With a rich history of athletics in the Northwest Indiana region, the Bishop Noll Institute Warriors always find ways to make and exceed their goals. With accomplishments ranging from state championships to Sectional and Regional titles, students have proven they excel in mind, BODY and soul.
Championship Teams
1951-52 - Football Indiana State Championship: Coach Karl Huffine
The 1951 football team, as an independent team, were the INDIANA STATE CHAMPS with a record of 9-0-1. This was considered a "mythical" championship because there was no tournament. It was based on the vote of statewide media.
1967-68 - Baseball State Championship: Coach Bob Bradtke
With the slogan of "Noll's Out for State in '68," the baseball team claimed the State Championship. All-State selections were Dave Knish-pitcher; Terry Quinn-catcher; Jim Ardelean-second base; and Ed Zabek-shortstop. The team posted a 21-9 record. This win made them the first Lake County team to win a baseball title.
1980-81 - Swimming State Championship: Coach Jim Tonkovich
The swim team captured its first state championship, the first Catholic high school to do so. Swimmers ended the season with a 14-0 record, the best in school history. They also placed first in the Lake Shore Conference. Chris Lovin and Pete Rodenburg were both individual state champs. Not only did John Gargula, Rodenburg, Lovin and Scott Dickenson win the 400-freestyle relay, but they set a new state record of 3:11.4.
1983-84 - Swimming State Championship: Coach Jim Tonkovich
With talented swimmers Dave Buksar, Eric Toweson, Steve Hipsley, Mike Gargula, Rob Gass, and Mike Luban, the swim team won a second state title, following its 1981 championship.
1987-88 - Hockey State Championship: Coach Ed Hreha
With the best record in school history, the hockey team recorded a 19-13-8 record.
1989-90 - Football State Championship: Coach Jerry Vlasic
The team posted a 13-1 record, defeating Griffith for the Sectional title, NorthWood for the Regional title, and undefeated Crawfordsville for the Semistate title. Noll hosted the Semistate game, which was dubbed The Ice (and Snow) Bowl of Bishop Noll because of a wind chill of -3 at game time as well as an inch of snow on the ground.
Warriors made their way to the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis and took their first IHSAA state championship in class AAA, defeating Indianapolis Roncalli 20-14.
1990-91 - Swimming Championship: Coach Jim LaCasse
On the girls’ swim team, senior Becky Hackiewicz won the state championship title in the 500-meter freestyle and a third-place finish in the 200-meter individual medley. Both swims automatically qualified her for All-American honors.
1998-99 - Hockey Championship: Coach Rich Sobilo ’82
The team claimed a second-place finish in the Indiana State High School Hockey Association’s Class AA tournament at Indianapolis with a record of 21-13-8.
2003-04 - Baseball Championship: Coach Dave Griffin
The team had a rocky start, losing almost every conference game at the beginning of the season, but with infield changes and the pitching coming together, the Warriors went on to win their second meetings with conference teams. From there, the team captured the title of 2A state champion. It was BNI's first state title in baseball since 1968, when Noll became the first Lake County school to win an IHSAA baseball title. Senior Andy Loomis led the team in batting average, RBIs, doubles, and triples. He was named MVP, received a First Team All-Conference award, along with senior Dave Barszczowski and junior Ryan Bobos.
Cynthia Wilson, a veteran Region athletics administrator, serves as Bishop Noll Institute’s athletic director.
Wilson has 18 years of experience as an athletics administrative assistant at East Chicago Central and Calumet high schools, and has served the past year as interim athletic director at EC Central.
Bishop Noll Institute, a diverse, Catholic college preparatory school, partners with local faith communities to empower young adults to live their faith in Christ through ministry, scholarship, and leadership.