Coach Gene Nolan Floor Project
We’re excited to announce a special project honoring Gene Nolan, a 1992 graduate and Marist’s all-time winningest basketball coach. This summer, we will unveil a newly renovated basketball court named in his honor.
Gene’s impact on the Marist community is immeasurable. As a student, he rewrote much of the basketball history while excelling academically as a National Honor Society member and Faculty Award recipient. After a record-breaking career at Washington University in St. Louis, he returned to Marist to teach and coach. During the school’s transition to co-ed in the early 2000s, Gene became a key figure in the community, working closely with the admissions office to help guide Marist’s new direction. As head coach for 18 years, he elevated Marist basketball to a Tradition of Excellence, guiding the team to ten 20-win seasons and six regional championships. His leadership fostered a culture of honor, respect, and integrity, leaving a lasting legacy at Marist and throughout the Chicagoland area.
The gym floor at Marist, installed in 1963, is the original surface. While we’ve made repairs over the years, experts now recommend a full replacement. This project will replace the floor and serve as a lasting tribute to Gene and Dan Garvey, who is also being honored in a separate campaign.
We need your help to fund this project. The total cost of the replacement is $600,000, and we are challenged to raise $200,000 specifically for the court naming in honor of Coach Gene Nolan. Your support, whether modest or generous, will make a lasting impact and will be acknowledged when the new court is unveiled.
The Marist mission is strong, with a continued focus on academic excellence and athletics. We are grateful for the guidance of mentors like Dan Garvey and Gene Nolan, and we thank you for your consideration and support. Future generations of Marist students will greatly benefit from your generosity.
Upcoming Events
View All Events >
General Information
Bands
Tickets
Sponsorships
Volunteers
3 Bands in 1 Location for 1 Amazing Night
General Information
The 5th Annual Southside Summer Festival features three amazing bands at the Marist Stadium. Southside Summer Festival is set with an incredible lineup of artists. Beverages & food will be available for purchase.
Featured Bands
- Bands will be announced April 7th! Stay tuned!
Restrictions
- Open to 21 and over; Identification will be checked at the door
- Tickets are nonrefundable
- No outside food or beverages allowed
- Chairs are not allowed on the football field, so bring a blanket or sit in the stands!
2025 Band Line Up:
Poi Dog Pondering
Poi Dog Pondering is a genre-blending musical collective known for fusing acoustic rock with orchestral, electronic, house, and soul influences. Founded by Frank Orrall in 1984, the band has evolved over the decades, incorporating a rotating lineup of talented musicians. With their dynamic performances and rich, multi-layered sound, Poi Dog Pondering will close the night from 8:00 – 9:30 pm, delivering an electrifying mix of old favorites and fresh interpretations that will have the crowd dancing.
The Uprooted Band featuring Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root
Michael Glabicki, the driving force behind Rusted Root, brings his new project, The Uprooted Band, to the stage with a high-energy fusion of rock, soul, and world rhythms. Carrying on Rusted Root’s legacy while introducing fresh material, Glabicki and his band deliver powerful performances filled with spontaneity and passion. The Uprooted Band will take the stage from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, bringing an inspired set that reimagines classic Rusted Root songs and introduces exciting new sounds.
Red Pop Fury
Red Pop Fury is an energetic and dynamic band that delivers an explosive mix of rock, pop, and alternative influences. Known for their infectious energy and engaging live performances, they set the perfect tone for the night. Red Pop Fury will kick things off from 4:30 – 6:00 pm, starting the evening with an electrifying set that will get the crowd moving.
Ticket prices are as follows:
$35 in advance; Advance ticket sales end Friday, July 18 at 11:55 PM
$40 day of event
$150 for VIP Admission, includes access to a VIP tent on the field and includes drinks and catering (limited VIP tickets will be sold – This area sells out quickly!)
On Saturday, July 19th, Marist High School will present the 4th Annual Southside Summer Festival, featuring three live bands, food and beverages, all showcased at the Marist Stadium. Southside Summer Festival has attracted more than 10,000 music-lovers from the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs in the previous years.
Southside Summer Festival is supported by a robust PR, Marketing and social media campaign. Last year, media coverage was secured in the Chicago Tribune, The Patch, The Beverly Review, WGN-TV, WLS-TV, WFLD-TV, and WLS-AM.
Open to ages 21 and above, this community event is unlike any other in the area, and will open the Marist campus to the entire community, attracting new audiences to the school. Marist High School is a 501c3 nonprofit organization; home to 1,600 students; with a roster of more than 20,000 alumni. Money raised will help to provide scholarships and facility improvements to Marist High School and its students.
If interested in sponsoring, please visit: https://www.marist.net/southside-summer-festival/southside-summer-festival-sponsor/
Thank you for any consideration of sponsoring Southside Summer Festival. We are looking forward to speaking with you and answering any questions you may have.
Be a part of the 4th Annual Southside Summer Festival, presented by Marist. We are seeking volunteers to help with this Southside summer tradition, in a variety of positions.
Tickets are selling fast, and we are anticipating this year’s event to be the largest and most successful ever. For our attendees to have the best experience possible, we could use a few more volunteers this year. Volunteer shifts are still available, with most shifts being about two hours.
Volunteers will receive an event t-shirt, and free admission to one of the best nights on the Southside.
Register to volunteer here: https://www.marist.net/southside-summer-festival/volunteer/
Additional Resources
Tom Hurley ’85
Vice President of Advancement
and Ministry
773.881.5316
Thomas Inzinga ’84
Major Gifts Officer, Planned Giving
773.881.5379
Ryan Tucker ’14
Executive Director of Advancement
773.881.5378
