Joliet Catholic-Mount Carmel Football Game Honors Memory Of Kevin Hansen

JOLIET, IL — Friday's 7:30 p.m. home football game at Memorial Stadium between Joliet Catholic Academy and Mount Carmel High School will honor the legacy of Kevin Hansen, a popular and well-liked young man from Joliet who died at age 33 in 2015 following a sudden bout with leukemia.

This will be the second year for the Joliet Catholic-Mount Carmel game now known as the Gridiron Classic In Memory of Kevin Hansen and the first time the game has been played at Joliet's Memorial Stadium. Kevin Hansen's godson Anthony will flip the coin in the center of the football field at the start of Friday night's game.

"Because he was affiliated with both schools," explained his father Mike Hansen, a prominent Joliet lawyer for decades in the community, and a 1969 graduate of Joliet Catholic High School. Kevin's mother was Beth (Shankland) Hansen, who also graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1969.

As for their son, Kevin graduated in 1999 and was the class valedictorian as well as its best student-athlete.

Kevin played baseball and football at Joliet Catholic and later graduated from the University of Notre Dame and obtained his master's in education at Providence College in Massachusetts. From there, Kevin went into the seminary before realizing his calling in life as a theology teacher.

He taught at Mount Carmel High School and served as the football team equipment manager from 2008 until his unexpected death in 2015.

After Friday night's game is over, "I'll present the trophy to the winning team," Mike Hansen explained. "Our whole family will be there."

"It's A Big Deal At Mount Carmel"

Mount Carmel High School also started the Green Jacket Award to honor one of its faculty members every year who exemplifies Kevin Hansen's character.

"It's a big deal at Mount Carmel," his father explained.

As a high school theology teacher, Kevin Hansen strived to follow 14 virtues of the person he wanted to be including "Trust in God," "Get motivated," Imitate Christ," and "Avoid sin at all costs."

Mike Hansen said his son died just one week after being diagnosed with leukemia. The type of leukemia his son had "is uncurable," according to Mike Hansen. "He couldn't eat, he couldn't function, his whole white blood cells had taken over his whole body."

Mike Hansen said he's very proud of the fact that Joliet Catholic and Mount Carmel started the Gridiron Classic in honor of Kevin.

"Kevin would be very embarrassed if he knew this was taking place. He was single and very beloved and really gave his heart and soul to both schools. He spent two years in the seminary, but found his path teaching high school. I think he was a good person for that entry level student. He took kids on trips for Habitat for Humanity in the summer."

"He Felt Blessed And Fortunate That He Lived A Very Proper Life"

Mike Hansen said that since Kevin died 10 years ago, a number of people have told him and his family that "they seemingly have been helped by Kevin by praying to him and who knows what might be out there? He died at age 33 which is the same age as Jesus. I don't think he's ready for sainthood, but I think he felt blessed and fortunate that he lived a very proper life.

"We're not trying to brag or get credit for helping and assisting, but people have looked upon Kevin as a kind and nurturing soul to many young people."

As for the Green Jacket Award, Mike Hansen remarked, "It's to pass on to other teachers what he stood for, and how he lived his life."

Before Friday night's game, Joliet Catholic will also host a reception at the Cemeno's At the Park at the Inwood Recreation Center from 5 to 7 p.m. and proceeds will benefit Joliet Catholic and Mount Carmel for scholarships given by each school in memory of Kevin Hansen.