Hall Of Fame Coach Remembered For Passion In Northbrook

NORTHBROOK, IL — Leaving it all on the field. That's how Chuck Hansen coached his players and lived his life. The longtime Glenbrook North High School coach died last month at the age of 83.

Hansen, a resident of Taylorville, taught physical education for 27 years at GBN. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Association Coaches Hall of Fame for wrestling and coaching the 1974 championship varsity football team.

"He taught his athletes how to go after their sport with everything they had and, win or lose, you leave it on the field," Paul A. Bachmann, whose father was an assistant coach with Hansen, told Patch. "He impressed on his athletes that academics are even more important than playing any sport."

Hansen was born on March 17, 1937 in Chicago, the son of Leona (Eck) and Charles H. Hansen, according to his obituary. He married Judie Stephens on June 29, 1968. Judie preceded Chuck in death in 2019.

Although initially intending to join the ministry, Hansen began his career teaching English and coaching at Deerfield High School, then moving to Northbrook to begin his legendary coaching career there. He coached wrestling, football, weight lifting and track while at GBN with many proud accomplishments. His team won the first state football championship in 1974, many of his wrestlers competed in state championships, he organized and hosted the Junior and Senior National Weightlifting Finals at GBN (televised by ABC's "Wide World of Sports"). Hansen also worked the head table for weightlifting and wrestling during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"[Hansen was a successful coach because of] his knowledge of the sport and the amount of time he put into watching films of multiple teams," Bachmann said. "I also think his passion for the sport shined through him."

Hansen and his wife retired to Taylorville in 1993, according to his obituary, but quickly Hansen found himself joining the high school football team's coaching staff for the next 14 years. He also worked with young players in the K-5th grade Jr Football Program.

Chuck was inducted into the State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1978, the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Taylorville High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010.

Hansen was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brother, James. He is survived by daughters: Elizabeth (Jeff) Weatherford of Springfield, IL, and Jodie (Mark) Zaslavsky of Libertyville, IL; grandchildren: Ashlyn and Kyle Weatherford and Zach and CJ Zaslavsky; siblings Robert Hansen and Jacqueline Bartz.

"Away from the field, he was an amazing father and husband," Bachmann said. "My father coached with him, so he spent many nights at my parents house eating dinner or chatting strategy with my dad. He always had a smile on his face and greeted me like I was his own."

Visitation and a funeral were held on Feb. 22 at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Glenhaven Memorial Gardens.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Taylorville High School Athletic Department, 815 W Springfield Rd, Taylorville, IL 62568 or The Alzheimer’s Research Dept c/o SIU School of Medicine Springfield, 801 N. Rutledge, Springfield, IL 62707.