Wants to continue Knights’ recent string of successes for student-athletes.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
All the right signs were being given to new IC Catholic Prep athletic director Adam Nissen while researching his new position.
“I saw the job posting and having come from (Chicago) Mt. Carmel, I knew a couple of guys from Mt. Carmel who are affiliated with IC Catholic Prep and spoke very highly of the school,” he said. “I heard nothing but great things from people about the teachers, the administration and the community. It was a very attractive job.”
Nissen takes over for former AD Tom Schergen who started as the school’s new president last week.
“The other major thing is it’s a small-school setting,” he said. “I was born and raised in Iowa (University of Iowa graduate) where there is that small-school setting. I’ve seen what IC Catholic Prep has done athletically and with the academic part of it. The job was very attractive to me.”
Nissen spent the past three years at Mt. Carmel where he taught a bevy of social-science courses and coached football. He was the head sophomore coach the last two seasons, as well as a varsity defensive assistant. He also coached in the track and field program there.
Prior to Mt. Carmel Nissen taught at Urban Prep in Chicago, an all-male charter academy in the Englewood neighborhood. He also coached football and basketball there, while being the head of the history department for three of his years there.
Nissen praised the help he’s received from Schergen. “It’s been pretty incredible,” he said. “He’s given me a great perspective. I’m able to see everything the outgoing AD is doing. Tom did an awesome job, especially with the facilities. He was pulling out pictures of what the field (Plunkett Athletic Complex) used to look like. IC Catholic Prep has great facilities and it’s done very well in sports such as football, volleyball and basketball. Tom has been a savior. All the questions I have for him and working on all the processes, he’s been there with anything I’ve needed. I’ve jumped in feet first and he’s thrown a lot at me. He’s been extremely helpful. He’s the best.”
Nissen noted he has some goals in mind coming out of the gates as the school’s new AD. “With me coming in as the new guy, I’d like to see us continue the team and individual successes we’ve had,” he said. “A big thing is holding the student-athletes and coaches accountable for upholding the IC tradition and making sure they conduct themselves to the highest standards like they have been doing. I expect big things. There is a lot to look forward to at this school.
Athletics at the school are trending upward. I’m stepping in and want to continue the process and go from great to even greater.”
