Hall of Famer Jim Prunty Brings Experience to Leo as Athletic Dept. VP

Jim Prunty, an experienced high school sports administrator, joins Leo High School’s staff as vice president for athletics under Athletic Director Noah Cannon, Leo President Dan McGrath announced.

A veteran coach and administrator with 40-year ties to the Chicago Catholic League, Prunty had been consulting with Leo on an informal basis. Leo solicited a formal engagement as part of an overall athletic department upgrade, dictated in part by a substantial enrollment increase. Leo begins the school year with 255 students, a 45-percent increase over the last six years.

“In the last few years we’ve added wrestling and golf, and we’re considering further expansion as interest warrants,” McGrath said. “Plus we have some first-time head coaches who can use guidance on the administrative demands of their jobs. With his experience and know-how, Jim is an ideal guy to help us move forward and modernize, and we’re delighted that he has agreed to join us.

“We all welcome the insight from Jim. Noah was already wearing a lot of hats around Leo when he agreed to take on the responsibilities of supervising the athletic department.”

Said Cannon: “Jim’s experience will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges of IHSA rule changes, adding new sports and getting our student athletes ready for college opportunities. Being able to network along with Jim will be an asset of great importance to Leo’s ongoing success.”

Prunty recalls his son playing basketball against Cannon decades ago. As St. Rita’s coach, Prunty’s teams often faced Cannon-coached Leo teams, including the Lions’ 2003-04 state-championship squad.

Prunty, a Brother Rice graduate and a member of the Catholic League and Illinois Basketball Coaches Halls of Fame, oversaw one of the Catholic League’s most extensive athletic programs as athletic director at St. Ignatius College Prep.

He served in a similar role at Brother Rice and Lockport Township. His coaching resume includes two Catholic League basketball championships at St. Rita, plus a stop at York High School in Elmhurst and stints as an assistant under Leo Hall of Famer Tom O’Malley at St. Xavier and Mike McGrath at the University of Chicago.

In short order, Prunty has been able to engage the student athletes.

“I met one young Leo Man who tells me it’s the summer before his senior year and he’s sad about only having one year left at Leo,” Prunty said. “That’s unusual and reflects what a special culture Leo has created for these young men and their families.

“These are young men who look you in the eye, grasp your hand and engage you in conversation. I’m looking forward to working with the staff at Leo and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Prunty said.