Coach's Corner: Retired Glenbrook South teacher, soccer coach 'will be missed dearly'

The last time I saw long time Glenbrook South coach Jim Wolter - who passed away last week after a brave and valiant three-year battle with brain cancer - he was heading into a DePaul women's soccer game. He was there to watch one of his ex-players, Nina Kodros, a GBS high school star during his time coaching her.

I hadn't seen Jim in awhile, but he recognized me, stopped to say hello and we had a nice chat about all things life and, of course, Titan soccer. I remember that encounter, thinking of just what a naturally nice guy he was. Easy to talk to and always interested in what you were doing. Most of all, I was impressed that he would make the effort to trek all the way downtown to watch and support one of his ex-players.

That was Jim Wolter in a nutshell. Caring so much about the kids he coached.

The impact of his passing was felt not just throughout the Glenbrook community but also the entire Illinois soccer family.

"Jim was such a great soccer mentor for me" say ex-GBS girls coach and current business teacher Seong Ha. "I was his assistant for both the girls and boys programs and will always be grateful for the wisdom he shared, the memories made, and teaching with him at GBS."

Ha, who currently is goalie coach at Glenbrook North and an assistant coach at Mundelein H.S. adds, "Jim brought a kindness and passion to the game that was special. He was selfless and unselfish at the same time, and was always about promoting the high school game and advocating for the players."

Current Glenbrook South girls soccer coach Mark Daniels knew Wolter about as well as any.

"I still remember him upon getting the head coaching job at Glenbrook South, and then taking a chance on a young, fresh-faced kid right out of college who was looking for a job. That kid was me. We have coached together ever since, trying to build and sustain a quality soccer program for Glenbrook South that continued even upon Jim's retirement. He was my mentor and my friend, and he will be missed dearly."

Vito Ungaro of Glenview played for and starred in Wolter's Titan teams from 1998 to 2000: "He was a great coach, but even a better mentor. Everyone on the team enjoyed playing for him. He told us to keep it simple, keep your head in the game, and be patient - then good things will happen. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had him in my life."

Louis DeCosmo was a two-time captain and the goalie for the 2005 GBS team that went downstate. He raves about Wolter's influence on the team and on him.

"We liked him and we respected him," says DeCosmo. "He worked us hard and he was tough, but at the same time he taught us not to take things too seriously and to have fun playing."

Titan head boys coach Reggie Lara did not know Wolter all that well, but says "I feel his presence and his influence very much from coaches he worked with that are coaching in our program today."

Fellow New Trier coach Craig Fairbairn was one of Wolter's best friends.

"We grew up together in Deerfield and played baseball together and on the same soccer clubs," says Fairbairn, "He was a great friend, easy to talk to, a great sense of humor (and) laughed a lot - and we would always take care of each other."

Fairbairn adds, "and as a coach to compete against? He was tough. Very tactical. He would always throw a new look at us, something different each time we played, and you had to be prepared for that."

Fellow Glenbrook South Coach Hector Carabez was a dear friend to the end for Coach Wolter: "I got to see him right up to his final days," says Carabez. "He was able to see and hold his new granddaughters, which was wonderful, and as sad as I am to see him pass, at least I know he is no longer in pain."

GBS principal during Wolter's time there was Brian Wegley, who is now superintendent in Northbrook/Glenview District 30. Wegley had the greatest of respect for coach. "Jim was a committed and talented teacher and coach, and we were lucky to have him as a Titan for 28 years," Wegley said. "I thank him for his service and care through the years, and my heart goes out to his wonderful family."

Wolter's soccer roots ran deep: 35 years total, beginning way back in 1974 when he served seven years as an assistant in both the Highland Park and Deerfield programs.

He then got hired as the head coach at Glenbrook South and once he did, never let go. He spent 28 years in all as head coach, mostly with the boys but also with a stint as girls coach, finally retiring in 2008. He coached all-conference players, all-area players and had numerous winning and successful teams.

Among the highlights were six regional titles, three sectional titles and a memorable trip to the state final in 2005.

In addition to his time at Glenbrook South, Wolter became very involved with the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association, organizing regional and statewide clinics to help promote the game.

He was named the IHSSCA person of the year in 2008 and, in 2011, he was inducted into their hall of fame.

Here at Glenbrook South he started the "Titan Warm Up Invitational," a prestigious early season tournament for some of the top local teams, and the tournament is known today as the Jim Wolter Titan Invite.

Wolter had a philosophy of "Family, school and soccer," and those ideals, along with sportsmanship, continue to resonate and are the cornerstone of what the Titan program is still about today.

He was 70 years old and leaves behind sons Jeffrey and Jesse, daughter Jennifer and wife Judy.

Coach Ha remembers Wolter and how much he loved coaching his sons Jesse and Jeff.

"Those were some of his most enjoyable years, getting to coach his boys on the high school team," Ha said. "He treated them equally, and they never got any special treatment, but he was so proud of them, and really, proud of all the players that he coached."

Upon learning of his diagnosis, Jim and his family became very involved with Brain Up, an organization that creates awareness of brain cancer and works with patients, families, doctors and researchers to help find a cure. Anyone interested in donating or finding out more to support the organization can visit BrainUp.ngo

During last week's soccer contest, Coach Mark Daniels read a memo to the crowd describing Coach Wolter and the impact he had. The stadium then had a moment of silence in his memory.

Jim Wolter: A truly great family man, friend, teacher and coach.

A moment of silence seems hardly enough.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.