The Early Days
The story of Reid and Connor Hites, siblings who play football for St. Ignatius, isn’t unusual. Like many siblings, they started playing football by throwing the ball around. Growing up in Lincoln Park, however, they lacked a typical backyard. Instead, they improvised by using the turfed patio on their garage. This area, equipped with netting, served as their field.
“We would go out there, play catch, play one-on-one, just try to tackle each other,” Connor recalled.
In the backyard, they dreamed big in Bears jerseys and oversized pads, simulating tough football plays.
Roles on the Team
Reid Hites, now a junior, fills the role of St. Ignatius’ starting quarterback. Initially, Connor Hites played as a receiver. Now, as a senior, he anchors the defense as a hybrid linebacker, leading the Wolfpack’s strong performance in the league. The team, holding a 5-1 record, ranks 13th in the Chicago Tribune’s top 25 teams.
Connor received several Division I offers, including from West Virginia, but chose to commit to Penn in the Ivy League, following his father Kevin’s legacy, who played at Brown.
A Modern Defender
St. Ignatius coach Matt Miller sees Connor as a perfect fit for modern collegiate defenses. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Connor’s skills align well with the demand for versatile players in college football.
“He’s a college nickel, which is in vogue right now,” Miller explained.
Connor’s capacity to cover as a linebacker makes him highly sought after. In today’s game, such skills replace the traditional linebackers with bulkier frames.
“He plays with such fearlessness,” Miller added. “It’s impressive.”
Setbacks and Comebacks
Reid anticipated starting as quarterback last year but was sidelined by a broken arm during a scrimmage. The injury required surgery, and St. Ignatius faced a challenging schedule, ending the regular season with a 2-7 record.
Despite the setback, Reid returned to the field, guiding the team to three consecutive victories and a Prep Bowl win over Morgan Park.
“Getting back into it was rough, but I found my groove again,” Reid mentioned.
Climbing the Ranks
St. Ignatius’ squad experienced its first playoff victories, reaching the semifinals and quarterfinals in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively. Elevated to the CCL/ESCC Blue division, they endured tough seasons. This year, in the CCL Orange, the team holds a 5-1 record and aims to continue its success against teams like No. 5 IC Catholic and No. 2 Loyola.
“We had high standards from the start,” Connor stated. “We’ve been underestimated, and we use that as motivation.”
Community and Roots
Standing on their practice field, the team can look at the Chicago skyline. While Reid and Connor were born in California, their family embraced the city lifestyle wholeheartedly when relocating for their father’s career.
“Having grown up here, city life feels normal for us,” Reid reflected. “Our parents didn’t enjoy rural living as much.”
The view from St. Ignatius remains a cherished aspect, symbolizing ambition and achievement.