MIKE CHIARITO TO BE INDUCTED

INTO HALL OF HONORS

 

After consultation with the Hall of Honors Committee, Mike Chiarito has been selected as this year's inductee into our school's Hall of Honors. 

After serving Saints Peter and Paul School in the position of athletic director for twenty-five years, Mike recently informed school principal, Karen Meskill, that he will be completing his service as of this June.  "He works very hard to make all of the athletic and intramural programs positive and memorable experiences for the students and the coaches", she added.

Mike first got active in our athletic program when he and his wife, Vicki's, three daughters, Natalie '84, Jenny '87, and Amanda '91, were students.  He began his association with our athletic program by coaching each of them in track leading to a twelve year commitment to that program.  Seeing the need for more organization in administering our sports program, Mike worked with six other school parents in the mid 80's to create the structure for our current Athletic Association.  He then served as a board member for three years before being elected as president for two three-year terms.  Following Amanda's graduation, he was appointed A.D.

"One of the best attributes Mike brought to the job was his impartiality," according to former principal Frank Glowaty who worked with Mike for 23 years.  "As a former school parent, coach, and Athletic Association member and president, he understood the culture of our school.  But since his daughters were no longer enrolled, he did not have to worry that they might suffer consequences among their peers for his decisions," he added.

Upon hearing the news of his impending retirement, several former Athletic Association members and officers offered their perspective.  Bill Takahashi said " Mike Chiarito is a Saints Peter & Paul institution.  In addition to his role as Athletic Director, he contributed much to the school and the children by serving as an executive officer on multiple league boards, creating our intramural programs and improving our facilities."  Bob Woods added, "I admired his ability to stay calm and in control of a situation whenever other A.D.'s, parents, fans, or coaches would lose their tempers during grammar school sports activities."  Joe Fuller noted "Mike truly cared about SSPP, the sports programs, and the kids.   Whenever he showed frustration, it was because he wanted to ensure that SSPP had the top program around."  Finally, Terry Lyne remarked that "Mike was very appreciative of the hard work Association members devoted to athletics.  He always credited them with the success of our sports program."

Fr. Milota, who first knew of Mike in 1993 when he was a parochial vicar at our parish, offered his thoughts saying "Mike Chiarito's love for Saints Peter and Paul School and Parish was demonstrated in his daily efforts to build one of the best elementary sports programs in the state."

During his tenure, Mike initiated many changes to our athletic program.  He began the intramural volleyball and basketball program for our primary students; he championed the addition of boys' volleyball as one of our sports; and spearheaded our transition from a flag football program to tackle.

The gym was also his pride and joy.  Renovations over the past two and a half decades include the painting of the Trojan logo at center court; the school name on both baselines; new lighting, new padding, new bleachers, and the acquisition of banners championing our success in our interscholastic sports program.

"As I look back on my service to Saints Peter and Paul School," Chiarito commented, " I'm proud that we generally had 90% or higher of our fifth through eighth grade students involved in at least one of our programs.  I'm also exceedingly grateful for the many, many parents who were part of the Association and for their dedication and support of my leadership and our children.  Given the demands of our sports program, the Athletic Association might be the hardest working of our school's four Leadership Boards."

In addition to his work with our student-athletes, Mike's influence was felt throughout the DuPage Catholic schools as he served as president of the DuPage Parochial League, the Boys' Basketball Association, and the Volleyball Association.

In appreciation for his years of outstanding service to our school and sports program, Mike Chiarito will be inducted into our Hall of Honors at our April 22 dinner dance at the Naperville Country Club.