Named the Parkland Athletic Director on Wednesday, September 19, Brendan McHale brings two decades of administration experience at Carle Foundation Hospital following more than a decade of work as a Parkland College athletic trainer.
Before rejoining Parkland, McHale was in his 20th year at Carle Foundation Hospital Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Champaign, having served as the department’s supervisor for the last 12 years. In that role, he managed more than 25 athletic trainers and negotiated contracts with athletic directors, coaches and school administrators to define and meet their needs and contractual obligations. He also collaborated with Carle administrators to manage the department’s budget.
Prior to his time at Carle, McHale served as head athletic trainer at Parkland College from 1992 to 2006. As the sole athletic trainer for 13 collegiate sports with over 200 student athletes, McHale developed therapy plans, implemented an injury tracking system and coordinated medical staff for the athletes’ physicals and medical services. Even after leaving the college, McHale continued his collaboration with Parkland through his work with Carle Sports Medicine, maintaining his relationships with the coaches and staff. In 2009, he was inducted into the Parkland College Athletic Hall of Fame.
A graduate of Western Illinois University in 1990, McHale earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education K-12 with an emphasis in athletic training after spending his first two years at Parkland College. He made his first professional stop at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Galesburg, Illinois, from 1991 to 1992, where he developed and implemented a sports medicine program with local high schools and counseled coaches on care options. During his first seven years at Parkland College, he also served as Christie Clinic Association’s athletic trainer, where he evaluated and reconstructed rehabilitation protocols, coordinated patient treatments and administered evaluations.
McHale has continued to take advantage of professional development opportunities through 23 leadership courses and annual attendance at National Athletic Trainers Conferences.
He lives in Mahomet with his wife, Karen, and their four children, Catherine, Nicholas, Jack and Alex.
