Dolly Reardon’s softball career began when she was six playing with the Swirls and Curls in a twelve inch league. It was here that she cemented shortstop as her position. She continued playing in the Evergreen Park Kroury League until she entered high school. She attended Mother McAuley High School from 1967 to 1971 where she played volleyball and basketball for four years. She didn’t play softball because the sport hadn’t hit McAuley yet. After high school she attended Quincy University where she played field hockey, volleyball, basketball and softball for four years, serving as captain on many of these teams. Her number was retired her senior year because of all of the records she set. In fact, she still holds the batting average record to this day. She was inducted into the Quincy Hall of Fame five years after she graduated. With a degree in physical education form Quincy, she began teaching physical education at Queen of Peace, coaching teaching and eventually assuming the job of athletic director. During her twenty-three year career at Queen of Peace, she created a well-known sports program for female athletes. After Queen of Peace, Dolly moved to a junior high school where she continues to teach and coach. Her 16″ softball career began in 1976 when she joined the Ringers, a team with a reputation for winning league titles and tournaments. In 1979 she moved to the Burr Oak Angels, coached by the legendary Bill Broukal. She played with them for ten years, serving as captain for nine of those years. The legendary Angels won so many league and tournament championships that it is nearly impossible to mention them all. They were inducted into the 16″ Hall of Fame in 2002. As an Angel and as one of the best shortstops of her day with a .600-plus career batting average, Dolly was selected to seven all-tournament teams, won two golden glove awards (1983 and ‘84 USSSA), and was voted most valuable player four times. Her softball career slowed down from 1992 to 2002 when she played only one night a week with the Diamond Girls. When softball slowed down, she focused more on her bowling career. For the past twenty years she has averaged over two hundred. She has won six team titles, seven doubles titles, three single titles and two all event titles. In 1996 she was inducted into the city and state bowling hall of fames. Dolly Reardon lives in Chicago Ridge.
