Mundo moves in at Shepard

Rick Mundo estimates he’s driven past Shepard High School hundreds of times over the past 15 years on his way to teach or coach at St. Rita, Mother McAuley, Richards and, most recent, Eisenhower.

“Every time, although I was very, very happy and content with where I was driving, I always wondered what it would be like to teach in my back yard,” Mundo said

Now he’ll know.

Mundo, a resident of Oak Forest but a native of Palos Heights, has been named the girls basketball head coach at Shepard, replacing Pat O’Connor, who is retiring after 25 years as the program’s head coach. Mundo will also teach social studies at the Palos Heights school.

Mundo comes to Shepard from Eisenhower, where in five seasons he posted a 38-96 record. His greater success came Mother McAuley, where from1999-2004 he was 117-47 and produced four Class AA regional champions. In 2001-02 and 2002-03 his Mighty Macs squads advanced to the supersectional round.

“He brings us a wealth of experience,” Shepard athletic director Gawaine Perkins said. “We had a couple of applicants from inside, but he was head and shoulders above them (in experience). We also had some applicants from the outside, but our people inside were head and shoulders above them.

“I know that Rick is passionate about the game, and we’re excited to be working with him.”

Mundo is active in the Palos Heights community. He graduated from Indepedence Junior High and is a member and a volunteer coach at St. Alexander’s parish.

 

“I feel like I’m coming home, and I love it,” Mundo said. “I have some big shoes to fill. (O’Connor) set the bar high. But I plan on giving 110 percent to try to match his contribution to the school’s success.”