Ed Hreha, a well-known and respected leader in region athletics throughout his 40-year career at Bishop Noll Institute, received the Carl Traicoff Lifetime Achievement Award Monday night (2/18).
The Calumet Region Sportsmanship Committee presented the award to Hreha, who was joined by family, friends and co-workers, during the 65th annual Sportsmanship Dinner held at Halls of St. George in Schererville.
Hreha began his career at Bishop Noll in 1979 as a teacher, coach, and assistant athletic director. Over the years, he coached Noll soccer, hockey and tennis. In the ’87-’88 season he brought the Indiana State High School Hockey Class “A” championship to Noll. In 1999, he brought the Boys Soccer team to a Regional Championship.
In 1999, Hreha took over the helm as athletic director from the retiring and legendary Jerry Vlasic, and excelled in this post through 2012 when he became the school’s Director of Facilities.
“Ed has so positively impacted the lives of thousands of students in his 40 years at Bishop Noll, and he has done so as a true servant leader. He shuns being in the spotlight, but has worked tirelessly to benefit Noll's students who are, basically, his kids. He always has put the students first, which is why Ed is so deserving of this award,” said BNI President Paul Mullaney.
A tireless worker, Hreha has worked diligently to promote and strengthen the development of athletic programs and its athletes by bringing together a strong work ethic while engaging a vast network of colleagues, friends, alumni, and former players. He has been steadfast in his responsibilities as athletic director and has worked fluidly with athletic directors throughout Northwest Indiana to ensure proper management and scheduling of athletic events.
“Coach doesn't sugar coat anything; in stressful situations he brings truth,” said Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick. “He doesn't always say what you want to hear but he does say what you have to hear. He is a hard working man who has a true commitment to BNI. His years of service to our school and his hours of labor often are unseen by others but certainly noticed by individuals who work with him. He is a great man and I am honored to work with him.”
Conquering extreme challenges has been second nature to Hreha over the decades. Without a swimming pool, tennis courts or an outdoor track at Noll, he and his coaches have persisted and found ways to arrange for practice facilities and equipment necessary for developing competitive and championship level teams.
Originally from Indiana Harbor in East Chicago, Hreha’s family moved early on from the Harbor to a home they built in Gary, then moved to Munster during his grade school years. He would go on to graduate from Munster High School in 1971.
Hreha had a passion for playing sports and a desire to stay local, so he advanced his academic and athletic careers at Purdue University Calumet (now Purdue Northwest).
While at Purdue, Hreha played and excelled in the school’s soccer NAIA’s program while also participating in its hockey program. Remarkably, he was named a College All-Star for both soccer and hockey his senior year and went on to become the assistant soccer coach at Purdue Calumet.
In addition to earning his physical education degree and teaching and coaching designations, he became a well-respected official. In officiating both hockey and soccer, Hreha was a recognized official at the local, state, collegiate and the semi-pro level having officiated numerous all-star and state championship games. In addition, he has been a soccer official with the United States Soccer Federation and the Illinois High School Association
After graduating from Purdue University Calumet in 1977, Hreha’s first teaching position was at Munster High School in 1978 where he taught physical education and was named the freshman baseball coach. He was also Munster’s first hockey coach.
Hreha has been an active member with a variety of athletic boards including Northern Indiana Soccer League, Indiana State High School Hockey Association, Northern Iliana High School Hockey League, Chairman of the Lake 10 and Lake Athletic Conference Boys and Girls Soccer, director of the Calumet Area Soccer League, and is a member of the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame Committee.