Waubonsee Community College honors athletes
Waubonsee Community College inducted five former Chiefs into the Waubonsee Athletic Hall of Fame during the college's annual Athletic Banquet on May 6.
John Dolan, Eduardo Gil, Christopher Hess, John McQuade and Tracey (Latham) Stoneberg have been chosen to form the second class of the Waubonsee Athletic Hall of Fame for their involvement in sports, dedication to Waubonsee, athletic successes, and contributions to the community or career accomplishments earned after leaving Waubonsee.
The Hall of Fame was formed last year in conjunction with the school's 40th anniversary celebration.
"We are proud to recognize the success of our student-athletes, as well as the coaches, administrators and community supporters who helped to foster that success," Waubonsee Athletic Manager Dave Randall said. "Waubonsee athletics has a rich history in contributing to the total development of our students and to the campus community as a whole."
John Dolan, a stand-out wrestler, made an immediate impact for the Chiefs when he joined the team in 1988. His freshman year he won the Skyway Conference title at 190 pounds and would improve upon that performance during his sophomore season when he won the Region IV crown -- advancing all the way to the NJCAA championship match. Although he did not prevail, finishing second in the nation at 190 pounds, he earned NJCAA All-American status and finished with an outstanding career record of 78-22-2. He would go on to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on a wrestling scholarship and is currently employed by the Chicago Police Department.
Eduardo Gil exemplified what it means to be a Waubonsee student-athlete, excelling both in the classroom and on the field. He earned NJCAA All-American status for soccer as a freshman in 1984 and was also the runner-up for the Region IV player of the year. He then captained the nationally ranked soccer team his sophomore season. Gil also found success on the wrestling mat for the Chiefs, capturing the Skyway Conference title at 134 pounds in 1985. Gil's academic prowess was recognized in his being named an NJCAA Wrestling Academic All-American in both 1984 and 1985. He was named the college's 1985 Male Athlete of the Year. He would go on to earn bachelor's degrees in political science and history from Northern Illinois University (NIU), as well as a law degree from NIU in 1990. He is now a partner and owner of Aurora-based law firm, Gil & Cruz. He was recently named one of the college's "Fabulous 40" alumni.
Christopher Hess was a natural on the baseball diamond for the Chiefs, becoming the college's first NJCAA All-American in baseball. Playing outfield for the Chiefs in 1986 and 1987, Hess was named All-Skyway Conference First Team both years and was the starting right fielder in the 1987 Illinois Junior College All-Star Game, earning All-Region IV First Team honors as a sophomore. He would go on to continue his playing career at Western Illinois University on a baseball scholarship. Currently in the Army Reserves, Hess has served two tours of duty in the Middle East and will be serving a third in Afghanistan this August.
John McQuade starred on the basketball court and on the baseball field with the Waubonsee Chiefs, earning All-Skyway Conference honors in both sports during both his freshman and sophomore years. In basketball, McQuade was named the Skyway Conference's Player of the Year in 1978 and played in the Illinois All-Star game that year. In baseball, he threw two no-hitters and tied a school record by striking out 19 in one game. He finished his Waubonsee baseball career at Chicago's Comiskey Park in the Region IV All-Star Game. He would go on to earn his bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College and was drafted as a pitcher in the 1981 baseball draft. He would play in the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system for two years before a shoulder injury ended his career. He is now a sales manager for Countrywide Home Loans.
Tracey (Latham) Stoneberg starred two years for the Lady Chiefs softball team, earning All-Conference honors both years, at catcher as a freshman and at third base as a sophomore. Her first year, the softball team had its first winning season in seven years. Stoneberg's outstanding athleticism and can-do spirit led her to go out for the women's basketball team, earning All-Conference Honorable Mention honors. She even pitched in and joined the women's tennis team, which finished in second place in 1991. Her second year at Waubonsee, Stoneberg was named the college's Female Athlete of the Year. She was also vice president and president of the Chiefs Athletic Club while a student. She was recently honored by Waubonsee as one of the college's "Fabulous 40" alumni.
The Waubonsee Athletic Hall of Fame honors former Waubonsee administrators, faculty and staff; athletes; coaches; community supporters; and specific teams who are five years removed from their involvement with Waubonsee athletics.