DARLENE GRAF

Queen of Peace High School, Maria High School, St. Barbara High School

Darlene had been a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association for 45 years, beginning in 1968.  With this year being the 50 anniversary of Title IX, Darlene has seen it all and has been on the forefront for the rise of female athletics over those years.

Her 45 years in athletic administration began at St. Barbara High School in 1968. Darlene oversaw four sports and six coaches. She also oversaw the additions of basketball, softball, and soccer to the athletic program. On top of that, Darlene was also the head varsity and junior varsity volleyball coach and the varsity softball coach.  In 1995, she transitioned to Maria High School where she was the athletic director until 2003 and oversaw 35 coaches. During her time at Maria High School, she added more programs to the school, including golf and water polo. In 2003, Darlene was named the athletic director of Queen of Peace High School; she remained in that position for ten years until her retirement in 2013.  In 1997, St. Barbara High School recognized Darlene with the Sister Mary Grandy’s Award for Service.  The IADA honor will not be Darlene’s first Hall of Fame recognition. In 2002, the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference inducted her in their Hall of Fame, and in 2003, she was inducted into the Maria High School Hall of Fame. Then in 2010, Darlene was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.  Additionally, Darlene was the IADA Division 1 Athletic Director of the Year in 2001, and she was named the IADA Class 3A/4A Athletic Director of the Year in 2009.  Also, the NIAAA recognized Darlene in 2013 for 45 years of service. 

Darlene is still involved in high school athletics as the president of the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference: a position she has held since 1995. Collectively, she has had a total of 54 years of involvement in high school athletics.

Thomas Schergen, current principal of De La Salle Institute, states, “Darlene Graf is the quintessential Athletic Director.  She created opportunities for female athletes that would not have existed without her influence and passion.  Her selfless leadership style has helped her impact thousands of High School student-athletes.  I have experienced firsthand the positive life experiences she created for ALL of the athletes she served.   As a young coach, Darlene took interest in mentoring me and was a major factor in my development as a Coach and Athletic Director.  She has made an indelible imprint in Illinois Interscholastic Athletics.”

John Catalano, current athletic administrator at Glenbrook North High School, says, “Darlene Graf has devoted her life to the betterment of athletics and has been a role model to thousands of young women. Her leadership within the GCAC is unparalleled. She is a legend and pioneer in private education.”

Darlene’s extensive contributions to high school athletics and her dedication to the IADA are a few of the many reasons that led Darlene to this selection as a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.