Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Integrity ... professionalism, coupled with warmth and sincerity ... genuine care for everyone around him ... respect, both for and from all who know him.
So read the lead-into Herman L. Sledzik's biography in his retirement dinner program soon after he had opted to depart from full-time service that he had devoted to IUP from 1963 through 1993 to reside for a part of each year in Florida and to devote time to personal and family interests.

In his career with the Indians, he was head basketball coach (1963-70), director of athletics (1970-82), dean of the School of Health Services (1982-83) and associate athletic director (1983-93).  

Sledzik's first commitment to IUP was for the 1963-64 season as he filled in for Regis "Peck" McKnight, who had taken a sabbatical leave. His year as interim coach turned into the seven most successfull seasons in Indian history as his teams posted a record of 103 wins and 52 losses, a .665 win percentage (Kurt Kanaskie moved ahead of Sledzik at .670 just this year).

His final three teams produced a combined record of 61-10. In 1968-69, IUP posted its best record ever, 22-2, as it compiled the highest per-game win margin in the country. His final three teams all advanced to the NAIA District 18 postseason playoff.

Twice Sledzik was voted District 18 Coach of the Year, and in 1967-68 he earned the corresponding honor for NAJA Area Eight (New England and the Mid-Atlantic states).

At the outset of his 12-and-a-half-year tenure as AD, IUP's athletic program was enlarged from 11 men's teams to what became 21 by 1980 as Sledzik worked together with Associate Director Ruth Podbielski to build a comprehensive women's sports offering.

With a decision to "retire" as athletic director in '82 came a plan to move to the teaching faculty as of 1983. Instead, AD Frank Cignetti persuaded
Sledzik to become his right hand man as associate athletic director.

Highlighting this service was his becoming highly instrumental  in creating  and advancing the various development and fund raising projects that transformed IUP's athletic program from one with limited financial resources to one affording its student-athletes scholarship opportunities on
a meaningful scale.

Now, the 1953 Penn State graduate (who had been a standout basketball player there) can devote full priority to Jean, his wife of 35 years and an IUP graduate, and sons James, an '87 Penn State alumnus employed by Western Geophysical in Venezuela, and Robert, a civil engineer working with Parsons Engineering in Charlotte, North Carolina.