What's up with Marian (Chicago Heights)?

[Cat Box]

2017 - 0-9 (0-7 conference)
2016 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2015 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2014 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2013 - 2-7 (0-6 conference)
2012 - 2-7 (0-6 conference)
2011 - 4-5 (3-5 conference)

0-40 in conference games over last 6 seasons.
7-47 record over last 6 seasons (most wins over CPS schools)
Looks like 2011 was a decent season with wins over Viator, Benet, Pats and Bloom. What is going on in the Heights? Coaching issues? Football numbers low?

 

[USD24]

2017 - 0-9 (0-7 conference)
2016 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2015 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2014 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2013 - 2-7 (0-6 conference)
2012 - 2-7 (0-6 conference)
2011 - 4-5 (3-5 conference)

0-40 in conference games over last 6 seasons.
7-47 record over last 6 seasons (most wins over CPS schools)
Looks like 2011 was a decent season with wins over Viator, Benet, Pats and Bloom. What is going on in the Heights? Coaching issues? Football numbers low?

Why do I feel like we get this post/question every 2-3 months?

 

[superac777]

White flight

 

[4thNGTG]

All their good players transfer to HF. Just look at the HF D1 players. Started at Marian.

 

[mc140]

They have a minor league agreement with HF. There Frosh were good so now we know who will be starting as Sophs at HF.

 

[FalconPadre]

White flight

Really in 2017?

 

[mullin17]

1. The surrounding communities have changed. Look at the demographics of Olympia Fields, Homewood, CCH, Heights, or Park Forest. Significant foreclosed houses forcing people to move.

Look at the success of schools 20 miles South and 20 miles East (Indiana)

2. The good kids from surrounding schools that were locks for Marian (IJPs, St. Ann of Lansing, St. Agnes, Park Forest, Olympia Fields) are choosing other schools (HF, Marist, St. Rita, etc.).

3. Some bad publicity a few years ago regarding "race" when they removed students who failed to meet tuition requirements and the "racial" drug testing incident.

4. Kids are not playing football as much, hurting certain schools. Think of how many grade schools (Kiernan, OToole, St. Joe's of HW, the Cal City and South Holland Catholic schools, etc)have closed or stopped playing football in the surrounding communities.

 

[superac777]

Really in 2017?

Started years ago.Coach Mattio RIP seen it coming years ago.

 

[McCaravan]

All of the above

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

The good kids from surrounding schools that were locks for Marian (IJPs, St. Ann of Lansing, St. Agnes, Park Forest, Olympia Fields) are choosing other schools (HF, Marist, St. Rita, etc.).

Don't forget Andrean in Merrillville.

According to Maxpreps, Marian Catholic has a varsity roster of 35 (yikes). Andrean (7-3 record and still alive in the IN playoffs) has a varsity roster of 57. At around 1100 students, Marian Catholic is twice the size of Andrean.

1100 students and a varsity roster of 35 says it all.

 

[cmdynasty]

I hate to say it but the program is on life support! Great school but the politics still flow through the school. The best players don't play. That's a reason they leave too. The refuse to get with the times. They haven't won a conference game since 2011? That says a lot. As an alumni this is very disturbing.

 

[UlbKA91]

Really in 2017?

You could say buppie/bougie/RIFs at CTA, Cook Cty (more after the soda tax gets pulled) flight also.

 

[superac777]

Don't forget Andrean in Merrillville.

According to Maxpreps, Marian Catholic has a varsity roster of 35 (yikes). Andrean (7-3 record and still alive in the IN playoffs) has a varsity roster of 57. At around 1100 students, Marian Catholic is twice the size of Andrean.

1100 students and a varsity roster of 35 says it all.

Many schools with a enrollment bigger than that are lucky to get near 35!!(Argo)

 

[UlbKA91]

Don't forget Andrean in Merrillville.

According to Maxpreps, Marian Catholic has a varsity roster of 35 (yikes). Andrean (7-3 record and still alive in the IN playoffs) has a varsity roster of 57. At around 1100 students, Marian Catholic is twice the size of Andrean.

1100 students and a varsity roster of 35 says it all.

Andrean tends to be mostly Gary and now Merriville holdouts and refugees, a lot of people whose older family never touched Chicago, true Region rats. That said, they are good position when a lot of the newer housing in NWI gets paid off, people are more willing to entertain private HS if the mortgage is paid and it's one younger kid left in the house and the others have flown off. Thats also the time of first turnover of residents in a subdivision.

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

Andrean tends to be mostly Gary and now Merriville holdouts and refugees, a lot of people whose older family never touched Chicago, true Region rats. That said, they are good position when a lot of the newer housing in NWI gets paid off, people are more willing to entertain private HS if the mortgage is paid and it's one younger kid left in the house and the others have flown off. Thats also the time of first turnover of residents in a subdivision.

I'm pretty sure Andrean also gets a lot of kids from St. Mary School in Crown Point (one of the largest Catholic elementary schools in the Gary Diocese), and from St. John and Schererville. The Catholic elementary school in Munster is pretty large as well (at least it used to be), and I would imagine Andrean gets kids from there. Marian and Andrean have competed for students from the above mentioned communities for a long time.

 

[superac777]

Marian so many great teams in the past.I loved their Illini 8 days big time and those games vs Bloom and Bloom Trail were truly battles!! It sucked the Sica would not let them in.I also remember the creepy fact that a Catholic school had a 666(Ashland Avenue) address.I hope they turn it around

 

[BBCHS77]

Any chance they start looking at the Metro??

 

[JFelice]

Any chance they start looking at the Metro??

Why can’t they keep kids there? I know about HF and have joked about them being a feeder but why not get the kids outside of HF district? Bloom isn’t a powerhouse but seems they are better than before, why isn’t MC getting those kids? Or keeping those kids? Not every kid in the area is an HF district kid. This seems to be a football problem (coaching, culture etc) because other programs at Marian are still pretty successful. I know the schools numbers have gone down significantly but the mentality they should just leave conferences isn’t a good one. Majority of their programs can and are competing in a much tougher ESCC. Running away for the sake of football seems like a poor decision.

 

[cmdynasty]

Why can’t they keep kids there? I know about HF and have joked about them being a feeder but why not get the kids outside of HF district? Bloom isn’t a powerhouse but seems they are better than before, why isn’t MC getting those kids? Or keeping those kids? Not every kid in the area is an HF district kid. This seems to be a football problem (coaching, culture etc) because other programs at Marian are still pretty successful. I know the schools numbers have gone down significantly but the mentality they should just leave conferences isn’t a good one. Majority of their programs can and are competing in a much tougher ESCC. Running away for the sake of football seems like a poor decision.

I agree totally!

 

[guerinfbfan]

They're good in basketball and baseball.

 

[JFelice]

They're good in basketball and baseball.

Girls basketball, girls volleyball, track, wrestling etc.

 

[superac777]

But Football is king.How many people care when St.Joe's or a CPS throttle another suburban/city/private school as opposed to when those teams get drilled in football

 

[JFelice]

But Football is king.How many came when St.Joe's or a CPS throttle another suburban/city/private school as opposed to when those teams get drilled in football

Huh?

 

[Joseph Drake]

2017 - 0-9 (0-7 conference)
2016 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2015 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2014 - 1-8 (0-7 conference)
2013 - 2-7 (0-6 conference)
2012 - 2-7 (0-6 conference)
2011 - 4-5 (3-5 conference)

0-40 in conference games over last 6 seasons.
7-47 record over last 6 seasons (most wins over CPS schools)
Looks like 2011 was a decent season with wins over Viator, Benet, Pats and Bloom. What is going on in the Heights? Coaching issues? Football numbers low?

Is Catbox REALLY Angry Dave? This sounds like a thread that was taken down a couple of weeks back.

 

[Joseph Drake]

Is Catbox REALLY Angry Dave? This sounds like a thread that was taken down a couple of weeks back.

Lol

 

[eireog]

The band was off the charts good the last time I was down there.

 

[godfthr53]

The band was off the charts good the last time I was down there.

The last 2 times I've been down there to see Naz the band was a no show. Super disappointing.

 

[sac'em]

Why can’t they keep kids there? I know about HF and have joked about them being a feeder but why not get the kids outside of HF district? Bloom isn’t a powerhouse but seems they are better than before, why isn’t MC getting those kids? Or keeping those kids? Not every kid in the area is an HF district kid. This seems to be a football problem (coaching, culture etc) because other programs at Marian are still pretty successful. I know the schools numbers have gone down significantly but the mentality they should just leave conferences isn’t a good one. Majority of their programs can and are competing in a much tougher ESCC. Running away for the sake of football seems like a poor decision.

Most of the kids that are transferring to HF are not originating from the HF District. They magically have an HF address when it come time to transfer. Saying financial issues and/or relocation allows them to clear IHSA transfer rules without penalty. I'm glad HF does extensive residency checks for this stuff . Girls Basketball anyone?

 

[mullin17]

I'm pretty sure Andrean also gets a lot of kids from St. Mary School in Crown Point (one of the largest Catholic elementary schools in the Gary Diocese), and from St. John and Schererville. The Catholic elementary school in Munster is pretty large as well (at least it used to be), and I would imagine Andrean gets kids from there. Marian and Andrean have competed for students from the above mentioned communities for a long time.

Andrean does get many kids from the region schools. St. mike's of schererville, St. Tom's in Munster, St. John the Evangelist. and athletes from farther East in Valparaiso.

The curious thing for me is that there are numerous kids from NWI public/private schools choosing to attend Mt. Carmel or Rita for HS (have not seen Marist or Rice show up yet, but guess they will). With the white flight over to Indiana, many Marian alumni moving East are not sending their kids to Marian. Choosing Lake Central/Munster or the other privates instead.

 

[mullin17]

Andrean does get many kids from the region schools. St. mike's of schererville, St. Tom's in Munster, St. John the Evangelist. and athletes from farther East in Valparaiso.

The curious thing for me is that there are numerous kids from NWI public/private schools choosing to attend Mt. Carmel or Rita for HS (have not seen Marist or Rice show up yet, but guess they will). With the white flight over to Indiana, many Marian alumni moving East are not sending their kids to Marian. Choosing Lake Central/Munster or the other privates instead.

 

[mullin17]

Also heard through the grapevine that Marian is/has looked at joining the Southland confernce for football only, ESCC for all other sports.

Would "help" balance the ESCC football schedule more only missing one team then, the southland (7teams) and the SWSC(13 teams)would cross over for the odd numbered football games.

 

[sac'em]

I thought the ESCC is an all or nothing conference? Unless there is a gender issue like Providence and the CCL all boys schools.

I think the power-that-be at Marian just do not care if football is bad or goes away. They are fighting to keep open and if they lose 60 boys because football is not there, then so be it. They aren't making money on football so it might be a better option for them financially. The school is not as prosperous as it was decades ago. Alumni are sending their kids to schools like Providence or are in very good public school systems so paying 12-14k to go to Marian is not feasible or desirable. Most of the students at Marian are coming from Ind. school districts that are over populated, from the surrounding suburbs that parents feel have inadequate curriculum or are not safe enough for their kids, and/or for band. Baseball and basketball stand out there because all you need is one or two great players and you can be successful. Can't do that in football. You need 10-15 good players to be competitive on each level, especially in the ESCC. Not going to happen in that area for that school. Too many better options for football like LW's, HF, CM, Andrean, etc. Plus can't keep the kids happy that come for football because of the ridicule those kids get and feel from their peers at other schools.

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

Andrean does get many kids from the region schools. St. mike's of schererville, St. Tom's in Munster, St. John the Evangelist. and athletes from farther East in Valparaiso.

The curious thing for me is that there are numerous kids from NWI public/private schools choosing to attend Mt. Carmel or Rita for HS (have not seen Marist or Rice show up yet, but guess they will). With the white flight over to Indiana, many Marian alumni moving East are not sending their kids to Marian. Choosing Lake Central/Munster or the other privates instead.

Although SJE has a beautiful brand spanking new church, their school is small and rather, um, tired. Even if all the 8th graders from that school went to Andrean, I can't imagine it would move their enrollment needle all that much.

As for kids from NWI (especially from communities along the South Shore Line) going to Mt Carmel, that's been happening for years. The South Shore Line 63rd Street station is just a block away from the MC campus. The fact that NWI kids attend Rita is a little more surprising. There's just no good way to get there other than by car and that godawful Borman Expressway and Bishop Ford Freeway. Must be a ***** of a morning and afternoon commute.

 

[mullin17]

Although SJE has a beautiful brand spanking new church, their school is small and rather, um, tired. Even if all the 8th graders from that school went to Andrean, I can't imagine it would move their enrollment needle all that much.

As for kids from NWI (especially from communities along the South Shore Line) going to Mt Carmel, that's been happening for years. The South Shore Line 63rd Street station is just a block away from the MC campus. The fact that NWI kids attend Rita is a little more surprising. There's just no good way to get there other than by car and that godawful Borman Expressway and Bishop Ford Freeway. Must be a ***** of a morning and afternoon commute.

Agreed about the South Shore line and Hammond area going to Carmel, but see minibusses in the morning constantly. Near the intersection of 41, Calumet, and Rt. 30, I see busses from DeSales, Rita, Carmel, Noll, Marian, and Andrean. The overcrowdedness of Lake Central contributes to this.

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

Agreed about the South Shore line and Hammond area going to Carmel, but see minibusses in the morning constantly. Near the intersection of 41, Calumet, and Rt. 30, I see busses from DeSales, Rita, Carmel, Noll, Marian, and Andrean. The overcrowdedness of Lake Central contributes to this.

I understand the minibuses from all of the schools you mentioned...except Rita. Although Rita is only around 20 miles from Munster, I sure as heck wouldn't want to make that drive in the morning.

 

[RockSoup]

I understand the minibuses from all of the schools you mentioned...except Rita. Although Rita is only around 20 miles from Munster, I sure as heck wouldn't want to make that drive in the morning.

Bus service. Rest on the way in. Homework on the way home. The good life. But I guess I was surprised too when I first heard there were a couple of Rita students from the NWI region about a decade ago but now a handful a year is the norm. Not MC type numbers from there but decent enough.

 

[UlbKA91]

Agreed about the South Shore line and Hammond area going to Carmel, but see minibusses in the morning constantly. Near the intersection of 41, Calumet, and Rt. 30, I see busses from DeSales, Rita, Carmel, Noll, Marian, and Andrean. The overcrowdedness of Lake Central contributes to this.

DeSales still has cachet/appeal?

 

[UlbKA91]

Bus service. Rest on the way in. Homework on the way home. The good life. But I guess I was surprised too when I first heard there were a couple of Rita students from the NWI region about a decade ago but now a handful a year is the norm. Not MC type numbers from there but decent enough.

Did BRs Merrillville RB move into Illinois or did he commute?

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

DeSales still has cachet/appeal?

Don't know about that. Surely, their enrollment is not what it used to be, but that is true about a lot of Catholic schools, not just SFDS.

Simply by virtue of their southeast side location, I understand how they look to NWI as being within their marketing area.

 

[mullin17]

DeSales still has cachet/appeal?

I didn't think so, but there is a minibus that drives down Calumet Ave. near Dyer daily.... they are not picking up nuns, so must be picking up someone