The year is 1937. A chill wind whips across Soldier Field, biting at the faces of over 110,000 spectators. They haven’t gathered for a professional game, but for a high school football championship, the Chicago Prep Bowl. On the field, two teams clash: Austin High School and a young, determined Leo High School. The roar of the crowd is deafening, a testament to the legendary status this matchup would achieve. Although Leo lost that day, their presence in front of the largest crowd in Illinois high school football history cemented their place in Chicago sports lore.
Established in 1926, Leo High School emerged from the dream of Monsignor Peter Shrewbridge to provide quality Catholic education to the boys of Chicago’s South Side. His vision was realized with the help of the Congregation of Christian Brothers of Ireland, and the school quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence and athletic prowess.
Named in honor of Pope Leo XIII, a champion of the working class, Leo High School embodies a spirit of perseverance and dedication. The school’s motto, “Facta Non Verba” – Deeds Not Words – is embodied in its alumni. Their ranks include individuals who have made their mark in diverse fields: from Thomas Murphy, former CEO of General Motors, to Jim O’Toole, a celebrated Major League Baseball pitcher, to Andre Brown, who played for the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics.
Beyond the accolades and championships, Leo High School’s legacy is etched in its unwavering commitment to educating young men, particularly from Chicago’s African-American community. The school stands as a beacon of opportunity, nurturing future leaders and instilling in them the values of faith, service, and commitment to justice. The roar of that 1937 crowd might have faded, but the spirit of Leo High School continues to resonate, a testament to the power of education and the enduring legacy of its namesake.