Former DePaul coach to deliver keynote at Arlington Heights Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
“Courage, Dear Heart: When the Path is Unclear” is the message that keynote speaker Jana Balis will offer at the 38th annual Arlington Heights Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 6. Doors open at 7 a.m. for the breakfast buffet and program at the Doubletree Hotel, 75 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights.
Women’s basketball has been in the news lately, but Jana’s lifelong passion for basketball began over 40 years ago. It was inspired by her father, John David “Jack” Mathis, who played collegiate basketball at Missouri and Florida State, served on the USA Olympic committee, and coached the NBA expansion team Chicago Bulls alongside Johnny “Red” Kerr from 1966 to 1968.
Growing up immersed in the game, Jana excelled as a player, earning All-Conference, All-Area, and All-State honorable mention accolades at Barrington High School before continuing her basketball journey at DePauw University in Newcastle, Indiana.
After college, Jana began her coaching career at the high school level, helping lead Oak Park’s Fenwick Friars to a state championship. Jana then joined the coaching staff at DePaul University in Chicago. During her six years with the program, the Blue Demons were ranked in the top 10 and saw multiple NCAA tournament appearances. While at DePaul, Jana earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
In 2015, Jana founded Ignite Hoops, driven by her passion to teach basketball the right way in a positive and supportive environment for young athletes. Alongside her dedication to the game, Jana is committed to sharing her Christian faith and mentoring athletes in their personal and spiritual growth, thereby helping them excel both on and off the court.
Jana values the lifelong relationships, friendships and bonds that coaching and playing the game fosters. She greatly enjoys watching young players compete, grow and improve in their game.
Jana and her husband George (who met at the Chicago Cubs “Bartman” game in 2003) of Arlington Heights have children Jack and Grace, both of whom have grown up playing for Ignite. She is a member of The Orchard Church in Arlington Heights. Her message at the prayer breakfast will draw on her experiences and will inspire those who attend.
Interfaith greeting
An interfaith greeting will be offered by Ikbal Koseli, a member of the Niagara Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue. She is a mother, educator, and civic servant who actively participates in interfaith and charity events.
Prayers
Lutheran Home Chaplain the Rev. Paul Klopke and Judith Saji and Wesley Marshall of the St. Viator Club at St. Viator High School will say the invocation and closing prayer. Klopke has served the Arlington Heights area for over 25 years. He was the parish pastor at Living Christ Lutheran Church, associate pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church Arlington Heights (Senior Care and Special Needs minister) and Voice of Care (Special Needs) chaplain in the Chicago and Indianapolis regions before serving at the Lutheran Home. He has also worked with first responders and with the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry. He and his wife Julie have an adult son and daughter and four grandsons.
Scripture readings
Arlington Heights community members Mike Steele and Sue Hayes will read from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and reflect on what the passages they’ve chosen mean to them.
Mike Steele will read from the Old Testament, or Torah. Mike has over 20 years of coaching experience and has been actively involved in youth, high school, and college soccer. Mike was the captain of the Buffalo Grove High School soccer state championship team and earned All-Chicago area playing honors. He is the founder of Elite Soccer and serves as the president of Elite Soccer Community Organization (ESCO), which is dedicated to community building and youth development through soccer in the Northwest suburbs. Mike is married to Melissa, and they have three sons.
Sue Hayes, who will read from the New Testament, has attended The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights for more than 50 years. She is a registered nurse, Sunday school teacher, president of the Wheeling Township Community Mental Health Board, and proud grandmother of Jacob and Eliana. She has served as first lady of Arlington Heights since 2013.
Music
Music will be performed by Joyful Sound, accompanied by Nick Pulikowski. Joyful Sound is a female trio that has been singing together for 10 years. They sing at area churches as well as nursing homes, extended care, and memory homes. Pulikowski is an accomplished tenor, a music professor at Elmhurst College, sings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and is part of the music staff at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights.
Other details
Mayor Tom Hayes will welcome participants. This will be his final prayer breakfast as mayor since he is not running for reelection. Jon Ridler, executive director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, is the emcee. The Wheeling High School NJROTC will present the colors.
Lutheran Life Communities is the main sponsor of the event. Tickets are $25 per person, available at business.arlingtonhcc.com. Tables of 10 are available for $250. For information, contact the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at (847) 253-1703 or info@arlingtonhcc.com.
The Arlington Heights Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is planned and organized by a group of community volunteers. This year’s committee is chaired by Jim Bertucci. The event is funded by ticket sales and sponsor donations; no public funds are used. The date of the prayer breakfast coincides with the National Prayer Breakfast that has been held since 1952 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower accepted an invitation to join members of Congress to pray for our nation and its leaders. All presidents since that time have participated.