Nine Hinsdale Central graduates are trading their Red Devil uniforms for college athletics this fall, carrying memories of championship runs, state records and a community that rallied through loss.

The group spans six sports and stretches from the Ivy League to the Big Ten, according to a roundup published July 1 in The Hinsdalean. Two more installments profiling additional Red Devil graduates will follow July 9 and July 16.

Baseball sends three

The Red Devils' baseball program produced the largest contingent. Dylan Kassab, a three-year starting catcher whom the Suburban Life 2026 season preview called "one of the top players in program history," is heading to Indiana University. Patrick Connors, who earned a varsity spot as a freshman and set the Hinsdale Central school record for stolen bases during the 2026 season, will play at Boston College. PJ Doppke, who played first base, is bound for Grinnell College.

Doppke said what he'll remember most is the strength of the Central baseball community. "At every home game the grill is on, lots of parents come to support us, kids from our school come watch, and it's without a doubt the best sports environment I've been a part of," he told The Hinsdalean. He also noted how the team came together after assistant coach Kevin Rios died April 13 at age 44. Rios had coached many of the players since their Little League days at Peirce Park, in some cases for up to eight years, according to head coach Jason Ziemer.

Court, field and pool

Kris Dowell will play basketball at Grinnell College. Dowell was a senior leader on a Red Devils squad that won 75 games over three seasons, the most in any three-year stretch in the school's 125-year basketball history, according to Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic records. He helped Central capture the 2024 Holiday Classic championship by defeating previously unbeaten Brother Rice on Dec. 30, 2024.

Gene Riordan heads to the University of Iowa for football. He said some of his teammates had been playing together since second grade and credited that bond for the team's atmosphere during his senior year.

Matthew Vatev will swim at the University of Pennsylvania. Vatev said his most cherished memory was competing in the freestyle relays at the state meet alongside his Central teammates, where he said the group broke state records together.

Soccer, track and lacrosse

Piper Bingham will join the Army women's soccer team at West Point after a senior season she spent playing alongside her younger sister, Amelia. Lily Hodneland is heading to Villanova for cross country and track. Reagan Walsh, a four-year varsity lacrosse player, will compete at Illinois Wesleyan University.

A second group of college-bound Red Devils will be profiled July 9.