John McQuade
Men's Basketball/Baseball (1976-1978)
Two-time Skyway Conference’s Player of the Year in basketball
Key member of back-to-back Skyway Conference title teams in basketball
Twice named All-Skyway Conference in baseball
Major League Baseball draft choice of the Los Angeles Dodgers
John McQuade accomplished “Big League” achievements while at Waubonsee, and it eventually led to “Major League” opportunities. A baseball and basketball standout for the Chiefs in the late 1970’s, McQuade went on to play baseball professionally in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ system for two years. He was named to the organization's All-Minor League team in 1980 before a shoulder injury ended his pitching career.
A graduate of Kaneland High School in 1976, McQuade was the Skyway Conference's Player of the Year in basketball both his years at Waubonsee, leading the Chiefs to back-to-back league championships and a 23-1 mark in conference play overall. His sophomore year he was tabbed All-Region IV First Team and participated in the 1978 Illinois All-Star game. On the baseball diamond McQuade was also a two-time All-Skyway Conference selection as a pitcher. His sophomore year he tossed two no-hitters and set a school-record by striking out 19 batters in one game. McQuade represented Waubonsee both years at the North vs. South Region IV All-Star Game, striking out all six batters he faced at Chicago’s Comiskey Park in 1977, while also participating in the showcase at Lewis University in 1978.
McQuade transferred to Elmhurst College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business. He has gone on to coach youth baseball, basketball and soccer, highlighted by coaching his 12U Wasco Warriors baseball team to the National Tournament in Cooperstwon, New York, where they finished eighth out of 50 teams. McQuade has also served with the St. Charles East High School Sports Boosters as President, and earned the title of Top New Sales Recruit in Illinois for Countrywide Home Loans in 2007. He and his wife Donna lived in St. Charles and raised two children, Jill and Brett. McQuade unexpectedly passed away on December 21, 2020 due to Covid-19 at the age of 63.