Explorers in the Pros
Craig Hentrich - Class of '89
2009 VIDEO of Hentrich retirement ceremony with the Tennessee Titans -- click here 2015 VIDEO of Hentrich interview about his career with the Green Bay Packers -- click here |
Michael Ford - Class of '14![]() Ford played both running back and defensive back for the Explorers. As a senior, he was named first-team all-conference on both offense and defense and All-State at running back after rushing for 1,614 yards and 28 touchdowns, scoring an additional five touchdowns on returns and recording 69 tackles with two fumble recoveries and three interceptions on defense.
Ford spent five seasons at Southeast Missouri State University, redshirting his freshman season and playing wide receiver as a redshirt freshman. He was moved to defensive back at the beginning of his redshirt freshman season. As a redshirt sophomore, his first season as a starter, Ford made 44 tackles and had five interceptions and seven pass breakups and was named second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference. As a redshirt senior, Ford made 32 tackles with two sacks, an interception and 14 passes broken up.
Ford signed with the Detroit Lions as an Undrafted Free Agent on April 28, 2018. He failed to make the active roster out of training camp and was subsequently re-signed by the Lions to the team's practice squad on September 2, 2018. Ford was promoted to the Lions' active roster on November 14, 2018 and made his NFL debut on November 18, 2018, when he started at cornerback and played on special teams in a 20-19 win over the Carolina Panthers, recording two tackles. In his rookie season, Ford played in seven games (four starts) with 25 tackles. In the 2019 season, his second, he has appeared in 11 games. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ford_(cornerback)
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Alexis Silkwood - Class of '13
At Mississippi State University:
Click here for more about Alexis' college career Alexis continued her playing career in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league after being drafted by the Akron Racers in the fifth round as the 24th overall pick of the 2017 draft. During her rookie season, she led the Racers with 23 appearances and tossed 52.0 innings, recorded 31 strikeouts and held a 2.96 ERA while helping the team reach the NPF semifinals. |
Shane Smith - Class of '08
In his time at Marquette, Shane earned first-team All-Conference honors in 2006 and 2007 for the South Central Conference. He placed 5th in the IHSA State Finals in 2006 and 11th in 2007. He went on to become an NJCAA All American at Lewis and Clark and a CCIW All-Conference selection at Illinois Wesleyan University in 2011 and 2012. He is the only three-time winner of the Alton Gold Medal Tournament (2010, 2011 and 2012) and the Greater Godfrey Open Tournament in 2007 and 2012. In 2012 Shane qualified and made the cut in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and spent a year playing in the Asian Development Tour. Smith has two career professional victories, both on the Arizona based Gateway Tour. Read More... Smith Earns Korn Ferry Tour Spot - click here to read more |
Mary Ellen Jacobs - Class of '03At Marquette Catholic Mary Ellen was a standout three-sport student-athlete, playing golf, basketball, and soccer. An All-conference selection in basketball, she also a Captain, the leading scorer, a first-team all-conference selection and Honorable Mention All-State for the Explorers soccer team. Mary Ellen made four IHSA State Finals appearances, including winning the State Championship as an individual in 2002, following a one-hole playoff. She finished second as a junior, eleventh as a sophomore and fourth as a freshman. In her senior year at Marquette, she was ranked 26th nationally. She went on to play at Tulane University where she led the Green Wave with a stroke average of 75.33, finished in the top ten four times, and tied for third at the Conference USA championship. She was a first-team all-Conference USA selection and ranked 46th by Golfweek Magazine. The effects of Hurrican Katrina forced her to transfer to the University of Arizona. As a Wildcat Mary Ellen finished in eighth place at the North and South Amateur in Pinehurst, N.C., tied for 10th at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship and shot a season-low 73 three times throughout her sophomore season. She earned honorable mention All-American honors from Golfweek magazine, named as a second-team All Pac-10 selection, named to the first-team All Pac-10 Academic Team. She finished second on the team in stroke average (74.23) as a junior and finished 40th at the NCAA Championships. As a representative to the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand she helped the U.S. earn the bronze medal. A member of the LPGA, Mary is the Golf Pro at the famous Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles, California and the author of the children's book One, Two, Follow Through.
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Matt Smith - Class of '96
In 1999 Matt was drafted by the New York Mets, with whom he played for 2 years, prior to playing nearly 5 years in the Chicago White Sox organization, where he was named an All-Star at the Double-A level and led the league in appearances (71) in 2004. Also in 2004 Matt was named to the White Sox Major League team (40 man roster) and enjoyed success with their Triple-A team. As a free agent, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played for their Memphis Triple-A team. Matt resides in St. Louis with his wife and their two children. He is a graduate of SIUE and is the West Coast Sales Manager for Dot Foods. |
Chris Erwin - Class of '94
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Tom Roth - Class of '85
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John "Jack" Fallon - Class of 1944
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