New Trier welcomes 8 new members to its Athletic Hall of Honor

New Trier High School athletics legends received another moment in the spotlight on Friday night in front of a capacity crowd in Winnetka.

The school honored the eight inductees of the fourth class of the New Trier Athletics Hall of Honor between games of a New Trier-Evanston basketball doubleheader, a sold-out event in New Trier’s first-year gymnasium.

The Hall of Honor recognizes individuals who made extraordinary contributions to the school’s athletics history. New Trier Athletic Director Augie Fontanetta said in the earlygoings of the Hall of Honor, it has been a challenging task, considering the Trevians’ extensive and decorated past.

Fontanetta’s point is supported by the resumes of Hall of Honor members. Some members began contributing to New Trier 60 or 70 years ago.

The Hall of Honor nominations are open to any non-student-athlete who made significant contributions to the department. Anyone can submit a nomination. While most selections are former coaches, the program is also open to friends of the department, such as Nancy Schroeder, a 30-year administrative assistant for the athletic department.

Schroeder retired in 2013 after working for three athletic directors helping with schedules, transportation, communication and more. She told The Record on Friday night that when she received notice of her induction, via a phone call from Fontanetta, she was shocked.

According to Fontanetta, Schroeder was beloved by students and coaches, and working with them was Schroeder’s favorite part of the job, she said.

“It’s great. I am really overwhelmed,” Schroeder said after the ceremony.

The other seven inductees were former Trevians coaches, all making their mark not only in the community but also across the state and even in the nation.

• Pete Burnside: A former Major League Baseball pitcher who taught kinetic wellness and coached cross country, basketball and baseball at New Trier for 25 years. Helped the boys basketball team finish second in the state in 1973 and coached New Trier West baseball for 10 seasons. Burnside’s sons, John (cross country/track) and Jim (girls soccer), carry on his coaching legacy at New Trier.

• Mary Jo Hanson Herzog Timmis: Known as “Timmy,” she came to New Trier in 1968 and her girls tennis teams won 11 state trophies, including six state championships in the 1980s, making her one of the most successful high school tennis coaches in the state’s history.

• Doug Chase: A former All-America college runner, Chase spent 33 years at New Trier, teaching social studies and coaching cross country and track. Chase’s teams won several conference and sectional championships and many Trevians advanced to the state finals under Chase’s watch.

• Jim McFadzean: One of the founding fathers of Illinois preps lacrosse, McFadzean (a U.S. Navy veteran) founded New Trier’s lacrosse program and remained its head coach for 15 years. He also was a member of the football team’s coaching staff and, because of his frequent scouting of Evanston Township High School football, was awarded an honorary ETHS letter.

• Nancy Schroeder: An administrative assistant for three decades, Schroeder was instrumental in the organization and efficiency of the athletics department. According to the school, “her genuine care for the well-being of everyone in the athletic community created a positive and nurturing environment that fostered growth, teamwork, and sportsmanship.”

• John Cadwell: Cadwell worked at New Trier High School for more than 40 years, teaching in the English department all that time and coaching softball for 24 years. He racked up 534 wins as the team’s head coach, to go with 13 regional championships and three state trophies. He also assisted the girls basketball and boys soccer programs.

• Flo Malizola: A kinetic wellness teacher and women’s sports pioneer, she founded the New Trier West badminton program in 1967 and proceeded to collect seven state trophies, including four championships — the final of which came in her final season (1993).

• Gene Helfrich: A longtime assistant baseball and football coach, Helfrich served New Trier for 32 years and was on staff when in 2000 New Trier baseball won its first state championship.

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