November 29 marks the 10th anniversary of Nazareth Academy’s first IHSA State Title. The undefeated 2014 football team brought home the 6A State Championship, winning 26-7 against Lemont at the Illini Memorial Stadium in Champaign. It had been a long road for Nazareth football, one paved by decades of Nazareth student-athletes, starting from the football program’s beginning in the fall of 1978, a team who also went undefeated during their first season! The next decades would see many highs and lows as we built up our program with a reputation of athletic excellence and a commitment to sportsmanship.
Nazareth football followed up its 2014 success by bringing home State Titles in 2015, 2018, 2022 and 2023. But once Nazareth got a taste for State Championships, football wasn’t the only game in town. Nazareth brought home its first Girls IHSA Championship in 2021 when Volleyball won the 3A State Championship Title. Baseball claimed Championships in both 2022 and 2023 and Girls Basketball took home their own the same year.
While it might seem that Nazareth’s winning streak is a recent phenomenon, our athletic program has a long history not only of success, but also pushing boundaries. Before Nazareth was co-educational, all-girls schools were not permitted to compete in IHSA competitions. That didn’t stop Nazareth from securing the Illinois State Girls Basketball Shooting Championship in 1956! Then in 1959, the Nazareth Girls Volleyball team won a decisive victory over Immaculata High School, earning the champion title of the Chicago CYO (Chicago Youth Organization). Not long after, the girls were champions in basketball again in both 1963 and 1965.
Our 125th Anniversary is a good time to reflect not on our tradition of winning, but rather on the character and resilience of our student-athletes and the journeys they took – and continue to take – to be examples of teamwork and sportsmanship. At Nazareth Academy, win or lose, our record is one of tenacity, hope, family and above all, unity.
The 2014 Football team and coaches cheer for their history-making win. 
The football team celebrates their first State Title with a time-honored tradition. 
Look at that hardware! 
Girls Volleyball wins State in 2021. 
Baseball at the State Finals trophy in 2023. 
Girls Basketball takes home the title in 2023. 
Illinois State Shooting Champs in 1956! 
Volleyball wins CYO Championship over Immaculata High School!