Area Sports Roundup: Marist, Nazareth mourns deaths of coaches

By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer

It was a sad week for two area schools.

The Marist and local running communities were saddened by the death of Jon Gordon on Dec. 9, two days after sophomore Nazareth baseball coach Mario Ortiz.

Gordon, the RedHawks’ boys track and cross country coach since 2017, died Dec. 9. He was 51 years old.

Before coming to the southwest side, he spent 13 years at Northside Prep. He was also an attorney.

“In his six years at Marist, coach Gordon made an indelible impact on the lives of our student athletes,” Marist officials wrote in a statement about Gordon’s death.

Gordon was always willing to brag about Marist runners, and he tweeted photos and comments about all RedHawks who ran in meets, including athletes on the younger levels. 

The Oak Lawn boys track and cross country team tweeted: “Jon was an amazing coach and leader of his teams. You could always see how much he cared about them on and off the track.”

“Coach Jon Gordon was by far the most positive person in our son’s Charlie’s four years at Northside Prep High School,” wrote Charlotte and Greg Mesimore on Gordon’s Legacy page. “A wonderful coach and an even better person, he will be deeply missed by all blessed to know him.”

Gordon’s service was scheduled for Wednesday at the Chapel in Skokie. Interment was at Shalom Memorial Park.

He is survived by his parents, Robert E. Gordon and Marilyn Statland Gordon; his brothers, Anthony (Lisa) and Lawrence (Ronna); and his sister Lori Kenzel (Hal); plus nieces and nephews.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Marist High School.

Mario Ortiz

Ortiz had been on the staff for the last seven years as the sophomore-junior varsity coach.

“He was a great coach but an even better man,” the program said in a posting on its Twitter page. “The Ortiz family is in our prayers.”  In lieu of flowers, the Ortiz family is asking that donations be made in Mario’s name to one of three institutions to assist students with financial need.

Donation information can be found at: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/157/lg22/form.aspx?sid=157&gid=1&pgid=1887&cid=3849

Changes to CCL/ESCC
A few football teams have been shuffled in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference.

The Blue division will retain Brother Rice, Loyola and Mount Carmel, but St. Rita will replace Marist.

The RedHawks will join Joliet Catholic, Niles Notre Dame and St. Ignatius in the Green.

The Orange features Nazareth, IC Catholic, Fenwick and St. Francis.

The Purple has Carmel, Marmion, St. Patrick and St. Viator.

The White features St. Laurence, Benet, Montini and Providence.

The Red has De La Salle, DePaul, Leo and Marian Catholic.

More Red Stars leaving

Chicago Red Stars fans were stunned when the team announced that Vanessa DiBernardo was not re-signing with the team.

DiBernardo, who has been with the team since she was drafted in 2014, is heading to Kansas City

“Chicago will forever have a place in my heart, but it’s time to start a new chapter in my career,” the Naperville native said in a statement.

DiBernardo led the Stars with 155 appearances, 140 starts and 12,465 minutes.

Sarah Woldmoe, who missed the 2022 season on maternity leave, announced her retirement.

These moves come shortly after Danny Colarpico, Morgan Gautrat and Rachel Hill announced they would become free agents. Colaprico subsequently signed with the San Diego Wave.

As of Dec. 11, the Red Stars had not announced any free-agent signings, but Orland Park’s Tatumn Milazzo extended her contract with the team through 2024 with a one-year option.