D211 POST: CONANT COUGARS HAVE NEW HEAD COACH

Matt Walsh has been named head boys basketball coach at James B. Conant High School. Walsh, a 1993 Conant High School graduate, takes over the program from Jim Maley, who is stepping down after four years as the Cougars head coach and a 41-58 record.

Matt Walsh

“We couldn’t be more excited with the selection of Matt Walsh to lead our boys basketball program,” said Conant High School Principal Julie Nowak. “He is a respected coach and leader within our school community, and relates with both student-athletes and parents alike. His enthusiasm for working with students and his energy on the basketball court and in classroom make him a perfect fit for this job.”

Walsh spent the 2020-2021 season as the Cougars’ boys sophomore coach, after serving as a boys varsity assistant coach for the 2016-2017 season. He previously coached all levels of boys basketball at Conant High School from 1998-2009. Walsh was the boys head basketball coach at Schaumburg High School, coaching the Saxons from 2009-2014. His SHS teams were three-time Mid-Suburban League West champions (2011, 2012, 2013), and two-time MSL champions (2012, 2013), while he received MSL West Coach of the Year honors (2012, 2013). His Saxon squads also were regional champions and sectional finalists (2010, 2011, 2012), and he was twice named Basketball Coaches Association District 4 Coach of the Year (2011, 2012). “Matt Walsh is a true Conant Cougar,” commented Conant High School Athletic Director John Kane. “He graduated from CHS, playing for and coaching with Hall of Fame coach Tom McCormack, and then went on to coach here for 15 years at every level from feeder teams to freshman to sophomore to varsity assistant and now head coach. Matt is a natural leader and coach. It’s great to see him get this opportunity as head coach at his alma mater, and I look forward to seeing where he will take our program.”

Walsh earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Dominican University (River Forest, Ill.) in 1997. He also received his master’s degree from Dominican University in special education in 1999. During his high school career at Conant High School, Walsh was captain and the team’s most valuable player, while earning MSL all-conference honors and being named to the Daily Herald All-Area team.

SAXONS NAME NEW HEAD GIRLS COACH

Tim Murphy has been named as the new head girls volleyball coach at Schaumburg High School, effective with the 2017 season.

Tim Murphy has been named as the new head girls volleyball coach at Schaumburg High School, effective with the 2017 season. Murphy will replace retiring coach Jeanette Pancratz, who has coached at Schaumburg High School for the past 27 years of her 36-year career as a teacher and coach. During her tenure at SHS, Pancratz amassed 824 total career wins, making her one of the top-15, all-time winningest girls volleyball coaches in Illinois.

“Coach Pancratz has positively impacted and shaped the girls volleyball program into what it is today through her expertise, passion, and dedication,” said Schaumburg High School Principal Tim Little. “While she will certainly be missed, we are thrilled to have Coach Murphy take over the program. His coaching experience, energy, and enthusiasm will undoubtedly help our team achieve continued success in the future.”

In addition to coaching volleyball, Murphy will teach physical education at Schaumburg High School beginning in the fall of 2017. Murphy has served as head boys volleyball coach at Lake Park High School since 2011, as well as head JV girls volleyball coach since 2012. While at Lake Park High School, he coached five state qualifying “Sweet 16” squads, including four “Elite 8” teams and one “Final 4” team. Prior to that, he was head boys volleyball head coach at Addison Trail High School in 2009, while also serving as the school’s head JV girls volleyball coach (2005-2012) and head JV boys volleyball coach (2005-2011). Currently, Murphy is co-director, tournament director, and head coach for SYNC Volleyball in Schaumburg, Ill.

Murphy earned a bachelor of arts degree in physical education (K-12) from Northeastern Illinois University in 2012, with a minor in health education. He also earned an associate in arts degree from Harper College in 2007.

NEW HEAD BOYS BASKETBALL COACH FOR SCHAUMBURG HIGH SCHOOL SAXONS

Marty Manning has been named head boys basketball coach at Schaumburg High School.

Marty Manning has been named head boys basketball coach at Schaumburg High School. Manning, who has spent the past eight years at , replaces Matt Walsh at the helm of the Saxons basketball program.

Manning, a Hoffman Estates High School graduate, has posted an overall record of 162-68 (.704 winning percentage) as the Huntley Red Raiders’ head boys basketball coach, winning Fox Valley Conference divisional championships in 2007 and the past four seasons. During his stint at HHS, his teams recorded 28 consecutive divisional conference wins from 2010-2013, won five regional championships, and advanced to the IHSA “Sweet 16” twice (2008 and 2011). Manning is a three-time Illinois Basketball Coaches Association District Coach of the Year, receiving that honor in 2008, 2011, and 2012. Prior to being named head coach at Huntley High School in 2006, Manning was the school’s sophomore coach from 2004-2006, and an assistant girls varsity basketball coach from 2003-2004. He also has served as the school’s junior varsity coach since 2008. Manning began his high school coaching career at Elgin High School in 2003 as an assistant boys varsity basketball coach. A two-time all-Mid- Suburban Conference selection (1995, 1996), Manning captained and was named MVP of the 1996 Hoffman Estates High School “Elite Eight” boys basketball team. He also was nominated to the McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Team that same year.

“Marty Manning brings a unique blend of head coaching experience and proven leadership sustaining success year in and year out,” commented Schaumburg High School Principal Tim Little. “And, his leadership goes beyond the basketball court. In the classroom, he is an educational leader and successful AP instructor. He has personal knowledge of the Schaumburg community, and we are very excited to introduce Coach Manning as the newest member of the Saxon family.”

Manning has taught business education at Huntley High School since 2003. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration (management information systems) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2000, and earned a master’s degree in secondary education from Roosevelt University in 2004. He earned a second master’s degree in educational leadership from American College of Education in 2013.

BRICKS STILL AVAILABLE TO ‘LEAVE YOUR LEGACY’ AT SCHAUMBURG HIGH SCHOOL The SHS Saxon “Leave Your Legacy Paver” outside the main entrance of the school.

This marks the first year the Schaumburg High School Saxon “Leave Your Legacy Paver” is installed and on display for the Schaumburg community.

The legacy paver is an arrangement of engraved bricks that is located outside the main entrance near the flagpole at SHS. Anyone can purchase a brick, varying by size, and engrave it with a personal message of their choice.

“The paver is important because it is giving the Schaumburg community an opportunity to leave their legacy and message behind,” said Pamela Groves, SHS VIP co-president. “That is awesome and is important for the SHS community.”

The pavers will provide opportunities for individuals to showcase their accomplishments or serve as keepsakes for family and friends. Bricks are on sale now for various denominations. There are three installations per year to allow future students or individuals to purchase an engraved brick.

Although the bricks have already been placed, the VIPs are still taking orders for personalized bricks. The VIPs encourage alumni to get involved in leaving their legacy at the school, as well. Groves said whole SHS families have purchased bricks, meaning parents are SHS alumni that now have children at the school.

“These can make great gifts for some of our senior students and alumni,” Groves said. “It’s really a beautiful piece of work that can keep SHS legacies alive.”

For more information about the Saxon Legacy Paver or an order form, visit the website here.