Gary Fairchild CLASS OF 1970 FOOTBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS BASKETBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS BASEBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS 1969 ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 1969 CHICAGO TRIBUNE ALL-AREA FOOTBALL 1969-70 MCHS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Gary Fairchild went on to Augustana College (1970-74) where he started every game at Tight End/Wide Receiver, plus returned punts & kickoffs. Gary was Team MVP his Senior Year, attained All-American Honors and still holds school career passing receiving records, including Career Receptions. Gary also was on the Track Team. Gary played football professionally in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals for two seasons and the Chicago Winds of the WFL as a Tight End, Linebacker & on Special Teams.
Ron Miller CLASS OF 1972 FOOTBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS BASKETBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS BASEBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS 1971 ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 1971 CHICAGO TRIBUNE GOLDEN HELMET AWARD 1971 & 1972 ALL-CONFERENCE BASEBALL 1971/72 MCHS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Ron Miller went on to Elmhurst College (1972-76) where he played 4 years of Varsity Football as the starting Quarterback. Ron held school single season & career records for Total Offense & Passing Statistics while there and was selected First Team QB by the Illinois Information Directors All-State Team in 1975. Ron also was awarded Little All-American Honorable Mention honors and earned MVP team honors as the Division III Passing Leader. Ron added 4 years of Varsity Baseball to his college career, the last 3 as starting second baseman.
Sue Hutchinson CLASS OF 1980 TENNIS: 4 VARSITY LETTERS BASKETBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS TRACK: 3 VARSITY LETTERS 1978 & 1979 IHSA DISTRICT SINGLES CHAMPION 1978 & 1979 TENNIS MVP (56-11 RECORD) 1979 & 1980 ALL-CONFERENCE BASKETBALL 1979 & 1980 BASKETBALL MVP 1980 MCHS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Sue Hutchinson Carson went to the University of Illinois where she played 4 years of Varsity Tennis. Voted Team Captain her senior year, Sue continues to hold school records as #7 Illini with Career Victories and #8 for Most Career Singles Victories in a Season. Sue went on to coach college tennis at Indiana (1987-89) winning the Big Ten Conference her last two seasons. She also coached at Miami University (1989-94) and included 4 straight conference championships, 13 All-MAC Athletes and two "Coach of the Year in the MAC". Sue completed her collegiate coaching career at Georgia Tech (1994-99), winning a pair of conference championships & two runner-ups. 13 ACC Academic Honor Roll Athletes were part of Sue's teams in Georgia.
Erin Boland CLASS OF 1991 CROSS COUNTRY: 4 VARSITY LETTERS TRACK: 4 VARSITY LETTERS 1988 & 1990 IHSA STATE CHAMPION IN CROSS COUNTRY 1987 IHSA THIRD PLACE IN CROSS COUNTRY 1989 IHSA NINTH PLACE IN CROSS COUNTRY 1987-91 WON 4 REGIONAL'S, 3 SECTIONAL'S, 4 FOX VALLEY & 4 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS 1990 & 1991 IHSA TRACK FINALS: 1600 METERS (3RD & 7TH), 3200 METERS (2ND & 3RD) 1991 MCHS FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 1991 CHICAGO TRIBUNE SCHOLAR ATHLETE TEAM Erin Boland Royer had a stellar career at McHenry High School leading both her Cross Country & Track Teams to 7 FVC Championships. Erin continues as the IHSA recordholder for most cross country meets won in a season and most wins in a career. Erin also won 8 individual FVC & County Track Championships, plus 8 IHSA Track Championships. At the University of Iowa (1991-95) Erin was a 4-year Varsity Track & 4-year Varsity Cross Country athlete. She was twice MVP in Track and was All-Big Ten in Cross Country. While a Hawkeye, Erin ran in the NCAA Cross Country Championship Race.
Bill Marinangel CLASS OF 1992 FOOTBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS BASEBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS TRACK: 1 VARSITY LETTER 1991 HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN FOOTBALL 1991 1ST TEAM ALL-STATE FOOTBALL - CHICAGO TRIBUNE & CHICAGO SUN TIMES 1990 HONORABLE MENTION ALL-STATE - CHICAGO TRIBUNE 1991 NORTHWEST HERALD PLAYER OF THE YEAR 1991 CAPTAIN & MVP FOOTBALL 1990 & 1991 ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 1990 & 1991 ALL-AREA FOOTBALL 1991 TOP SCHOLAR ATHLETE- CHICAGOLAND AREA 1990 ALL-AREA BASEBALL Bill Marinangel went on to Vanderbilt University (1992-1996) where he played 4 years of Varsity Football as Punter, Kicker, Running Back and on Return Teams. Bill achieved All-American Honors in 1996 for his achievements in kicking. Bill was First Team All- SEC Conference in 1996 and Second Team All-SEC Conference in 1995. He was chosen by College Football to play in the Blue-Gray Football Game in 1996. Bill still holds a Vanderbilt University record for longest TD run in a game. After college Bill signed with the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League.
Brianne Fowles CLASS OF 1996 SWIMMING: 4 VARSITY LETTERS 1995 IHSA STATE CHAMPION IN 200 FREESTYLE SWIMMING 1995 IHSA STATE CHAMPION IN 500 FREESTYLE SWIMMING 1995 IHSA FEMALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR 1992, 1993, 1994 & 1995 FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE MVP SWIMMING 1995 CHICAGO TRIBUNE ACADEMIC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 1995 ALL-AMERICAN HONORS IN 200 & 500 FREESTYLE 1995 NATIONALLY RANKED IN THE TOP 20 SWIMMERS IN USA Brianne Fowles Godwin went on to the University of Northwestern at Evanston (1996-2000) as a member of the Wildcats Varsity Swim Team. Brianne was a member of the 400 meter Freestyle Relay Team which placed 8th in the 2000 NCAA Swimming Championships. Co-Captain her last two seasons, Brianne was an Academic & Athletic All-American her senior year. Brianne was also Academic & Athletic All-Big Ten in 1999 & 2000.
Dan Phillips CLASS OF 1997 FOOTBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS BASKETBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS 1995 & 1996 FVC ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 1996 NORTHWEST HERALD FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR 1996 MCHS FOOTBALL TEAM MVP 1996 CHICAGO TRIBUNE ALL-STATE: SPECIAL MENTION 1996 IHSA ALL-STATE, HONORABLE MENTION 1997 ALL STAR FOOTBALL CLASSIC- NORTH SUBURBAN 1997 IHSA COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-STATE FOOTBALL 1997 FVC ALL-CONFERENCE BASKETBALL Dan Philips added the Gary Vogt Academic Athlete Award & the National Football Foundation Scholar/Athlete Award to an impressive list of both athletic & academic awards his senior year at McHenry High School. Dan went to the University of Chicago (1997-2000) and played all 4 years on the Varsity Football Team in a variety of positions including linebacker, fullback, long snapper and kicker. Dan was a Division III All-American in 1999 & 2000 as well as his team's MVP in those years. Dan added football conference honors such as 2000 Athlete of the Year and 2000 Defensive Player of the Year. Dan was chosen 3rd Team All-American with the Nat'l Weekly Football Gazette (1999 & 2000) plus earned the prestigious Amos Alonzo Stagg Medal in 2000.
Jace Sayler CLASS OF 1997 FOOTBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS BASKETBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS TRACK: 3 VARSITY LETTERS 1996 IHSA FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE END 1995 & 1996 IHSA FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TIGHT END 1994, 1995 & 1996 FVC ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 1996 ESPN PREP ALL-AMERICAN TEAM 1996 USA's 'WHO's WHO'- NATION'S TOP 100 PLAYERS 1997 ILLINOIS NORTH-SOUTH COACH'S ASSOCIATION SHRINE ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME Jace Sayler went on to Michigan State (1997-2000) where he played on the Varsity Football Squad for 4 seasons. Jace became a starter on defense for the Spartans through dedication & hard work. Included in his college resume were "Iron-Man" weight room awards to go along with Jace's Am Campbell Award for Outstanding Lineman in 2000. Jace was Big Ten Player of the Week 4 different times in his collegiate career, was named Second Team, All-Big Ten in both 1999 & 2000 and played in the College All-Star East-West Shrine Bowl Game. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the NFL, Jace started the first game of the regular season on a team which would win the Super Bowl. Two seasons later he was on the San Francisco 49er's and suffered a career ending back injury.
Al Wilson CLASS OF 1997 FOOTBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS WRESTLING: 4 VARSITY LETTERS BASEBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS 1995 & 1996 FVC ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 1996/97 IHSA ACADEMIC ALL-STATE FOOTBALL 1995 & 1996 NORTHWEST HERALD ALL-AREA FOOTBALL 1995 & 1996 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR 1997 IHSA 2ND PLACE STATE FINALS 1996 IHSA 6TH PLACE STATE FINALS 1995, 1996 & 1997 FVC WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS (130, 145 & 160lbs.) 1996 & 1997 ALL-CONFERENCE BASEBALL 1997 MCHS MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Alan Wilson added Illinois State Scholar to an impressive list of awards and honors plus was a FVC All-Conference Academic Athlete. Alan continued his wrestling career at Northern Illinois University (1997-2000) until a career ending injury ended his Varsity participation after two seasons. While wrestling Alan earned All-Conference Wrestling Honors with the Huskies in 1997 & 1998 plus graduated with honors.
Pete Rasmusen CLASS OF 1998 FOOTBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS BASEBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS 1996 & 1997 ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 1997 IHSA ALL-STATE FOOTBALL 1997 & 1998 ALL-CONFERENCE BASEBALL Pete Rasmusen broke MCHS records in football by scoring 168 points & 28 touchdowns during FVC games in his last two seasons and tied the MCHS record for Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns. Pete broke MCHS baseball records as well for Homeruns in both a season & in a lifetime. A college career began at the University of Kentucky (1998-99) saw Pete on the Varsity Baseball Team. The next two years saw Pete at Triton Junior College (1999-2001) where he made First Team JUCO while playing in the JUCO World Series and earned All-American Honors for Junior Colleges. Pete transferred to Stetson University for his senior year and earned the starting catcher position. The Milwaukee Brewers signed Pete after college where he played baseball in their Farm System. In 2004 Pete, because of Greek Heritage, was able to play for the Greek Olympic Baseball Team in the Summer Olympics.
Lukas Slater CLASS OF 2004 FOOTBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS BASKETBALL: 3 VARSITY LETTERS BASEBALL: 2 VARSITY LETTERS 2003 & 2004 ALL-CONFERENCE BASKETBALL 2003 ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 2003 ALL-CONFERENCE BASEBALL 2003 NORTHWEST HERALD SECOND TEAM ALL-AREA FOOTBALL 2003 IHSA 7A ACADEMIC ALL-STATE FOOTBALL 2004 NORTHWEST HERALD FIRST TEAM ALL-AREA BASKETBALL 2004 AP THIRD TEAM ALL-STATE BASKETBALL 2004 NORTHWEST HERALD PREP ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Lukas Slater was a three-sport athlete who led the 2003 Football Warriors to the IHSA State Quarterfinals as one of the tallest quarterbacks in MCHS history. In basketball Lukas averaged 21.6 points and 13.8 rebounds per game during 3 years and left with the all-time Warrior scoring mark of 1507 points scored plus over 1000 career rebounds. Lukas spent his first year in college at West Point starting some games and playing in all of them. His last three years were played at Loras College in Iowa (2005-08) where Lukas helped the basketball team to a pair of Conference Tournament Championships and a Conference Season Championship. While at Loras, Lukas scored over a 1000 points, was 29th overall scoring leader, 3rd all-time shot blocker, carried an 87% FT average and was named Defensive Player of the Year his last two seasons.
Bill Hutch Hutchinson COACH 1958-1970 VARSITY WRESTLING 1970-1988 VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY 1958-1963 VARSITY TRACK Bill Hutchinson, or simply 'Hutch' to all that know him, came to McHenry High School in 1955 where he taught and coached until 1985. Hutch went to high school in Chicago and after playing only two years of football earned a place on the roster of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. By the time he was a senior he was Big Ten Leader in Punt Returns and as halfback caught the touchdown pass which helped the Badgers win a trip to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena as Big Ten Champs. In 13 seasons as Head Wrestling coach Hutch had ten straight winning seasons including the North Suburban Championship in 1962. 22 Individual District Champions, 3 of them IHSA qualifiers, were under Hutch's guidance during that time period. In 19 years as Head Cross Country Coach Hutch could boast 6 Conference and 6 County Championships plus a Third Place Finish at the IHSA State Finals. Hutch helped bring Track back to MCHS in 1958, actually helping construct a cinder track, high jump pits and runways with fellow coach/ad Leonard 'Mac' McCracken after Track had been discontinued since the early 1940's. During his 6 year tenure two trackmen would qualify for State, in the High Jump & 220 Yd. Dash. Coach Hutch was also there when Girl's Cross Country was started in the early 80's and helped coach them as well as the boys.
RICHARD "DICK" RABBITT Sports Writer, Voice of the Warriors at McCracken Field, Conference Statistician and Cheerleader "Give Me A... "W-A-R-R-I-O-R-S!!!!!!" Richard 'Dick' Rabbitt was a 1943 graduate of St. Mary's HS in Woodstock, went into WWII with the US Navy and by 1946 was pursuing a teaching degree in Physical Education. Dick would teach and coach in four different schools from 1949 to 1962 before finding a "home" at McHenry High School. Coaching four different sports, including 6-man football at Ashton, Illinois, at all levels would give him the foundation for becoming a featured Sports Writer for both The McHenry Plaindealer and The Northwest Herald. "On the Sidelines with Dick Rabbitt" would be a regular column in McHenry newspapers from 1973-1995 giving prep sports lovers wonderful stories of McHenry County's star athletes, older & present-day coaches and a behind the scenes look at Prep Sports in general. Dick also was the Fox Valley's first statistician, keeping team & individual records for every team in the Conference. But no one who "was there" at Buckner Gymnasium back in the early 1970's will ever forget the time faculty member Dick Rabbitt got up from his seat during a close Warrior basketball contest, walked over to the MCHS Student Section and led the first of what would become a home crowd favorite...