New Trier’s Napoleon reaches 700 wins

Updated: May 12, 2011 8:48PM

Mike Napoleon struck out on his first two swings at No. 700, but the New Trier coach finally got there Thursday with the team’s 9-7 win over Maine South in Park Ridge.

Napoleon became the second Chicago-area coach to reach the milestone this week after Simeon’s Leroy Franklin won his 700th on Monday.

“I got to believe I got there pretty quick, and you don’t do that without great teams, great programs, great assistants and great players,” said Napoleon, who’s in his 26th season as a head coach. “I’ve been blessed.”

The St. Patrick graduate got his first head coaching job at Notre Dame in 1984. He later moved to Providence before arriving at New Trier in 1996. Napoleon coached the Trevians to their only two state titles, one in 2000 and the other in 2009. New Trier’s also finished second twice under his leadership.

“I didn’t know the game like I thought until I played for him,” said Illinois-bound senior and pro prospect Charlie Tilson, who played on New Trier’s 2009 title team. “He’s the No. 1 reason why New Trier’s had so much success. As long as he’s here, New Trier will have lots of success.”

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