College of DuPage Athletics

Jenn Schulmeister was named Chaparrals’ inaugural flag football head coach in December 2024 in preparation for the sport's debut in 2025-26.

Schulmeister served as the head coach for two seasons at nearby Addison Trail High School, where the Blazers won an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sectional title in 2024 against St. Francis before ending its season as a sectional semifinalist against Willowbrook in the inaugural season of play with a 14-4 record.
 
“Accepting the head flag football coach at College of DuPage is not just an opportunity to lead a team,’’ she said. “It’s a chance to empower young women, build a legacy of excellence and help them unlock their full potential both on the field and in life. That I’m excited is an understatement.’’
 
Hiring Schulmeister a full year before COD begins play is critical to future successes, Kaiser said.
 
“We’re thrilled to have Jenn join our athletic department and college as we prepare and begin flag football,’’ Kaiser said. “The sport of flag football has taken off exponentially in the state of Illinois, and in particular, within Community College District 502. Jenn’s experience at building a program from the ground-up, making it successful and competing within our district will lend itself well at attracting young women from our area who wish to attend COD and compete in their chosen sport.’’
 
Flag football, according to the IHSA, fielded 154 state schools participating in the sport in 2024 with more than 3,000 games played. Those numbers explain why flag football is the fastest growing sport in Illinois and a driving force for the addition of the sport at COD.
 
Schulmeister, an Addison native and a graduate of Elmhurst University, is on staff at Addison Trail as a physical education and driver’s education instructor. During her career, she has coached at the middle and high school levels (flag football, swimming, girls lacrosse, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball).  She also served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Dominican (2012-13).
 
She earned her bachelor’s degree at Elmhurst and her master’s at Olivet Nazarene, in addition to endorsements in both special education (LBS1) and in English as a second language (EL).