Members
Inductee
RUCINSKI, PETE
RUCINSKI, PETE
Born on June 8, 1911
East Chicago, IN
June 19, 2000.
Inducted On
July 27, 1973
Location Inducted
Bloomington, IN
Region Number
1
East Chicago
Coach
East Chicago Roosevelt
1930
Lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track.
Valparaiso University 1934; Indiana University MA
1948
Member of the Eastman Kodak Coach of the Year Football Clinic Advisory Board; member of the Indiana Youth Fitness Committee 1962; 25-year member of the Board of Directors of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association; became Athletic Director of the East Chicago Public Schools 1963; recognized in Indiana Who’s Who.
Wife, Julie; sons, Dean, Ralph, and Tony
Coaching Experience: Assistant football coach at VU 1935; assistant football coach 1936, then head coach 26 years at East Chicago Roosevelt 1937-1963, with a record of 185-53-8; served as a scout for Santa Clara University and the Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia professional football teams; also, coached American Legion baseball teams 10 years.
Coaching Honors: 6 mythical State Football Championships and 1 Co-State Title; 11 Northwest Conference Championships and 1 Co-Title; undefeated seasons 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1957; had 17 East Chicago City Titles; 52 players were selected First Team All-State and 10 were First Team Prep All-American selections; numerous Coach of the Year honors; VU Alumnus Coach of the Year 1960; Legion teams won 5 state titles, a national regional championship, and reached national semi-finals 1945.
Coaching Honors: 6 mythical State Football Championships and 1 Co-State Title; 11 Northwest Conference Championships and 1 Co-Title; undefeated seasons 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1957; had 17 East Chicago City Titles; 52 players were selected First Team All-State and 10 were First Team Prep All-American selections; numerous Coach of the Year honors; VU Alumnus Coach of the Year 1960; Legion teams won 5 state titles, a national regional championship, and reached national semi-finals 1945.
