Leo High School student-athletes are proud to uphold one of the proudest athletic traditions in the City of Chicago.
The Lions made history in 1937 when more than 120,000 fans packed Soldier Field to watch as Catholic League champion Leo faced Public League title-holder Austin in the Prep Bowl. Austin claimed the city championship with a 26-0 victory before the largest crowd ever to watch a football game in the United States, a record that still stands. Leo made seven other Prep Bowl appearances between 1934 and 1956.
Leo also competes at the IHSA level in cross country, baseball and bowling.
At Leo we are proud of our athletic heritage, but we emphasize that academics always come first. Playing sports is a privilege and not a right. Accordingly, our eligibility standards are higher than the IHSA’s—we expect success in the classroom as well as on the playing field. We believe in sports as a teaching tool that can help students learn responsibility and accountability as they mature into caring, productive citizens.
At Leo, student-athletes are students first and foremost.
BASEBALL |
BASKETBALL |
BOWLING |
BOXING |
CROSS COUNTRY |
FOOTBALL |
TRACK |
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The Lions are building on a baseball legacy that includes TOM BRENNAN, a first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in 1974; JIM O'TOOLE, who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series; and JOHN BOLES, the Florida Marlins' manager in 1996 and from 2000-2002. Junior shortstop PHIL BYRD was chosen for a USA Baseball Development Team. |
Under Coach NOAH CANNON, a Leo Hall of Famer, the Lions won the Class A state championship in 2004 and went downstate again in 2009, finishing fourth. The Lions are consistent contenders for the Catholic League title. Future DePaul standout ANDRE BROWN was a McDonald’s All-American in 2002. ISAAC SMITH ’10 was a freshman starter at Eastern Illinois University. |
The Lions regularly contend for sectional honors under MRS. VELMA SMITH, who emphasizes academic achievement and character devel- |
Leo is one of the few high schools in Chicago that offers a boxing team. Coach MIKE JOYCE'S program attracts competitive boxers as well as novices who use boxing as a conditioning tool to get in shape. Some of the Midwest’s leading amateurs got their start in Leo’s ring, including LAMARR FENNER, former Captain of USA Boxing. |
Leo’s Cross Country team continues to move in a positive direction under second-year coach MARCUS PASS. A small group of dedicated Lions puts in several miles a week training at Dan Ryan Woods or at Marquette Park. Senior captain ANTHONY MORGAN was a standout for the 2010 team, pushing younger teammates to work hard in practice and to compete as proud Leo men in meets. |
The Lions reached the IHSA state playoffs in two of the last three seasons and the Catholic League playoffs in 2010. Coach MIKE HOLMES, a Catholic League Hall of Famer, is known for sending student-athletes on to college, including HAROLD BLACKMON (Northwestern), who played for the Seattle Seahawks, and JASON JEFFERSON (Wisconsin), who played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills. |
Leo’s track team is the pride and joy of our athletic program. Under Hall of Fame coach ED ADAMS, the Lions have won five state championships, more than any other private school. Senior BRUCE GRAY is the latest in a long line of standout sprinters. The IHSA has recognized Leo for academic achievement, with the team compiling a combined 3.0 GPA. |