Andrew HS inducts 3 into Hall of Fame

Andrew High School inducted three new members into its Hall of Fame and honored the 1989 IHSA State Runner Up Volleyball Team and the 1994 Badminton State Champion.

Kevin Sefcik

It all started for Kevin when he was 4 1/2 years old. A local youth baseball team needed some players for their team and asked if Kevin would like to play. That was the beginning of a long life and love of the sport. He played for the organization until he entered Andrew High School. Neighborhood kids would play ball all day. I guess it paid off. At Andrew Kevin played ball under the guidance of Coach Frank Ganser.

Kevin then attended St. Xavier University in Chicago. While there, he earned many recognitions. In 1991, NAIA Great Lakes Regional All-Star, NAIA District 20 All-Star, SXU Golden Glove. In 1992, NAIA All-American (1st team), NAIA Great Lakes Regional All-Star, NAIA District 20 All-Star, SXU Most Valuable Player. In 1993 NAIA District 20 All-Star, SXU-Golden Glove. Former teammate and current teacher at Oak Lawn Community High School Scott Atkins recently said of Kevin: Kevin Sefcik was one of the most competitive teammates I have ever played with. His All-American accolades at St. Xavier University did not happen by accident as he was also the hardest working teammate. Kevin constantly modeled top-shelf dedication on the practice field, weight room and conditioning program. I became a better player by trying to keep up with “Sef’s” winning habits and superior work ethic. Kevin’s major league career is a prime example of someone making the most out of an opportunity. He was a fantastic organizational player with his hustle, reception to instruction and making position adjustments to accommodate the needs of the Phillies organization. One of my most treasured athletic memories is the opportunity and honor I had to play in the middle infield with Kevin Sefcik for four years at St. Xavier University. Great guy, fantastic teammate and even a better person.

Kevin was drafted to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993. He had his first professional debut with the team on Sept. 8, 1995. He had 7 active seasons from 1995-2001. During his career he appeared in 425 games, amassing a total of 212 hits, 6 home runs and 56 RBI. His career batting average was .275. On his MLB debut he took over third base for Charlie Hayes in the 7th inning. Another milestone was when he contributed to the fireworks on the 4th of July 1997 with his first MLB homerun vs. Terry Mullholland of the Chicago Cubs. Kevin had his best season in 1998, when he hit .314 in 104 games, and he followed that up by hitting .278 in a career-high 111 games in 1999. Though the moment most people may remember was the play with his collision with Mike Piazza at home plate (which was shown on ESPN and was in the top 100 ESPN's worst collisions). That photo is now hanging in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

After his MLB career Kevin was the Baseball Director of the Illinois Sparks. He then went on to become an Assistant Baseball Coach at Brother Rice High School for 3 years. Since 2014 he has been the Head Athletic Baseball Coach at Marist High School. Kevin has 3 sons and resides in Palos Heights with his wife and family.

Mike Murphy

Tonight, Andrew High School recognizes an individual that started the Andrew Boys Bowling program in 2003-2004 with a determined group of parents. Back then, we had girls’ programs in the State for decades, but never an officially IHSA recognized boys’ program. Mike worked with this new team, getting a student to the IHSA State Final as an Individual in their first year of existence and a team record of 9-1. The following year, their team went 9-3, won their first IHSA Sectional and entered IHSA State Finals. The first day of the 2005 State Finals, the team placed first by 25 pins. As the second day of the State Finals battled on, they took the State Championship by 14 pins.

The following year, the talk of the south suburbs went 8-3, once again won the Sectional, and entered the state series again. The first day of the finals, Andrew was in 3rd place, over 130 pins out of first to the host school O’Fallon and Belleville West. The second day the team rose the ranks and closed the pin count separation with each of the six games, their third game of the morning is still considered one of the highest team games ever rolled at the State Finals. They had closed the gap, and under Mike’s astute leadership they ran away with their second State Championship in a row with a team record still not toppled for the State Finals and a pin lead of 80. Mike would qualify for State four times as a team, he handed over the reigns of leadership to Mark Lobes in 2008. He would rejoin Boys Bowling as an assistant coach, where his name would appear on the 2014 State Runner-Up trophy. We also cannot forget that he volunteered with the Andrew Girls team when the won State in 2012. Tonight we all honor Mike for his accomplishments, but also I want to give special recognition to his wife Joan. She has been there, she has seen the stress, the happiness and the “Mike is not happy” moments. We thank her, and not only for her quality cookie baking skills.

Robert Keane

Robert Keane became active in the Andrew High School Community as a member of the Andrew Athletic Booster during the 1990s. He and his wife Linda volunteered their time to support the community and its students. He soon was elected the President of the Booster Club where he was able to create opportunities for athletes, students, and community of Andrew High School.

For example, we have all come to expect certain things when attending athletic events at Andrew today. Those didn’t exist when Robert became part of the Booster club, the simplest of things – a concession stand and bathrooms There was nothing until that time. They used to have to run a hose in order to have something for the people at Andrew Athletic Events. The Booster Club, under his leadership got Andrew its first concession stand.

My father was also a proponent in the equality of all sports programs, regardless of profile, prestige, or gender. He recognized that each program represents themselves, the school and the community, so therefore the Booster Club, stepped in to provide such things as matching uniforms for girls basketball, the original banners that hung from the walls and that are now overhead celebrating our team’s achievements, and providing financial and logistical assistance when a certain gentleman by the name of Howard, no last name needed, approached the school and its parent clubs about creating a Variety Show. As Booster Club President, they never turned down a request from any sports team.

Robert Keane never did anything his life for the accolades, he did it out of the kindness of his heart and his desire to help people anyway he can. This can be seen in his chosen profession of Law Enforcement, his volunteerism with Andrew, and his continued service to the Andrew Community as a member of the District 230 Foundation Board. His strengths are the relationships he builds, whether it be with Al at Guardi’s Pizza, the owners of Apple Cleaners, or the bartenders at Tribes.

Robert is a humble man from the South Side of Chicago from St. Gall, a St. Rita Mustang and a Western Illinois Graduate. He is a loving husband, a caring father, and a proud grandpa. And now he is a Hall of Famer.