by Livvi Anderson
For decades, St. Francis High School girls volleyball has stood out for its exemplary performance, players, and leadership. At the heart of this legacy is Peg Kopec, a legendary volleyball coach and mentor whose career left an indelible mark not just on her athletes, but on the school as a whole. Peg’s 42-year career included 1,248 wins and 12 state championships. Her involvement with St. Francis since the early 1970’s has made Peg an iconic figure at the school and she jokes that, “[she] can’t seem to get away.”
“St. Francis is a very special place because of the people that work here and have worked here,” Kopec reflected. “Kids always say the same thing: What makes St. Francis special is the community. It’s like family.” This sense of family is evident in the small but powerful gestures made by staff like Peg and the traditions she’s established along the way. When Peg was asked if St. Francis had any team traditions, she pulled out a list of 64. A testament to her commitment to strong bonds!
One of the standout traditions she introduced was the Big Sister, Little Sister program, which paired younger players with varsity athletes to cultivate relationships across teams. Themed team posters became another hallmark of the program, turning into creative masterpieces that celebrated the team’s unique identity. “We’d have themes like ‘Heads Above the Rest’ and shoot at Brookfield Zoo or ‘Operating as a Team’ in a hospital setting,” Kopec recalled. These posters were more than just fun—they showcased the camaraderie and spirit that made the program special.
Kopec’s coaching extended beyond the court, emphasizing lessons her players could carry through life. Annual retreats were an integral part of her approach, offering players a mix of fun, reflection, and team-building. “We’d stay overnight, do bonding games, and run a Spartan mile in the morning—not as punishment, but to prepare them for challenges,” she explained. Another cherished tradition was the Never Quit book, filled with motivational quotes and signed by each varsity player. “It became a source of inspiration and a testament to perseverance,” Kopec said.
Service and humility are equally important pillars of the program. Players participated in initiatives like Volley for the Cure and Feed My Starving Children, gaining a deeper understanding of the impact they could make beyond the gym. Kopec once organized a meal-packing event and asked parents to send only bread and water as snacks that day. “I wanted the players to feel, even briefly, what it’s like to go without, and understand the significance of what they were doing,” she said. She joked that the parents showed up with all the sandwich fixings anyway, but that the girls still learned a lesson that day.
The motto “Tradition Never Graduates,” hangs above the volleyball locker room and encapsulates the enduring spirit of St. Francis. Alumni frequently return to coach, mentor, and support the school, keeping its values alive for future generations. “No one loves St. Francis volleyball like an alum,” Kopec said proudly. “They don’t need to be taught our traditions—they lived them.” This continuous legacy ensures that the school’s culture of care and connection remains vibrant.
Though Kopec has retired, her influence is still felt. She expressed confidence in the current volleyball coach, Lisa Stone, now a two-time state champ coach in her own right, saying, “Lisa is magnificent. She has more character than most people I know and truly embodies what St. Francis is about.” For Kopec, this may be one of the greatest compliments to give considering what the school means to her. When you watch St. Francis’ volleyball, you’re watching a team with great tradition, a full trophy case, and hardworking coaches and players that continue the very legacy Peg herself started.
