The Carmel Catholic High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 features four student-athletes, with each of their incredible careers as Corsairs punctuated by multi-sport fluency, as well as two partners—a dynamic pair sharing a half-century of combined service within our school community.
Kathleen Felicelli '14 | Athlete
A three-sport athlete for her entire tenure as a Corsair, Kathleen was an accomplished tennis, basketball, and softball player. On the tennis court, Kathleen and her doubles partner were named East Suburban Catholic Conference Champions in 2011 and 2013, qualified for the IHSA State Series during those same years, and Kathleen was named IHSA Girls Tennis 3rd-Team All-State in 2013. As a basketball player, Kathleen helped the Corsairs to an IHSA Regional Championship, as well as the Girls Basketball program's first IHSA Sectional title in 2014. Kathleen's Carmel Catholic softball career was headlined by three-consecutive East Suburban Catholic Conference All-Conference awards, to go along with back-to-back-to-back Daily Herald All-Area softball selections in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Dan Henrichs '92 | Partner
Following his graduation from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and a Master of Science in Exercise Science, Dan Henrichs began his career as a Certified Athletic Trainer for Notre Dame High School in 1998, before embarking on a tenure of service with Condell Medical Center, Athletico Physical Therapy, and the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. In 2014, Dan was named Head Athletic Trainer for Carmel Catholic, having served the Corsairs as an assistant since 2001. During his two decades leading the Corsairs Athletic Training team, Mr. Henrichs has been responsible for the personalized care of thousands of CCHS students, providing evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation services for countless athletic injuries, while preventing a myriad more.
Judith Mikrut | Partner
Mrs. Mikrut began her career at Carmel Catholic High School in 1998, and it would be 20+ years before she would retire from her service of the Corsairs Athletic Department. Alongside Athletic Director Andy Bitto, Judy Mikrut worked tirelessly in support of Carmel Catholic coaches, student-athletes, and families during her tenure as the Athletic Department's Administrative Assistant. Over two decades of support beginning in 1998, Carmel Catholic Athletics would produce 13 State Champions and 17 State Place-Winners. Mrs. Mikrut's execution of athletic operations involved the meticulous management of team schedules and transportation; department accounting; personnel paperwork; officials; and athlete recognition—all the while standing-out as the Corsairs greatest fan.
James Potempa '07 | Athlete
Jimmy Potempa began his Carmel Catholic athletic career as a freshman kick returner on the 2003 IHSA Class 6A State Championship football team, and would end his tenure as a 2007 All-State selection, running for nearly 1,400 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns as a senior on the gridiron. Along the way, he would amass more than 3,500 rushing yards and score 48 touchdowns, and was named the ESCC Offensive Player of the Year in 2006. Following his career at Carmel, during which he lettered in football, basketball and baseball, and was a member of the Corsairs 4x200 Meter ESCC Championship team in 2007, Potempa would play football collegiately at the University of Michigan and Eastern Illinois University, where he was the Panther's leading rusher as a senior in 2010.
Michael Serio '04 | Athlete
A member Carmel Catholic's 2002 Chicago Prep Bowl and 2003 IHSA Class 6A State Championship football teams, Michael Serio finished his two-year varsity career with more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage and scored nearly 20 touchdowns. Serio was a member of back-to-back Conference Championship teams in 2002 and 2003, and was named to the All-Conference football team in both seasons. On the diamond, Serio batted over .400 during his varsity tenure and helped the baseball team to the 2003 and 2004 ESCC titles, while twice earning ESCC All-Conference honors as an outfielder for the Corsairs. After leaving Carmel, Serio would earn four letters as a football and baseball player at the University of Chicago, where he would graduate Magna Cum Laude in 2008.
Luke Venegoni '11 | Athlete
Luke made his mark on Carmel Catholic Athletics with appearances in 38-consecutive varsity football games, including four as a freshman during the 2007 season when the Corsairs earned a berth in the IHSA State Semifinals for just the second time in school history. As a member of the 2009 and 2010 ESCC Conference Championship teams, Venegoni collected more than 250-career tackles and was named the ESCC Defensive Player of the Year, as well an All-State award-winner, as a senior in 2010. As a baseball player, Luke was a three-year letterman for the Corsairs, and his work behind the plate helped his team to the 2010 ESCC title. Venegoni would go on to play linebacker for Western Illinois University, totaling nearly 200 tackles during his four-year career as a Leatherneck.
The Carmel Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 features family ties, athletes and athletic trainers, academic high-achievers and, above all else, a half-dozen life-long believers. Our newest members believe in the power of sport to change lives; believe in the virtues of discipline and dedication; and believe in the mission and magic of Carmel Catholic High School. While many have come before them, and many more will follow, it is with tremendous pride that we present these six candidates for enshrinement in the Carmel Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame. We ask that you include them in your thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes as they take their rightful place in the legacy of our school community, and that you might join us on Friday night to celebrate with well-deserved praise!
*Nominations for the Carmel Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame are collected on a rolling basis, by way of an electronic form located on the CCHS Athletic Hall of Fame website, and must be received by July 1st to be considered for the annual selection cycle. Would you like to submit a nomination? View the Hall of Fame requirements, and submit your candidate for review!