JOLIET, Ill. --- Mike Slovick, one of the key builders of the then-College of St. Francis football program, has passed away.  Slovick died unexpectedly on Wednesday.

Joined by legendary head coach Gordie Gillespie, Slovick and Dan Sharp came over from Joliet Catholic High School to start the St. Francis program in 1986.  Slovick served as the program's defensive coordinator for the first eight seasons before taking over the head coaching reigns in 1994.  He served in that capacity for 11 seasons through 2004.

"The St. Francis athletic program is truly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Coach Slovick," said USF director of athletics Dave Laketa, who was coached by Slovick on the defensive side of the ball in the early years of the program.  "Mike truly cared about and extended an open hand to any individual he ever came across.

"He was a true Christian man who attended mass daily and lived his life following God's plan."

Slovick was known for developing strong defenses, which was apparent when he was one of only three small college defensive coaches invited to the Chicago Bears "Think Tank" session back in 1993. 

"The only person that knew the Bears' 46 defense better than Mike was Buddy Ryan, the developer of the famed concept," continued Laketa.  "Mike studied it extensively and knew every intricacy of it, implementing it into our program from the start."

That was evident two years into the St. Francis program.  Slovick's defense allowed just 233.3 yards per game in total defense and 99.0 yards per game against the rush to rank fourth-best in the NAIA in both categories on the team's way to the 1987 NAIA Division II playoffs.  That same squad placed ninth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing a mere 13.7 points per contest.

Among other top team billings for his units, the 1991 pass defense was the sixth-best in NAIA Division I, permitting just 128.3 yards per game.  In 1993, his unit ranked sixth in NAIA I in rushing defense (108.2 yards per game) and tenth in total defense (311.6) against a predominantly NCAA II slate.

"Speaking for all former players, staff and friends of the program, Coach Slovick truly was a great coach that cared about everyone that came in contact with USF Football," said current St. Francis head coach Joe Curry, who played for Slovick from 1998-2000 and coached with him for one season (2001).  "As a former player, he was a coach for the right reasons.  He wanted to make a lasting impact and make sure we became good husbands and fathers."

"Years after our playing careers have finished, we still talk about the impact Coach Slovick made on our lives. That is when you know that you had a good coach, more importantly, a lifelong friend.

"I am proud to continue the legacy and impact of St. Francis football that he helped establish.  Rest easy, Coach Slovick!"

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, Slovick 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.

"Our deepest condolences go out to Mike's son Shane and the entire Slovick family," stated Laketa.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 18 from 2 until 8 pm at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home (3200 Black Road in Joliet).  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, February 19, at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church (416 North Chicago Street in Joliet) followed by internment at Resurrection Cemetery (7201 Archer Road in Justice).