Longime New Trier Football Coach Eugene Cichowski Dies at 90 – ryan

Eugene Cichowski Stopped Coaching Football at New Trier in 1990, but he never stopped being part of the Trevians Football Program and the School Community.

Cichowski – Known as “Chick” Throughout a Long Football Career that included Playing Stints at Lane, Indiana, A Pair of Nfl Teams and the CFL – died on March 24. He was 90.

Current New Trier Coach and Alum Brian Doll Arrived on Campus as a Freshman in 1991, a year after cichowski retired. But he got to know Cichowski Well.

“Fine after he retired, he worked out every day,” Doli Said. “He had a group that wold come in at 6 am it was so much fun to watch.

Cichowski Had a Productive Playing Career, Starting at Quarterback for Indiana in 1955 and Playing Both offense and defensive in the nfl with the pittsburgh stelers, who drafted Him in 1957, and what are the Washington commanders in 1958-59. HIS PRO CAREER WRAPPED UP WITH A TWO-YEAR STITT WITH CALGARY IN THE CFL IN 1960-61.

He late served as a scout for the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets.

Cichowski’s Head Caaching Career Started in 1971 at what was the new triangle and continued after the new triangle and New Trier, ending in 1990.

“He was one of the those characters who was Bigger than Life,” Doli Said. “Our Coaches’ Award is Named AFTER HIM. IT’S REALLY OUR MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD – IT’S WHAT A NEW TRIER Football Player Stands for.

Cichowski’s Teams Went 144-47 in 20 Seasons with Nine IHSA Playoff Berts in an Era where the postseason Field was much smaller than today. In 1973, the year before the State Playoffs Launched, New Trier was 8-0.

HIS 1982 Team Went 11-2 and was the Only One in Program History to Reach the State State, Falling 20-7 to Reavis in the Class 6a Title Game.

One of Cichowski’s Players at New Trier was Clay Matthews Jr., Who Went on to A Long and Successful Career As an an nfl linebacker with the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.

Cichowski was a regular at Trevians Games Well into His 80s. “He Waled Walk in Wearing a New Trier,” Doli Said.

He Also was a frequen Visitor to New Trier Practices.

“We Always Loved Having Him Come Back and Talk to The Team,” Doli Said. “Chick was an Old-School Football Guy Who Loved Hard-Nosed, Tackling Football.

“The Thing I Loved – The Guy Really Had a smile on his face and it was around football. You realized how Much Football Meant to Him.”