Physical education director stepping down after 17 years

Brian Manzullo

It was a sad day for the Athletics Department when Central Michigan University decided to cut the men's soccer program in 1991. But the program cut did have one positive outcome.

It allowed coach Jim Hornak to step into the role of physical education and sport department chairman.

Now, 17 years later, Hornak is departing the position and his colleagues are sad to see him go.

"He's a fantastic guy. He's the best chairperson that I have ever worked for," said associate professor of sports management Vincent Mumford. "He laid an excellent foundation for the department. I hate to see Dr. Hornak go."

Hornak will retire this summer. The department voted to transfer the position to Tracy Olrich this semester in preparation of his leave.

Hornak, a CMU alumnus, got his first job as a graduate assistant for the men's club soccer program in 1963.

Already working as faculty member PES, Hornak later became the head coach of the team when it joined the ranks of division one National Collegiate Athletic Association teams. He coached the team from 1978 to 1991.

"He knows practically everybody on campus," Olrich said. "In the last 17 years, the department has really moved forward."

Olrich said there's a bit of pressure filling Hornak's shoes.

"I am following a legend," he said.

Hornak said he was glad to take the chairman position when it was offered to him 17 years ago.

"I was there and they needed a replacement," he said. "Every three years, the incumbent can put their name up for re-election then they (the department) decide if they want to keep you on. I went through that."

Hornak also served as the Special Olympics chairman from 2003 to 2008.

"Special Olympics opens doors and changes lives," Hornak said. "The skill level has increased exponentially over the years. I met people who are my dear friends. That includes some of the athletes."

The ability to be a role model to faculty, facilitating cooperation between departments and making a difference over nearly half a century at CMU are a few things Hornak looks back on fondly.

"When you're at a university for 43 years, you meet a lot of people that become lifelong friends," he said.

Many of those friends are sad to see the legend go.

"I have asked him (to stay) several times. He relates to you on a personal level," Mumford said. "He personally took me around town when I got here. He even made phone calls on my behalf."

Hornak will stay on staff until this summer and will remain a regular face around campus. He believes Olrich is the right person to fill his shoes.

"We have overwhelming confidence in him," Hornak said. "We've been meeting weekly to (talk about) some things he'll have to make a decision on. The fall schedule was due (and) I did that for him. That was one of my last gifts."

Olrich says that Hornak has helped him a lot.

"He's taken me through the process. Just his help is tremendous," Olrich said. "My challenge is to predict what the future holds."

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