Tim Trendel ‘94 and Paul Csongradi ’12 Named Assistant Principals
(Chicago, IL, April 14, 2021) – Saint Patrick High School, Chicago’s oldest all-boys Catholic high school, announced today the appointment of Tim Trendel ‘94 and Paul Csongradi ‘12 as Assistant Principal and Assistant Principal of Student Affairs & Activities, respectively, effective July 1, 2021.
“I look forward to alum Tim Trendel bringing 22 years of experience as a teacher, coach and administrator to the role of assistant principal,” said Dan Santucci ’02, incoming president of Saint Patrick. “In addition, Paul Csongradi, another Shamrock, will bring passion and energy while enriching our student life experience.”
A former Lasallian Educator of the Year, Trendel returns to Saint Patrick after starting his career as a social studies teacher, department chair and assistant coach at his alma mater.
In 2010, Trendel moved onto Providence High School in New Lenox where he served as head boys basketball coach, assistant baseball coach and social studies teacher before transitioning into an administrative role as Assistant Dean. In 2018, Trendel accepted a position as head boys basketball coach at Marist High School, where he also teaches physical education and helps guide the school’s baseball team as an assistant coach.
The oldest of three brothers to attend Saint Patrick (Brian ’97, Ken ’98), Trendel is a member of the Shamrock Hall of Fame and recipient of the Shamrock Pride Award. Born and raised in Elmwood Park, he attended Saint Vincent Ferrer Catholic Elementary School and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts in 1999 and master’s degree in Educational Administration in 2008 from Dominican University.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be returning to a place I call home,” Trendel said. “I have spent a good portion of my life walking the halls of Saint Patrick and have many incredible memories as a student, teacher, and coach. When I left 11 years ago to become a head coach, I knew I wasn’t closing the book on my story at Saint Patrick, just ending a chapter. I am excited to begin a new chapter working with the tremendous administration, faculty, staff, students, and families at Saint Patrick. I can’t wait to get started.”
Trendel replaces assistant principal Jeff Troxell ’72, who will retire at the end of the 2020-21 school year after 45 years of service.
“We want to thank Jeff Troxell for his 45 years of service,” said Joseph G. Schmidt, AFSC, president of Saint Patrick. “The Shamrock community has been blessed with Jeff’s commitment to our Lasallian tradition and values for all these years.”
In the newly created role Assistant Principal of Student Affairs & Activities, Csongradi will help lead non-academic programs, services, and opportunities for students at Saint Patrick.
Csongradi, who was named Teacher of the Year after his first year of teaching, began his career at Catalyst Maria, a Lasallian charter school in Chicago founded on the principles of Saint John Baptist De La Salle. A science and social studies teacher at Emerson Middle School in Park Ridge since 2017, Csongradi has a passion for building positive relationships based on trust and respect with his students.
“First, I would like to thank Dr. Joe Schmidt, Dan Santucci, principal Jon Baffico, and the entire administration for giving me the opportunity to come back to the place that laid the foundation for my life and career,” Csongradi said. “I am eager to help our young men excel in academics, athletics, arts, and whatever they may choose after they leave Belmont and Austin. As a proud alum, I am ecstatic to continue to pass down the rich traditions that make Saint Patrick the premier high school in the State of Illinois.”
Csongradi currently serves on the Saint Patrick Strategic Planning Committee and is the head sophomore football coach. From the Portage Park area, Csongradi attended St. Pascal Catholic School and has two brothers who graduated from Saint Patrick (Matt ’10 and Chris ’15) as well. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a STEM Minor from Carthage College in 2016, Csongradi earned an M.Ed. in Principalship from Northeastern University in 2020.
“The hiring of Tim and Paul is exciting for many reasons,” Baffico said. “Most importantly, they both have a passion for the school and commitment to doing what is best for our students, ensuring that Saint Patrick High School has continued success for the next 160 years.”
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ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
Now in its 160th year, Saint Patrick High School’s mission is to provide an educational experience of the highest quality which enables young men to develop their maximum potential as lifelong learners and assets to society and the Church. Saint Patrick welcomes students of other religious beliefs, varying academic abilities, and diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Students reside in the city of Chicago and nearby suburbs and come from more than 70 different elementary schools.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Sloan
Director of Communications
773.282.8844 ext. 231 | jsloan@stpatrick.org
