Sponsored & Legacy Institutions - Stories

By Eleanor Schmerler-Rich ’09
Vice President of Growth, Regina Dominican High School

September 2, 2025, Wilmette, Illinois – Regina Dominican High School is proud to announce that English teacher and cross country coach Annie Tully ’92 has been named the 2024-2025 Mike Small Coach of the Year, a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in high school athletics and coaching leadership. The award is named after a long-time social studies teacher and coach.

Coach Tully led the Regina Dominican High School cross country team through a historic season last fall. Under her guidance, the Panthers captured their first-ever Independent School League (ISL) Championship and earned a coveted spot at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria. This achievement marked the first time since 2014 that the Panthers qualified for the state finals as a team.

Beyond the cross-country course, Annie exemplifies dedication to the Regina Dominican High School mission. She serves as an assistant coach for track and field, a curriculum leader, class moderator, and club sponsor, all while teaching in the English Department. Her Panther pride runs deep, as her daughter Alice is a member of the Class of 2027 and her husband Conan is an active member of the school’s Booster Club.

“Congratulations to Coach Tully on receiving the Mike Small Coach of the Year Award,” said Brian Mancuso, Athletic Director. “In addition to being an outstanding coach, Coach Tully is also an exceptional teacher. Her dedication to our students both in the classroom and on the field is inspiring. She has elevated our cross-country program and is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Coach Tully was formally recognized at the school’s Back-to-School Coaches Meeting on August 6, 2025.

Rooted in the Dominican tradition, Regina Dominican High School challenges young women to be independent thinkers, relentless truth-seekers, and confident, compassionate leaders. 

The school was founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. It is now sponsored by Dominican Veritas Ministries, a public juridic person (PJP) that sponsors the elementary and high schools of five U.S.-based congregations of Dominican Sisters. 

 

Caption for above feature photo: Annie Tully – coach, teacher, and 1992 graduate of Regina Dominican High School – displays the plaque declaring her the 2025 Mike Small Coach of the Year.