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Discussion Topic: Joe Hada
Bill Splete added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
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I wanted to say a few words about Joe Hada. He was a great story teller and I enjoyed talking wrestling with him. The story I have to tell about him, is how we measure a persons character.
When I decided to go to St.Joseph in 1986, it was because it was the only area school that allowed freshman to compete. From day one coach Hada supported me, encouraged me to take a chance at wrestling varsity as a freshman. It was very nice to feel that a coach wanted what was best for me even if it didn’t help him. That isn’t the reason he, to me was a man of character.
I go to St Joseph, make varsity, they had an open weight, I had to cut hard for. It was the week of sectionals and I catch and old west end y teammate and Mentor wrestler, Al Parker, he was a senior, and since the Y he was kind of a giant to me, a tough guy. I felt on some level I caught up to him, but dang I felt and put a great deal of pressure on myself, it was a rough week, didn’t handle it well. We have a solid match but I lost, amd this is on film. I sat on the edge of the mat thinking I’m done and tearing up, head low, and no one comes up to me, no one says anything, except in comes Joe Hada, puts his arm on me and says it’s ok Bill u will back in it. He said it with such confidence, I believed him. Thankfully he was right. I have been very very fortunate to have great coaches in my life, and over the last, 39 years Joe Hada, always encouraged me. I am thankful to have known him and years ago I told him how much his words helped me. It was a special moment for me. He is gone and missed.
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Discussion Topic: Joe Hada
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
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Joe Hada was coaching at Mentor when I was at Shaker and we competed in the LEL. Solid teams and always a good guy. Some coaches make it personal but that wasn't his style. He saw me as a colleague and we had a friendly relationship.
Not surprised to hear that he was good to Bill when he didn't need to be. And, if memory serves, Bill did end up qualifying/placing at state that season.
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Discussion Topic: Joe Hada
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on March 23, 2025
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I have known Joe since he was in 7th grade and I was in 6th grade. I guess that amounts to about 65 years, more or less.
As Bill said, Joe was a great story teller and he had no problem weaving them until you suddenly realized that a couple of hours had gone by.
As a coach at Mentor, he was the "good cop" to Hector Gonzalez (his assistant) being the bad cop. You knew you were being worked but it was fun to watch them in action.
I keep in pretty good contact with a lot of folks so I knew Joe was not doing well. I would see his wife almost weekly at a local bakery and get my "Joe update".
I last saw Joe about 1 1/2 months ago when I officiated the Harvey vs Riverside dual. We spoke for a few minutes about our old times on the mat.
RIP Joe!
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