WINNER TAKES IT ALL

New Trier Baseball Coach Mike Napoleon Breaks State Record with 951st Career Win.

After collecting a career’s worth of victories and accolades, New Trier High School’s Varsity Baseball Coach Mike Napoleon can claim another title—Winningest Baseball Coach in IHSA History.

The Trevians’ 5-0 win on April 27 over Glenbrook North at New Trier’s Duke Childs Field marked Napoleon’s 951st win of his coaching career—the most ever in the IHSA.

Napoleon, known by most as “Coach Naps,” is currently coaching his 27th season at New Trier amid a baseball coaching career that spans more than 40 years. His career record now surpasses the previous record of 950 wins held by the late Dave Swisegood, who spent more than half a century coaching baseball in southeastern Hancock County.

He played football, basketball, and baseball himself before graduating from St. Patrick High School in Chicago in 1978. His senior season, Napoleon was named captain for his football and baseball teams. He was an All-Conference selection for both Football and Baseball.

After he graduated from the University of Illinois in 1982, Napoleon served as an Assistant Varsity Coach for Hall of Famer Bill Bonk at Quigley South High School. In 1984, Napoleon was hired by Notre Dame High School in Niles as the Head Baseball Coach, then served as the Head Baseball and Assistant Varsity Football Coach at Providence Catholic High School from 1991-1996 before moving north to teach and coach at New Trier.

He has led his teams to two IHSA State Championships in 2000 and 2009 and achieved a record of 693-246-3 throughout his tenure with the Trevians. His career at New Trier also comprises 14 CSL titles, 19 Regionals, 10 Sectionals, three Super-sectionals, six Quarterfinals, one fourth place State finish, and two State runners-up.

“All the schools I’ve worked at have taught me something as I continue teaching young students,” says Napoleon. “The dedication my players have had throughout my career has been remarkable and I have been blessed to work with so many coaches who have spent long hours away from their families to help my teams succeed. I can’t say enough about the parents who trust (us) with their child to help them grow as young adults at this critical age. I chose baseball as a way to incorporate life lessons so they can carry with them throughout their lives.”

Napoleon was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame in 2000, the year he started coaching the Wilmette Waves Legion Baseball Team, which he has continued since.

“Everywhere Naps has been he’s really elevated the program, and the way he cares about each and every one of his player translates to wins on the field,” New Trier Athletic Director Augie Fontanetta explains. “His acumen for the game and the way he cares deeply for the kids and community he’s in is demonstrated by the way he fully invests himself to his programs on all levels.”

Napoleon's near 30-year tenure as a head coach at New Trier is also a testament to his work ethic, Fontanetta continues, noting that in addition to teaching Kinetic Wellness, he has also been a varsity football coach as long as he’s been a baseball coach.

“He’s adapted his coaching style throughout multiple generations, and when he does retire, he’s going to be truly missed,” says Fontanetta.

In addition to the New Trier community, Napoleon says his family has always been supportive of his career: his parents try to come to every game at the young aged of 90 and 86, and all five of his sisters reach out when his teams reach milestones.

“But, with all the love and support I get from (my family), I can’t say enough about my wife, Melanie,” he says of his spouse of 39 years. “She is the one that always keeps me in check. She’s supportive and encouraging when times are tough. She has helped me become a better coach with her ideas about building a program. I try to stay relevant and relatable, and this is from her being positive and informative. My two sons, Dusty and Dillon, using their background in coaching college (baseball), have helped with the new way of instructing youth players and kept me and my staff abreast of current techniques. I guess me bringing them to practices when they were young to Notre Dame, Providence, and New Trier has paid off. And now it’s their turn with their kids—but I will help!”