To view photo captions, click on the images above. Photo at left by Mark Reinhiller, College of DuPage Sports Information Coordinator.
In the world of athletics, it’s a unique and special experience to be part of a historic initiative and to implement something new that is so transformative it helps build pathways to success for student-athletes.
Addison Trail staff member Jenn Schulmeister has enjoyed this rare opportunity not once, but twice. When Addison Trail started a girls flag football team in 2023-24, Schulmeister led the group as its first head coach – and she will now also serve as the inaugural flag football head coach for the College of DuPage (COD) Chaparrals.
“The fact there wasn’t this avenue for girls for so long made me want to jump at the chance to help expand the sport,” Schulmeister said. “I want to continue to grow flag football, including helping student-athletes play at the collegiate level. I hope having this option at COD provides even more opportunities for the girls, as they can start here at a community college to save money and discover what they want to pursue and then transition to a four-year post-secondary institution.”
Schulmeister guided the Addison Trail Blazers to a strong finish this year – which was the inaugural season for girls flag football as an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sport. The Blazers won their Regional game before ending the year as a Sectional semifinalist against Willowbrook. Schulmeister said she looks forward to bringing that same level of success to COD. The Chaparrals will begin practicing in fall 2025, and the competition season will begin in spring 2026.
“I’m excited to help these young women gain skills that will allow them to achieve their goals in the classroom, on the field and in life,” Schulmeister said.
Schulmeister is an alumna of Addison Trail (class of 2008), where she was a member of the girls basketball team and the girls swimming team. She is now a physical education and driver's education teacher at the school. Throughout her career, she has coached at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels. Schulmeister earned her bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University), where she played on the women’s basketball team. She earned her master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University, as well as endorsements in special education and English as a Second Language.
To read an article from COD announcing Schulmeister as the college’s first flag football head coach, go to https://gochapsgo.com/news/2024/12/20/general-chaps-name-jenn-schulmeister-as-head-coach-for-cods-flag-football-program.aspx.