Below you will find JHHS Distinguished Alumni organized by years for 1969-1979.

John Hersey High School proudly recognizes Dr. Milton Chen, an international figure in the world of education.

Milton Chen’s path towards leadership and success began here at Hersey as a member of the Varsity Tennis Team, a State Champion on the Speech Team, and the President of the first graduating class. Having earned his A.B. from Harvard College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University, Dr. Chen started a career that would make a difference in the lives of others.

He began working as a research director for the Sesame Workshop, aiding in the development of children’s television. Years later, Dr. Chen earned the Elmo Award from his former employer for his own innovative work in public television. After working as an assistant professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Dr. Chen accepted a position as the Education Director for KQED, a Public Broadcasting Station based in San Francisco. During his tenure at KQED, Dr. Chen created the Center for Education, hosted the PBS special Smart Parent’s Guide to TV Violence with First Lady Hillary Clinton, and wrote The Smart Parent’s Guide to TV. For his hard work and dedication, Dr. Chen was honored with the Fred Rogers Award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In 1998, Dr. Chen left public television to become the Executive Director of The George Lucas Educational Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving schools and instruction throughout the world. In 2004, Dr. Chen began publishing Edutopia Magazine, a periodical dedicated to educational innovation. In 2007, Dr. Chen was named a Fulbright New Century Scholar, which allowed him to study in Scotland for three months.

Dr. Chen complements his dedication to education with a selfless commitment to his community. He has been a board member for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the San Francisco School Alliance, and the National Parks Second Century Commission.

Dave Corzine helped to lead the Hersey Boys Basketball team to the IHSA Elite 8, the first time a MidSuburban League school made it to the state finals. After graduating high school, he went to DePaul University in Chicago, playing for legendary coach Ray Meyer from 1974-1978. Dave helped DePaul compile a 77-34 record during his four years, including a 27-3 campaign and a trip to the NCAA Regional Finals in 1978. He was named honorable mention All-American that year. He graduated from DePaul as the all-time leading rebounder with 1,151 boards, and ranks third in school history for scoring with 1, 896 points.

After his senior season, the Washington Bullets drafted Corzine with the 18th pick in the first round. He played for two years with the Bullets, and then went to play two years with the San Antonio Spurs. Dave came home to Chicago in 1982 to play for the Chicago Bulls. He was the “man in the middle” for seven seasons with the Bulls. He finished his NBA career playing stints with the Orlando Magic and Seattle Supersonics. Corzine averaged almost nine points and six rebounds per game over his professional career.

After retiring from professional basketball, Dave spent six seasons as the color analyst for DePaul radio broadcasts. In 2008, he was named Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at DePaul. In 2009, Corzine shifted into an administrative position as the Director of Community Outreach, leading the athletics department in its community relations efforts.

Michael Glink’s career is the epitome of hard work and determination, working his way from apprentice salesperson
in the print production industry to launching a successful business, Colortek. In 1996, Mike was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, or MS. Determined not to let the disease get the best of him, Mike turned his attention to helping others. His spirit of giving to Hersey became a significant part of his life. His many roles included go-to guy for the Hersey Band, HIA Board, trip chaperone, fundraising coordinator, videographer and editor, and print production manager. In addition, Mike was pivotal in the organization of Band and Hersey class reunions.

Mike also gave outside of the Hersey community. Each year he presented to occupational therapy students at
Midwestern University, showing how MS affected his life so they could have a first-hand understanding of the daily
effects and progression of the disease. Mike’s proudest accomplishments came from his involvement with the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society.   Mike first joined Walk MS in 2007, and his team, Team Mikey started as a small group of family and friends.  Year after year, Mike championed the cause and grew his effort to include over 114 members, raising almost $200,000 to help fund cutting edge research, life changing services and programs and ultimately a cure for MS. Mike had a knack for inspiring hope and optimism, despite the challenges he faced.  He not only made the lives of all those impacted by MS better through his volunteer efforts, fundraising and encouragement, but he also made the world a better place thanks to his remarkable kindness and optimism.  The MS Society honored him with the creation of the Michael Glink Community Spirit Award, given to an individual or team who, like Mike, builds up the MS community, instills hope and positivity through their actions.

On June 1, 2020 Michael Glink’s courageous battle came to an end. However, his positive spirit lives on through those
he touched. In spite of, and perhaps because of his significant disabilities and limitations due to his 20+ years of living with multiple sclerosis, Mike showed us how important it is to keep giving, helping and doing for others, all with an
infectious smile. All who knew him or met him were inspired by his positivity and perseverance. Mike pushed people to
do their best and we honor him as a shining example of how to live and treat others when challenged with adversity.

Doug Frye is Global President and CEO of Colliers International, a worldwide leader in commercial real estate services, with over 13,000 professionals operating in 62 countries. Mr. Frye joined Colliers in 2001, and under his leadership the enterprise has grown to over $2 billion in revenue in 2012.

Because he is passionate about business as a force for positive change in society, Mr. Frye is active with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to debate and model programs that allow companies to impact positively both the lives of their employees, and the local and global communities. Mr. Frye serves on the WEF Steering Board for Infrastructure and Urban Development Industries, and in 2011 he co-chaired the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China. In collaboration with a team of global CEOs, Mr. Frye drafted the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI)—an important global policy that addresses corruption in many countries around the world. Doug was selected as one of the
top 100 international CEOs to attend the invitation-only annual Microsoft CEO summit.

Mr. Frye has made Colliers International a leading example of corporate social responsibility through its global humanitarian and philanthropic efforts. He helped establish the Colliers
Foundation to provide relief for victims of natural disasters. In 2012, Mr. Frye founded Everyone Gives, the world’s most inclusive social giving campaign, which in 10 days raised over $750,000 for more than 1,000 charities in over 60 countries. In addition, Colliers was a founding partner of the World Green Building Council.

In his personal life, Mr. Frye is a non-profit impact investor with leading microfinance partners Global Partnerships and Agros International in Latin America. He is active in Youth With a Mission’s “Homes of Hope” project in Mexico, has journeyed to Mali, West Africa, to build schools, dig freshwater wells and build AIDS centers, and has funded a medical supply boat to bring direct care to remote areas of Brazil’s Amazon Basin. He’s an avid sailor, cyclist (completing the 200-mile Seattle to Portland race in 2012) and musician, as well as an accomplished golfer, recently competing in the 2013 AT&T Pro-Am Tournament at Pebble Beach, California.

Jim Michaels was a very active high school student, excelling academically as well as participating in Football, Baseball, Track, Student Council, and German Club. Upon graduating, Jim attended the University of Evansville, where he would earn a degree in Business. Jim left for Hollywood and began his career at MCA/Universal Studios as an assistant. He soon pitched an idea for MCA/Universal to start their own in-house computer graphics department. This led to his being named the youngest department head at MCA/Universal Studios. After working on hundreds of shows and six feature films, Jim made his move to producing and directing. The productions he has worked on include Knight Rider, Murder She Wrote, Twilight Zone. Magnum PI, Miami Vice, Midnight Caller, Reasonable Doubts, Charlie & Grace, The Guardian, Dr. Vegas, Odyssey 5, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Everbody Hates Chris and Supernatural. In addition, Jim is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America, Director’s Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the American Film Institute. He has also guest lectured at the Academy of Art, University of California-Los Angeles, and New York University.

John Hersey High School’s 1979 valedictorian, Dr. Brigitte Ronnett graduated with the highest distinction from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry (1982), was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and then graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (1986) with a medical degree. During her residency at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, MD, Dr. Ronnett studied anatomic pathology (1986-1989) and clinical pathology (1991-1993). She also completed surgical pathology fellowships at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (1989-1990) and The Johns Hopkins Hospital (1990-1991) and a subspecialty fellowship in gynecologic pathology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital (1993-1995). Dr. Ronnett joined the Division of Gynecologic Pathology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1995 as an assistant professor. Her work as a diagnostic pathologist and clinical researcher has generated over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and two textbooks, leading to promotion to Associate Professor (2000) and Full Professor (2007) of Pathology and earning her national and international recognition. She educates pathology residents and fellows at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and practicing pathologists at national and international scientific conferences. Dr. Ronnett received the Faculty Teaching Award in 1999, and many she has mentored have received Johns Hopkins Pathology and International Society of Gynecological Pathologists Young Investigator Awards for a variety of projects and publications. Her greatest professional satisfaction comes from former trainees acknowledging that some teaching or exchange over the microscope while working on cases with her later provided them with some “diagnostic pearls” they could apply in their pathology practice to diagnose challenging cases.

Below you will find JHHS Distinguished Alumni organized by years for 1990-1999.

Below you will find JHHS Distinguished Alumni organized by years for 1980-1989.

Jeff Joniak just completed his 15th season behind the microphone as the play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Bears. His passion for the game and for the Bears is linked to a 30-year association with Chicago sports fans. In addition to hosting the Chicago Bears game day broadcasts since 1997, Jeff has also served as WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM’s Director of Sports Operations. Joniak and the Bears Radio staff earned the Peter Lisagor Award, presented for exemplary journalism six times including 2007, 2009, and 2011. He has also received multiple Associated Press “Best Sports Reporting” awards for his show “Joniak’s Journal.” Joniak also earned the Silver Dome Award for “Best Play-by-Play” in 2006, and in 2013 as “Best Sportscaster” as well as regional RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards in 2007. 2009, and 2013. Jeff has also done work in television, earning Chicago Midwest Emmy Awards in 2009 and 2012. Joniak also emcees events related to his work with the Bears, including the National Football Foundation Scholarship Awards, The Ed Block Courage Award, the Chicago Bears Care Gala, and the Lurie Children’s Hospital annual fundraiser.

Before joining the Chicago Bears media crew, Jeff co-hosted the game-day broadcasts for the Chicago Bulls during the championship years from 1991-1996. His first broadcasting job was at Sports Phone in Chicago, followed by stops at the Tribune Radio Network, Illinois News Network, CLTV, and Metro Networks where he started the sports department. It was at the old WMAQ Radio that Jeff became Sports Director, worked on Bulls broadcasts, anchored morning drive, and started with the Bears as the co-host of pre-game and post-game shows.

While at Hersey, Jeff was active in Baseball, Basketball, Intramurals, and the Varsity Club. Upon graduation he attended Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

Lou Cella has been exposed to the arts his entire life. He grew up in a family of artists and pursued his passion through the art program here at Hersey. Through his involvement in Theater, Choir, Speech, and Gymnastics, his desire to pursue a career in art was solidified. Lou went on to Illinois State University, and graduated with a B.S. in Art in 1985. After graduating, Lou worked as a graphic artist at an advertising agency. It wasn’t long, however, before he discovered his true love – three-dimensional art. He enrolled in classes at the Rotblatt Amrany Studio, a move that began his rise to becoming a nationally renowned monumental sculptor. His extraordinary talents landed him a position with the studio after completing his classes. Lou has now opened his own business, Lou Cella Sculptures, while continuing to work for several other studios as a sculptor and model fabricator. His sculptures include Harry Caray, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo at Wrigley Field; Carlton Fisk and Frank Thomas at U.S. Cellular Field; The Six Detroit Tigers and Ernie Harwell at Comerica Park in Detroit; coach Barry Alvarez at the University of Wisconsin; Fathers Theodore Hesburgh and Edmund Joyce at the University of Notre Dame; Clark Gable at the Clark Gable Museum in Ohio; Will Robinson and Doug Collins at Illinois State University; and Orville Redenbacher in Valparaiso, Indiana

In 2002, Jamil Khoury co-founded Silk Road Rising, an award-winning, nationally recognized art-making and arts service organization rooted in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Muslim experiences. Through various artistic and educational mediums, Silk Road Rising challenges disinformation, cultivates new narratives, and promotes a culture of continuous learning. Besides serving as Silk Road’s Artistic Director, Jamil is also a theatre producer, playwright, essayist, and filmmaker.

Jamil’s play Mosque Alert premiered at Silk Road Rising in spring 2016. The play grew out of an online interactive development and civic engagement project, exploring resistance to the building of mosques in communities across the U.S. His other playwriting credits include 63rd and Kedzie (2011), WASP: White Arab Slovak Pole (2010), Precious Stones (2003), Azizati (1997), and Fitna (1995), and two cabarets: Broadway Sings the Silk Road (2009) and Re-Spiced: A Silk Road Cabaret (2012).

In addition to theater, Jamil has written works for video/film, including Obstacle Course (2019), Multi Meets Poly: Multiculturalism and Polyculturalism Go On a First Date (2014), The Balancing Arab (2012), and both/and (2011), and the animated short film The Four Hijabs (2016), which he co-wrote with Dr. Manal Hamzeh of New Mexico State University. His documentary films include Sacred Stages (2014) and Not Quite White (2012).

Jamil has received many accolades, including The University of Chicago’s Diversity Leadership Alumni Award (2017), the Association for Asian American Studies Community Leader Award (2015), the Actor’s Equity Association Kathryn V. Lamkey Award (2013), the South Asian Americans Leading Together ChangeMaker Award (2013), the 3Arts Artist Award for Playwriting
(2010), and the After Dark Award for Outstanding New Work (2003). In 2014, Silk Road Rising was inducted into Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame for “showcasing works that address themes relevant to LGBTQ peoples of Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds.”

While at Hersey, Jamil served as the Features Editor and Critic-at-Large for the Correspondent while cultivating an interest in progressive politics and global awareness.

Acting has been a part of Marlee Matlin’s life for quite some time, starting with her first role in a children’s theater company at the age of 7. While at Hersey, she continued to act with numerous companies throughout the Northwest Suburbs. After graduating from Hersey, she attended Harper College to study Criminal Justice. Marlee continued to pursue her passion of acting, performing on stage throughout Chicago and the Midwest. She was finally noticed for her outstanding performance in a production of the Tony-Award winning play Children of a Lesser God, and was cast in the film version in 1986. Although this was her film debut, her performance won her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Actress. Since then, she has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, garnering an Emmy nomination in 1992 for her portrayal of Laurie Bey in an episode of the television show Picket Fences. Marlee has been a positive role model for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In 1995, she testified at a Congressional hearing and helped to get a law passed that requires televisions to be manufactured with chips that provide closed captioning on the screen. In addition, she serves as the National Spokesperson of the National Captioning Institute and is on the Board of Directors for the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Brian Gregory is a 1985 graduate of John Hersey High School. While at Hersey, Brian was a member of the Varsity Basketball Team for three years, earning All-State recognition his senior year while leading the team to the Elite Eight. Upon graduation, Brian went to the United State Naval Academy as a member of another Elite Eight team that included David Robinson. He then transferred to Oakland University, where he set records in single game and career assists. He was inducted into the Oakland University Hall of Honor in 1997.

Gregory joined the Michigan State Basketball staff as a graduate assistant in 1990, and was promoted to full-time assistant in 1992. In 1996, he left to become an assistant at Toledo under Stan Joplin, and then on to Northwestern to work for two years with Kevin O’Neill. He returned to Michigan State in 1999 to work with Tom Izzo, and was Named Associate Head Coach in 2001. While at Michigan State, Gregory was part of teams that won an NCAA Championship (2000), and made three Elite Eight and two Final Four appearances.

In 2003, Gregory was named head coach at the University of Dayton. Winning 150 games faster than any coach in Dayton history. His teams participated in two NCAA tournaments and three NIT tournaments, winning the championship in 2010. During his tenure, all 23 of his seniors graduated.

In 2012, Gregory was named the 13th head coach at Georgia Tech, and brought historical success to this ACC program during his tenure. He rebuilt the program through highly ranked recruiting classes and unprecedented academic success while achieving the most victories in over 20 years. His team made the quarterfinals of the NIT tournament in 2016. Gregory holds a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education and a Master Degree in Athletic Administration. He and his wife live in Atlanta with their two daughters.

Trevor Lehmann was the successful owner of his own real estate firm in Wheeling. As his business grew, so did his desire to give back to his community. He started out organizing annual golf outings to raise scholarship monies for graduating seniors from Wheeling High School. In 1997, he was sworn in as the youngest trustee to serve the Village of Wheeling. His impact was immediate, as he was chosen to serve on the Palwaukee Municipal Airport Commission. He was re-elected to the Village Board in 2001. During his tenure on the Board, Trevor helped to create simplified zoning codes that revitalized the village's business district. He was instrumental in developing Friendship Park, which has become known as the welcome sign to all who enter Wheeling. In May of 2004, a fountain was dedicated to him, which included the inscription "for undaunting efforts to make Wheeling a true community of choice." In January of 2004, Trevor was diagnosed with ALS. He and his family went public with his condition in hopes of raising awareness and helping others. He appeared on various news stations, traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress for research money and Social Security benefits for the terminally ill and their families, and helped organize fundraisers to benefit research foundations. He also agreed to enroll in a clinical drug trial at Northwestern University. In July of 2004, the Les Turner ALS Foundation chose Trevor and his wife, Jennifer, as the Humanitarians of the Year. On January 13, 2005, Trevor lost his battle with ALS. His impact upon the people in this community will live on forever.

Amy Jacobson attended John Hersey from 1983 – 1987. While at Hersey, she was very involved in activities, including Volleyball, Basketball, Choir and OnStage, Drama, SADD, Student Council, and Yearbook. She was chosen as the Homecoming Queen in 1986.

After graduating from Hersey, Amy attended the University of Iowa, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and film in 1991. Her journalism career began with an internship at KGANTV in Cedar Rapids, IA. From there, Amy moved to her first official assignment as the morning news host and general reporter for KSAX-TV in Minnesota. She then moved to Tuscon, AZ, where she became the first female reporter to cover sporting events for the University of Arizona and was a reporter for KOLD-TV. She left to become the lead reporter for KVIA-TV in El Paso, TX. After a year in Texas, it was on to Detroit, where Amy spent two years with WJBK-TV as lead reporter. While in Detroit, she broke stories on irregularities in recruiting at the University of Michigan, went undercover as a Detroit Police Cadet, and covered national stories, including the Oklahoma City bombing.

Amy returned to Chicago in 1996 to become the lead reporter for WMAQ-TV. During her eleven years with the station, she covered the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 2005 World Series, the 2007 Super Bowl, and NTSB hearings in Washington, DC. She also appeared on the TODAY show on four different occasions. Her accurate and professional reporting earned Amy four Chicago Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Reporting and six nominations for Special Segments and Breaking News.

After leaving NBC 5, Amy moved to WLS 890 radio, where she reported news, weather, and traffic. Her major stories included the Drew Peterson murder trial and the Governor Blagojevich impeachment. After two years, Amy became co-host of the morning show at AM560 WIND. She has covered major stories during her time at one of the top-rated morning shows in Chicago.

Jimmy Sommers always had a passion for music. As a teenager, he would sneak his saxophone into Chicago nightclubs to jam with local musicians. Jimmy went to Southern Illinois University on a performance scholarship. He completed his industrial engineering degree a semester early so he could go to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of a music career. While in Los Angeles, Jimmy played many remix sessions with famous artists which led him to touring in Europe and the completion of his first record, James Cafe. Securing a label deal with his first CD, he since then has released six CD’s in total. His latest release, Sunset Collective, included guests such as Macy Gray and Paul Oakenfold. He continues to receive rave reviews, and is constantly rated as on of the top five contemporary jazz artists. In 2008 he started a scholarship that goes to a deserving Hersey musician or singer to help defray college expenses. In addition to his music career, Jimmy has been quite an entrepreneur. He is the co-owner of the famous KOI restaurant in Los Angeles and was an original foundational partner of the Baby Genius Company. He currently started the successful clothing line, Whitehorse Couture. He has been on many television shows throughout his career, and has performed in sold-out venues all over the world.

While a student at John Hersey High School, Paul Syverson was involved in NJROTC, National Honor Society, Orchestra, and was a member of the 1987 State Championship Football Team. Paul went on to the Virginia Military Institute, and after graduating served in the 24th Infantry Division. Having served with distinction in the Field Artillery, Major Syverson volunteered for Special Forces. In 1998, Paul was assigned as a Team Leader for Operational Detachment Alpha 591 in 3rd Battalion. He led his detachment on several deployments throughout the Middle East, including operations IRIS GOLD, DESERT FOX, and DESERT SPRING. During the invasion of Iraq in the spring of 2003, Major Syverson’s leadership allowed 3rd Battalion Special Forces Detachments to advance towards Baghdad without ever experiencing a shortage of critical supplies.

Paul’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, The Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the National Defense Service Award, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Kosovo Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Senior Parachutist’s Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Major Syverson was killed on June 16, 2004, at a U.S. base north of Baghdad where he stopped to purchase equipment for fellow soldiers from the 5th Special Forces Group. Insurgents killed him and another soldier in what was described as a rocket attack at Camp Anaconda in Balad, Iraq. Major Syverson made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for his country and the pursuit of democracy and freedom.

Below you will find JHHS Distinguished Alumni organized by years for 2010-2019.

Below you will find JHHS Distinguished Alumni organized by years for 1990-1999.

Steve Chen was born in Taiwan and moved with his family to the United States in 1986 and Prospect Hts. in 1989, attended Hersey during his freshman year, and participated in Tennis, Science Olympiad, and Band. Steve returned to Hersey to graduate in 1996 after spending 2 years at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. After graduating, Steve attended the University of Illinois to major in computer science.

In 1999, during his senior year, Steve was presented with an opportunity that would change his life. He left U of I and headed to San Francisco to join a start-up company, PayPal, as a software engineer. Working with some of the brightest young minds in the industry, Steve was a major contributor to the development of PayPal, and stayed on with the company until it was acquired by eBay.

After leaving PayPal, Steve teamed with a colleague to form another start-up company in 2005. Pursuing an idea developed at a dinner party, and maxing out his credit card to purchase equipment, Steve and his colleague went to work in a garage to develop a method to share pictures and video on the internet. Thus was the start of YouTube, which has become a mainstream part of American Society. In 2006, Steve and his partner sold YouTube to Google. Steve and his colleague now run AVOS and develop technology platforms that allow developers to create apps faster than ever. These platforms power mobile and web applications such as MixBit, Delicious, and Wanpai. With headquarters in California, the company also has international offices in China and New Zealand.

Steve married his wife, Jamie, in 2009. They have two children and are active supporters of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. In addition, Steve is very involved in helping students pursue their passion through his generous donations to educational foundations.

Chris Nowinski is frequently credited with being the person most responsible for bringing the concussion and CTE crisis to the forefront of global consciousness. Over a decade of his aggressive advocacy has reshaped how we understand, research, and treat the effects of brain trauma, and how we play sports, from professionals down to children.

Chris is the founding executive director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the sports concussion crisis. He also serves as the Outreach, Recruitment, Education, and Public Policy Leader at the BU CTE Center, which he co-founded.

After graduating from Hersey, Chris became All-Ivy defensive tackle for the Harvard University football team, where he graduated cum laude in 2000 with an A.B. in Sociology. He then became a professional wrestler with WWE, where he debuted on Monday Night RAW in 2002 as Christopher Harvard before post-concussion syndrome ended his career 2003. His challenging recovery from this syndrome led him to write the book Head Games: Football’s Concussion Crisis, published in 2006, in an effort to educate the world about this serious public health issue. In 2012, the book was adapted for the documentary film Head Games, directed by Steve James.

Today Chris serves as an unpaid advisor to the NFL Players Association Mackey-White Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Committee, the Ivy League Multi-Sport Concussion Review Committee, and Major League Lacrosse. He also serves on the Positive Coaching Alliance National Advisory Board. He was a 2011 Eisenhower Fellow. Chris and his team’s work has been featured in print outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, Time Magazine, and The New Yorker, and has been featured on television programs including 60 Minutes, PBS Frontline, ESPN Outside the Lines. His profile in May 2007 by HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel won the Emmy for Sports Journalism, and he has been featured in five subsequent episodes, a record for the show.

Chris has received the ETHOS Award from the Santa Clara University Institute of Sports Law and Ethics (ISLE), the United States Sports Academy Distinguished Service Award and the Sport at its Best Award as a Player Safety Advocate from Ralph Nader’s League of Fans. He also received the Presidential Medallion from Western New England College, Patrick Brady Award from the Brain Injury Association of Illinois, the CoBI Award from the Council on Brain Injury, a Compassionate Action Award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Zach Lydstedt Angel Award from the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, and Hockey News named him to the 40 Under 40 most powerful people in hockey.

Keep your eye out on this space for the newest distinguised alumni from John Hersey High School.