.
The Chicago Tribune Archives has an article written by Charles Bartlett. I believe the game
was played on 3/24/54 as the article appeared in the paper on 3/25.
An abstract from this article says: "The St. Mel Knights won the City High
School Basketball Championship by whipping the famed DuSable Panthers 83-74, before
a wildly cheering crowd of 15,363.''
This game, I believe, was the single biggest sports moment in the history of St.
Mel High School. THE CITY CHAMPIONSHIP!!"
TENNIS
One individual
that represented the school was a singles' champion at the University of Chicago Interscholastic Tournament, which held
from time to time between 1895 and the early 1930's. According to an article written by Robert Pruter from the IHSA
website, Emmett Pare from St. Mel won the 1925 singles
title at this tournament, and went on to win the 1929 national clay court singles' championship. Pare and his teammates banded
together to win the 1925 Chicago Catholic League team championship,
FENCING
As a sport
that did not get much attention, St. Mel did offer it in the 1960's, as reported on the IHSA website. We are looking
to find out more about this sport at St. Mel and how it competed against other schools.
SWIMMING
We are aware that
the Knights did have swimming during the early days of its existence. St. Mel was a member of the Chicago Catholic League
natatorium scene and came away with back-to-back conference titles.
1928
Chicago Catholic League Champions
1929
Chicago Catholic League Champions
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FAMOUS ALUMNI
Bernie Leahy -- After his prep days at St. Mel and collegiately at Notre Dame, Leahy was
a halfback for the Chicago Bears during the 1932 season in which they won the NFL championship.
Tom Bettis -- This linebacker starred at Purdue, then went on to an nine-year career in
the National Football League with Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and the hometown Bears from 1955-63. Bettis was a member of three
teams that reached the NFL championship game in three of his last four seasons (1960, 1961, & 1963), then was interim head
coach of the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1977 season.
Tom Keating -- Following St. Mel and Michigan, the big defensive tackle starred for
Buffalo, Oakland, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City between 1964-75, and played on three American Football League championship
teams (1964, 1965, & 1967).
Walt Barnes -- Continuing in the footsteps of Bettis & Keating as a defensive player,
Barnes' NFL career marked with stops at Washington and Denver from 1966-71 following All-American status at Nebraska in 1965.
Lee Loughnane (Class of 1964) Lee was a member of the St. Mel concert band as a trumpet
player. He would become a member of the famous rock musical group "Chicago."
John Kucan (Class of 1964) The captain of the varsity soccer
team, who went on to becoming a renowned plastic surgeon in Springfield, Illinois.
Dennis O'Halleran (Class of 1964) - After graduation, became a police officer in Chicago
before moving to Arizona, being serving in the state house of representatives in 2001, and moved up to the
state senate in 2007. O'Halleran also was elected to the US House of Representatives from Arizona, effective January 3, 2017.
Frank Quilici (Class of 1956) Became a major league baseball player starting in the
1965 World Series at second base for the Minnesota Twins. Became manager of the Twins in 1972, a position he held until
1975. For more information check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Quilici.
MEMORIES & FACTS
From Paul Guerino (Class of 1960):
"Cardinal George's father
graduated from St. Mel in 1923 I believe. He was the highest ranking engineer in the Chicago Public Schools and was in charge
of the Chicago Teachers College North Campus when it opened in 1965. I was a student there in the 1960s and we
developed a friendship because I was a St. Mel graduate there in 1960."
From Art Fox (class of 1948):
"We were the last class with R.O.T.C., won Federal Inspection for this district, which was held downtown
Chicago reviewed by Gen. Wainwright, who surrendered Corrigidor in WWII. We had most sports, boxing, rifle, bowling,
football, varsity basketball and intramural basketball at lunch period. Our basketball team was coached by Johnny
Dee, who went on to coach Notre Dame basketball.
"The high school was razed and now occupies a cleaning store (yr. 2003). The former Catholic Church,
across the street, where we held graduation, is now a Baptist Church.
"When attending Mels, I resided next to elevated directly behind Wrigley Field centerfield scoreboard,
took close to 1 hour travelling on streetcars and buses. "
From John Brezina (class of 1967): "Hi there, I graduated St. Mel in '67.
"As far as I am concerned, the reason it closed was not low morale, rather the fact that the MLK riots in
'68 started around Pulaski and Madison and the entire neighborhood was essentially burnt to the ground. The area is still
like Beirut, or Warsaw after WWII, vacant lots and brickyards.
"I went to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Garfield Park conservatory with my daughter and decided to show
her where I grew up. We went by Kildare and Madison. The east building is long since gone, I went there with Brother
Gregory when the Christian Brothers were pulling out and scavenged stuff left after the auction.
"The west building was being used by the Chicago Board of Education for some sort of early childhood development
center. There was a sign on the door that said 'Drug and weapon free zone, no firearms or drugs allowed within 500
feet.' The brothers are rolling over in their graves."
From Bill Meyer (class of 1956):
"Really enjoyed the history, and have something
you will be interested in. Had to
be late 1920s/early '30s, when no
less than NFL HOFer Paddy Driscoll
(who played with the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals) was the football coach at our Alma! I only recall that because his name was engraved on some of those trophies in the big case on 2nd
floor hallway in the East bldg."
From Robb Soria (class of 1965):
Hi..my name is Robb Soria (although the yearbook
has me captured under the name Richard!)
I actually found your information by "accident"...but, then again,
who doesn't find info on the internet by accident?
Just wanted to share some "trivia" about some St. Mel
memories...
About 6 years ago, I and my current girlfriend (never married..was always kind of a playboy)...we
were on our way to attend a play in downtown Chicago. We were coming from the far west suburbs, so we took the Eisenhower
heading east. It was a beautiful summer evening about 6pm..when we headed into some serious traffic around the Mannheim exit
area. I decided that after driving 15-20 miles an hour wasn't going to help us..so, I exited on Austin and Congress. I decided
to take Madison Avenue east...at least for a few blocks ( I know what you're thinking..."I must be crazy driving through that
neighborhood !"). But, I was anxious to see if the west building of St.Mel was still there. I think this was the year 2006?
The lady and I were shaking all the way ..we finally did pass the building (saw it from the street) and couldn't believe the
condition of the building or the area. I hadn't been to St. Mel High School since late May,1965..a few days before graduation
(which took place at the original McCormick Place).
We finally picked up speed and headed further east taking
Lake Street...WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!
I remember a lot of great things about my attending the school...the
brothers were tough...but, they were always fair and could they teach ! I had four years of cross-country, two years of track,
was secretary of the National Honor Society, and graduated either 2nd or 3rd out of about 400 other seniors (pretty big
class for that era). I NEVER was late for a class or missed even one day during all four years! Had several senior letters
from cross country and had I believe a 98% average for all 4 years! When I went to DePaul (had a four year scholarship), the
discipline and training from the brothers made my college life a lot easier. In addition, I managed to work for two very
prestigous law firms and put in a lot of work hours (in spite of the scholarship..needed money for clothes, and other personals).
But, again the bottom line is that the college prep training at St. Mel was fantastic!
I had a feeling that the
"end" of the REAL St. Mel was coming to a close even while I was there. In my first two years, my family lived two blocks
away. But, during my Junior year, we moved to Cicero (my father owned a business there and the neighborhood around St. Mel
was quickly changing for the worse. I remember, several times, both the cross country teams and the football teams were "attacked"
by local gangs. We had no sports facility, so we had to jog down to Garfield Park..about 2 miles east of us. Finally, I think
in our senior year, all practices for football, soccer and cross country was done at Columbus Park (by Austin and Congress).
"In fact, unfortunately, I remember an incident
that happened during my Sophomore year..my kid sister and I walked from our home to the local library..near Pulaski and Madison.
We were just a block from the library, when two guys punched me in the stomach at the same time...FOR NO REASON! Just
trying to "tell us who owns the neighborhood!"
I lost touch with most of the guys...I was fortunate to have
a lot of friends outside of high school ..so, they became my social life for awhile.
Anyway.. I did manage to
be contacted and attended my 25th reunion..it was held at the old Sabre Room...in Hickory Hills (don't think it is still there?)
Saw quite of few of the guys..but, again, lost touch.
Unfortunately, I was out of town for my 40th reunion in
2005. Heard that a lot of my class attended! I hope to be there for my 50th reunion in 2015!!!
As June
15th, 2012 comes near, I will be celebrating my 40th anniversary as one of the leading life insurance and financial consultants
in the country. I have been ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE FIRST OFFICIAL Hispanic Financial Consultant In USA history! I was hired
by the large corporation-Trans Union Corporation as a financial analyst. But, then went on my own in 1972.
So...in summary, I have a lot to be thankful
for being a graduate of the REAL St. MEL ..Class of 1965 ! Go Knights !!!
Robb Soria---Wayne,IL
ps
Still have my high school sweater with all the letters ! It's a little tight on me!
from Tony Schiffer:
"I attended St Mel in 1952 it was a great
place at the time I lived at Addison and Harlem. One name I remember was Jerry Carbone and the all-girls high school at Central
Ave and Washington Blvd."
from Dennis Hadac (class
of 1967):
"I found your page while surfing the web.
I was checking out things out after getting my invite to the 50th high school reunion. My brothers David (class of '62), Ronald
(class of '64), and myself will also be attending this year (2017).
"I wanted to make sure you were aware of the
'67 basketball team under coaches Slingerland and Saturnus that won the Chicagoland Prep League and Paris Tournament Trophies
that year. They had a regular season record of 20-5, and went through the first three rounds of the state tournament before
losing in the sectional to Oak Lawn 77-68.
"I believe they warrant a mention on your
page, especially as we prepare for the 50th reunion.
From an anonymous grad of the class of 1965:
"I graduated from St. Mel High School in 1965. The one aspect of my education that I am grateful for is
the emphasis on learning and not getting by with less than a full effort. I recall many of my teachers and instructors, relatively
fondly. Some of them were great educators, but the majority were not. Nonetheless, I learned the basics for going forward
and graduated from the University of Illinois, CCC, and John Marshall Law School.
"I believe anyone who remembers me thinks of me in terms of the work I did in the Drama department.
I received a lot of attention through that vehicle and I believe people thought that my private side (which was usually on
display in the classroom and the hallways) was an aspect of exclusivity and snootiness. This resulted in fellow students
really not liking me at all, and I found after that the fact that some talk of going to my home and throwing a bomb on
the front steps of my house. I had no idea if the teller of this tale actually believed what was being told to me, but
that is what I was told.
"I, in no way, regret going to this high school from 1961 to 1965. I believe that my experience there encouraged
me to work hard and become as good as I could be. For this, I will always be grateful for the stern, but well-intentioned
tutelage of the Christian Brothers."
from Linda Gulotta (daughter of student alum Frank Reda, received April 3, 2017):
"My father went to (St.) Mels High school, he was born in 1929. I found pictures of my dad in his high school
ROTC Program. My best friend and I realized that both of our parents went to St. Mel High School. We brought
him to my dad's restaurant, and he saw a picture of my dad at St. Mel's, and told us that he, too, went and graduated. He
seemed to talk to me non-stop about "the Glory of High School."
from an anonymous graduate from the class of 1949 (received August 9, 2018):
"As a past graduate of St. Mel High School class of 1949, I was fascinated by the memories and remarks of
past graduates. I tell friends these days that in reflecting on my school days is like talking about the "dark ages" because
the world has changed so much. That being so, I still think those times added to making America the great country it is today.
We learned back then to be self-reliant and make our own good times.
"The Christian Brothers at St. Mel High School were better teachers back then than most college professors
at our best prep schools today. They did it for their love of God, just as the nuns of the time were doing. What a great deal
of gratitude we, who were educated by them, owe them."
from Tim Trainor (son of alum Ken Trainor, class of 1943, dated July 2, 2019):
"My father Ken was a 1943 grad of St. Mel. My brothers Mike ('68) and Tom ('69) also attended.
"You were wondering about the school building's fate. In 1979, my father and I drove down from Oak Park
because it was being demolished, and my dad wanted to see it one last time and get a brick, which sat by his fireplace the
rest of his life.
"Anyway, I am correct on the time of that visit, and thus the demolition year of 1979. I hope this helps."
from Larry (Labno) Aliotta (former student, dated May 29, 2020):
"I attended St. Mel-Holy Ghost School when we lived at 4423 W. Jackson and a choice of attending St. Philip's
or St. Mel's...I could walk to St. Mel's. I was on the wrestling team and played football. I vividly remember running in full
uniform to Garfield Park for practice.
"When my dad passed, we moved to the Northwest side and I finished high school at Notre Dame High School
(for boys) College Prep. I have lived in Florida since the great blizzard of 1967, but still consider myself a West Side Italian
from Chicago."
THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR MORE INFORMATION!!!
We are in need more information about St. Mel High School, such as names of outstanding alumni and coaches,
and photos of the school building and teams that wore the Purple and Gold of St. Mel. Send us your information to us at the
following addresses:
By USPS: Illinois High School Glory Days
6439
North Neva
Chicago, IL 60631
| St. Mel Drum & Bugle Corps |
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| courtesy of Ann (Corcoran) Jasper |
| Chicago St. Mel School Cadet Corps Badge |
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| Courtesy of Darrell Hovland |
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 Driscoll)
