JCA Inducts Liz Tortorello-Nelson to Hall of Champions

The following is the fourth in a five-part series showing the recent inductees into Joliet Catholic Academy’s Hall of Champions.

Joliet Catholic Academy has announced Liz Tortorello-Nelson, class of 1988, as an inductee to the school’s Hall of Champions.

According to a YouTube video posted by JCA, Tortorello-Nelson took consecutive St. Francis Academy Volleyball teams downstate, placing third in 1986. She also led Wisconsin to a big 10 title. She coached at Loyola Chicago for 11 years and later became the athletic director at Chicago Latin.

According to St. Francis Academy teammate Gretchen Beltzhoover Troha, Tortorello-Nelson is a classy person who has always been proud of her heritage and proud to say she went to an all-girls catholic academy.

“Everywhere she goes, she’s creating this name for our school and our school hasn’t always been known worldwide or nationwide, so Liz was part of that new beginning for the school,” Troha said. “She’s very proud of her high school years.”

Her sister, Laura Tortorello Stebbins, said Nelson is aware of the gifts and opportunities she’s been given and gives back without hesitation.

“She’s probably coached over 25 years and that’s way more than the years she spent as a player,” Stebbins said.