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Harper Coaches Honored Among First-Ever NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award Recipients

Palatine, IL: For nearly 90 years, the NJCAA has been home to some of the most accomplished coaches in junior college athletics. Now, for the first time in its storied history, the Association is formally recognizing its all-time winningest coaches with the inaugural NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards. Among the nearly 200 honorees, four legendary Harper College coaches—John Eliasik (football), Dan Loprieno (wrestling), Jim Macnider (men's and women's cross country), and Renee Zellner (men's track and field)—have been selected for this prestigious honor.  

The Coaches Legacy Award celebrates those who have left an enduring mark on their programs and the NJCAA as a whole, with nominations submitted by member institutions nationwide. "Being able to recognize our coaches, past and present, is a wonderful thing for the NJCAA, our member institutions, the coaches, and their families," said NJCAA President and CEO Dr. Christopher Parker.  

These four Harper coaching greats helped shape the college's athletic success, mentoring student-athletes while building championship-level programs. Their impact continues to resonate within Harper Athletics and beyond. Later this year, the NJCAA will formally celebrate these honorees, further cementing their legacies in junior college sports history.

A Legacy of Excellence on the Gridiron
For 35 years, John Eliasik was the heart and soul of Harper College football, building a program defined by excellence, discipline, and a championship mindset. As the winningest coach in NJCAA history with an astounding 249 victories, Eliasik's impact on the game and his student-athletes is unparalleled.  

Eliasik's tenure at Harper reached its pinnacle in the early 2000s when he led the Hawks to back-to-back NJCAA national championships in 2003 and 2004. His ability to develop talent and foster a winning culture made Harper a powerhouse in junior college football, producing not only championship teams but also countless players who went on to compete at the next level.  

Beyond the wins and accolades, Eliasik was a mentor and leader who instilled values of hard work and perseverance in his players. His legacy as one of the greatest coaches in NJCAA history is now forever enshrined with the Coaches Legacy Award—an honor befitting a coach whose contributions to the game will never be forgotten.

A Champion in Every Era  
For the past 27 years, Dan Loprieno has been synonymous with wrestling excellence at Harper College. As the leader of the Hawks' wrestling program, Loprieno has built a dynasty, capturing five NJCAA national championships—most recently in 2019—while mentoring some of the top wrestlers in the country. Under his leadership, Harper has produced seven individual national champions and 39 additional NJCAA All-Americans, a testament to his ability to develop athletes at the highest level.  

Loprieno's connection to Harper wrestling runs even deeper than his coaching tenure. Before taking over the program, he was a key assistant under legendary coach Norman Lovelace, helping guide the Hawks to their first-ever NJCAA national championship in 1996. As an assistant, he played a crucial role in developing 19 additional All-Americans, laying the foundation for the program's continued success. And before he ever stepped onto the mat as a coach, Loprieno was a Harper wrestler himself in the 1980s, making his journey from athlete to national championship coach a full-circle legacy.  

With his induction into the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards, Loprieno's impact is cemented among the greatest in junior college wrestling history. His dedication to Harper, both as a competitor and a coach, has shaped generations of athletes and solidified the Hawks as a perennial force on the national stage.

A Distance Running Dynasty  
Since taking over the Harper College cross country programs in 2011, Jim Macnider has established the Hawks as a dominant force in NJCAA distance running. Under his leadership, the men's team has captured nine national championships, while the women's team has secured five—both most recently in 2023. With a combined 14 titles in just over a decade, Macnider has built one of the most successful programs in NJCAA history.  

Beyond team success, Macnider has coached four individual NJCAA national champions and developed countless All-Americans who have excelled at the national level. His ability to mold elite runners has been recognized through an unprecedented eight Gary Moore Awards, given annually to the best overall cross country program in NJCAA Division III.  

Macnider's relentless dedication to training, strategy, and athlete development has made Harper cross country the gold standard in junior college running. With his inclusion in the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards, his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in NJCAA cross country history is now officially etched in the sport's record books.

A Trailblazer in Track and Field Excellence  
Renee Zellner's impact on Harper College track and field spans over four decades, making her one of the most respected and accomplished figures in the program's history. A member of the coaching staff since 1980, Zellner's leadership journey began as an assistant coach from 1980 to 1990 before she became the head coach in 1991. She led the Hawks for 26 years, building a program renowned for its national prominence, before returning to an assistant role in 2018.  

Under her guidance, Zellner transformed the men's track and field program into a powerhouse, culminating in Harper's first-ever national championship in 2007. She followed this historic victory with two more consecutive titles in 2008 and 2009, establishing a track record of excellence. Her ability to sustain success was evident again in 2011 and 2012 when the Hawks secured back-to-back national championships under her leadership.  

Coach Zellner has coached every event in track and field, producing numerous NJCAA All-Americans and individual champions who have gone on to achieve success at higher levels. Her commitment to developing athletes and fostering a winning culture has made a lasting impact on Harper College and the broader track and field community. Zellner's inclusion in the inaugural NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards honors her unparalleled contributions to the sport and her lasting legacy in Harper Athletics.

A Legacy of Excellence at Harper College  
The inaugural NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards are a fitting tribute to the incredible contributions made by John Eliasik, Dan Loprieno, Jim Macnider, and Renee Zellner to Harper College athletics and to junior college sports as a whole. These four coaches not only achieved remarkable success on the field, but they also shaped the lives of countless student-athletes, instilling values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance that have become the foundation of Harper's athletic culture.  

From national championships and All-Americans to coaching legacies that continue to inspire, their collective achievements are a testament to their leadership, commitment, and passion for their sports. As Harper College celebrates these coaching legends, it is clear that their impact will resonate for generations to come. The Coaches Legacy Award recognizes not just the titles and accolades, but the immeasurable influence they've had on their programs, their athletes, and the NJCAA community.  

Harper College is proud to honor these four coaches, whose legacies will forever be etched in the history of NJCAA athletics. Their dedication has set a standard of excellence that will inspire future generations of coaches and athletes to reach new heights.





 
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