D99 Superintendent Remembers Coach Mike Amrhein as 'Wonderful Leader'

Calling teacher and baseball coach Mike Amrhein a "positive example" and "dedicated employee", superintendent Mark McDonald released a statement Friday about Amrhein's contributions to North.

"Mike was a dedicated employee, and always served as positive example to our students," McDonald wrote. "He was a wonderful leader to other staff members as well, excelling in every position he held at District 99."

According to McDonald, Amrhein served as an active member of North's Parent University planning group and was a "key member of both the literacy liaison and mentor committees."

"It was truly a privilege to have him as part of our team," McDonald said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Amrhein, , was a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School. He attended the University of Notre Dame on a college scholarship, graduating in 1997. After graduation, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the tenth round and played six years in their minor league organization, eventually working his way up to AAA, according to Amrhein's profile on the Booster Club site.

District 99 plan to make counselors available at North High next week to support grieving students, according to a statement released by North principal Scott Kasik. D99 spokesperson Jill Browning said the specific times and dates the counselors will be available will be announced after the district receives word on when funeral services will be held.

If you knew Mike Amrhein, please share with us in the comments section your memories of Mike and upload photos of Mike if you have any. When funeral arrangment information is released, we will pass it on. To make sure you receive that information, please sign up for the Downers Grove Patch newsletter and keep up with us on Facebook.