BILL LEEBERG FIELD

Eleven years after retiring (June 2012) and with a legacy of 34 years of Bronco coaching, Montini Catholic's former varsity baseball coach Bill Leeberg '70 will be honored on Saturday, May 6, 2023, with the naming of the Lasallian college preparatory high school's newly turfed baseball field - Bill Leeberg Field.  The dedication will be held in conjunction with Montini's Alumni Baseball Game at 2PM.

Bill Leeberg was a student in Montini Catholic's Charter Class of 1970, joining their freshman class when Montini opened its doors in 1966. After graduating from Montini, he went on to play baseball for the Hall of Fame baseball coach, Gordie Gillespie at Lewis University. After graduating from Lewis (1974), Leeberg joined the staff at Montini Catholic as an English teacher and the Sophomore Baseball Coach. In 1978, Leeberg took up the reins as Varsity Head Coach, upon the retirement of Bronco legend, Coach Rich Hudik†. In his first year, Coach Leeberg led the Broncos to a Conference Championship. In addition, during that historic year, Montini's Broncos went on to win their first Regional Championship in the program's history.

Throughout his 34 year tenure of coaching over 400 Broncos, Leeberg's teams played with the same passion that he had for the game. His teams went 732-288 and had an overall winning percentage of .718! Among the many milestones of his career was in May 2001 with the celebration of his 500th career victory (during his 23rd season at Montini) during Bill Leeberg Day. His remarkable career propelled him to be listed among the coaching legends in the State of Illinois. He was ranked as the 3rd Winningest Coach in Illinois - winning 12 Conference Championships and finishing in 2nd place in the Conference 8 times. Coach Leeberg's teams celebrated 14 Regional Championships and 3 Sectional Championships. In 2002, the Broncos made a trip to the State Finals, bringing home a 3rd Place trophy! In what many argue to be the 'best team in Montini baseball history,' the 2005 team earned a spot at the State Championship game and finished 2nd in State with an overall record of 26-12.

Coach Leeberg had a lasting impression on many Bronco players during his career. Dozens of players went on to play college baseball - many of which competed at the Division 1 level. He coached three players who signed professional contracts. Scott Sobkowiak '95 (Atlanta Braves), Rich Capparelli '85 (Chicago White Sox) and Andrew Brauer '08 (Independent League). 

Coach Leeberg was elected into the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995. He is also a member of Montini Catholic High School's Hall of Fame. In 2019, Coach Leeberg was among nine coaches named to the second class of the Lewis Academy of Coaches honored during Alumni Day. 

Leeberg was also an English teacher at Montini Catholic, in addition to leading Montini's development program in its early years. He additionally served as a Bronco Football and Basketball coach.

Downers Grove native, Bill Leeberg coached the Bronco Baseball Team from 1978-1991 and again from 1993-2011.

CHRIS ANDRIANO FIELD

It was the end of an era in 2016 when Montini Catholic's renowned Football coach, Chris Andriano retired, after securing six football state titles throughout 38 seasons of coaching. Now, Montini Catholic is proud to announce that Coach Andriano and his successful career will be celebrated with the naming of their athletic field, located in John L. Duffy Memorial Stadium. The dedication and naming of Chris Andriano Field will occur in the fall of 2025 at the beginning of the school year - when the synthetic athletic playing surface in John L. Duffy Memorial Stadium is expected to be replaced.

A graduate of Millikin University, Andriano joined Montini's Physical Education Department and coaching staff in 1974. As a faculty member at Montini Catholic, Andriano served in a variety of roles including Head Track Coach, assisting the Baseball and Wrestling teams, and working in the Admissions office. He became the school's second Head Football Coach in 1979, upon the retirement of respected coach Jim Kavanaugh (1966-1978). Over his 38 years, Coach Andriano has helped build Montini Catholic football into one of the most successful and respected high school football programs in the State of Illinois.

Coach Andriano achieved his 300th career victory in 2016 just prior to his retirement during the first-round playoff game vs. St. Ignatius (October 28th). His final overall record as Montini Catholic's head coach stands at 300-128. Andriano coached Montini to the IHSA Class 4A State Championship in 2004. The Broncos won four straight Class 5A state titles from 2009-2012. The Broncos lost in the Class 5A championship game in both 2013 and 2014, and won the Class 6A state title with a perfect 14-0 record in 2015.

Andriano (Coach 'A'), whose teams earned 24 consecutive playoff appearances from 1993 to 2016, is the only Illinois high school football coach to win state championships in three different classes. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001. He was the recipient of the Rand Walker 'Doing Great' Award in 2013 and Montini Catholic's Family Legacy Award (with wife, Dee) in 2019. In 2022, he was presented with the Montini Catholic Hall of Fame's Lifetime Achievement Award.

In his illustrious career, Coach 'A' has coached over 150 All-Conference players, 51 All-State players and 6 High School All-Americans.