Chicago Quigley Preparatory H.S. Pheonix

The History of Chicago Quigley Prepartory High School

Chicago (population 2.7 million) is located in Cook County in the far northeastern portion of Illinois. Chicago is the third largest in the United States of America. What started as a small village on the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago has become one of the most well-known cities on the world.

Ethnicity and religion have always played a big role in the growth and development of Chicago. This also holds true in te development of Chciago's schools. The catholic faith has been responsible for a vast amount of elementary schools and high schools being developed to educate its parishes children. It also was responsible for the development of a seminary to develop young men to lead the catholic parishes of the future. Quigley Preparatory Seminary was this school.

Quigley Preparatory Seminary was the idea of Archbishop James Quigley (http://www.quigley.org/aboutq/heritage.html) . Archbishop Quigley began plans for the Seminary in 1905. His plans were not carried through until 1918, three years after his death. Quigley Seminary flourished for several decades in downtown Chicago. The all-boys school once supported a student body of over 1,300.

The school became so popular that in 1961 it was decided to develop a second school on the city's south side. Chicago Quigley Preparatory Seminary South was developed and the name of Quigley Prep was changed to Chicago Quigley Preparatory Seminary North. The church supported both schools through the late 1980s. In 1989 it was decided to return to the one school system.

The school in downtown Chicago returned to being called Chicago Quigley Preparatory Seminary while the southside school was sold and became St. Rita High School. Chicago Quigley Prep continued to educate young men and prepare them for college life as well as, for some, the priesthood. Falling enrollment and financial worries plagued the school through the early 2000s. It was decided that the school could no longer support itself in 2006. The decision was made to close Quigley Prep after 88 years of existence at the close of the 2006-07 school year.

Chicago Quigley Preparatory High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1918

Year name changed to Quigley North: 1961

Year became Quigley Prep again: 1989

Year closed: 2007

Quigley Prep team nickname: the "Pheonix"

Quigley Prep team colors: Blue & White

School Fight Song:

ATHLETICS

The Quigley Prep HS Pheonix participated in basketball, baseball, track, cross country, volleyball, and team chess were all offered at Quigley. It is probable that soccer was offered as well. The Quigley Prep fight song, season records, coach's names, and great accomplishments are all items we are interested in adding to this page.

CROSS COUNTRY

This was Quigley Prep's most decorated sport as far as IHSA competition is concerned. The Pheonix harriers earned a total of FOUR Regional titles and qalified for the IHSA State Finals as team on three occassions. Two indivdiuals also earned a total of three medals in state finals competition.

1993-94 Regional Champions

Team Qualified for State Finals Meet

1994-95 Regional Champions Coach Fr. Dennis Ziomek

                      Team Qualified for State Finals Meet

1995-96           Regional Champions                              Coach Fr. Dennis Ziomek

                      Team Qualified for State Finals Meet

1997-98           Individual Medalist - Nate Shober      18TH Place

2005-06           Individual Medalist - Roger Pinon      20TH Place

2006-07           Regional Champions                              Coach Nathaniel Shober

2006-07 Individual Medalist - Roger Pinon 9TH Place

VOLLEYBALL

The netters brought home a Regioinal Championship in the sport of boys volleyball, a sport which hhas become highly competitive in the Chicago area. The coach's name and team record of this and other great Pheonix teams are needed.

2002-03 Regional Champions

TRACK

Four Pheonix thinclads won individual medals at the IHSA State Meet!! The school's strength in Cross Country proved itself here with all five medals coming in the middle to long distance events.

1994-95A Individual Medalist - Willie Bolanos 1600 Meter Run 5TH Place
1995-96A Individual Medalist - Willie Bolanos 1600 Meter Run 6TH Place 3200 Meter Run 3RD Place
1997-98A Individual Medalist - Victor Garcia 800 Meter Run 3RD Place
1997-98A Individual Medalist - Nate Shober 3200 Meter Run 5TH Place
2006-07A Individual Medalist - Roger Pinon 1600 Meter Run 2ND Place

BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, SOCCER

All of these sports deserve their own category. It is quite likely that other sports were offered as well. If you have any information on any of these sports that were participated in at Quigley High, please contact us at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

TEAM CHESS

The boys who competed in this program faired quite well too. A SECOND Place Finish was the highlight for the school.Top-ten finishes were also achieved in two other seasons.

1990-91 TEAM PLACED SECOND IN IHSA COMPETITION!! Coach Ray Schuman

2004-05 Team Placed TENTH in IHSA Competition!!

2005-06 Team Placed NINTH in IHSA Competition!!

More Information Needed

We are looking to fill in the question marks regarding the team records, coaches names, and other great accomplishments at Chicago Quigley Preparatory High School. We especially seek photos of the high school building and great teams. If you have any information you would like to share regarding Quigley Preparatory High School please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. You may also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631