University of St. Francis (III.)

After 34 years and better than 500 coaching victories and over three decades worth of double duty as an administrator, University of St. Francis men's basketball coach Pat Sullivan retired from the University after the recently completed 2009-10 season.

Sullivan is a native of Joliet and an alumnus of both Joliet Catholic High School and Lewis University ('65). He was hired by then-College of St. Francis Athletics Director and baseball coach Gordie Gillespie in 1976 to coach the Saints' basketball team after spending the previous seven years coaching basketball at Providence Catholic High School in nearby New Lenox. 

In 1986, Sullivan added the duties of Athletics Director to his plate when his boss, close friend and mentor Gillespie gave up the director's duties to serve as head coach of the Saints' new football program. Sullivan also served as Assistant to the President from 1977-82 and remained in the role of Athletics Director until 2000.  

Sullivan moved into the role of Athletics Chairman in 2000 and again was asked to serve in the university's upper administration as Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement. 

With all the title changes and all the duties, one thing remained constant. Sullivan was not only the coach of the men's basketball team, he was also the face of the successful athletics program in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), the NAIA and the Joliet community.

"As I reflect on my 34 years of coaching men's basketball at the University of St. Francis, I think of three concepts: Graduation rates, basketball highlights and lifelong friendships," said Sullivan. "Everything I have ever done at St. Francis has always been part of a collaborative effort. I am thankful that we have kept the student' in the student-athlete verbiage. In 34 years here, we have had 175 seniors play for us in basketball and 171 of them have completed their degrees. These are the most important numbers I will take with me from St. Francis. 

Sullivan directed the Saints to two appearances in the NAIA Division I Championship Tournament (1994 and'96) and led his team to first- or second-place finishes in the CCAC 15 times in one 18-year period.

This marks the fifth time that Sullivan has been inducted into a hall of fame. He is also a member of the Providence Catholic Hall of Fame, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, the Lewis University Hall of Fame and the CCAC Hall of Fame.