Lake Forest College

Jim Catanzaro became the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Lake Forest College in May of 2025.

During nearly two decades as a member of the department before assuming his current role, Catanzaro had served as Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance and Career Preparation for several years and was the Director of Athletics for a six-month stint in 2021-22. 
 
In his administrative roles, Catanzaro has made significant contributions to the department and College. He oversaw the return of athletics to campus after the COVID pandemic and has helped advance the Forester Game Plan, a career preparation program for student-athletes. He also brought a chapter of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society to campus. Catanzaro has also served on numerous committees, including the College's Coalition Against Sexual Misconduct, the Intercultural Advisory Group, and Campus Conduct and Athletic Conduct Boards. 
  
Catanzaro is also the Foresters' Head Football Coach, a position he has held since 2009. In addition to being the most successful coach in program history with a 99-57 record and four Midwest Conference titles, he has earned the respect of his peers and been selected to key leadership roles within his sport. Most notable are MWC Football Chairman, NCAA Division III Football Championship Chairman, and the American Football Coaches Association Board of Trustees. 
 
Catanzaro is a graduate of Greenville University, where he was an all-conference football player on both sides of the ball, helped the team capture a conference title his senior season, and also lettered in basketball and tennis. He later earned a master's degree in communications studies from West Virginia University. 

Catanzaro, his wife Catherine, and their children Caden and Katie reside in nearby Gurnee.