Class of 1997

Dennis McCann

Maine South High School

Coach

Dennis is a graduate of St. Patrick High School, which did not have a wrestling program while he was a student. He was introduced to wrestling at St. Joseph's College in Renssalaer, Indiana, where he was a three-year letterman and co-captain as a senior.

Dennis began his teaching and coaching career at Gordon Tech High School in 1970, becoming head coach in 1972. His teams at Gordon Tech won 211dual meets and 3 Catholic League championships, much of it before the league joined the Illinois High School Association. Perhaps his most famous pupil was Frank Santana, who became an NCAA champion at Iowa State University. In 1986, Dennis moved to Maine South High School, where he served for five years as an assistant to the late Tom Ziemek before becoming head coach in 1991. His teams at Maine South have won 89 dual meets, elevating him to the prestigious 300-win club, and one Central Suburban League championship. Overall, Dennis has coached 15 state qualifiers and three placewinners. He also has been an assistant football coach at both schools.

In addition, Dennis also has been active in IKWF and IWF activities. He coached Illinois cultural exchange teams against teams from Finland and Poland; coached summer camps at both high schools; coached the Windy City team in the Prairie State Games; hosted the IWF State Greco-Roman Tournament; served as tournament director of four IHSA regionals and 11 IKWF regionals; and founded two IKWF clubs.

A member of the Hall of Honor at St. Joseph's College, Dennis was named Maine South's “Educator of the Year" in 1991 and received the "Those Who Excel" Award of Merit from the Illinois State Board of Education in 1993.