Our Lady of Peace Crusader football program is celebrating its 10 year anniversary with the start of the 2010 season. The OLP Crusader football program began in fall of 2001 with a small varsity team and a full squad of junior varsity players. As they celebrate their 10 year anniversary, Our Lady of Peace Crusader football has become one of the most respected programs of the Suburban Parochial Football League Silver Conference. OLP won the conference title at the varsity level in 2004 and in 2005, tying for the conference title at the JV level in 2006 while 2009 found the JV team in 2nd?place after a strong championship game.? ?OLP has had a playoff team (1st or 2nd in conference) at one level for the last 7 years.

However the program was started really to prepare athletes for High School football while teaching discipline, sacrifice, work ethic, courage and teamwork; qualities that will serve students for life. Since its inception, OLP has sent dozens of players to play at 6 area high schools: Downers Grove South, Hinsdale South, Montini Academy, Joliet Catholic Academy, Benet Academy and Nazareth Academy. OLP athletes are extremely well received by high school athletic programs. They are considered amongst the best trained, mentally and physically. In 2006, four OLP alumni were captains on their varsity football teams.?Academically, OLP athletes are consistently on Conference All Academic Lists. In 2010 OLP alumni are playing football at the college level at schools including Notre Dame, Dayton, and University of Chicago.

Our Lady of Peace will celebrate its Homecoming on September 12 hosting Visitation with the JV game starting at 11:30 and Varsity game scheduled for 1:00. Visit the Our Lady of Peach web site, www.olopdarien.org for more information on the program and OLP School.