Nancy Kerrigan, who has been an integral part of the IC Catholic Prep girls volleyball program for more than two decades, announced Monday that she is stepping down.
“IC volleyball has been an integral part of my life journey, affording me the privilege to collaborate with exceptional coaches, many of whom I’ve had the honor to mentor as program alumni,” Kerrigan said.
“Coaching and guiding more than 500 student-athletes has been incredibly rewarding, witnessing their subsequent successes in various facets of life. Hearing from former players each year and learning how their experiences in the program have shaped their lives and aspirations, reaffirms the value of the sacrifices I have made as a coach.
“I owe much to my mentor, Jean Field, and the invaluable lessons learned from my former IC teammates and coaches,” she added. “Beyond scores and accolades, it’s the relationships and camaraderie cultivated during my time at IC that hold the most significance.”
Kerrigan posted a 244-100 record during her 10-year run as IC Prep head coach after succeeding Jean Field following the 2013 season. Her 2022 team finished 33-2 and took second place in the IHSA Class 2A tournament, losing to Genoa-Kingston, 25-21, 27-25, in the championship game.
Last fall, the Knights went 36-4, again reaching the IHSA Class 2A championship game. And again, the Knights finished as IHSA runners-up, this time losing to Breese Mater Dei, 25-21, 25-22.
Kerrigan’s teams also advanced to the sectional finals four other times and reached the Elite Eight in 2014. She also served as an assistant coach to Field in 2013, when Field won the last of her three IHSA championships.
Among her many coaching successes, Kerrigan led the Knights to an unbeaten season (17-0) in 2020. However, that was the year that the IHSA tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19.
A 1985 IC Catholic Prep graduate, Kerrigan is an IC Catholic Prep Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee in volleyball, basketball and track.
“The landscape that drives youth and high school sports has certainly evolved over the years,” Kerrigan said. “Each year, I try to thoughtfully and carefully consider how these changes impact my ability to coach in an environment that aligns with my fundamental beliefs.
“I then evaluate if the shifting demands are equitable to the substantial effort required to lead a successful program,” she added.
Among the reasons Kerrigan cited for her decision were family and the opportunity to pursue other interests.
“There were several reasons that have contributed to my decision, and in the end, I have determined that these reasons outweigh the sacrifices I have to make in order to continue to lead the girls volleyball program at IC Catholic Prep,” Kerrigan said
“I have decided now is the time to return my focus to the things that bring me the most fulfillment – my children, my partner, family, friends, travel and continued professional growth.
“I want to especially thank my children, Delaney and Devin, for supporting me while I pursued my passion and for all of the sacrifices that they have had to make throughout this journey,” she said.
Kerrigan has not ruled out returning to coaching at some point in the future.
“My intention is to take a year to re-focus on these things before I consider seeking other coaching opportunities that align more closely with my knowledge, experience and fundamental beliefs,” she said.
“I am grateful to all who have positively supported the culture of the IC volleyball program, a foundation that has guided so many gifted young women for more than 40 years.”