Stevenson Soccer Team Gets New Head Coach

Longtime Stevenson High School soccer assistant coach Kevin Heffernan has been named head girls soccer coach. He will replace Mark Schartner, who is stepping aside from the girls program after 19 years to coach the school’s new Unified Soccer Program for students with disabilities. 

Heffernan has been associated with the Stevenson soccer program since 1988. He has served as assistant varsity boys coach for 22 years, and assistant varsity girls coach for 11 years. He also has spent 15 years with the junior varsity girls team, and two years each with the sophomore and freshman B boys’ teams. Heffernan also coached the freshman B boys basketball team for two years. 

"I’m excited for Kevin to put his stamp on the program. His loyalty and commitment to the program and these young ladies is remarkable and I’m confident the program will continue its tradition of success under the guidance of him and his staff," Athletic Director Trish Betthauser said. 

Prior to joining the Stevenson staff, Heffernan was the head soccer coach at University Lake School in Hartland, Wis. for six years. He also served two years as varsity girls soccer coach at Rufus King International High School in Milwaukee. 

Heffernan is a graduate of Evanston Township High School, and played collegiately at Tri-State University (now known as Trine University), where he earned All-America honors. He was inducted into the university’s athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. 

Schartner finished his 19-year career as Stevenson’s varsity girls soccer coach with a record of 225-108-54, which included five Illinois High School Association regional championships. He remains as varsity boys soccer coach, and is currently serving in his 27th season.