Michael Gene "Mike" Chorak


Year Inducted: 1997
Nominated By: Joe Massaro
Sports Competed In: Football, Track, Wrestling
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach

Fred Pechek

High School:
Attended Pueblo Central H.S. graduating in 1958... Four-year lineman on the Wildcats football team (1955-58)...Also competed for three years on the track team (1955-58) and running the 880 yd and two seasons on the wrestling team at 155 lbs (1956-58).

Achievements:
Hgh School:
● Named 2nd Team All-Conference during his senior year and selected to play in the All-State Game in 1958.

College:
Went to Pueblo Jr. College (1958-60) and Colorado State College (UNC) from 1960-62... Member of the PJC track team running the 880 in 1958-59.

Coaching Career:
●  Was an assistant football coach at Pitts Junior High for three years (1963-66).
● Moved to Roncalli to be the assistant football coach for the next five seasons (1966-71).
● Worked as a Defensive Coordinator at Pueblo Central H.S. for 25 years (since 1971).
● Selected to be an assistant coach in the 1990 All-State Football game.
● Head wrestling coach at Roncalli for six years (1965-71).
● Spent two seasons (1972-73) as the Wildcats wrestling coach.
● Served as an assistant track coach for four seasons (1966-70) at Roncalli H.S.
● Went on to work for 23 years at Pueblo Central H.S. as the assistant track coach, working with the boys weights.

Coaching Achievements:
● Had the #1 Defensive team in the South Central League for two consecutive years, and his team qualified for the state playoffs during those two years.
● Speaker at the South Central League Clinic on linebacker play.
● Coached George Hensen who was State heavyweight champion.
● Coached Ronnie Rivas 2nd in State at 98 lbs.
● Biggest moment of his coaching was when Charles Puga won the state championship Shot Put with his last throw.
● Coached athletes who have become coaches: Gene Tapia, Rusty Pagano, Charles Puga, Walter Apodaca and Dave Craddock

Occupation:
Teacher and coach.

Personal:
Lives in Pueblo... Was married to the late Ruth I.


GPSA "C" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

1
Attended Pueblo East H.S.
Alan E. Colglazier (2011)

Atended Pueblo South H.S.
Louie D. Carleo (2003)

Attended Roncalli H.S./P. Central H.S.
Michael J. "Mike" Cunico (2000)

Cross Country/Track
Steven J. Cathcart (2004)

Boxing
Joseph "Joe Awful" Coffee (1974*)

Lifetime Member of the GPSA
Samuel J. "Sam" Corsentino (1980 LM)

Football National Champion (MLFS)
Dale Cresswell (2023)

Softball
Alan E. Colglazier (2011)

Sports Director TV 5/30
Douglas L. "Lee Douglas" Cooley (2005*)

Tennis
Herb Casebeer (1977*)

U.S. District Judge
Hatfield "Judge" Chilson (1976*)

 

2
Athlete
Jerry C. Cunico (2004)
Michael J. "Mike" Cunico (2000)

Athlete/Contributor
Steven J. Cathcart (2004)
Herb Casebeer (1977*)

Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
Dale Cresswell (2023)
Artesia H.S., Artesa, N.M.
Chester W. "Bill" Corder (1987)
Kansas City H.S., Kansas City, MO

 

 

3
Attended Pueblo County H.S.
Carol L. Cosby (2017)
Steven J. Cathcart (2004)
Samuel Joseph "Sam" Corsentino (1980 LM)

Contributor
Dale Cresswell (2023)
Douglas L. "Lee Douglas" Cooley (2005*)
Vernon T. Cochran (1975*)

Entrepreneur
Steven J. Cathcart (2004)
Herb Casebeer (1977*)
Ken Coatney (1976*>)

Track
Gregory Norman Critchett (2017)
Jerry C. Cunico (2004)
Michael Gene "Mike" Chorak (1997)

4
Athlete/Coach/Contributor
Dale Cresswell (2023)
Samuel Joseph "Sam" Corsentino (1980 LM)
Ken Coatney (1976*>)
Joseph "Joe Awful" Coffee (1974*)

Baseball
Walter E. "Walt" Clay (2005*)
Michael J. "Mike" Cunico (2000)
Darrell Bruce Colvin (1994)
Samuel Joseph "Sam" Corsentino (1980 LM)

Wrestling
Jerry C. Cunico (2004)
Louie D. Carleo (2003)
Michael Gene "Mike" Chorak (1997)
Chester W. "Bill" Corder (1987)

 

5
Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
Jerry C. Cunico (2004)
Michael Gene "Mike" Chorak (1997)
Herb Casebeer (1977*)
Joseph "Joe Awful" Coffee (1974*)
Earl Harry 'Dutch' Clark (1973+*)

 

 

6
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Gregory Norman Critchett (2017)
Douglas L. "Lee Douglas" Cooley (2005*)
Darrell Bruce Colvin (1994)
Norman G. Colglazier (1987)
Hatfield "Judge" Chilson (1976*)
Ken Coatney (1976*>)

7
Basketball
Dale Cresswell (2023)
Carol L. Cosby (2017)
Walter E. "Walt" Clay (2005*)
Norman G. Colglazier (1987)
Chester W. "Bill" Corder (1987)
Samuel Joseph "Sam" Corsentino (1980 LM)
Hatfield "Judge" Chilson (1976*)

9
Football

Dale Cresswell (2023)
Gregory Norman Critchett (2017)
Walter E. "Walt" Clay (2005*)
Jerry C. Cunico (2004)
Louie D. Carleo (2003)
Michael Gene "Mike" Chorak (1997)
Hatfield "Judge" Chilson (1976*)
Ken Coatney (1976*>)
Earl Harry 'Dutch' Clark (1973+*)

Honorees Deceased
Sam O. Clay, Jr. (2007*)
Walter E. "Walt" Clay (2005*)
Douglas L. "Lee Douglas" Cooley (2005*)
Herb Casebeer (1977*)
Ken Coatney (1976*>)
Hatfield (Judge) Chilson (1976*)
Vernon T. Cochran (1975*)
Joseph "Joe Awful" Coffee (1974*)
Earl Harry 'Dutch' Clark (1973+*)

10
Athlete/Coach
Dale Cresswell (2023)
Carol L. Cosby (2017)
Gregory Norman Critchett (2017)
Alan E. Colglazier (2011)
Louie D. Carleo (2003)
Michael Gene "Mike" Chorak (1997)
Darrell Bruce Colvin (1994)
Norman G. Colglazier (1987)
Chester W. "Bill" Corder (1987)
Earl Harry 'Dutch' Clark (1973+*)

24
Honorees in "C" Section

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990