Joliet Catholic Academy
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Joliet Catholic Academy is a coed Catholic High School located in Joliet, Illinois. There are currently around 1,000 students currently enrolled at the school. Athletically, it is known primarily for its football prowess. Since the advent of the state football playoffs in 1974, JCA has won more state football titles than any other team in the state, with 12 as of 2004. The school has also won 1 State Title in Volleyball, 1 in Baseball, 1 in Golf, 6 Pom Pom National Championships, 2 Cheerleading National Championships, and 1 Basketball National Championship. The school also has 11 2nd to 4th place finishes in various sports along with numerous conference, district, sectional, and regional championships. All sports teams are members of the East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC). The Hilltoppers (for boys, Angels for girls), as they are known, have produced two NFL players: Mike Alstott and Tom Thayer. along with Dan "Rudy" Ruettiger of Notre Dame fame.
[edit] Notable Athletic Achievements
- Dance Team 3rd Place: 2006
- Football State Titles: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1987, 1990, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004
- Football Runner-Up: 1992, 1996
- Baseball State Title: 1994
- Baseball Runner-Up: 2000, 2004
- Girls Volleyball State Title: 2003
- Girls Volleyball 3rd place: 1986, 2006
- Girls Volleyball 4th place: 1998, 2005
[edit] History
Joliet Catholic Academy originally started as De LaSalle Catholic High School, an all male Catholic school in 1920, before being renamed Joliet Catholic High School in 1933. Its sister school was known as St. Francis Academy, an all female Catholic school. After these two schools combined in 1990, Joliet Catholic High School closed the doors on its original location and made its home with St. Francis Academy, where Joliet Catholic Academy stands today.