Coach Hupke, a Cherokee icon

Leo Hupke

You know the feeling? That uneasy, nauseous tightening in your gut that lets your mind and body know things aren’t right with the world.

I have that feeling right now. I’m no doctor, but it’s a simple diagnosis. I miss Coach Hupke. His funeral was on Monday.

Leo Joseph Hupke passed away last week after 85 years. The Holtons have known Leo and his family since 1970 when he and his wife Kathy moved to town and ended up being our next-door neighbors on Hill Street.

Coach Hupke was a Cherokee icon who positively impacted the lives of more young people than we know. So many of us are lucky to have our own “Leo” stories to share and remember as time marches on. His legacy will endure.

I know I didn’t see Leo every day, but it seems like I did.

He appeared to be everywhere. Really. We’d bump into each other at the grocery store or the local Bomgaars. I saw Leo and Kathy at church every week. He was in the stands, on the sidelines, in the dugout, on the golf course, at the local dump and on my front doorsteps eager to share something positive about our local youth.

There was Leo. And, with that big smile, he’d ask, “How ya doing? Love your drumming at church. How’s that beautiful wife of yours and what’s Melanie and Heather up to these days?”

Looking back, I realized Coach Hupke taught or coached Cherie and I, my two daughters and all four of my brothers along with Cherie’s two brothers. He also taught some of my grandkids in Catholic education classes.

I remember Leo as a fierce competitor, but more importantly, later in life, I saw a man with caring heart. He had a genuine interest in you that was palpable.

Coach Hupke loved football and had outstanding careers at Heelan High School and later Morningside College in Sioux City. He is a member of the Morningside M Club Hall of Fame, was Siouxland Football Coach of the Year in 1972, Honorary Referee for the Sioux City Relays, Tomahawk Relays and Holstein Relays. He is also a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.

From 1970 to 2002, Leo served in many capacities at Cherokee Washington High School here as head coach in football, boys and girls track, baseball, softball and cross country.

His obituary noted, “his athletes knew him as a tough but caring leader who instilled discipline, respect, and belief in themselves.”

Leo came out of a short retirement, coaching at MMC, MMCRU and Remsen St. Mary’s from 2003 to 2019. All total, Leo coached high school athletics for 56 years starting at Heelan in 1963.

I interviewed Leo in 2019, and he talked about his lifelong commitment to coaching. “It’s simple, I just really enjoy coaching. I feel I still have something to offer, and hey, it’s good for me to stay active. As a coach, you are always learning, listening, and improving.”

My mentor and fellow scribe Paul Struck penned this about Hupke in 2000: “For the past 30 years he has toiled in the front lines and back lines coaching and teaching our kids to the best of his considerable abilities. Like most coaches, through the years he’s been toasted and roasted, but has never coasted while working with our children.”

Well said, Paul.

Good job, Coach Hupke.

Please, permit me to share a few comments from former Cherokee players about Coach Hupke:

— Mark Perrin, multi-sport standout for the Braves: “Leo came to Cherokee my senior year, 1971. He was the type of guy you wanted to do your best for. Coach (Bob) Roberts and Coach (Chuck) Black were assistants and that trio was one of the best group of coaches you could ask for. Thirty years later, Leo coached both my daughters, Melissa and Emily, and he was someone they both loved. Rest in Peace, Coach!

— Mike Dushinske, former Braves quarterback: “Coach Hupke liked hard work, he loved his players and always got the most from his teams. A true Cherokee Braves. He will be missed.” CWHS Class of 1972.

— Bob Roberts, longtime Cherokee coach: “When I think of Leo Hupke, I think of dedication. The good ones (former Cherokee coaches) like Ray Knauer, Chuck Black, Denny Johnson, Rich Vanderloo and Dick Point, all had one thing in common, dedication. I admired Leo for his dedication, his hard work and commitment to our programs.”

— Mike Hayden, former Braves 3-sport standout: “I was fortunate to have Leo Hupke coach me in baseball, football and track my senior year of high school. I remember Coach Hupke to be a fair and honest coach with a sense of humor. My favorite memory of Coach Hupke is when he shook his head, smiled, turned and walked away after some senior antics. You knew that you had just been caught and needed to change your behavior without being punished.” CWHS Class of 1971

— Kim Adduddel, member of the 1972 Braves’ playoff squad: Coach Hupke instilled that there was no “I” in our team! That stuck with me for 53 years and counting. Our playoff squad still gets together and reminisce even though some of the stories change a little. Coach’s wisdom will live on in all of us who were lucky enough to play for him. When he ran into Karen and I, he always took time to talk to us. Sometimes I think he just wanted to yell my name out to prove he could pronounce it! We’ll miss seeing him around.”

— Bill Simmons, former multi-sport Brave: “Outside my parents, there was no one in my life I was closer to than Leo and Kathy Hupke. The world is a better place because of Leo Hupke, and I feel lucky that I was able to be part of his legacy. When I left the Marine Corps, I went back to athletics for 12 years as an athletic director based on examples set by Leo Hupke. Many times, I thought “what would Leo do” when I was an athletic director.” CWHS Class of 1972.