Jeff Gerdeman '87 Named New Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
St. Francis High School is pleased to announce Jeff Gerdeman '87 as Head Girls’ Basketball Coach.
Coach Gerdeman has long been connected to St. Francis High School. As an alum from the class of 1987, Coach Gerdeman is one of seven siblings who attended St. Francis High School. Receiving his B.S. in Accounting from DePaul University and his MBA from Northern Illinois University, Gerdeman has served as the Director of IT at St. Francis High School for nearly 20 years - the architect behind the school’s Microsoft Showcase School recognition.
Gerdeman’s coaching career at St. Francis includes 8 years with the Girls’ Basketball program – 6 of which he served as head of the program, 3 years with the Boys Baseball program, and 1 year with the Boys’ Basketball program.
Under Coach Gerdeman’s leadership the Girls’ Basketball teams won 3 consecutive IHSA Regional championships as well as 2 conference championships during the 1998-2002 seasons. In 2000, Gerdeman was named Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) District 9 Coach of the Year.
“His sport knowledge, care for our students, and attention to detail make him a great choice for the program.” says Dan Hardwick, Director of Athletics at St. Francis High School. “I am very excited for our student-athletes and basketball community!”
“I am honored and excited to be taking over the St. Francis High School Girls’ Basketball program.” says Gerdeman “My staff and I are inheriting a strong core of returning players at all levels that will help us build a solid program for years to come.”
The staff Coach Gerdeman refers to include a notable group with a combined 70+ years of experience coaching high school sports – 60 of which are specific to coaching basketball.
Kate Michel ’92 Kowalski, Varsity Assistant Coach – member of the SFHS ‘92 team that went downstate; returning to the SFHS Girls Basketball program having spent 8 years with the program from 1996-2004 with 6 years at the varsity level including 2 years as the head coach from 2002-2004.
Greg Webb ‘67, Varsity Assistant Coach – entering his 15th season with the SFHS Girls Basketball program.
Mike Harper, Special Assistant – led the SFHS Boys Basketball program for 23 years from 1983-2005, including 10 Conference Championships, 3 Regional Championships, 1 Sectional title, and a 4th place finish in 1989. Mike is also a member of the IBCA Hall of Fame.
Dan Holleman, Junior Varsity Head Coach – has coached at both the high school and junior high levels – including great success with the IC baseball program where he led the team to 3 Regional titles, 2 Sectional titles, and 1 State appearance in 2010
Mark Sawko ’75, Junior Varsity Assistant Coach – has previously spent 8 years on the sideline with the SFHS Boys’ Basketball program as well as 4 years with the SFHS Tennis programs.
Joan Serio ’90 McMillen, Junior Varsity Assistant Coach - was a 3 year varsity point guard at SFHS and then a four year starter at Benedictine University in Lisle
St. Francis High School
2130 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone (630) 668-5800
Fax (630) 668-5893
Phone (630) 668-5800
Fax (630) 668-5893
