John Zidar ’91 Named 2026 Brother Rice Alumnus of the Year
Brother Rice High School is proud to announce that John Zidar ’91 has been named the 2026 Brother Rice Alumnus of the Year. A distinguished alumnus, philanthropic leader, and longtime champion of Catholic education, Zidar embodies the values of Respect, Integrity, Character, and Excellence through decades of service to Brother Rice, its students, and the broader community.
A member of the Class of 1991, John has remained deeply connected to the school that helped shape him. Alongside his wife Meghan, he has built a family rooted in faith and service, instilling in their children, Jack ’19, Catherine M21, Anna M23, and Owen ’26, the same values that define a Catholic education experience.
John’s commitment to Brother Rice reflects the exceptional legacy established by his parents, Owen and Patricia Zidar. Guided by their example of leadership and philanthropy, John and the entire Zidar family have long been devoted to strengthening the future of our school. The dedication of the Owen & Patricia Zidar Boardroom in 2023 stands as a lasting tribute to the family’s legacy of leadership and their enduring spirit of service.
John’s personal impact is both meaningful and far-reaching. As Chairman of Rice in the D for three years, John helped raise nearly $2 million in support of tuition assistance. For more than three decades, he and his family have championed access to a Brother Rice education through the Zidar Family Scholarship. In honor of his close friendship with Brother David MacIntyre, CFC, John also established the Brother David MacIntyre RICE Scholarship, extending opportunities for students who desire a Catholic education grounded in the pillars of RICE.
His leadership has been instrumental in some of the school’s most significant advancement efforts, generously giving of his time and expertise. Those efforts include service on the Enrollment Marketing Committee and the Advancement Committee, offering valuable strategic insight in both areas. John’s philanthropic contributions are visible across campus, including the boardroom renovation, the track & field upgrade, and more than twenty years of loyal support to the Fund for RICE.
His commitment extends well beyond financial support. John is a familiar and well-respected presence in the Brother Rice community, always ready to step in and offer support wherever or however needed. He has been an active sponsor of many events and programs, including Irish Nite, Boxing Night, golf outings, the BRSN broadcasting network livestreams, the Warrior Brotherhood Scholarship, and numerous other school initiatives, while also serving as a member of the Dad’s Club and a leader of the alumni chapter in Chicago. Just as important, he has mentored and guided countless young men, welcoming Brother Rice alumni into professional opportunities within his work at Motorola and helping them take their next steps with confidence.
John’s connection to Brother Rice is not simply one of loyalty, but of genuine care for the future of every student who walks our halls. His example reflects what it means to carry forward a family legacy rooted in faith and to invest in something greater than oneself. For these reasons, we are proud to share that John will join the Brother Rice Board of Directors this July, where his continued service will help guide the future of our school.
As the 2026 Brother Rice Alumnus of the Year, John Zidar joins a distinguished group of alumni whose leadership, service, and commitment to Catholic education continue to strengthen the mission of Brother Rice High School. His dedication to creating opportunities for future Warriors reflects the lifelong impact of the Brother Rice Brotherhood and the enduring values of Respect, Integrity, Character, and Excellence.
We thank John for his ongoing service to our school and mission, his commitment to the RICE pillars, and for being a positive role model for our students and extended Warrior Family.
John was honored at the Senior Alumni Luncheon in April. View his speech here.