School Board names Kat McCreery to lead Athletic Department in 2025

The District 120 School Board on Tuesday named Mundelein High School Assistant Athletic Director, Kat McCreery, to lead the department for the 2025-2026 school year after current AD, Troy Parola, retires at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

McCreery, who has served as MHS Assistant Athletic Director since 2020 and was Head Softball Coach from 2020-2023, was chosen out of a pool of a dozen final applicants, six of whom were given in-person interviews. After four rounds of interviews with multiple committees including staff, coaches, administrators, support staff and a student panel, the decision was made to recommend McCreery for the position. The School Board approved the recommendation on Tuesday night.

“Athletic programs play a crucial role in fostering school pride, and we're thrilled to welcome someone with her enthusiasm and commitment to this position,” said MHS Principal, Dr. Alexandra Rios Taylor. “Our coaching staff sought an Athletic Director who embodies dedication, accessibility, dependability, and collaboration. We believe Kat exemplifies these qualities and are confident she will provide outstanding leadership for our student-athletes, coaches, and the broader community.”

“I am proud to be a Mustang, invested in the success of this school, and excited to be a member of the leadership team that will guide its future,” McCreery said. “I am eager to apply my 18-plus years of experience as a high school and collegiate administrator and head coach to create new ways to support our coaching staff, our student-athletes, their families, and our community.”

McCreery is a Certified Athletic Administrator. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and her Master of Science in Sport Management from Western Illinois University in Macomb. She is a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and a member of the IADA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee.

Kat formerly worked as a Senior Academic Advisor at the University of Kansas, served as Head Softball Coach and Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Illinois Wesleyan University, and Athletics Academic Coordinator at Illinois State University. Her appointment as MHS Athletic Director will begin July 1, 2025.