Doug Ternik, Cindy Olczyk, and Ron Plantz Honored By the Chicago Catholic League

NEW LENOX (May 18, 2022) – Providence Catholic recently saw three of its Celtic community honored by the Chicago Catholic League (CCL). “These individuals are a special part of the Providence Catholic community,” says Father John Merkelis, OSA, President. “Their contributions not just to the athletic community, but to the Providence Catholic Family as a whole, are significant. We are extremely proud to see them recognized for their involvement and achievement.”

Athletic Director Doug Ternik, also a Providence alumnus, was chosen as the Chicago Catholic League’s Dan O’Brien Man of The Year. After college, Ternik began his career at Providence as a teacher in 1994 where he developed the Health Program curriculum. He also began as Assistant Coach for football and baseball that same year. He went on to become the Offensive Coordinator for the football program in 2001, has been a part of nine State Championships as a football coach, and took over the Athletic Director position in 2006. Ternik is only the third Athletic Director in the history of Providence Catholic and has seven State Championships in that position for cheer, dance, hockey, baseball and football.

In addition, alumni parent Ron Plantz and former girls volleyball coach Cindy Olczyk were inducted into the CCL Hall of Fame.

Olczyk began teaching and coaching at Providence in 1990 and also began the boys program there in 1992. She held an impressive coaching record from ’93 – ’10, with 336 wins and 195 losses. She led teams to four regional titles, two sectional titles and made two state appearances. In 1998, Providence Catholic reached the Final Eight and in 2008, took home the fourth place state trophy.

Ron Plantz, alumni parent and father of current head football coach Tyler Plantz, continued his career in accounting while contributing to athletics in the area. A former NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts, Plantz served as an offensive line coach on Joe Bunge’s Naperville Central teams throughout the 1990s and in 2004, co-founded the Frankfort Falcons Youth Football and Cheer Program. His four children all attended Providence Catholic.

For more information on these honorees, visit http://www.chicagocatholicleague.com/static.asp?path=3223.