Marques Sullivan, a 1996 Fenwick High School graduate, enjoyed successful football playing careers collegiately and professionally, but recently he received an honor few high school student-athletes ever attain.
Last month, Sullivan got word from the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association the he has been inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame. He becomes Fenwick’s 65th athlete, coach, or administrator to gain entry into the Hall, and the 16th associated with Friars’ football, joining the likes of Marty Finan, Tony Lawless, and 1953 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner, whose #34 jersey sits retired in the school fieldhouse rafters.
“I have tremendous respect for the Chicago Catholic League and the athletes who have represented it throughout the years,” Sullivan told Wednesday Journal. “To be named as one of those athletes that have made so many contributions to sports, their communities, and to society, it’s a great honor to say the least.”
Sullivan fondly recalled an encounter he had with late Illinois high school basketball coaching legend Gene Pingatore that influenced his life.
“I was on an eighth-grade visit to [now-closed] St. Joseph,” he said. “I got to speak to Coach Ping about playing basketball for him. He told me, “See those football pads over there? That’s your future.” I didn’t look back.”
Sullivan, who is 6-5 and played around 300 pounds, was a two-way lineman for Fenwick. In 1995, he was one of the top offensive linemen in his class and helped lead the Friars to a 12-1 record. The season ended in heartbreaking fashion as Fenwick lost in the IHSA Class 5A semifinals to Maine South 24-21 in overtime at Oak Park Stadium.
“I try not to think about that game,” Sullivan said. “I believe we were fully prepared going into the game but unfortunately it wasn’t the outcome we wanted. I knew my football career was just beginning, but certainly I was not happy losing to a team we felt we could beat.”
Overall, however, Sullivan said he enjoyed his time at Fenwick and credited his success to the staff, led by head coach Paul Connor.
“I was coachable,” he said. “I listened to my coaches. I tried to play the best I could and stayed out of trouble. I tried to do the right things on and off the field.”
Sullivan was named All-State by the Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette and All-American by Parade Magazine. He accepted a scholarship from the University of Illinois and was named All-Big Ten Conference Second Team in 1999 and 2000. Moreover, as a senior with the Illini in 2000, he was named to Playboy Magazine’s All-American First Team and the Football Writers Association of America’s All-American Third Team, and got Honorable Mention from the Football News All-American Team.
In the fifth round of the 2001 National Football League draft, Sullivan was selected by the Buffalo Bills. He spent three years with the Bills, playing in 37 games with 25 starts at offensive tackle. In 2004 and 2005, Sullivan had stints with the New England Patriots and New York Giants. He wrapped up his career playing for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League in 2007.
Sullivan, a Chicago native, has always given back to the community through football. He was director of the Chicago NFL Alumni Football Camp, conducted for high school players. He also coached at the Chicago Bears Youth Football Camp for players age 6-13. Additionally, he has been NFL Alumni executive vice president for the Chicago chapter and served as a vice president of the NFL Former Players Association.
Fenwick High School alum Marques Sullivan, Class of 1996, will be inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame May 1. (Provided) 
Fenwick alum Marques Sullivan in action with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Sullivan will be inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame on May 1. (Provided) 
Fenwick lineman Marques Sullivan (#59) in action. Sullivan, a 1996 graduate, will be inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame on May 1. (Provided)
Sullivan advises student-athletes who want to have extended careers to develop sport-specific skills, utilize weight training, and improve conditioning. He also says they should have the right attitude when facing adversity.
“They must have mental toughness, self-discipline, and resilience when things don’t go their way at times,” Sullivan said. “I’d also say kids should get used to balancing academics, training, time management, and proper rest for recovery. They should also attend camps so they can get exposure to scouts.”
This year’s CCL Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the Crystal Sky Ballroom in McCook, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. For more information and a list of all the inductees, visit chicagocatholicleague.com.