Coaches

John Niemiera

Year Inducted: 2003

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: Fort Wayne Pistons, Anderson Packers
University of Notre Dame
(Chicago) DeLaSalle, Little Flower, Weber High Schools
NBA:  Fort Wayne Pistons, Anderson Packers

Biography: 

John Niemiera started his coaching career while finishing his college education after World War II as the freshman coach at the University of Notre Dame. He played for the Fort Wayne Pistons and Anderson Packers for three years in the NBA.

After his playing days, Niemiera returned to his alma mater at (Chicago) Weber High School and went 212-108 in eight seasons. His team won the Chicago Catholic League title in 1958. He then took the challenge of establishing an athletic program at Little Flower High School on the south side of Chicago and posted a 274-86 record in 15 seasons. His teams were the Parish Hall School League champs in 1961, South Central Prep and district champions in 1968 and Chicago Metro League champs in 1970.

After the Chicago Archdiocese closed Little Flower, Niemiera moved to DeLaSalle High School, where he became athletic director and assistant varsity and sophomore coach. He retired in 1996 with a 486-194 coaching record. He was the Chicago Catholic League Man of the Year and earned a service award from Loyola University. He was also honored by the IHSA, and Weber with the Christian Brothers LaSallian Award. He was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame in 1977 and has been inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame as a player in 1977 and in the Friends of Basketball category in 2001. He is the rare individual who is in the hall of fame in three categories.  John Niemiera passed away on Dec. 27, 2003 at 82.