ANNOUNCEMENT ON PASSING OF
COACH TED HALUCH
February 4, 2016
It is with sadness that we have learned of the passing this morning in Cambridge Springs of an Alliance College family treasure, Coach Ted Haluch. He was 90 years old. The Alliance College family extends its heartfelt condolences to the entire Haluch family, and especially to Mrs. Haluch.
Coach Haluch’s tenure at Alliance touched five decades. Although his name was synonymous with Alliance College sports, he was so much more than just a “coach.” Along with his wife, Josephine, the two were like surrogate parents to the entire Alliance student body. Coach Haluch was a mentor and life long friend to so many.
Coach Haluch was a three sport letter winner at Alliance in the late 1940’s. In 1954, he returned to Alliance as the athletic director and coach of three sports. His most treasured years at the Eagle basketball helm came in both 1963 and 1965, when the Eagles became one of the strongest small college teams in the nation. Both years he guided the Eagles to the NAIA National Playoffs in Kansas City, Mo.
Coach Haluch not only served as Alliance’s Athletic Director, but also served as Chairman of Pennsylvania NAIA District 18. In the 1970’s and 80’s he was often referred to as the western Pennsylvania “Dean of Coaches.” Through the years, Coach Haluch received numerous honors including NAIA District 18 “Coach of the Year” awards, Meadville Area Sportsman of the Year, Erie Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and other plaudits. As a testament to his stature not only at Alliance, several other colleges honored him with awards, most notably Gannon University, who inducted him into the University’s Hall of Fame for his service to college athletics.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday last year, alumni and friends from across the country returned to Cambridge Springs to honor both Coach and Mrs. Haluch.
Coach Haluch was also admired and respected in the community of Cambridge Springs. He is fondly remembered as making the cozy Alliance Gym available for local youngsters on snowy Sunday afternoons, or the college’s manicured baseball diamond for summer games. His beautiful voice in the St. Anthony’s choir, singing Polish hymns for weddings and funerals with his wife Jo will be forever remembered.
Coach Haluch will be sadly missed by the alumni and friends whose lives he touched.
Viewing will be on Saturday from 6:00 pm to 8 pm, Sunday from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Van Matre Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Monday at 10:30 am at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs, Pa.
Viewing will be on Saturday from 6:00 pm to 8 pm, and Sunday 2:00 pm to 6 pm at the Van Matre Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Monday at 10:30 am at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs, Pa.