Dr. Jim Kadlecek (2020) - Hall of Fame - University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Dr. Jim Kadlecek

Induction:
2020

Dr. Jim Kadlecek was the first varsity soccer coach for the Bears, taking the team from the club ranks to varsity status in 1985. He began coaching the club team in 1979 and had an impressive record of 83-20-1 from 1979-1984. Significantly, Jim took the Bears to the first-ever AIAW National Championship tournament in 1980, finishing sixth. Kadlecek was instrumental in helping elevate the program to varsity status in 1985. In 1986 the team was ranked in the top 20 and in 1987 beat Stanford and finished in the regional rankings of all Division I as Division II soccer did not start until 1988. He helped Lisa (Jacobsen) Loptien earn a National Player of the Year finalist honor in 1998. She ended up the first soccer player inducted into the UNC Hall of Fame. Kadlecek not only coached at Northern Colorado but earned his BS, MA and doctorate from UNC. Not only was he the soccer coach, but he also worked administratively in the UNC athletic department from 1985 to 1989. He later served as the Director of Athletics at Greeley Central High School. He also worked for a few years in Marketing for the Denver Broncos and has worked as a professor at the University of Mount Union since 1997.