Hawks' McDonough to Glenbard N. students: I was 'the ultimate longshot'

As you might expect, there was plenty of talk about the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday at Glenbard North High School during team President John McDonough's visit.

But that did not mean McDonough was necessarily there to talk about last season's Stanley Cup championship.

During a 15-minute speech that preceded a question-and-answer and autograph session, McDonough told students the only reason he made it to the pinnacle of his profession was because he kept pushing through, even though he might not have been the best student at Notre Dame High School in Niles.

“You are looking at the ultimate longshot,” McDonough said, noting that he finished 311th out of a graduating class of 356 in high school. “(But) we have all had that flash point moment when something resonates.”

McDonough said a professor during his freshman year at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota provided that moment when he told him that, although his skill set was limited, his desire to succeed was immeasurable.

The Glenbard North Athletic Boosters brought McDonough to the Carol Stream school as part of an effort to give back to the community. They reached out to junior Andrew Mulshine, 15, who is McDonough's great-nephew. After Andrew and his sister, Allison, introduced McDonough, he was overcome with emotion because he said it was the first time he had been introduced by one of his family members.

McDonough stayed on message throughout his presentation. He told the story of his son, Ryan, who won a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox in 2007 after just seven months as an intern. It's an accomplishment McDonough did not experience in 24 years with the Chicago Cubs.

“I told him that day, ‘Ryan, one more and you are out of the will,'” he said with a laugh.

The often lighthearted evening started with a video tribute highlighting McDonough's accomplishments since joining the Blackhawks in November 2007.

As he answered questions that ranged from what Marian Hossa is like as a person “It's no coincidence he has been to the last three Stanley Cup Finals” to how students interested in his field of work should proceed “I am a big fan of internships” parents in the crowd kept his main message in mind.

“It was a great speech to hear how he struggled and toughed it out,” said John Jaszka, who brought his son, Adam, to the event.

Principal John Mensik said hearing that message from someone like McDonough resonates more clearly with students.

“The message was incredible,” he said. “It does not matter what you are. Dream big and you can be successful. That message is that much more powerful and maybe people listen to you more when you are as successful as he is right now.”