Members
Inductee
BUZEA, CRAIG
BUZEA, CRAIG
Born on August 30, 1961
Chicago, Illinois
Inducted On
May 7, 2023
Location Inducted
Merrillville, Indiana
Region Number
1
Portage High School
Coach
Griffith High School
While attending Griffith High School, Craig was a 3-sport athlete, earning 9 Varsity letters, 3 each in football, basketball and baseball. He was named All-Lake Suburban Conference and earned 1st Team All-Area honors as well as being voted Team MVP and Team Captain in all 3 sports for the panthers. While participating in football at GHS, he had the opportunity to play for Hall of Fame Coach Les Thornton, whose influence was a huge reason why Craig chose coaching as a lifelong profession. Les became a great friend and a tremendous mentor until his passing.
While playing for Coach Thornton, Craig left his name all over the Panther Football Record Book by setting records for Career and Season Touchdowns, Scoring and Rushing yards. Craig received a football scholarship to the defending Division II National Champions Eastern Illinois University.
Eastern Illinois, Lakeland College
B.A.
1984
After redshirting at EIU, he decided to transfer to Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which ended up being one of the best decisions he made in his young adult life. While at Lakeland, Craig earned 12 Varsity letters, 4 each in Football, Basketball and Baseball and earned All-Conference honors in all 3 sports. In 1983, Craig was recognized as being one of the few college athletes to ever score in both a Collegiate football and Basketball game in the same day. Craig was named Lakeland College "Athlete of the Year" in 1983.
Craig was inducted into the Lakeland College Hall of Fame in 1995. Craig won 18 Coach of the Year Awards, including winning the NWI Times, Post Tribune and IFCA Region 1 honors many times. He was selected to Coach the Indiana North All-Star Team in 1995.
He was selected as the Chicago Tribune/Southtown Star and NWI Times Illinois Coach of the Year in 2010 as well as being selected to coach in the prestigious Army High School All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
5 of his teams were ranked in the USA Today Top 25 National Poll.
Over 200 of his players have gone on to play College Football.
He led teams in both Indiana and Illinois to State Championship games.
Craig and his wife, Barb have 2 daughters, Brittany Buzea-White (Adam) and Ashley Haston (Cory). They have 2 grandchildren, Teagan and Cooper Haston.
From 1984 - 1993, Craig coached Football, Basketball and Baseball at Portage. While working his way up to the varsity staff, he was fortunate to work with many outstanding coaches, including Bob Mattix. 1994, Craig was named the Head Football Coach at Portage High School. In his first 2 seasons, he led the Indians to 2 undefeated regular seasons, 2 Duneland Conference Championships and a trip to the 5A State Championship game. In his 13 years as a Head Coach at Portage, the Indians won 5 Sectional Championships, 6 Duneland Conference Championships, a Regional and Semi-State Championship and a State Runner-up. His overall record was 107-45 making him the winningest coach in Portage history.
Craig took an administrative position at Michigan City High School in 2008 and coached the Wolves for 3 seasons before crossing the border and taking over the helm of 8A Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Illinois. There he led the Vikings to the Semi-Finals in his first season and went on to coach 11 seasons, qualifying for the State Play-offs every year, including 6 Quarterfinal appearances, 2 Semifinals, a State Runner-up in 2014 and an undefeated regular season in 2016. The Vikings also won 4 Conference Championships in the highly respected South-West Suburban conference. While at H-F his overall record was 97-26 for a 79% winning percentage.
In 2021, Craig returned to the region to coach Crown Point High School. After a 5-5 season in his first year, he led to Bulldogs to their first undefeated regular season in 15 years and their first Duneland Athletic Conference since 2006. The Bulldogs set a school record for points scored and finished the season ranked #5 in 6A.