Members
Inductee
TURPA, PETE
TURPA, PETE
Born on March 5, 1950
Gary, Indiana
Inducted On
May 1, 2022
Location Inducted
Merrillville, Indiana
Region Number
1
Portage High School
Coach
Horace Mann High School, Gary, Indiana
Indiana University
B.A.
1973
Pete has been a part of 8 Duneland Athletic Conference Championships, 7 Sectional Championships, 3 Regional Championships, 2 Semi-State Championships and 2 State Runner-ups.
While at Portage, Pete met his future wife, Renee who was coaching girls' basketball. They married in 1981.
Pete was hired by Portage Township Schools to teach Social Studies and coach football and wrestling. He was an assistant JV coach and then head JV football coach under Hall of Famer Les Klein. In 1981, He was promoted to varsity offensive line coach. He became the defensive line coach in 1989 and then linebacker coach in 1992 under Hall of Famer Bob Mattix. In 1994 Pete was promoted to defensive coordinator.
In 2001, Pete moved to Valparaiso under Hall of Famer Mark Hoffman. He coached tight ends and outside linebackers. After a two-year hiatus, Pete returned to Valpo for 2 years to coach the defensive line. Pete retired after the 2006 season with 32 years of coaching experience.