On Saturday, February 13, 2016, South High School in Downers Grove will induct five new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame: Chuck Novotny (Coach/Administrator), Cheryl Zemaitis-Ferguson (Class of 1985), Kurt Griesheim (Class of 1985), Dr. Adam Shafer (Class of 1994) and Kathy Smith (Class of 1983).
The induction ceremony and celebration will take in the school's main gym at approximately 5:30 p.m., between the boys’ sophomore and varsity basketball games.
Chuck Novotny’s accomplishments include:
- Worked at South High from 1965-1986, serving as the school’s first athletic director as well as a physical education teacher and department chair.
- Served as head boys soccer coach from 1976-1986, bringing home the very first state trophy for DGS in 1983—4th in the state.
- Served as head and assistant coach in wrestling and soccer, leading wrestlers to two IHSA District titles in 1970 and 1973.
- Served as head and assistant soccer coach, winning the Des Plaines Valley Conference title in 1979 and 1980; made regular appearances in the IHSA state series in the early 1980’s. In 1981, team advanced to the IHSA Elite 8, earned a 4th place trophy in 1983, and had another Elite 8 appearance in 1985.
- Began a soccer program through the Downers Grove Park District in 1970.
- Retired in 1986 and resides in Downers Grove; three children (Janice, Chuck Jr. and Joe) all of whom graduated from South High.
Cheryl Zemaitis-Ferguson’s accomplishments include:
- Volleyball player for DGS, serving as both captain and team MVP for the Mustangs.
- For three years, named to the Maine West all-tournament team, All-Conference, All-Area by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times and was named one of the Best Young Players by the Chicago Tribune.
- Named to All-State Team by the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune.
- Played club ball for Sports Performance Rehabilitation Institute (SPRI), a Junior Olympic Team that won a National Championship; she was named MVP of the tournament.
- Big Ten defensive player of the year in her freshman and sophomore year at University of Iowa; All-Conference at Lewis University.
- Today works in the document management industry in the Brookfield area. Single mother of five: Ashley (18), Peter (17), Hunter (11), Luke (7) and Allie (5).
Kurt Griesheim’s accomplishments include:
- Three-sport athlete at DGS in wrestling, soccer and gymnastics; also played club volleyball.
- IHSA Regional champion his sophomore, junior and senior years
- He was also a three-time champion at DGS invitational.
- Two-time champion of Rex Whitlach Invitational.
- Won Conant Cougar Classic and named Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Week.
- Senior year amassed 45 wins and went on to win regional and sectional tournaments. Placed third at the IHSA state tournament, earning him All-State honors.
- Active in A.A.U. junior volleyball; played in the Junior Olympics from 1984-86 and participated in the Prairie State games.
- Today works in the tech industry and lives in the area with his wife Ann and two sons, Derek and Alek; both Mustang soccer players.
Dr. Adam Shafer’s accomplishments include:
- Four-year starting basketball player.
- Named Adidas All-American as well as to multiple All-Area teams chosen by the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and Daily Herald, including 1994 Player of the Year.
- All-time leading scorer at DGS, holding the highest 3-point shooting percentage for a season at DGS, most consecutive and best percentage free throws in a game at the York Holiday Tournament
- Led the WSG conference in receptions and yards as a football wide-receiver his junior year.
- Ranked nationally as a top-five shooting guard and top-ten overall player as an underclassman. Ranked 29th best junior in the USA and #1 ranked sophomore in the Chicagoland area.
- 4-time All-Conference and All-Tournament pick for the West-Suburban Gold (WSG) and York Holiday Tournament.
- Member of the National Honor Society, WSG Academic All-Conference team; earned the IHSA Scholastic Achievement award.
- Played basketball at Villanova University and University of Wisconsin–Madison. Earned master’s and a doctorate of psychology degrees at The Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
- Today works as a clinical psychologist and lives with his wife, Natalie, and two sons, Armon (“Manny”) and Nolan in Oak Park, Illinois.
Kathy Smith's (Griesheim) accomplishments include:
- Four-year varsity letter winner in volleyball, instrumental in winning three consecutive Des Plaines Valley Conference titles (1980-83); named All-League twice.
- 1981 and 1982 volleyball team captain and MVP.
- Named to the Suburban Tribune and Sun Times All-Area teams and was Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Week; also named to numerous all-tournament teams.
- In 1982, named first team All-State by the Champaign News Gazette and the Chicago Tribune.
- College recruiters were all vying for her services and Kathy choose the University of Iowa where she continued to enjoy a great collegiate career.
- Three-time All-Big Ten selection and named 1983 freshman player of the year at University of Iowa.
- Resides in area with family; daughter Lauren plays volleyball at DGS.
“We are so fortunate and proud to welcome these five new members to our Athletic Hall of Fame family,” says South High School Athletic Director Randall Konstans. “Their incredible dedication to accomplish so much athletically and academically, both during and after high school, continues to inspire all of us today.”
The South High Hall of Fame Committee reviews all nominations made, and selects athletes annually. For more information or to nominate a former student athlete, please contact Athletic Director Randall Konstans at rkonstans@csd99.org.
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