Obituaries
Michael David Slovick
One of the key builders of the then-College of St. Francis football program, has passed away unexpectedly.
Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
Michael David Slovick
Michael David Slovick, one of the key builders of the then-College of St. Francis football program, has passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. He was born on April 1, 1949 in Chicago, IL, the son of the late Joseph and Anne Slovick.
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Joined by legendary head coach Gordie Gillespie, Slovick and Dan Sharp from Joliet Catholic High School started the St. Francis program in 1986. He served as the program's defensive coordinator for the first eight seasons before taking over the head coaching reigns in 1994. Mike served in that capacity for 11 seasons through 2004.
"He was a true Christian man who attended mass daily and lived his life following God's plan."
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Speaking for all former players, staff and friends, “years after their playing careers have finished, they still talk about the impact Coach Slovick made on their lives.”
Slovick got his start in football coaching under another legendary high school mentor in Providence Catholic's, Matt Senffner in 1971, and also served as an assistant in the basketball and baseball programs for the Celtics. He then ventured out to Arizona in 1976, where he served as a head coach at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson for one year.
Slovick returned to the area in 1977 and joined the Joliet Catholic staff in 1978. He served as the Hilltoppers' defensive coordinator for five years, including the program's 1981 state championship team, before making his way to St. Francis.
A three-sport all-conference selection at Kennedy High School in Chicago, he went on to then-Lewis College to play both basketball and baseball. He was enshrined into the Flyer Hall of Fame in 1995.
Slovick closed out his coaching career as an assistant at Saint Xavier University under former St. Francis NAIA All-American, Mike Feminis. He served in that capacity for 12 years before retiring following the 2016 season. In 2010, he was named the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Mideast League Assistant Coach of the Year.
Mike is survived by his son, Shane (fiancée, Karolina Dabrowska) Slovick; his granddaughter, Emma; his sister, Patricia Davis; two nephews, Joseph Davis and Franco Davis; and his former spouse, Aleta Finney.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anne Slovick, and his brother, Allen Slovick.
Funeral Services for Michael David Slovick will be held at 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 416 N. Chicago St., Joliet, where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at the funeral home from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to St. Xavier University Football Department at 3700 W. 103rd Street, Chicago, IL 60655.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
