COACH JEREMY D. IZZO
Coach Jeremy Izzo died at age 29 due to complications with Marfan Syndrome. Coach Izzo, a Nazareth Alum and basketball star in the making, was forced to stop playing basketball at 14, due to this diagnosis. He remained involved with the game and became the first student coach throughout his years at Nazareth. An award was created in his name as the “Jeremy Izzo Award: For the Love of the Game.” This is given each year to a senior who demonstrates a true spirit of love for the game and is an inspiration to the team.
After high school, Coach Izzo went on to become the Head Manager at University of Illinois under college basketball’s brightest coaches such as Lon Kruger (Oklahoma), Bill Self (Kansas), and Bruce Weber (Kansas St.). He received a Bachelor’s degree in Education (History) and Master’s in Sports Management, was hired onto the Men’s Basketball staff, and was part of the Final Four run in 2005.
After his college experience, he was hired as the Head Coach of the Boys Basketball program at Joliet Catholic Academy in 2009. That same year, he and his wife gave birth to their only child together, Addison. After one full season at JCA, in October of 2010, he suddenly collapsed in his home in Joliet. Jeremy has left behind a wonderful legacy of a short life very well lived. His efforts to make the most of each day clearly showed how much he truly loved his family, friends, and the game of basketball.
