The IC Catholic Prep (ICCP) Administration and Board of Directors have announced that they have selected Tom Schergen to serve as the new President of IC Catholic Prep. Following an extensive search, Schergen was chosen to succeed interim President, Amy Fahey, and will begin his presidency this summer.
In July 2016, ICCP announced the decision to divide the Principal and President roles to better support the future needs of this flourishing school community. Rising enrollment numbers have resulted in increased curricular and extracurricular offerings, expanded athletic programs, and numerous facility improvements. As a result, school leadership sought to ensure the availability of the resources needed to support the school through this period of expansion.
“I will be forever grateful to Amy Fahey for working so tirelessly over the past year to establish the role of President supporting our administrative restructure,” said ICCP Principal Pamela Levar. “Her commitment and passion for our school has been a blessing to all of us.”
“I’m honored to have been involved in the establishment of the President role. As we contemplate ICCP’s next 80 years, a continued focus on the business aspects of the school is critical,” said Fahey. “Tom is uniquely positioned to strengthen relationships with our parents, alumni, benefactors, and broader community, as well as enhance the activities accomplished to date to ensure we sustain the long-term mission of the school.”
In Schergen’s new role as President, he will focus on the financial management of the school, as well as other external aspects including development, alumni relations, communications, marketing and admissions.
Since 2012, Schergen has served as ICCP’s Athletic Director, managing 65 coaches spanning 21 athletics programs. Through Schergen’s leadership, ICCP added three sports to its extensive athletic offerings, including Girls Tennis, Wrestling, and Boys Soccer. After joining ICCP, Schergen also became engaged in the $2.3 million capital campaign to improve the athletic facilities, including the new Plunkett Athletic Complex.
Schergen has hired and mentored a cohesive group of coaches, resulting in meaningful athletic experiences for the ICCP student-athletes. He has also been selected to spearhead numerous Metro Suburban Conference committees throughout the years. In recognition of all of his outstanding efforts, he was named the 2017 Illinois Athletic Director’s Association State AD of the year.
A Golden Apple Scholar Award winner in high school, Schergen earned his Bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Illinois State University and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from St. Xavier University. He began his career as a Special Education teacher and Athletic Director at Maria High School in Chicago. In 2004, Schergen moved to Bremen High School in Midlothian where he continued teaching Special Education and became the Assistant to the Athletic Director while also acting as Head Coach for the Varsity Boys Soccer team and Assistant for the Varsity Girls Soccer team.
From 2007-2011, Schergen served as Athletic Director for Marist High School in Chicago where he oversaw 25 athletic programs for over 1000 boys and girls. During his time at Marist, Schergen was instrumental in developing new leadership programs for his student athletes and was named IADA Division Athletic Director of the Year in 2011. Before joining ICCP, he spent a year at Mt. Carmel High School as the Director of the McDermott-Doyle Program for Developmental Learning.
In addition to his full-time positions, Schergen has served as the Director of the Summer Day Camp Program for the Evergreen Park Recreation Department since 2005. He has also been a school board member at Evergreen Park High School since 2013.
“Working at ICCP has afforded me the opportunity to be a part of a strong faith family, and this position will allow me to be actively engaged in promoting our Catholic identity and mission,” said Schergen. “I am excited to work with the donors, faculty, staff and students of IC Catholic Prep in this new role to continue the exceptional traditions that have been created throughout the 80-year history of our school.”
“As enrollment continues to trend upward, I look forward to being involved in the growth of our academic offerings and related facility enhancements, as well as the retention of our hard-working and dedicated faculty and staff that make ICCP a special place,” Schergen added.
Tom Schergen and his wife Kelly reside in Evergreen Park with their three children, Tommy, Taylor, and Timmy.
ICCP Principal Pamela Levar expects the transition, planned to begin after the end of the current school year, to go smoothly based on the solid foundation that has been put in place by Fahey, coupled with Schergen’s proven track record as a respected leader in both the school and the surrounding community.
“Over the past five years, Tom has shown an incredible ability to lead. From his innate ability to hire, mentor, and guide those who work for him, Tom possesses the ethical, interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills to support the mission and growth of our school,” added Levar.
IC Catholic Prep is the oldest Catholic, co-educational college prep high school in DuPage County. Located in Elmhurst, ICCP is a regional high school that serves students from over thirty-five communities. For more information, please check the website at www.ICCatholicPrep.org.
