Coach McAlister (Coach Mac) was the track and cross country coach from 1970 through 1976. By 1972, under Coach Mac’s leadership Mendel was well on its way to becoming a Chicago Catholic League Powerhouse. In his 6 seasons at Mendel, he led Mendel to the many championships.

His track and cross country men of the early 70s came to be known as “Blue Smoke”, because when the Mendel athletes took to the track the runners from the other teams simply saw ‘smoke’ as Mendel men burned up the
track and cross country field.

His Accounting program is responsible
for many of his students choosing accounting as a college degree and profession. 

“Watching many young men go on and become successful, has been one of the great rewards of my life. I realize the happiest and most rewarding years were those at Mendel.