Letterman’s Club Makes a Comeback at Saint Patrick
December 11, 2007

Following a stretch of 10 years, where the Shamrocks didn’t have a letterman’s club, the Saint Patrick Letterman’s Club is back in business. Thanks to the work of an energetic group of students, the club is off too a great start, and they are building momentum with each passing day. The two goals of the club are simple: to raise the level of school spirit at St. Pat’s and to service the community.

Under the supervision of Athletic Director Brian Glorioso and Swimming/Water Polo coach John Przekota, the Letterman’s Club has recruited a solid group of over 40 members, and their numbers continue to grow. In the club’s first election, which was held in October, Mike O’Neill was elected President, and Matt Geraty was voted in as Vice-President.

The Letterman’s Club is raising school spirit by attending a variety of school events to support their fellow Shamrocks. They have made it a point to attend sports that don’t normally draw the big crowds of basketball and football as well as non-athletic events. The lettermen brought a raucous crowd out to support the Shamrock soccer team in their IHSA Sectional Playoff game at Saint Ignatius. As far as non-athletic events, the lettermen have provided a boost to the performing arts. They turned out in force for the fall play, “The Servant of Two Masters,” as well as the winter Jazz and Percussion concerts.

The student section at Saint Patrick basketball games has been renowned as one of the loudest and most involved cheering sections in Illinois high school sports. Many of the lettermen are leaders of that student section, which makes Saint Patrick such a tough place for visiting teams to play. The student section was at its loudest during the Shamrocks’ thrilling 48-46 overtime win over #12 St. Joseph, cheering their team to victory.

The lettermen have come up with some interesting ways to increase attendance. They hosted a barbecue before the St. Joseph’s game, and they are planning a “Bring a Freshman to the Game” night, allowing the younger Shamrocks to experience what “Shamrock Pride” is all about.

On the service to the community front, the Letterman’s Club is running a Three-Point Contest at halftime of all Shamrock home basketball games in the 2007-08 season, with All proceeds from these contests are going to Coaches vs. Cancer, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.