![HOPKINS Martin Hopkins, a 2009 St. Rita graduate, will lead the school's football program beginning next season. Supplied photo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HOPKINS-819x1024.jpg)
Martin Hopkins, a 2009 St. Rita graduate, will lead the school's football program beginning next season. Supplied photo
Area sports roundup: No drama here, St. Rita grad Hopkins named Mustangs football coach
By Jeff Vorva
Staff writer
There will be no drama waiting to see who the will coach St. Rita’s football team in 2023.
Even though there are four weeks to go in the 2022 regular season, the school last week named Martin Hopkins the successor to Todd Kuska.
Kuska, in his 25th season as the Mustangs’ boss, will retire after this season.
Hopkins, 31, played football for Kuska and was the student body president at St. Rita in 2009. Hopkins was a member of the 2006 Illijois High School Association Class 7A state championship team.
“I am beyond honored and thankful to be chosen as the next St. Rita head football coach and to carry on the strong tradition of St. Rita High School and St. Rita football,” Hopkins said in a news release. “It is my privilege to follow in the footsteps of a Hall of Fame coach in Coach Kuska, and also the great coaches before him like coach [Todd] Wernet, coach [Pat] Cronin and coach [Ed] Buckley].
“Thank you to my wife, family, friends, and coaches who have molded me into the man I am today. And thank you to St. Rita for making this dream a reality. It feels great to be home.”
Hopkins earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Iowa. He was a student-athlete playing football for the Hawkeyes until an injury forced his transition into a coach and analyst.
Hopkins brings nine years of high-level coaching experience with him to the Chicago school. During his tenure at Iowa, he served as a coach for defense, offense and special teams.
“The St. Rita football program will be in great hands with the selection of Martin,” St. Rita Athletic Director, Curtis Price said. “I look forward to working with him as we form our student-athletes in the Augustinian tradition.”
He is married to Elizabeth Hopkins (Sweeney), a Mother McAuley grad. He is also the son of the late Tom Hopkins, who is an honorary St. Rita alumnus and Margie Hopkins, who is the current St. Rita registrar and receptionist.
The Hopkins family is involved with raising money for families of cancer patients as well as providing sports equipment for area grade schools. The Papa Hops softball tournament has raised more than $500,000.
Love for the coaches
Marist coach Jordan Vidovic picked up his 200th career victory as the girls coach last week and St. Laurence’s Ellen Yopchick racked up her 100th career win.
At Stagg, former coach Missy Mason will be honored with a tournament named after her. The first Missy Mason Classic girls bowling tournament on Feb. 2.
Golfing greats
Golf is heading into the IHSA playoffs, but a couple of area golfers got ready for the postseason when they captured conference championships.
Evergreen Park’s Charlie Burns won her third straight South Suburban Conference title and Jillian Cosler of Sandburg won the SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue title.
Distance dominance
Chicago Christian had a dominant girls cross country performance at the Tolefree/Farley meet Sept. 24 at Midlothian Meadows.
The Knights finished with 21 points in the Olympic varsity division. Runner-up Glenbard South had 100 points.
Senior Anna Enderle won with a time of 19:12.90 seconds. Freshman Kihra Moes took third with a 20:29.10 and junior Grace Mullen was fourth with a 20:28.60. Freshman Kaley Van Til, senor Natalia Kiernia and freshman Mia Caporale finished sixth, eighth and ninth, respectively.
Local News
![BLUE RIBBON Stagg’s health team poses with the District 230 board at it was honored for winning its fourth straight Blue Ribbon award. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BLUE-RIBBON-1024x768.jpg)
Stagg health team earns fourth straight Blue Ribbon award
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva District 230 Supt. Robert Nolting likened the Stagg Health Education department to the New England Patriots. For the fourth straight year, Stagg won the Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Education from the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Staff members said Stagg was the first school…
![reporter olchs Spartan-Athletics logo reporter olchs Spartan-Athletics logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/reporter-olchs-Spartan-Athletics-logo.jpg)
Boys Basketball: Highs and lows for Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent During a week that Oak Lawn coach Jason Rhodes knew would present a huge challenge for his team, the Spartans started with a big win over a top South Suburban Conference contender. Then the league’s greatest perennial power provided proof that Oak Lawn still has a lot of work…
![STRAZ Palos Heights Mayor Bob Straz said it will be up to businesses in his city to comply with new mandate set by Cook County. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/STRAZ-1024x678.jpg)
Palos Heights: Business owners must choose whether to comply with mandates
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Palos Heights is not cracking down on businesses that violate Cook County COVID-19 mandates regarding proof of vaccinations. But the city will help if asked. Among the mandates, which started Monday, businesses including restaurants and gyms must have patrons show proof of vaccinations, which is a controversial topic for some.…
![HEARD Former Argo star Tadriana Heard, now playing for Morton College, looks for an open teammate against Moraine Valley on Thursday. Photo by Jeff Vorva](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HEARD-1024x703.jpg)
College Report: Division I schools listening to Heard
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Tadriana Heard is ready for a second round of Division I basketball. The former Argo star is playing her second season for Morton College, and heading into this week’s action was first in the nation among National Junior College Athletic Association players with 64 3-pointers. She was also…
![PEKAU EMAIL Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau reads part of a scathing email that wished bad things on him and his family on Tuesday night. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/PEKAU-EMAIL-1024x678.jpg)
Mayor reads hate mail before diving into COVID and crime issues
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Before Tuesday’s village board meeting, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said he received a disturbing email. The mayor, who shoots from the hip when it comes to his beliefs is a controversial public figure and figures to get hate mail. This one was especially nasty. “I figured that since I…
![AVILA NELSON Evergreen Park’s Bakari Nelson (right) tries to stop Oak Forest’s 6-foot-10 Robbie Avila Friday night. Photo by Jeff Vorva](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AVILA-NELSON-1024x774.jpg)
Boys Basketball: Evergreen Park riding out toughest stretch of schedule
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer So, how did Evergreen Park get to 9-6 over in its first 15 games? The Mustangs took a rollercoaster ride. In a nutshell: They started the season with four consecutive wins, lost the next three, won five straight and then dropped three in a row. The latest three-game…
![MaryStanek Mary Stanek](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MaryStanek-768x1024.jpg)
Loving the Archer Heights Library
Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394 Well, that’s it, folks. The holidays are over. Next up in the market are Valentine’s Day candy, paczki, corned beef, Guinness and Peeps. Easter this year is on April 17. I will have to mention…
![PeggyZabicki Peggy Zabicki](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PeggyZabicki-1024x768.jpg)
New year, old challenges
Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings. Many of us will be starting a new diet program. I plan to do this as soon as I’m done eating the remaining Christmas candy and cookies at my house. Wish me luck!…
![kathyheadley2021 Kathy Headley](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/kathyheadley2021-869x1024.jpg)
Two ladies gone, but not forgotten
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 Guessing you have already read the sad news about the passing of Mary Ellen St. Aubin. For those of you that didn’t know, she grew up right here in Chicago Lawn, on 63rd and Richmond, and…
![reporter brandon kizer mugshot (2) Brandon Kizer](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/reporter-brandon-kizer-mugshot-2-1.bmp)
Stepson charged in Evergreen Park murder
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong A 24-year-old Chicago man has been charged with first-degree murder in the New Year’s Eve shooting of his stepfather in Evergreen Park. Brandon K. Kizer, 24, of the 8100 block of South Loomis in Chicago, was charged Sunday with first-degree murder in the death of Anthony Young, 52, on the…
Neighbors
![reporter 6-27-24 ol parade shriners Shriners entertain the crowd at last year's Oak Lawn Independence Day Parade. (File photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-27-24-ol-parade-shriners-1024x698.jpg)
Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities
Spread the loveCelebrate Independence Day at the Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29! This cherished community event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to honor the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Parade will step off at 95th Street and Lacrosse and head west on 95th…
![regional 6-24-24 sd230 safety director Mary Pat Carr](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/regional-6-24-24-sd230-safety-director-659x1024.jpg)
District 230 names Director of Safety and Security
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education approved Dr. Mary Pat Carr as the district’s first Director of Security. She will move from her current position as Assistant Principal of Activities at Stagg High School to the Administrative Center on July 1. Her duties as Director of Safety…
![3 The Worth Public Library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/3-1024x771.jpg)
Worth Public Library kicks off summer reading program
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Patrons at the Worth Public Library welcomed in the summer season earlier this month. The library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. “We love any excuse to celebrate reading with…
![regional 6-24-24 UFC Gym Orland Mall fire3 Fire hoses line the parking lot outside of the UFC Gym last Thursday. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/regional-6-24-24-UFC-Gym-Orland-Mall-fire3-1024x739.jpg)
Fire knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A fire last Thursday afternoon practically destroyed an Orland Park gym and knocked out neighboring businesses, as well. Orland Park firefighters received a call at 2:31 p.m. June 20 for a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive Unit C. Multiple 911 calls were received for a…
![reporter 6-24-24 cr fire chief retires Retiring Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar (at left) is congratulated by Mayor Jack Lind, who also presented him with a proclamation, at the June 18 Village Board meeting. (Photo by Dermot Connolly)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-24-24-cr-fire-chief-retires-1024x764.jpg)
Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Bonnar retires
Spread the loveStarted his 50-year career as Orland Park cadet By Dermot Connolly Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar officially announced his retirement from a nearly 50-year career at the June 18 Village Board meeting. Mayor Jack Lind made the announcement “with great regret,” joking that “he doesn’t have the age to retire but he…
![basketball stock basketball stock](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/stock-basketball-e1719502937287.jpg)
Stagg tabs Allee Hernandez to guide girls hoops
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Allee Hernandez has accrued many years of basketball experience as a player and as an assistant coach. She will soon embark on a new experience as a head coach at Stagg, where she will be the Chargers first new head coach in 16 seasons. She succeeds Bill Turner, who…
![1 Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was chosen as a Yearbook Excellence Contest recipient from Walsworth Publishing Company, a family-owned printing company based out of Marceline, Missouri. (Supplied photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1-1024x576.jpg)
Shepard’s yearbook wins national recognition
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School students have worked tirelessly to create a yearbook for this academic year that was nationally recognized. The high school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was chosen as a Yearbook Excellence Contest recipient from Walsworth Publishing Company, a family-owned printing company based out of Marceline, Missouri.…
![reporter 6-24-24 dean faulk mugshot Dean J. Faulk](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-24-24-dean-faulk-mugshot.bmp)
Hickory Hills man charged in grandfather’s murder
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam A 32-year-old Hickory Hills man has been charged with first-degree murder in the June 21 death of his 90-year-old grandfather. Dean J. Faulk was charged on June 22 with the June 21 murder of Dean L. Faulk. Police said they responded to a call at 9:45 a.m. June 21 at…
![1 On June 8, Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1-1-1024x683.jpg)
Orland Park Public Library kicks off summer
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Summer is nearly here and the Orland Park Public Library is ready for it. On June 8, the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. “There are multiple interpretations to this theme,” Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager at the Orland…
![dvn 6-24-24 porfirio honored State Senator Mike Porfirio being recognized as the Senator of the Year by representatives of the Illinois VFW. (Supplied photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-24-24-porfirio-honored-1024x683.jpg)
llinois VFW names Porfirio Senator of the Year
Spread the loveIllinois Veterans of Foreign Wars recently selected state Senator Mike Porfirio as the Senator of the Year. “I’m deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from the Illinois VFW,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I am committed to ensuring our veterans receive the protections, care and dignity they deserve. This recognition is a testament…