National Merit Semi-Finalists, and three were named National Merit Finalists. Extracurricular activities Saint Viator offers various academic and leadership societies, such as National Honor Society, Ambassador's Club, Justice League, Math Club, Science Club, The Justice League, Film Club, Champions Club, Anime Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Yearbook, Viator Voice (newspaper), Recycling Corps, Link Crew, Tech Crew and Student Council; foreign language clubs; and Scholastic Bowl. There are also many performing ensembles offered: the Winter Musical (established in 1967), the Fall Play, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Musical Pit Orchestra, Pep Band, Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Chamber Singers, Music Ministry, and Orchesis. Athletics For most sports, Saint Viator plays in the East Suburban Catholic Conference; for swimming and water polo, the Metro Catholic Aquatics Conference. The Saint Viator hockey team plays in both the Chicago Catholic Hockey League and the Scholastic Hockey League. Saint Viator's athletics have been a very prosperous school in some of their athletic teams. Taking top 3 almost every year in their conference. Soccer is one of these teams being one of few schools with the highest number of state appearances. The following teams have placed in the top four of their respective sports in state tournaments sponsored by the Illinois High School Association: Baseball: State Champions (2017); 4th place (2016); 2nd place (1964–65) Golf (boys): 3rd place (1983–84); 2nd place (2006–07); State Champions (2007–08, 2008–09, 2009-10) Soccer (boys): 4th place (2014–15); 3rd place (2013–14); 4th place (2001–02); 3rd place (1996–97, 1997–98, 2004–05); 2nd place (2000–01); State Champions (2003–04, 2009–10) Soccer (girls): 2nd place (2009–10), State Champions (2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05); Swimming & Diving (boys): 4th place (1973–74) Water Polo (boys): 4th place (2001–02) Varsity Hockey: 2nd place (1978–1979, 1988–1989, 2011–2012, and 2018-2019) Varsity Cheerleading (girls): State Champions (2011–12) Notable alumni Brett Basanez (class of 2001) — record-breaking quarterback for Northwestern University; formerly of the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears Emmett Cleary (class of 2008) — offensive tackle for NFL's Detroit Lions Rory Dames (class of 1991) — head coach of soccer's Chicago Red Stars Rob Eiter (class of 1985) — 1996 Olympic wrestler Mike Guendling (class of 1979) — former NFL linebacker Cole Kmet (class of 2017), American football player for the Chicago Bears and played collegiately for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Natasha Korecki (class of 1992) — Chicago Sun-Times reporter who has covered high-profile criminal trials Tommy Madaras (class of 2014) — current