Every one of the Mundelein High School spring varsity teams matched the MHS teams from the fall and winter seasons by receiving the prestigious IHSA Team All-Academic award. It’s the first time in eight years that all varsity teams received this honor in the same school year.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence demonstrated by our student-athletes both in their sport and in the classroom,” said MHS Principal Alexandria Rios-Taylor. “That is truly remarkable and speaks volumes about the culture of academic excellence that permeates our entire athletic program. I’m just so proud to see it come to fruition.”

Both Taylor and Athletic Director Troy Parola credited team coaches for their leadership, guidance and examples they set for student  athletes.

“This shows an incredible job by our coaching staff,” Parola said. “Our student-athletes should get a lot of credit for their hard work in the classroom. It’s something we take pride in at Mundelein High School and our students are setting high standards for those coming after them.”

Parola has long been an advocate for students to get involved in extracurricular activities. At MHS, it’s called “Finding Your And.” Parola has kept statistics showing that students who get involved - whether it be in sports, music or club activities - earn better grades.

There are a couple of reasons why participation in sports leads to success in the classroom. Students who spend time practicing and playing on teams learn how to maneuver their time, self-regulate and focus. They’re able to apply those same skills to the classroom, Taylor said.

The school prints grade reports for athletes weekly and coaches follow-up with those students who need help. It’s more than just another layer of accountability, Taylor said. The coaches provide mentorship and direction for their student-athletes.

“Our head coaches play an integral role in fostering an environment that values and encourages academic success alongside athletic achievement,” she said. “We’re emphasizing goal-setting and time-management. We’re ingraining that culture in our teams. And now we’re setting the dividends of that.”