After 34 years of service to Bishop Noll Institute and the Diocese of Gary, Coach Jim Tarka, P.E. teacher and State championship track coach, will be retiring.
Wearing many hats as a P.E. teacher, health teacher and track coach over the past 34 years, Tarka had originally planned to stay at Noll for only two years. He took the first track team, in Bishop Noll’s history, down to state to compete as a team. He has also coached many other track teams that have gone down to state and placed 2nd and 3rd.
“It has never been a dull moment here. Bishop Noll is not just a school for me, it is more of a family,” Tarka said. “I have memories from here that will last me a lifetime.”
During his retirement, Coach Tarka has many plans. He recently purchased a new fishing boat, which he plans to use regularly at a lake in Wisconsin. He also intends to show off his prized ‘76 Firebird at various car shows and tend to his very large rose garden.
Tarka’s students hate to see him go.
“Coach Tarka has been here since I was in 7th grade. He has such a presence,” said senior Anthony Rodriguez. “He is that guy that every freshman is scared of when they enter Bishop Noll. I am still scared of him to this day. He will be missed.”
Despite looking forward to his retirement, Tarka says he will still keep Noll in his thoughts.
“I’m going to miss a lot of things about Bishop Noll and I know that when I’m on the lake fishing, I’m going to be thinking about some of the things that I’ve done and some of the people I’ve met,” he said. “It’s going to be tough.”