Jerry Harbak has been in school 54 of his 59 years.
He started kindergarten at age five, and education has been
a part of his life ever since.
"I never thought of it that way, but it's true,"
Harbak said. I have spent my whole life as a student and a teacher.
It's either been one or the other and sometimes a combination
of the two."
Jerry Harbak
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That will all come to an end this May when Harbak officially
retires from Case Western Reserve University as their head
men's soccer and head men's golf coach as well as a faculty
member.
"We will miss Jerry's coaching style which provided a positive
example of sportsmanship in relationships with players, officials,
and opponents and emphasized personal character development
of players."
Harbak will now pursue steelhead trout in area streams, backwater
fish in Florida and look to improve his handicap on golf courses
in both places.
His wife Sue retired this year also, so the two, who were
married as college students, will spend more time at their
summer home on Middle Bass Island and watch their grandchildren
play sports more often.
"It's time for somebody else to give it a try," Harbak said,
referring to his handing over the reigns of the Spartans.
"To me it's really important that someone comes along and
produces good soccer teams. I would really like to see that
happen."
When Harbak looks back on his coaching career, he thinks
about the times he accidentally left players behind on the
road, outrageous referee altercations, and so on. But people
stand out more to him than wins, losses or events. He remembers
the players he coached and the camaraderie that he shared
with all his student-athletes. Harbak is proud of the fact
his players turned out to be good citizens and professionals.
"The games kind of blend together after awhile, but the individuals
that you coach probably stand out more than the events that
happen around the game," Harbak said. "I enjoyed watching
my kids grow as players and go on to bigger and better things
in their own careers."
Harbak grew up in East Cleveland and attended Shaw High School,
participating in track and field, cross country and basketball.
After receiving his high school diploma in 1962, he headed
to Western Michigan University where he received a scholarship
to run track. Harbak missed playing basketball so he returned
home after his freshman year to attend Western Reserve University
(WRU).
At WRU he ran track, cross country and played basketball,
earning six varsity letters in each sport. Harbak graduated
midterm in December of 1966 with a bachelor's degree in physical
education (PE) and received his master's degree in PE from
CWRU in 1971.
Harbak actually began his coaching career while an undergrad
in the fall of 1966, with the cross country team. Then in
the spring of 1967, he coached the track team and was hired
by WRU full-time, as a faculty member and coach, in the fall.
"At the time I was the youngest faculty member at the University,"
Harbak said. "I think at the time I was 23."
He continued to coach cross country and track and field until
the fall of 1971, a few years after WRU and Case Institute
of Technology federated in 1967. Harbak then became the first
men's soccer coach in CWRU history. His record: 147-290-10
in 32 seasons. He also dabbled in intramural sports and coached
the men's basketball team at WRU for one year (1970-71 season,
record: 6-12).
Harbak stayed in track and field at CWRU up until he began
the golf program in 1996 as their first head coach and with
basketball up until track and field began an indoor season
in 1984.
In 1996 Harbak was rewarded for his time and success as an
athlete and coach at WRU and CWRU by being inducted in the
Case Reserve Athletic Club Hall of Fame. He says the real
reward for his hard work will begin this spring, with his
golden years.
