Illinois coaches say so long to Lake Park coach Norm Hillner
MARMION COACH KEVIN O’CONNOR:
(For stories on Kevin O'Connor's retirement, click HERE and HERE)
“There are many high school soccer coaches that truly mentor the players within their respective programs. There is a fewer number that provide that same mentorship with fellow coaches. Norm Hillner is certainly one of those special coaches that does both. Simply stated, Norm is an ambassador of the game and for those of us that have had to opportunity to learn from him and share the friendship that comes from being in the soccer coaching fraternity, we are all better off. Norm is one of the real giants in our profession. His work with the players at LakePark, his countless hours of involvement in the IHSSCA, his hosting of clinics that featured some of the top collegiate coaches, provided many of us with opportunities to continue to grow in our soccer coaching pursuits.
"Norm's Lancer teams always embodied his ultra-competitive personality. His teams have always been an extension of "Norm the coach, the teacher, and the mentor". As Norm gets ready to journey down the retirement road, there will certainly be a void left behind that will not be easy to fill.
"Thanks for a great run my friend.”
WW SOUTH COACH GUY CALLIPARI:
“Oddly enough the only red card I would receive in my 21 years of coaching came in a sectional game against Norm Hillner and LakePark. We were down 0-2 and playing without any spirit or passion, which is something Norm and his teams are never short on. Let's put it this way, I over-inspired and paid the price. I really needed to pay more attention in watching Norm and his ability to manage his team, the game and its officials.
“He has inspired many players in his career and has had a hand in changing the face of high school soccer while being a part of IHSSCA board in that same time period. He has spent endless hours in preparing and hosting the Awards Banquet at season end which is a proper tribute to the high school game and its players and managers. It will be difficult to summarize as to what a sideline will sound like without Norm's presence overseeing a Lancer's performance.”
METEA VALLEY COACH JOSH ROBINSON:
“I have been fortunate to go against Norm as a player when I was at St. Charles and also as a coach at Metea. I remembered Norm from when I played as a competitor. He always got the most out of his players and team and no matter how hard the contest was, he was always very warm and complimentary after the game. As a coach I have seen the same thing. He has taken great pride in promoting sportsmanship in soccer and has been a great ambassador to the game. "Sitting in my first few conference meetings with him, he continually is looking for ways to make the experience better for the kids and I think he has left a very positive footprint on Illinois soccer. He is passionate about providing the best environment for the youth players that we work with every day.”
NEUQUA VALLEY COACH TONY KEES:
"Norm has always had a great passion for the game and one of the best senses of humor you'll find in any coaching fraternity.”
PROSPECT COACH KURT TRENKLE:
“Though I only got to coach against Norm in summer league, I have had contact with him ever since I was a rookie coach six years ago through his work with the IllinoisHigh School Soccer Coaches' Association. Norm was always supportive of me as I entered the ranks of varsity coaching, and encouraged me to get involved. I appreciate his passion for the game and his work in promoting the sport we all love. He will be missed.”
SAINT IGNATIUS COACH JIM LUZZI:
“Norm is a player's coach. He teaches the game and along the way to developing his players to meet their full potential, he teaches them principles that they can carry with from the Lake Park soccer field to life. As a coach and an officer with the IHSSCA, he is always concerned with what is best for the players. High school soccer will truly miss Norm.”
HINSDALE CENTRAL COACH MIKE WIGGINS:
"I played for Coach Hillner (Prairie State Games Pioneer Region Teams late 80’s) and have seen him both on and off the field working for kids. I’m not entirely convinced that anyone will ever understand the countless hours he has put in on behalf of all the student athletes who have ever played high school soccer in Illinois through the IHSSCA. I have seen his tireless efforts and the results of his work. We all wish him nothing but the best.”
GLENBARD EAST COACH JOSH ADLER:
“Norm’s bee a very big figure in our association for years. He’s always been supportive of soccer and he’s always been supportive of me, personally, since I’ve been here. He’s always been very open to me and he’s just a good role model for high school soccer. I can’t say enough about him. He’s going to be missed.
“The Lancer Classic tournament has always been quality competition, it’s organized, and he cares about running something the right way. He wants it done the right way, he’s very particular about the way things should be done, and that’s how you have to be if you want to do it right.
“He still has a lot of passion for the game and I think it will be tough for him to step away from something he enjoys a lot. It’s been enjoyable coaching against him for the last eight years.”
GENEVA COACH RYAN ESTABROOK:
“Norm is one of the biggest supporters of high school soccer in the entire state. Since I met him eight years ago, I've been impressed by his selfless and giving nature.”
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH COACH BARRY JACOBSON:
“Norm has been the heart and soul of Illinois soccer for three decades. His passion for the high school athlete is unmatched. Through his work with the IHSSCA, Norm has been able to put his stamp on many initiatives to increase the growth of soccer at the high school level that many young coaches and players take for granted. The banquets, hall of fame, clinic, Chicago Fire Academic Team, and other outstanding programs were all part of Norm’s legacy. His hard work and dedication has been taken for granted for many years, but not by the people around him. When so many coaches have come and gone, Norm has always managed to remain the same. His fiery, competitive spirit is something that is missing from many young coaches of today. Any of his players, assistant coaches and close friends realize that his loyalty and pride are his best attributes. Norm has always been one of a kind. It’s amazing, when he walks in a room he knows everyone and everyone knows Norm. It’s like a good old Cheers episode!”
WAUBONSIE VALLEY COACH ANGELO DIBERNARDO:
“Norm will be greatly missed by the high school soccer community. As a coach he always brought out the best from the opposing coach. A great competitor who wanted his players to be the best they could be. I personally wish Norm the best of luck in his retirement."
ELK GROVE COACH JOE BUSH:
“Norm is a great person in the soccer community. I remember during my second ever sectional seeding meeting, Norm came over to me and introduced himself. He said that he wanted the sectional seedings to be more accurate so he was forming a "sectional" tournament in the regular season so we could all see each other in the regular season instead of guessing who would beat who. Elk Grove was excited to join the tournament and we have been in it ever since.”
BARRINGTON COACH SCOTT STEIB:
“In recent years I have gotten to know Norm quite well and what impresses me most is how dedicated he has to been to making high school soccer better. His efforts with the IHSSCA have been going on for many, many years, benefiting high school players throughout all of Illinois. People have no idea how much time he has spent serving our sport and he should be commended for his efforts. He is a wonderful man with a fantastic sense of humor, a competitive fire, and genuine concern for his players and colleagues. I will miss coaching against him and working with him.”
NEUQUA VALLEY COACH JOE MOREAU:
“I have had a very close relationship with Norm for over 20 years having served with him on the IHSSCA Board.
“During Norm’s tenure as a board member with the IHSSCA, the following has been attained in large part to what Norm Hillner does for the players and coaches of Illinois:
-- A voting system and procedure were created to honor players and coaches similar to the procedures used by the NSCAA - regional representation based on membership. We currently have 15 sections for the boys and 14 sections for the girls.
-- Created and expanded the awards system for boys and girls to include All State, All Sectional and Honorable Mention All Sectional. Player of the Year awards are given as well. We currently recognize 60 players as AllState, more than 300 as All Sectional and more than 150 as Honorable Mention All Sectional. Each school that becomes a member of the IHSSCA is guaranteed at least one player awarded one of the above awards each season.
-- Expanded the awards system for coaches and schools to include local (regional) winners as well as state winners for Sportsmanship and Coach of the Year. In the past 15 years, more than 200 schools and coaches have received sportsmanship or coach of the year recognition.
-- Created an IHSSCA Hall of Fame to honor deserving players, coaches, administrators, referees and friends of high school soccer. A nomination process was established and a selection committee was organized. The process includes the induction of no more than one person per banquet.
-- Created a Wall-of-Fame that is now permanently located at ToyotaPark because of Norm’s communication with ToyotaPark and the Chicago Fire. This area recognizes players, coaches and teams (schools).
-- Worked along with the Chicago Fire and Chicago Red Stars to create and organizer a High School All-Academic Team for boys and girls.
“During Norm’s service to the IHSSCA, his role never wavered – it was always to oversee and maintain the mission statement of the IHSSCA which is to perpetuate and improve the sport of soccer at the high school level in all aspects.
Not only is LakePark HS losing a great coach and person, but IllinoisHigh School soccer is losing a person who has supported HS soccer for 30 years.”
LEYDEN COACH MARK VALINTIS:
“You always know what to expect when you play Norm...his kids will play hard, fast, and physical, and they will be good every year. He has always found a way to get more out of his players than most other coaches can. His teams are always competitive and they play well as a team, which is a sign that players respect the coach and are willing to put the team before the individual.”
