Latest news with #NazarethAcademy
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Nazareth Academy star Jaden Fauske named the Gatorade Illinois baseball player of the year
Nazareth Academy's Jaden Fauske was recently named the Gatorade Illinois baseball player of the year. It's an award that celebrates a player's accomplishments on and off the field. It's probably more the on the field work that will get him selected in the upcoming MLB Draft, but Fauske's much more than just a great baseball player, he's also an elite chess player, and a state scholar Fauske earned a starting job on the varsity lineup during his freshman season at Nazareth Academy. He helped the program win its first state title that year, finishing a historic career with a 136-21 record. "Jaden is different. Jaden's at-bats were different. Jaden, the ball coming off his bat was different, the distance is different, the height is different. He threw 34 innings on the mound for us as a sophomore and he gave up two earned runs over 34 innings," head coach Lee Milano said. The multi-talented outfielder helped Nazareth win back-to-back state titles his freshman and sophomore seasons. His impressive offensive skillset as a left-handed batter led to a .492 career batting average, with 12 home runs and 136 RBI. "When I'm in the hole and on deck, there's a lot of things I'm telling myself, and trying to learn about the pitcher, but as soon as I step in the box my mind just goes silent," Fauske said. Fauske has been learning how to stay one step ahead of his opponents since a young age; not only playing baseball, but by mastering chess. "I think I got third place in state when I was in fourth or fifth grade. I feel like people, they kind of get surprised when I tell them that," he said. Fauske continues to play chess as a hobby, and feels it benefits him on the field too. "Hitting, every at bat is kind of like a chess match between the pitcher; you know, trying to predict their tendencies, what they might do at a certain count, stuff like that. So I think there's definitely a correlation there," he said. Does Fauske challenge his teammates to play him in chess? "They don't give me much of a challenge, to be honest, but, yeah, we play sometimes," he said. "AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, 4.3 grade point average, elite chess player, Jaden works extremely hard," Milano said. A talented player who will now either continue his career collegiately at national champion LSU, or, as a projected first-round MLB Draft pick, go pro. "I mean, chasing the dream of playing in the big leagues, either way you go to LSU or go to the draft. You can't really go wrong," he said. While Fauske has a lot to look forward to in his future, he will never forget memories made at Nazareth Academy. "I'm going to miss playing for Coach Milano and those coaches, and playing alongside my friends … wearing the Nazareth uniform across my chest," he said. There is only one thing his coach might not miss. "Jaden hit anywhere, on a daily basis, 8 to 10 homers in our field where our field is backed up to the woods. So the balls, once they're out there, we can't get them, we can't find them. I figured Jaden owes the school about 600 baseballs right now, and I told him whatever happens at some point when he signs that pro contract, a couple dozen balls back to the program wouldn't be a bad idea," Milano said. Something that could apparently be a problem for Fauske the rest of his career.
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Auburn flips 4-star QB Peyton Falzone from Penn State
June 26 - Auburn, a late entry into the recruitment of four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone, got the recruit to flip from Penn State to the Tigers on Thursday. Falzone announced on social media and told recruiting websites that he is committing to Auburn, after decommitting from Virginia Tech in November 2024 and then, in April, choosing Penn State in his home state. The Nazareth (Pa.) Academy High School rising senior had posted on June 2 on social media that he received an offer from Auburn. He has not made an official or unofficial visit to the campus. "Auburn is a place full of tradition," Falzone said in an interview with 247Sports. "My family and I have spent a lot of time discussing the school and its blend of elite football and high-level academics. It has it all. I'm blessed to be able to play at a school with a strong tradition of faith and family running throughout the university and the community. All of that is very important to us. I can't wait to be there. War Eagle." Falzone is ranked the No. 246 prospect in the nation, No. 18 quarterback and No. 6 player in Pennsylvania for the Class of 2026, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Falzone threw for 2,135 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions, and rushed 78 times for 697 yards and eight TDs in 2024. As a sophomore in the 2023 season, Falzone passed for 2,528 yards with 19 TDs and four interceptions and rushed for 440 yards and 11 TDs. He also has offers from Iowa, Utah, Syracuse, Rutgers, West Virginia and Wisconsin as well as Penn State, Virginia Tech and others. --Field Level Media
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Star players, Hall-of-Famer assistant coach have Nazareth Academy baseball riding high
Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Illinois, captured its first baseball state championship in 2022, and won back-to-back titles the following year. The Roadrunners haven't slowed down since, thanks to a pipeline of talented players and a veteran coaching staff with some Hall-of-Fame help. This is Lee Milano's 26th season as head baseball coach at Nazareth Academy, and it began with another impressive winning streak — 14 straight games, to be exact, by a team with youth and experience. "It's the best. I mean, there's nothing like winning. We've won a lot my four years here, and hopefully, we do a little more winning later this spring," said Nazareth senior Jaden Fauske. Fauske has been a part of a 35-game and 46-game winning streak at Nazareth, winning two state titles. The LSU commit is also a top 20 MLB draft prospect. "There's been up to 70 scouts, general managers, out at out games to watch him — which is not an easy thing," said Coach Milano. "He is going to walk away here as the most decorated baseball player we've ever had." Nazareth has another player headed to an SEC program on the roster. Junior shortstop Landon Thome is committed to defending national champion — Tennessee. "Me and him going to similar colleges in the SEC, we've become really tight over these last few years," Thome said of his teammate Fauske. "I would call him one of my best friends, and we really get to pick each other's brains too in baseball. He knows a lot." Another mind Landon learns from is his dad. White Sox legend and Hall-of-Fame slugger Jim Thome is an assistant coach. "You know, it's a dream come true to watch your son keep progressing, be around a good culture of coaches, and then watch his love of the game just grow and grow," said Jim Thome. Jim Thome, of course, was on the World Series champion 2005 White Sox team. His career is quite the inspiration for his son. "I've grown up in the clubhouses around my dad, and just seeing him play, I mean, it's really inspired me to want to be like him — because he's like my hero," said Landon Thome, "so just makes me want to follow that path and create my own path too so." Milano takes pride in both the younger Thome and Fauske. "He's definitely a different player than his dad, which is really I think a good thing for him. But he also has the power," said Coach Milano. "Both young men are great kids. They do volunteer work. They're quiet leaders." But leadership and talent are not the only things that make the team unique. "I just feel like we have a really strong bond here at Naz, and around the team, I mean all the guys — we're really close, even though some of them are new," said Landon Thome. "So it's really cool. We have a really good bond." "Coach Milano is obviously the baseball aspect, but just being a young man too — learning to respect the game, learning to be humble," said Fauske. All lessons that have led to a lot of success at Nazareth. "Winning has become a big thing here, and we take a lot of pride in making sure we give them the information but that they want to be good," said Coach Milano. "They put the work in, they take the information, and at the end of the day, they go play — and the reward is them doing well." The team hopes "doing well" this year means a third state title in four seasons.
Chicago Tribune
09-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
La Grange area leaders laud selection of Chicago-area pope
News of a new pope has Catholics celebrating everywhere, but Pope Leo XIV being from the Chicago area has La Grange leaders proud and excited. Cardinal Robert Prevost, selected after a two-day conclave, chose as his name Leo XIV, the late 19th Century pontiff known for his devotion to social justice. 'I would say that we are just thrilled that not only a person from America, but from the Chicagoland area adds an extra layer of excitement to it,' said Deborah Tracy, president of Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park. 'He seems like a person who will carry out many of the actions, hopes and dreams of Pope Francis.' Tracy, a 1982 Nazareth alumna, said Prevost's time in Latin America and the general consensus that he will continue Pope Francis' commitment to social justice inspires her. 'So much of the mission of Nazareth and the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph was something that really resonated with the things that Pope Francis was trying to do in building bridges and caring for the dear neighbor and caring for those marginalized in our society,' she said. 'It sounds like Pope Leo will be doing the same thing. We're just so happy about that because it seems like who we are.' Prevost, 69, was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, and raised in south suburban Dolton. He grew up in St. Mary of the Assumption parish, where he went to school. La Grange Village Trustee Lou Gale also hails from the south suburbs. 'It's wonderful that we have a pope not just from the United States, but from the same area of myself and my extended family,' Gale said. 'It's great to hear about his connections to New Lenox, where my parents lived after I left home.' La Grange Park Village Trustee Joe Caputo said he thought the new pope would be good for the Chicago area. 'Sadly Chicago gets a bad rap for its violence and sometimes politics,' Caputo said, pointing out the bad press the city received from people like Al Capone, high crime rates and crooked politicians. 'So I'm kind of hopeful that this will be a positive for the city and the state,' he said. 'I think the new pope will be a good symbol for Chicago and Illinois trying to turn it around and get some good recognition.' Although initial reports were that Pope Leo XIV was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, his older brother corrected that impression, stresing he was a longtime White Sox fan. Maggie Jarr, La Grange Park assistant village manager, took that as a hopeful sign. 'White Sox fans can only benefit from the new pope's devotion to lifting up those who suffer,' Jarr said. U.S. Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia, a Democrat whose district includes the area, also noted the new pope's connection to Latin American. 'Latin America has the most Catholics in the world, and Pope Leo XIV's knowledge of the region, the time he spent in Peru and his fluency in the Spanish language will be key qualities that will endear him to Latinos in the United States and Latin Americans alike,' Garcia said. Prevost attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Michigan before earning a bachelor's degree in science and math from Villanova University, an Augustinian college. Prevost also obtained a master of divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, after which he taught physics and math at St. Rita High School. He joined the Augustinian Mission in Peru in 1988 and spent a decade there serving as judge, prefect of studies, and teaching canon law in the seminary. Garcia also noted Prevost's status as an honorary St. Rita High School Mustang. 'As a Catholic and an immigrant, I am encouraged by the stances Cardinal Prevost has taken in defense of immigrants, and by his views on the poor and the environment,' Garcia said.
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Brookfield Zoo Chicago brings back its Ferris wheel, and more
Brookfield Zoo Chicago has another reason for people to visit this year, because its Ferris wheel has returned. Through Labor Day weekend, when weather allows, patrons can enjoy a five- to seven-minute ride that offers views of the zoo grounds, animal habitats and even the Chicago skyline. The Ferris wheel is 110 feet high and features 24 riding gondolas and multicolored LED lighting. Riders must be at least 32 inches tall to ride the attraction with a supervising companion; anyone 42 inches and taller may ride alone. Tickets are required and cost $8 for children, adults and seniors. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Details are at Free choral concert includes Broadway tunes The Hinsdale Sounds Good Choir presents its free spring concert at 7 p.m. May 6 at The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale. Concert selections include hits from 'West Side Story,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'Hamilton,' 'Oklahoma' and 'Porgy & Bess.' The show will be conducted by Daniel Segner and Jonathan Miller. The event is free and open to the public, and children are welcome. No tickets or reservations are needed. The nonprofit organization Sounds Good Choir is the Chicago area's largest 'no audition' choral program for adults 55 and older and also offers Good Memories for people with early stage dementia and their care partners. Information is at or 630-395-9542. Oak Brook run to raise money for breast cancer patients The Oak Brook Park District Annual Pink 5k Run/Walk steps off at 8 p.m. May 10 the Oak Brook Park District Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook. The race, which will be chip-timed through Central Park, is family friendly and teams are welcome. Online registration, which ends May 9, costs $35 per person. Day-of registration fee is $40. Teams, which must be at least 15 people, have a registration fee of $30 per person. All registration fees will be donated to the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Open Arms Breast Cancer Outreach Fund, which was established in 2011 to help breast cancer patients and their families via free mammograms to women in need because they don't have insurance or it isn't sufficient. Individual packets may be picked up from 4 to 7 p.m. May 8 and 9 at the Family Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road. Race day pack pickup is from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. Team captains may pick up packets regular hours May 7 to 9 at the Family Recreation Center by checking in at the front desk. None will be mailed. Information and registration are at Nazareth Academy to host fine arts showcase Fine arts students at Nazareth Academy will present Scenes & Sounds Open House Showcase from 5 to 9 p.m. May 7 at the school, 1209 W. Ogden, La Grange Park. Attendees can explore galleries of student work, meet fine arts faculty and interact with student artists. Musical performances include a choral concert at 6:15 p.m. and a band concert at 7:30 p.m. The event is free. The academy is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school that serves families from 60 communities, was established in 1900 and sponsored by the congregation of St. Joseph. Information is at 708-354-0061. Oak Park association schedules talk on hunter-gatherer societies A retired medical researcher and urologist interested in evolutionary psychology will discuss recent anthropological findings about hunter-gatherer societies during the Evolution of Human Language, Aesthetics and Free Will at 1:15 p.m. May 4. The program, presented by the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, takes place in the second-floor ballroom of its headquarters at 178 Oak Forest Ave., Oak Park. Walters has coauthored and written papers about evolutionary psychology. The session is free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. The association promotes lifelong learning through multicultural programs featuring science, literature, music, art and the social sciences. Information is at
