Stevenson Launches Soccer Program for Disabled Students

Head boys and girls soccer coach Mark Schartner and boys varsity assistant Shannon Kolze have been selected to lead Stevenson High School’s new soccer program for students with disabilities. 

The coed Unified Soccer program will begin in the spring of 2014, hoping to host the first home match in the Stadium in mid-April. The program is open to Stevenson students who cannot participate in existing co-curricular athletic programs offered by the school — even with reasonable modifications or aids and services. There are also opportunities for students without disabilities to partner and assist with the unified soccer student-athletes.

Schartner has been Stevenson’s varsity boys soccer coach since 1987, and has led the varsity girls team since 1994. Kolze is a longtime assistant who also teaches in Stevenson’s Special Education Division. 

“We’re very excited that Mark and Shannon have agreed to help us launch this new program,” Athletic Director Trish Betthauser said. “They’ll provide the right mix of experience and expertise in coaching and teaching we’re looking for. Both Mark and Shannon have incredible passion for working with our Stevenson young adults and for the game of soccer.” 

Stevenson is the first school in the Chicago area to take the step of creating an interscholastic soccer program for students with disabilities, and is hoping several Chicagoland schools will follow. At this time, another five to six schools have shown interest, Betthauser said.