Hall of Fame

Induction Year 2018

Joanne Mutsch graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health. Upon graduating she pursued a career in education and joined the Physical Education Department at Carl Sandburg. Joanne spent 34 years dedicating her life to the students and athletes of Carl Sandburg High School.

She played an instrumental role in the development of both the boys and girls volleyball programs at Sandburg and throughout Illinois. In her early years at Sandburg the boys program was considered a club sport. Due to her organization and leadership skills the boys volleyball program became an IHSA recognized sport in 1992.

Joanne coached the first girls volleyball team to ever make it to the IHSA State Finals. Under her leadership, the girls team placed second in 1980 and placed third in 1981. Her teams earned twelve IHSA Regional Titles, six Conference Titles and won more than 350 games during her tenure.

Along with her extremely impactful leadership at Sandburg, Joanne also engaged in numerous other volleyball-related positions for 35 years. She was an assistant volleyball coach at Northwestern University, President of the Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Association and co-founded the Illinois High School Volleyball All-Star Game.

Joanne currently splits time between her homes in Illinois and Northern Wisconsin.