Career Coaches

Bob Nika

Year Inducted: 2019

Category: Career Coaches

Schools / Organizations: Emmanuel Lutheran School
(Springfield) Lanphier High School

Biography: Bob’s 38-year coaching career was highlighted by the 1983 IHSA Class AA State Championship as the head coach at (Springfield) Lanphier High School.  He also coached the Lions to IHSA State Runners-up in 1977 and 1985.  Bob was a grade school coach in Springfield before serving as a Lanphier assistant from 1966-74 and head coach from 1975-1993.  As head coach his Lanphier teams won 5 IHSA Regional Championships, 3 IHSA Sectional Titles, and 3 IHSA Super-sectional wins.  He later was the head coach at Emmanuel Lutheran School from 1994-98.