St. Joseph Athletic Association

Brings children and families from the parish CCD program and the parish school together through athletic competition. The Athletic Association of St. Joseph Church strives to provide parish children with a positive sports experience. Participation in sports can give a child a sense of belonging, helps promote self esteem and physical well being. Team coaches promote good sportsmanship, Christian values, parish pride and spirit.

Participation in the sports programs are open to any St. Joseph school student or Religious Education student in 4th through 8th grade. Girls’ basketball is offered in the Fall. Girls’ volleyball and Boys’ basketball is offered in the Winter. The program is both educational and competitive with an emphasis on fair play and sportsmanship. The program has had success in delivering championship caliber teams as recent as this year with the 4th grade girls basketball team taking first place in the South Suburban Basketball League.

The fundraising performed by the association helps to keep the program going strong and with improvements to parish facilities. The painting of the Gym (Fr. Sayers Hall), installation of the pads on the walls and kitchen improvements are some of the more recent items donated by the Association. In addition, the Athletic Association sponsors the annual Lenten Fish Fry, the main fundraiser for the sports programs. The Fish Fry is a wonderful event that also brings the parish together along with friends, family and people from the surrounding communities.

The Athletic Association is an all volunteer organization governed by an Executive Board and Athletic Directors for each sports program. Parent volunteers serve as coaches, concession stand workers, timekeepers and scorekeepers. The Athletic Board consists of Joe Santschi, President; Jack Brabec, Vice President; Tina Mullholland, Treasurer; Dina Dunagan, Secretary. The individual sport directors are John Messaglia, Girls Basketball; Kris Lobue, Girls Volleyball and Paul Lynch, Boys Basketball.

Please look to future parish bulletins and visit the Athletic Association web page for updates on the Parish sports programs and events.