John D. "Johnny" Polka

John was a man of great integrity. He was devoted to his students, athletes and colleagues. He worked tirelessly to make athletes and coaches' experiences in cross country and track/field rewarding and memorable. I served with him on a few committees and I had the utmost regard for him. He was among the legendary coach in The Chicago Catholic League.

Truely a genuine person. He took a couple of busloads of 14 years old boys to Southern Indiana to visit caves and discover geological plates and geodes. What a truly calm and decent person. The world is a lesser place without him. He taught you can present love without verbalization. I honor his decency.