Lake Central to retire Tomich's jersey

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

Jared Tomich didn't receive any college scholarship offers after playing his last down for Lake Central.

The only schools even inquiring about him at all were Cincinnati and Toledo.

When Tomich checked into the possibility of walking-on at Purdue, a recruiter nearly brought him to tears when he told him he wasn't exactly what they were looking for.

Tomich, though, was more determined than ever.

He ended up with a walk-on offer from Nebraska defensive coordinator Charlie McBride and played for legendary Huskers coach Tom Osborne.

The rest is history.

Tomich became a two-time All-America defensive end and helped the Huskers to consecutive national titles (1994-95) before graduating with a degree in business in 1996.

The 34-year-old Tomich went on to play five seasons in the National Football League -- four with New Orleans and one with Green Bay.

On Friday night, during Lake Central's final regular-season game against Valparaiso, Tomich, who wore No. 75 for the Indians, will become the first athlete in school history to have a number retired during a halftime ceremony.

"It's hard to put into words what this means to me," Tomich said. "To say it's a great honor is pretty easy. I'm really looking forward to it. This is a pretty neat deal for me -- for a guy my age to be able to be honored like this.

"Usually, it's something that happens when you're a little bit older and you've completely forgotten that you've played football. ... And maybe the only one or two people remember who you were probably your parents."

Lake Central athletic director Mark Peterson said he got the idea after hearing about Merrillville retiring Jamel Williams' number.

Williams was a teammate of Tomich's at Nebraska.

"I initially proposed the idea to (LC head coach Bill Melby)," Peterson said. "It was something we had talked about a number of times. I think Bill was eager to have it happen."

As a player under former Indians head coach Elmer Britton, Tomich usually played on the open side of the field.

Scott Freckelton, who was the defensive coordinator at LC then, said Tomich was special.

"Everything he worked on, he put 110 percent into it, and that's where a lot of the success came from," Freckelton said. "With his size and strength, the speed and ability he had to run down the ball -- made him stand out."

Britton said offenses ran away from Tomich all the time, but he still managed to make plays.

"He was a great athlete for us," said Britton, who retired earlier this season as head coach at South Bend Adams, and will return for Friday night's ceremony.

"We had a situation where we didn't have a great team, but everyone knew about him. They schemed him and everything, and tried to double-team him to keep him out."

At Nebraska, Tomich was a Lombardi Award finalist. He recorded 10 sacks in 1995, when he led a Nebraska defense that ranked No. 2 nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (78.4) in 1995.

Perhaps most impressive, Tomich was named to the College Football Association's Good Works Team in 1996, because of his involvement in the community.

"To be named to the good deeds team is an outstanding accomplishment," Britton said. "He was always a real role model and everything for the kids. I'm very pleased and happy for Jared that he's being honored like this."

Tomich's story is remarkable in many ways. Like "Rudy," it might even make a good movie, particularly since Tomich turned out to be an outstanding player.

"You're talking about the history of Lake Central football," Melby said. "Jared was a great football player in the program. It just shows if you're incredibly dedicated and work hard that good things are going to happen for you.

"Jared's story is an incredible story, and it all started at Lake Central. That's got to be special not only for him, but for our kids to see as well."

A Schererville resident, Tomich plans to marry Michaline Pavnica, a 1993 Bishop Noll grad on Nov. 1 in Chicago.

Tomich is part-owner of four area businesses, including two Zuni's House of Pizza Restaurants -- the Cedar Lake and Dyer locations -- with co-partner, Debbie Trembczynski.

He also runs Fuel Fitness Center in Cedar Lake, with John Trembczynski, as well as the Engine Room in Dyer.

Whiting to honor champs

It may just be the last game of the regular season for Whiting on Friday against Lake Station, and likely a victory to build momentum before the Oilers' first-round sectional matchup at Triton, but for older fans and softball fans it will be a chance to honor a pair of great teams in Whiting history.

Before the game the 1948 football team that earned a mythical state championship (before the state tourney was started, state titles were voted on like in NCAA Division I football) will be honored on the 60th anniversary of the achievement. That squad went 10-0, including 6-0 in the old Northern Indiana Conference. The team was so dominant it outscored opponents 229 to 51. It was the first and only undefeated team in Whiting football history.

The Oilers' softball program has recorded a pair of undefeated campaigns in the last three years, including last year's state title squad. That team will also be honored before Friday's game by receiving its state championship rings.

Deputy sports editor Steve T. Gorches contributed to this story.