ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING COACHES ORGANIZATION
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About.

The Illinois High School Cheerleading Coaches Organization (IHSCCO) was founded by coaches, for coaches. The main goal is to provide support for its member coaches by creating educational opportunities, providing resources and promoting growth within the IHSA cheerleading community.

IHSCCO Board of Directors


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​Tim Babin
​Antioch HS (Medium Varsity)

​President
tim@ihscco.org
Tim has been coaching cheerleading for 23 years at the all star, college, and high school level.  He is currently the co-head coach at Antioch Community HS with his wife, Amber. Before coaching at ACHS, he was the head coach at Mundelein High School for 8 years. He currently manages a global portfolio of clinical research in the biopharmaceutical industry. His favorite part of coaching is seeing the development of student athletes skills on the mat, but more importantly playing a vital role in their development as young adults. ​

Term End: 2024-2025
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​Rachael Fischer
Cary Grove HS (Medium Varsity)

Vice President
​rachael@ihscco.org
Rachael has been coaching cheerleading for 9 years.  She is currently at Cary-Grove High School as the Varsity Assistant Coach. She also teaches Family and Consumer Sciences at C-G.  Before coming to C-G she was at LZ for 4 years and she coached at Hampshire HS for 3 years before that.  Her favorite part of coaching is watching her athletes on the competition mat and seeing all their hard work pay off.

Term End: 2025-2026
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Jeannine Bejlovec
Wilmington HS (Small Varsity)
Secretary 
​jeannine@ihscco.org
Jeannine has been coaching cheerleading for 26 years. She is entering her 20th year at Wilmington High School. She is also a 6th grade social studies teacher at Wilmington Middle School. Her favorite part of coaching is seeing the pure joy and sense of accomplishment from  athletes when they achieve new skills. 

Term End: 2023-2024

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Matt Dawes
Johnsburg HS (Small Varsity)

Co-Treasurer
​matt@ihscco.org

Matt has been coaching cheerleading for the past 14 years at the all star, college, and high school level.  He is currently the Head Coach at Johnsburg High School.  Prior to coaching at Johnsburg, he coached at Morris ('14) and Antioch ('15-'17).  During the day, Matt is a 6th Grade Teacher in the Antioch 34 school district. 

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Term End: 2023-2024

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​Kacie Jones
Oakwood HS (Small Varsity)

Co-Treasurer
​kacie@ihscco.org
Kacie served as the head coach for her alma mater, Oakwood High School, for 10 years before stepping down to start a family. She now serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the same program and is pleased to support two of her former athletes in leading the team. Her favorite part of coaching is developing relationships that last long after graduation, and she loves moments when things "click" for an athlete for the first time. Kacie has a degree in recreation, sport & tourism and leads recruiting and admissions for business graduate programs at the University of Illinois. 
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​Term End: 2024-2025
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​William Hansen
Hersey HS (CoEd)

Co-Technology Chair
​wil@ihscco.org

Wil has been coaching cheerleading in Illinois for 10 years.  He is entering his third year as a head coach at Hersey High School.  Before coaching at Hersey he coached at Buffalo Grove where he is a business / multimedia teacher and also sponsors Yearbook.  His favorite stunt is the low to high full around. ​

​Term End: 2025-2026

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Kyle Nagle
​Lake Forest HS (Medium Varsity)

Co-Technology Chair
​kyle@ihscco.org
Kyle has been coaching high school cheerleading for 16 years and is currently the head fall sideline coach at Deerfield HS and the winter assistant varsity coach at Lake Forest HS. She is the administrative assistant for the athletic department at Deerfield HS, where she also coaches girls lacrosse in the spring. As a former gymnast, one of Kyle's favorite aspects of cheerleading is incorporating tumbling into game day and competition performances. 

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Term End: 2025-2026
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Danielle Emmart
Lincoln-Way Central HS (Large Varsity)

Co-Education Chair
​danielle@ihscco.org

Danielle has been coaching for a total of 22 years. Her coaching career began with coaching All-Stars and then her High School coaching career started at Providence Catholic High School. She was the Head JV Coach for 2 years and then became Head Varsity Coach for 7 years. After taking a few years off and she took a Varsity coaching position at Lincoln-Way North High School where she coached for 2 years until the school was closed. She is currently entering her 6th year as the Head Coach at Lincoln-Way Central.

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Term End: 2023-2024
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Savannah Benett
South Elgin HS (CoEd)

Co-Education Chair
​savannah@ihscco.org
Savannah has been coaching cheerleading for 7 years at the allstar and high school level. She is currently the head varsity cheerleading coach at South Elgin High School, where she attended and cheered all four years of high school. Savannah currently works as a Hotel Coordinator at Homelink Corporation and is working towards her Bachelor’s Degree at Grand Canyon University. Her favorite part about coaching is watching how excited her athletes get after achieving an individual and/or team goal. ​

​Term End: 2024-2025

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Kearsten Nardulli
St. Viator HS (Medium Varsity)
Co-Mentor Advisor
kearsten@ihscco.org
Kearsten is going into her 15th year as a coach in the IHSA, and is currently the head coach at Saint Viator High School. She is a stay at home mom to two very energetic little boys! Kearsten’s favorite part of coaching is the relationships she forms with her athletes that last well after they have graduated. There is no greater feeling than seeing once timid freshman become amazing adults, who have been shaped by cheerleading. ​

​Term End: 2025-2026
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Linda Drust
Carterville HS (Small Varsity)

Co-Mentor Advisor
linda@ihscco.org
Linda Drust has been a cheer coach at a variety of levels for over two decades.  She is currently beginning her 12th year as the Head Cheer Coach at Carterville High School.  Linda is a retired educator, having spent the majority of her career as a school administrator.  Linda's favorite part about coaching is the opportunity to coach with her daughter, mentor new coaches, and to facilitate the development of young athletes as sideline and competitive cheerleaders.  Her underlying goal as a coach is to help each team member develop skills to be a confident spouse, parent, and employee after they leave high school.  Linda was named the NFHS National Cheer Coach of the Year for 2020 - 2021 and currently represents the southern region on the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading Advisory Committee.

​Term End: 2024-2025
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Jen Dosch
Vernon Hills HS (Medium Varsity)

Social Chair
​​jen@ihscco.org

Jen has been coaching cheerleading for 9 years starting with Rec & Junior High and now currently, the allstar and high school level. She is currently the head varsity cheerleading coach at Vernon Hills High School, as well as a Coach/Instructor for Ultimate Athletics in Arlington Heights. Jen currently works as a Real Estate Broker and Make-A-Wish of Illinois Wish Discovery Expert Leader as well as a Wish Granter. Her favorite part about coaching is building high character athletes and humans! Watching goals being obtained is always great, but watching the journey to reach those goals is amazing! ​

​Term End: 2024-2025

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​Abby Bilinski
Huntley HS (Large Varsity)

Social Media Chair
​abby@ihscco.org
Abby has been coaching cheerleading in Illinois for 18 years.  She has a background in coaching recreational cheerleading teams and has spent the past seven years coaching Large Varsity teams in the FVC and setting school records at her respective schools. She coached at HHS in 2015-16, and MCHS from 2016-2021. Abby took a year off of coaching after having her daughter, but continued to serve as the Social Media Chair for the IHSCCO and serve the ICA for the feeder programs of IHSA cheerleading teams. Abby is thrilled to be returning to Huntley HS as a RED RAIDER as the Assistant Varsity Coach for the 2022-23 season (and beyond!). 

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Term End: 2024-2025
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​Morgan Grunloh Barnes
Lexington-Ridgeview (Small Varsity)

Conference Chair
​morgan@ihscco.org
Morgan has been the Assistant Varsity Coach at her alma mater, Lexington HS, since 2015. She has also been the head JV coach for the co-op for several seasons. Her favorite part of coaching is watching the athletes develop into great cheerleaders and amazing people throughout the course of their HS careers. Outside of cheerleading she is also an ICU nurse.

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Term End: 2024-2025
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Nick Peterson
Grant HS (CoEd)
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Membership Chair
nick@ihscco.org
Nick has been coaching for the past 5 years and is currently coaching at Grant Community High School. Before coaching at Grant, Nick coached at Byron High School and cheered for 7 years at the all star, high school, and college levels. Nick is currently working at Rush University Medical Center in downtown Chicago in Early Intervention. His favorite part about coaching is watching his athletes achieve a goal both on and off the mat!

​Term End: 2025-2026

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Heather Vecchione
Boylan Catholic HS (Small Varsity)
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Awards Chair
heather@ihscco.org

Heather has been coaching at the rec and HS levels for approximately 10 years and is currently the JV Head Coach for sideline and Assistant Varsity Competition Coach at Boylan Catholic HS. In addition to coaching, she runs a small in-home daycare and works as an event planner for parties/festivals/events in the Rockford area! 
Heather is married with 2 kids. Heather is excited to bring her enjoyment of event planning to our organization and gain more experience from all of the board members! 


​​Term End: 2023-2024
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Janelle Stubs
Marian Catholic HS (Medium Varsity)

Voting Board Member
​janelle@ihscco.org

Janelle has been coaching cheerleading for 10 years.  She coaches at her alma mater Marian Catholic High School.  Janelle is also a criminal defense attorney.  Her favorite part of coaching is watching athletes develop skills and confidence that transcend this sport.

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Term End: 2023-2024
​Colleen Duncan
West Aurora HS (Large Varsity)
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Voting Board Member
colleen@ihscco.org

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Term End: 2025-2026

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Voting Board Member
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Jenn Ellinghausen
Hinsdale Central HS

Voting Board Member
​jenn@ihscco.org

Jenn has been coaching for 6 years including high school and all-star. She is currently the head coach at Hinsdale Central High School, where she is also a Physical Education Teacher. Before Hinsdale Central, she coached at Plainfield East for 3 years. Jenn is also an IHSA official. Her favorite part of coaching is being able to help athletes set goals and see their excitement when they accomplish them.

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Term End: 2024-2025

IHSCCO Board Liaisons 

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​Katie Clemons
IHSA Officials Liaison
Katie has been an IHSA official for 12 years, and has officiated state for the past 10 years. She is the head coach at the University of St. Francis, and worked for UCA as an instructor and judge since 2008. She is a physical education teacher, and enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time. ​
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Tina Woolard
Grayslake North High School

Athletic Director Liaison

Tina has served as the Athletic Director at Grayslake North High School for the past 15 years.  She coached cheerleading for 13 years at Grayslake Central High School and at her alma mater Round Lake High School.   She has loved witnessing the growth of cheerleading throughout her 28 years associated with the sport.  The caliber of the athletes and coaches is incredible and she is proud to be part of this group
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​Steve Millsaps
Joliet West High School

Athletic Director Liaison
​​​Steve has been involved in Athletic Administration since 2006. He is the Athletic Director at Joliet West High School. He admires the commitment and dedication of the cheerleading coaches and athletes. Cheerleading is an essential core for an athletic department. He loves to see how cheerleading brings the whole school and community together at games and competitions.

Additional Information

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