DePauw mourns the passing of Tim Hreha ‘73

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Tim Hreha, who came to DePauw as a student-athlete in 1969 and served on the coaching staff for six decades, has passed away.

Tim came to DePauw from McKeesport, Pa., and was a three-year starter at defensive tackle. He earned three varsity letters, the team’s spirit award in 1971, and the role of captain his senior year.

After graduating in 1973 as a history major, Tim earned the M.A.T. degree in physical education from DePauw in 1976, while serving as a graduate assistant football coach.

Following a year at Shenandoah High School, he returned to DePauw for the 1978-79 year and rejoined the football staff as an assistant coach in a role he continued for over 40 seasons. Tim served as the defensive coordinator and has coached defensive linemen, linebackers and kickers. The Tigers’ defenses were known for their stinginess against the run, particularly the 1983 team that led Division III by allowing just 41.6 rushing yards per game.

For 14 seasons, beginning in 1979, Tim was the men’s track and field head coach and in 1981, he was appointed as the first coach of the women’s track and field program, a capacity in which he would serve for seven years.

Among the many highlights of his track and field career was coaching Alan Hill ‘81 to DePauw’s first individual national championship as Alan won the pole vault in 1981. Since 1994, Tim has assisted both the men’s and women’s programs, primarily working with the throwers.

He coached DePauw student-athletes to multiple all-America honors.In 2016, Tim and the other coaches and players of the record-setting 1981 Football Team were inducted into DePauw’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

That same year, Tim was presented with the Spirit of the Monon Bell Award, honoring his long-time contributions to DePauw and the Monon Bell rivalry. The award was presented by former player and long-time friend Alan Hill ‘81. Tim retired from DePauw in 2019 and served as a volunteer assistant coach in football and track and field since then.