JCA Inducts Mark Grant to Hall of Champions

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

Joliet Catholic Academy has announced Mark Grant, class of 1981, as an inductee to the school’s Hall of Champions.

According to a YouTube video posted by JCA, Grant pitched the Hilltoppers to back-to-back state finals, striking out 182 batters his senior year. He was then drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 1981 draft and is an analyst for the San Diego Padres.

“I think Mark’s become kind of a legend in a lot of ways,” said Mike Fenske, a former teammate of Grant’s at Joliet Catholic in the video. “His humor and his spirit are certainly well-known in the Joliet Catholic community and what he does with the San Diego Padres. More importantly, I think Mark demonstrates the value of taking life as it comes, with a lot of humor and that leadership I think was the most important part of our team.”

Former Joliet Catholic Varsity Basketball Coach Jack Schimanski said Grant lives life like his hair’s on fire.

“He’s got so much energy. He never takes a day for granted. I see him interacting with fans from the Padres. He’s such a favorite out there and it’s because of the way he treats them and that tells me that’s the way we all need to be.”