The Marist Hall of Fame was created with an eye to the future through the view of the past. Athletic success at Marist High School has felt the full spectrum of attention, from national prominence to relative anonymity. The purpose of the Marist Hall of Fame is to share all successes of Marist Athletics, including athletes, coaches, and teams.

CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK

MARYCLARE LEONARD ’17

Though Maryclare Leonard ‘17 was shocked to hear she was a Marist Hall of Fame inductee, the idea of one day being a part of the illustrious group had run through her head before. “I remember walking down the Hall of Fame hallway [at Marist] heading to the athletic trainer or our cross country ice baths and seeing Coach Pat Quinn, my uncle (John Haberkorn ‘78), and my cousin (Lauren Haberkorn ‘08) on the wall, hoping that I would join them one day,” she recalled. Being able to share the great news with her grandpa Big J and her family is a memory she will cherish forever. 

Maryclare had truly followed in the footsteps of many family members to become a Marist student and a cross country and track and field athlete. “Running is our family sport,” she said. “I started training the summer before Marist with my dad (Tom Leonard ‘79) and my sister (Annemarie ‘14). At that point, I could only handle three miles of my sister’s seven-mile-plus runs, but they both encouraged me through.” Her younger brother Thomas ‘20 soon joined the ranks too. Maryclare ran cross country in the fall of her freshman year intending to play soccer in the spring but her sister and teammate Julie Yaeger’s ‘14 influence pushed her towards track and field, making her a four-year member of both programs. 

She was a natural. Maryclare was a state qualifier in seven of the eight seasons she participated in the sports, missing just one state berth in track and field her final year by less than a second. She was a two-time All-State finisher in cross country and was a member of the All-Midwest Team (top 18) for Nike Cross Nationals in cross country during the 2014 season. Her 10th-place finish in the 2014 IHSA cross country state meet is the second-highest finisher of a Marist female athlete in the sport. In addition, she was named to the 2016-17 Chicago Tribune Scholar-Athlete Team, which only recognizes 18 top scholar-athletes annually. Her four years of competing with the cross country team culminated in three Regional Cross Country Championships.

Maryclare explained that the Regional Championship her freshman season was extra sweet because it was the fourth title for her sister Annemarie under Coach Quinn and the girls’ dad Tom had helped win Coach Quinn’s very first regional title during his Marist days. Maryclare noted that Coach Quinn always cared about all the girls on the team, not just the top runners. 

Along with her athletic commitments at Marist, she was also involved in student council, math team, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, and choir. Maryclare was the co-salutatorian of her graduating class!

Maryclare went on to run for the University of Notre Dame for three years, competing in cross country and track and field. In her final two years at Notre Dame she was awarded a fellowship to obtain her MBA. “Being able to compete for Notre Dame was an incredible experience,” she said. “I loved being able to continue training at a higher level and push myself to my limits. Balancing school and my training load was definitely challenging at times. Yet, I felt very prepared by the incredible teachers at Marist to be able to handle the workload.” Maryclare graduated as the top female in the Computer Engineering Program. Her interest in the program was sparked by courses she took while at Marist. She shared she was very grateful to her mom for encouraging her to pursue engineering. 

Today, Maryclare describes herself as a casual runner though she has completed the Chicago and Boston Marathons. She is grateful for all of her family’s support, especially from her grandparents.

WRESTLING

BRENDAN HEFFERNAN ’99

Wrestling has always been about family for Brendan Heffernan ‘99. As one of nine kids, three of his older brothers wrestled at St. Edward High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and all three were state champions. Two of them were national champions at the University of Iowa. “My youngest memories as a child are taking road trips to watch Iowa wrestle at the Midlands, Big Ten, and NCAA tournaments, so I always wanted to wrestle,” Brendan explained. 

Brendan’s own wrestling career started in first grade for the Kid Crusader Wrestling Club out of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. By the time high school came around, the Heffernans lived in Chicago, and Brendan and his twin brother Patrick started at Marist pursuing their wrestling careers. As a team, Marist captured four ESCC championships and multiple tournament titles. In 1997, the team placed second in state. Individually, Brendan placed fourth in state at 171 lbs. in 1998 and third in state at 189 lbs. in 1999. He finished third in the Junior Nationals at 191.5 lbs in 1999. He amassed a four-year record of 127-28, was a two-time IHSA regional champion, one-time sectional champ, and a three-time member of Team Illinois–going undefeated for two years. 

“Wrestlers sacrifice and choose to suffer for the sport unlike athletes in any other discipline,” Brendan said. “It’s inspiring to be around athletes and coaches who commit themselves to personal improvement, challenge themselves through tough competition, and offer their time for the sake of improving other wrestlers once their career is finished. Wrestlers understand how to humbly work hard with zero expectation of acknowledgment, praise, or celebrity.”

Brendan also played football at Marist and was Class 6A Academic All-State in football in 1998, and was selected to the Catholic League Blue All-Conference Football Team (formerly the Chicago Metro Conference). He was a captain each of his four seasons and garnered multiple accolades. 

He went on to wrestle for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, competing at 197 lbs. in multiple open tournaments. He was awarded a varsity letter and won the St. Louis Open Championship Fr/So Division.

In 2005, Brendan returned to Marist as an English teacher and served as an assistant wrestling and football coach. In 2008, he was named head coach of the well-known wrestling program. Since taking over the program, the team has a 280-128 dual meet record and has won 10 ESCC titles. The program has captured three Regional Championships and two Sectional Championships. In 2014, Marist finished second in team state. Brendan has coached 99 state qualifiers, 51 state medalists, 12 state finalists, and three individual state champions. Brendan has been named ESCC Coach of the Year three times and is an IHSA Head Coach of the Year nominee.

“Wrestling at Marist was a blast,” Brendan recalled. “We battled against great competition and had great success,  learned a lot, and enjoyed doing it. We’ve tried to carry on that tradition for the program. We have a lot of alumni who coach in the wrestling program. We all have fond memories of our time here and our goal is for the current student-athletes to enjoy their experience as much as we did.”

From 2011 to 2014 Brendan also coached Team Illinois Schoolboy Duals Freestyle and Greco teams. He has been an integral supporter of local grade school wrestling programs and helpful in the birth of the Marist girls’ wrestling program.

Brendan credits the good people involved in Marist wrestling for its ongoing success. “ There is a community of coaches, parents, administrators, fans, and alumni who take care of the program and I think young student-athletes gravitate toward that atmosphere of support,” he explained. It’s become a family. 

VOLLEYBALL

JORDAN VIDOVIC

For Jordan Vidovic, volleyball is about the players, not the coach. And being at the helm of both the Marist girls’ and boys’ teams, he relies on the players’ leadership. Jordan was named the boys’ head coach in 2015 and took over the girls’ program in 2016 after three seasons as the assistant coach. 

From the outset, he did not set certain goals for the teams–who operate as one program–to achieve. “We wanted those [goals] to be a byproduct of the high standards, high-level training, and extreme attention to detail…all while enjoying the experience we get to be a part of,” Jordan explained. 

A self-described low-key coach, his earliest influences in the sport were his parents and brother who were athletes and coaches too. “I enjoy figuring things out in the gym and putting the work in to see players find new levels within themselves as well as figuring out the strategic aspects of each team to help them prepare for the toughest matches,” Jordan explained. 

His strategy worked. In his short tenure, the girls’ team captured state titles in 2017 and 2018 and finished third in 2019. The 2017 team were National Champs. The boys’ team won state titles in 2019 and again in 2024. The 2024 team were National Championship Runner-ups. The teams have been named among the top ten in the nation five times. As of spring 2024, Jordan amassed 16 straight 30-win seasons. 

The girls’ state championship in November 2018 paired with the boys’ title in June 2019, marked the first time in Illinois that a school’s two programs won state in the same school year. With the level of challenge each season presents, Jordan said this accolade was not something they even realized until after the fact. “For both teams to make it to state and then come through was electric,” he explained. “Both of those teams were led by such awesome kids, both teams had awesome personalities throughout, both teams had incredible parent and family support who made it even more of a blast,  and both teams were great friends and supporters of each other. It was everything we wanted the Program to become with both teams mixed together and that’s what felt so special.”

With the incredible success has come expectations. “We try to focus on all of the in-house things we want to do every day in the gym and out of the gym and stay tight-knit with each other to not worry about outside expectations,” Jordan explained. “This helps us find toughness in the many high-pressure environments we face each year.”

As of 2024, the boys’ team accrued a .875 winning percentage, nine straight Regional Championships, and eight straight ESCC Championships. Jordan has been named ESCC Coach of the Year eight times. The girls have a .886 winning percentage, seven straight Regional Championships, and five ESCC Championships. He is a five-time ESCC Coach of the Year.

Volleyball, especially on the boys’ side, has grown exponentially in Jordan’s time as a player and coach. Dozens of Marist program alums have gone on to play for notable programs from coast to coast but there has always been something special about playing at Marist and the high school level. “We have players who have played at the biggest college programs and for Team USA who would say there is nothing that compares to some of the games they played here [at Marist].”

Jordan was a standout on the court in his own right. A  four-year starter at Br. Rice High School, he was named Catholic League and Illinois Player of the Year and a first-team All-American in 2005. He went on to play at national power Lewis University. He was selected as the USA Volleyball Beach Player of the Year in 2007 and was a two-time member of the USA Junior National Beach team.

Jordan is a four-time National Coach of the Year, two-time Illinois State Coach of the Year, and two-time AVCA Midwest Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Illinois Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2022. 

Beyond his family, Jordan credits the many coaches who have supported him along the way.  “A few of the coaches here at Marist when I first started deserve huge credit in helping me in a way they wouldn’t realize,” he said. “Coach Connolly, Coach Nolan, Coach Biebel, Coach Collins, Coach Gervais, Coach Richardson, and others who I was side by side with teaching each day helped me just by talking through situations and passing knowledge from their own experiences which I drew from in a lot of ways trying to build up our program.” 

2002 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM STATE CHAMPIONS

In 2001, Marist boys’ volleyball new head coach Lisa Sieger introduced the mantra  “Dream Big.” “It definitely sparked some flames in our heads and hearts,” recalled team member Luke Schrieber ‘02. “We knew we had enough talent to make those dreams into reality.” In fact, the seniors had been talking about a state title since freshman year. 

After a painful loss in the 2001 Sectional Championship, the team was ready to go all the way.

And they were willing to put in the work. “We constantly battled during practices and off time, and outside the court, we found ways to compete against one another,” Luke said. “Our practices were intense, in a good way, and Coach Sieger never let up with our conditioning work, and that ultimately proved vital because to be the last team standing we needed that endurance.” 

Despite high hopes and expectations, there were some bumps in the road early in the 2002 season. But a tournament title at the Richards Invite grew the team’s confidence just in time for the state playoffs.

That tournament win propelled the RedHawks to victories over five top-10 teams in the state rankings during the title run. Marist defeated Richards and Lincoln-Way Central in the Regional, Providence Catholic and Br. Rice in the Sectional, Naperville Central in the Supersectional, St. Rita in the State Semifinal, and Lake Forest in the title match.

“These young men came in ready to take on any team that was in their way on the path to the state championship,” recalled assistant coach James Blazina. “Everyone played whatever position was needed to get the job done.”

Then it was game day. “We felt like we owned the building,” Luke said. After winning the state semifinal in the morning, the team kept its energy up despite having to wait for the afternoon match. Coach Blazina said the Marist fans did not disappoint. “During the match, we had two sections of fans–the parents and the Rowdies–that surrounded the opponent’s fans and you could feel their energy throughout the game,” Luke explained.

Marist dominated game one but had a slow start in game two. “Once the ball started going our way and we found a way to create some momentum, it rolled downhill and we eventually made the plays to bring it all the way back despite having our backs against the wall,” Luke explained. Marist won game two 15-13. The team went wild on the court and the gym erupted. The celebration continued at Marist with a welcome home party at the school. “Our family, and friends were all present and it was an incredible time in our lives,” Luke recalled. 

The team finished the season 33-4 and approximately eight team members went on to play at various collegiate levels. Marist’s boys’ program has since won state in 2010, 2019, and 2024 and the program remains one of the most respected in Illinois and beyond. 

2002 Volleyball Team Roster:

Head Coach – Lisa Siegel

Asst. Coach – James Blazina

Manager      –  Scott Thompson

Steven Blazina

Joe Lenzen

Dan Styler

Luke Schreiber  *

Joe Collier

Mike O’Malley

Jim Jantz

Andy Kolinski

Dan Lang

Steve Jefferies

Pat McCarthy  *

Kevin Martin

Nick Yerkes

Phil Serratore

Mike Kusy

Jim Mazurski

*denotes team captain

BASKETBALL

JEREMY NASH ’06

“Basketball is all about brotherhood to me,” explained Jeremy Nash ‘06. “I love that it has helped teach me many valuable life lessons on and off the court.”

Jeremy’s time on the court started when he was in fifth grade, playing for St. Margaret of Scotland under his coach and mentor Earl McKay. His next chapter was attending and playing for Marist. He credits his parents for their guidance in selecting Marist and the instant connection he felt with Coach Gene Nolan ‘92. 

While at Marist, Jeremy flourished. He credits Coach Nolan for creating a high standard for the program that challenged everyone to to show up everyday performing at their best. “Everyone believed in one another, which in turn made it easy for our team to develop chemistry,” Jeremy recalled. Called up to varsity halfway through his freshman season, Jeremy noted that the seniors made him feel like a part of the program from the start, and especially recalls the support of the late Jimmy Griffin ‘05 and his brother John ‘03. 

Jeremy led the RedHawks to a 70-16 record during his three full seasons on the varsity squad, guiding Marist to three straight 20-win seasons for the first time in school history, and back-to-back Regional Championships in 2004 and 2005. “We were united by one common goal, winning as a team, and it showed in the way we played and grew each year,” he recalled. 

In his senior season, he averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.1 steals. He finished his career as Marist’s third all-time leading scorer (1,241 points) and third on the all-time assists list with 314. He was only the fourth player in Marist history to play varsity basketball all four years. He was a two-time Class AA all-state selection and Daily Southtown all-area selection in 2005 and 2006. He earned ESCC all-conference honors three times. Among other accolades, Jeremy was ranked in the top 20 on the ChicagoHoops.com list of top prospects in Illinois.

“Jeremy is a special young man and an exceptional player,” former head coach Gene Nolan ‘92 said.  “He excelled in many aspects of the game—passing, rebounding, handling the ball, and scoring. However, it was his elite-level defense that made the most significant impact on games. Beyond his on-court abilities, Jeremy is a person of high character, demonstrating the same excellence off the court as he did on it.”

Impressively, Jeremy was also a four-year wide receiver on the football team and competed for one year in the baseball program.

Jeremy went on to attend and play for Northwestern University and described the decision as a “no brainer.” “It’s one of the top universities in the world academically, and getting to play top level basketball in the Big Ten was the dream,” Jeremy said. He especially recalled beating the University of Illinois his senior season, which marked the Wildcats defeat of every Big Ten opponent during Jeremy’s time in the progam.

His impact on the Northwestern program grew each year, with his senior season stats including starting all 34 games and being named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. He was ranked fourth in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.02), fifth in steals (1.7), and sixth in free throw percentage (.814).

Jeremy is a now a member of the Marist basketball coaching staff and sees it as a way to share his knowledge with the next generation. That next generation includes his oldest son JJ who is a member of Marist’s class of 2028. “One phrase I’m constantly sharing is ‘hard work beats talent

when talent doesn’t work hard,’” Jeremy said. “I’m trying to teach him to be better than me, and to experience life with no regrets.”

Jeremy is a Chicago Police Officer. He and his wife Nikki (Flores) ‘08–who was also a Marist basketball standout–live in Beverly with their three sons. 

FOOTBALL

THOMAS EPICH ’79

For Tom Epich ‘78, football wasn’t just a sport he played, but where he learned plenty of lessons that he found valuable later in life. “Football teaches one how to deal with challenges and the importance of teamwork and being on a close-knit team,” Tom said. 

An Oak Lawn native and St. Catherine graduate, Tom started playing football in fifth grade. From the early stages, he loved the sport’s camaraderie and the hard-hitting action. Tom followed his four older brothers to Marist and participated in football all four years–three on varsity. He was a linebacker and offensive tackle. 

Linemen don’t get the chance to rack up stats like a running back or quarterback might but they are the foundation of the team’s success. “Tom was as tough as they come by,” recalled teammate Larry Tucker ‘79. “This allowed our strong ground game to be put on display as he opened large holes for our running backs. Behind him and Brian Liston ‘79, the Marist football program began an ascent that would eventually land us in the state championship game in 1986.  It started with this team and much of the credit goes to Tom and Brian [who is also a Marist Hall of Fame member].” 

Tom was the second-leading tackler during his junior and senior seasons. He was 2nd Team All-State as a junior and 1st Team All-State as a senior and was selected as captain his senior year. He helped Marist to two playoff berths. 

Many at Marist had an impact on Tom. Coaches Mike Dooley, Tony Pieterzak, Mike Rogowski, and Tony Manfree pushed him to continue his athletic career, while Br. Richard Grenier, FMS inspired him to major in economics in college.

Teammate Dan O’Shea ‘79 recalled Tom’s leadership. “He was always willing to help others be better not only on the football field but in the classroom and in life,” Dan recalled. Tom took his school work seriously and graduated in the top 10% of the 1979 Marist class. He accepted an athletic scholarship to Northwestern University where he played four seasons in the Big Ten conference, including two as a starter.

“Playing for Northwestern University was a life-changing journey of dealing with adversity,” Tom explained. “We were 4-40 during my four years.  Even knowing the outcome, I would have still attended NU. I continue to have very close bonds with my college teammates.  We all fought through very difficult seasons.” 

Tom has worked for BNSF Railway for more than 30 years, today serving as the director of coal marketing. He and his wife Irma Delia de Anda Ordonez Vidaurri live in Texas, enjoying time with their children Leah, Austin, and Elise. Tom has served for 20 years on The Salvation Army Board of Directors in Fort Worth, Texas.