As we kick off another exciting winter sports season, I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone joining us for what promises to be a memorable few months of competition, teamwork, and school spirit. Our studentathletes have been working tirelessly, preparing to give their all on the field, court, and course, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication they have shown.
Winter sports are a special time of year, where the crisp air and changing leaves provide the perfect backdrop for the energy and enthusiasm that our teams bring. Harlem High School is happy you are here to support our programs, your presence and encouragement are invaluable to our athletes and our school community.
I want to take a moment to thank our coaches, staff, and volunteers, whose efforts behind the scenes make all of this possible. Your hard work and commitment to our programs are truly appreciated.
As we cheer on our teams, let's remember that sportsmanship, integrity, and respect are just as important as the final score. Let's support our athletes with the same passion they bring to the game, and let's celebrate the values that make our school and our community strong.
Thank you for being part of our winter sports season. I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines, in the stands, and everywhere our teams compete. Together, let's make this a season to remember!
GO HUSKIES!
SINCERELY,
HEAD COACHES
Head Boys Basketball Coach:
Coach Tassoni is entering his third season as the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, but he has been coaching basketball for Harlem for over a decade. Coach Tassoni has spent 6 years assisting at the Varsity level, he started as the 7th grade Head Coach in the 2013-14 season. His coaching philosophy is to use the experiences and opportunities that the game of basketball provides his players as a platform to help influence them to make successful life choices. Coach Tassoni graduated from East High School in 2006 and knew from a young age that he wanted to teach and coach basketball. After high school, Tassoni went on to graduate from RVC with an Associate’s Degree, NIU with a Bachelor’s Degree, Rockford University (formerly College) with a MA in Education and lastly from Concordia University with a MA in Principal Prep. Coach Tassoni is married to his wife, Nicole, and has two children, Leo and Malia “MJ”.
Head Girls Basketball Coach:
Coach Moore enters his second year as the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach after spending seven years as an assistant coach in the program. In addition to his time with the girls program, his 26 year coaching resume also includes seasons with the Rockford College Men’s program, RVC Men’s program, time as an assistant boys coach at Harlem, and 6 years as the Head Varsity Boys coach at Harlem. His leadership philosophy is to assist and empower his players to grow athletically and individually, gaining the skills and confidence to be successful in their future endeavors. Coach Moore graduated from Streamwood High School and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Rockford University, a MA in Education from Rockford University, and a MA in Educational Administration from Saint Xavier University. He is entering his 26th year teaching in the Social Studies Department at Harlem High School and is a division chair for the department. Coach Moore and his wife, Maggie, have two sons, Andrew and Alex.
Head Girls Bowling Coach:
Jim started coaching for Harlem High School as the Boys and Girls Head Coach in 1996-2001. The boys’ team finished 6th, 3rd and 1st in the state tournament. The girls’ team won 54 consecutive matches and won 3 consecutive IHSA State Championships from 1999-2002. He was the boys head coach from 2004 thru 2006 during this time the boys finished 6th in IHSA State tournament. He returned as the Girls Head Coach in 2008 and the girls won the IHSA State Championship in 2011, 2017, 2018, 2025 and teams finished 2nd 2019, 2020, and 2022. The Harlem Girls also won USHSBF National Championship in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024,2025. Jim’s conference record as a girls Head Coach is 205 and 11. He lives with his wife Shannon in Machesney Park.
Head Boys Wrestling Coach:
Jakob Messink is in his 4th year as head coach of the Harlem wrestling team, and his 7th year total. Prior to coaching at Harlem, he was the head coach at Auburn HS, winning the 2021-22 NIC-10 Coach of the Year in his last year there. He is also a Harlem graduate (class of 2013), and spent all four years wrestling under Coach Cal Ferry. During those years, Harlem placed 4th in the state in 2011, and was top 8 for the 2011-12 and 2012-13. After HS, Jake attended Colorado State-Pueblo, where he competed at the NCAA DII level. He then graduated in 2019 from Illinois State University with a degree in Physical Education. Coach Messink also teaches physical education and health here at Harlem. Upon graduating, he met his now wife Morgan (Zellner) Messink and they have four boys together (Mikah (5) ,Malakai (2), Mack (4 months) and their German shepherd Kai (4). Morgan also is a Harlem Alumni (class of 2015).
LUKE TASSONI
MIKE MOORE
JIM HEATHSCOTT
JAKOB MESSINK
HEAD COACHES
Head Boys Swimming and Diving Coach:
Coach Shields is in his 4th year of coaching the Harlem Boys Swimming and Diving Team. He was the assistant coach for 2.5 years. As a Harlem graduate, Brad competed in golf, swimming, tennis & baseball. He found his most success in the pool where he graduated with several All-Conference Honors as well as many school records. He went on to swim collegiately at Eureka College where he broke many school records, was a 2 time NAIA All-American and was inducted into the Eureka College Hall of Fame. Brad has been coaching youth sports (baseball & basketball) for 13+ years. He has a passion for coaching youth sports and truly believes that it creates a fantastic foundation for teaching work ethic, teamwork, personal skills and life lessons that can be carried out throughout the studentathletes life. Coach Shields has been a Realtor for 22 years. He has 2 sons, Boden (17) and Ryan (15) who both attend Harlem High School. They live in Machesney Park.
Head Varsity Dance Coach:
Summer Henderson is in her 16th year as head coach of the Varsity Dance Team. She owns and operates Studio 11 Dance Company in Machesney Park for the past 28 years. Summer is a Harlem alumni dance team member and former all conference track team athlete, where her specialty was the 100M hurdles. Her passion for dance is life long and she enjoys teaching tap & jazz. The varsity dance team are 8 time NIC-10 Conference champs, 6th place finish at sectionals in 2025, 3rd place finish at Sectionals in 2024 and 2nd place finish at sectionals in 2023, and have had 5 trips to state, the most current in 2025. Summer’s husband Scott is also a Harlem alumni member of the football team and her 2 sons Dylan & Hayden are also graduates from Harlem, and both played golf and baseball.
Head Girls Wrestling Coach:
Coach Mya Turnmire enters her first year as the Head Girls Wrestling Coach after serving as an assistant coach last season. A Harlem graduate from the Class of 2020, Coach Turnmire continued her athletic career at Indian Hills Community College, where she became a 2x All-American and a National Champion. She later transferred to William Penn University and graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Kinesiology. Coach Turnmire is passionate about building confident, disciplined athletes and using the sport of wrestling as a foundation for character, growth, and opportunity.
Head Boys Bowling Coach
Nick has been a team member, assistant coach, head coach, and spectator of the Harlem bowling program for the past 25 years. This is his 10th season back as head coach and he looks forward to continuing the success of the bowling program at Harlem High School. The past nine seasons have been successful with many tournament wins along with Regional and Sectional Titles and 2 IHSA State Championships. 2022 National Champions and runner up in 2023. Nick has his coaching certification from the USBC and ASEP. He was a part of the 2001 Boys State Championship Team. Nick graduated from Harlem High School in 2002. He resides in Machesney Park.
Head Varsity Cheerleading Coach:
Madeline Burke will be entering her second year as head cheer coach, but was previously the assistant varsity coach for 3 years. Madeline has also coached and competed in All star cheer after high school. Madeline is an alumni of HHS and the HHS cheer team, and was NIC-10 MVP.
