Mary Hie

Her mother, Mary, is a secretary in the DePaul athletic department.Her father, John, is one of the most decorated softball umpires in Illinois history.

Mary Hie said several factors fueled Patti's competitiveness.The first was John, whose participation in sports sparked the interest.

Then there were the other neighborhood children: mostly boys.And finally, with so many siblings, competition came naturally.

"She was always competitive," Mary Hie said."One way or the other, she always seemed lured to sports.We encouraged her, but we really didn't guide her so much.She more or less picked it up on her own."

Hie played softball, volleyball, tennis and basketball in various club and community leagues.Club coaches taught her the fundamentals that complemented her inherent toughness.
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After DePaul, Hie was head coach at Lewis University in Romeoville for four seasons.

She then subbed for a while before connecting with Cary-Grove athletic director Bruce Kay.Hie joined C-G in 1994.A few years later, Prairie Ridge contacted her about joining their staff.

Hie will coach girls golf this fall in addition to her administrative duties at Prairie Ridge, but she will not be coaching the girls basketball team for the first time in the school's six-year history.