Elmhurst University has named Melissa Schwab as its new Head Women’s Golf Coach and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach.
Schwab joined the Elmhurst women’s basketball team as a part-time assistant coach last season. She takes over the full-time position from Todd Scheuerman who resigned in October to peruse other opportunities.
“We are very fortunate to have Melissa Schwab increase her role in our department as the head coach for our women’s golf program as well as the assistant coach for our women’s basketball team,””said Interim Director of Athletics Glen Brittich. “She has shown a great deal of passion for Elmhurst University and the development of our student-athletes. We believe with Coach Schwab, there is an extremely bright future ahead for both programs.”
Growing up in Elmhurst, Schwab has fond memories of Elmhurst University and is excited to join the Bluejays in a full-time capacity.
“As someone that was born and raised in Elmhurst, I am very proud to be a Bluejay and completely biased that my hometown and Elmhurst University is one of the best communities out there,” said Schwab. “From playing basketball at York High School, to playing in the women’s basketball summer league at Elmhurst and eventually moving back to Elmhurst and volunteering with the women’s basketball team that transitioned into an assistant coaching position, everything has always circled back to Elmhurst. I am forever grateful, thankful, and blessed for this wonderful opportunity.”
Schwab came to Elmhurst after serving as the head girls basketball coach at St. Francis College Prep in Wheaton from 2015-18. Schwab lead the Spartans to a regional championship in 2016 with a 21-10 record. Prior to her time at St. Francis, Schwab served as an assistant at Concordia University Chicago for two years from 2013-15. Her coaching career also includes three years with the Chicago Bulls Training Academy and volunteering for the Special Olympics Organization and with local park districts.
Schwab played basketball collegiately at Concordia University-Chicago from 2007-11. She completed her bachelor’s degree in marketing and management in 2010. After taking a season off from basketball to complete her MBA, she returned to play her senior season in 2012 and began working on her Ph.D. in Organization Leadership Development with an emphasis in Sports Management.
Schwab believes her coaching style will be a great fit with both programs at Elmhurst.
“After my initial season with the women’s basketball team last season, I knew Elmhurst was a perfect fit because of the impact coaches had on athletes, the athletes’ drive and discipline to want to succeed and the overall togetherness one wishes to be a part of,” she said. “After getting to know members of both programs, without any hesitation, I felt that I would be able to positively influence lives, instill drive and discipline and we would continue to grow together. Coaching is an opportunity to positively impact student-athletes on a much larger scale than just X’s and O’s, and scoring under par. We as coaches get to guide, mentor and develop these amazing young adults to succeed through and beyond their years at Elmhurst University.”
Schwab takes over an Elmhurst women’s golf team that enjoyed a record-setting 2021 fall season. The Bluejays set school record for lowest three-day score to place fourth at the CCIW Championships. Team and individual records were also set over the course of the season for lowest 18-hole and 36-hole score. Mike Gruber, a USGTF certified teaching professional, will also continue on with the women’s golf team as an assistant coach after joining the squad prior to the 2021 fall season.
“Golf is its own entity that endures just as much, if not more dedication and focus,” Schwab said. “I love when student-athletes work with me rather than for me to achieve our goals and successes as a program. Their voice, and dedication play a major role in our vision and ultimate goals for the season and I’m looking forward to working with the team.”
