Heidelberg University Athletics

Stepping onto the collegiate football field for the first time is a daunting task for any freshman.  Joining a team that was fresh off a victory in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, however, must have seemed even more arduous for Nick Hulea and his fellow classmates in the fall of 1973.  

Hulea, a 1977 graduate of Heidelberg, was ready.  The native of Poland, Ohio, worked his way into the starting lineup of Head Coach Pete Riesen.  From that point on, Hulea was a central part of a strong offensive line for Riesen and the Student Princes.

Through his performance on the field, Nick earned many postseason honors.  He was a three-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference center, including First Team honors as a junior and as a senior.  Following his standout junior campaign, Hulea was received Kodak Little American second team honors.

Following his senior season, during which he served as a team captain for first-year head coach Bob Rankin, Hulea was invited to play in the All-Ohio Shrine Bowl game at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, competing alongside the Buckeye State’s top talent from Divisions I, II and III.  

After graduation, Hulea spent his entire career in the education field.  As a teacher, an administrator and a coach, he devoted 35 years to various schools and districts.  His final role was as the principal at Waterloo High School.

During his coaching tenure, Hulea helped lead Malvern High School football to its first 10-0 season.  Additionally, he was the offensive line coach for the 1996 Mount Union football team, which won the national championship.  

While at Heidelberg, Nick met his wife, Nancy Monat.  The couple has three children -- Nick, Brian and Sarah.  They are the proud grandparents of three, and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last summer.  

(This article was published in the 2018 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)