Hall of Fame
Coinciding with Cal U’s rise as one of the premiere men’s soccer programs in the PSAC was the extraordinary career of Tomas Boltnar, who was a four-year star midfielder for the Vulcan men’s soccer team from 1998 through 2001.
After scoring seven goals with six assists as a freshman, Boltnar increased his scoring totals to 16 goals and 10 assists in 1999. He then produced consecutive 59-point showings during his junior and senior seasons. Boltnar scored 20 goals with 19 assists in 2000 and 19 goals with 21 assists in 2001.
He finished his brilliant career as Cal’s career-leader in points (180), goals (62), and assists (56). Boltnar’s career totals still rank first (assists), second (points), and fourth (goals) in PSAC history. His 59-point showings are the second-best in PSAC single-season history and he owns the top two and fourth best single-season PSAC assist records.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I came to college but I knew from what I saw that the game was kind of physical so I went back to the Czech Republic the summer before and hit the weights a lot which helped me some,” said Boltnar when asked to explain his record-breaking career. “My freshman year was definitely not as easy as high school but I scored a few goals and just kept working out hard. Without the great teammates I had I would have never accomplished what I was able too.”
His phenomenal individual play propelled the Vulcans to four straight winning seasons and the program’s first two PSAC championship game appearances in 2000 and 2001. During Boltnar’s final two seasons, the Vulcans won two of four PSAC regular season championships in six years. Coached by Mon Valley Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Laskey, Cal’s records during the Boltnar years were 10-9-1, 12-7-1, 14-7, and 11-8. Understandably, Boltnar credits Laskey for playing a significant role in his success, on and off the soccer field.
“Dennis is obviously a great guy or would not be there for all those years and he made the program what it is today,” Boltnar said. “It’s amazing that he coached both the men’s and women’s teams for many years and could you imagine the basketball coach doing that? I always enjoyed playing for him. He has a great knowledge of the game and makes it fun. He looks after the players academically as well and sees that as many graduate as possible. My father could not come here my first two years so Dennis was more to me than just a coach.”
A two-time all-region and three-time all-conference selection, Boltnar was the PSAC Soccer Athlete of the Year in both 2000 and 2001. He received NSCAA/Umbro first-team All-America honors in 2001. Tomas is the second men’s soccer player to receive Cal U’s highest athletic honor and joins Omar McPherson, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. Despite receiving numerous awards, Boltnar is noticeably excited about his Hall of Fame induction. The All-American is also looking forward to visiting the ever-changing Cal U campus for the first time in several years.
“This does not get any better I am definitely excited about this,” said Boltnar, who recalled and laughed about sound of the train awakening him in the wee morning hours during his first summer at Cal while staying in Binns Hall for training camp. “It’s very nice to be recognized. I know my friend Omar got inducted last year and I did not want to stay behind. I came back a couple of years ago but I am curious to see all that’s changed and see my coach and friends. I look forward to the award but look forward more to seeing friends and my coach.”
Tomas earned his bachelor’s degree in international business economics from Cal U in 2001 and one year later received his master’s degree in business administration. That year he served as a graduate assistant coach under Laskey.
“I absolutely enjoyed my time and I still always talk about college though it was not that long ago either,” Boltnar said. “I had a very good time and before I came here my dad had checked on Cal as far as it is known Internationally and told me it was good. Even in Europe, Cal has a good awareness. I am very happy and proud to have earned two degrees there. My degrees have totally helped me.”
Originally from Zlin, Czech Republic, Boltnar attended Iroquois High School in Erie, PA, as a foreign exchange student during his senior year. He scored 36 goals in 18 games for the Braves’ boy’s soccer team.
“Coach Laskey visited me and was driving me back to my host family and I told him how many goals I scored for Iroquois and he said it wouldn’t be that easy in college,” Boltnar said. “He said if you score 36 goals for me I’ll fly your parents here. He has not done that yet but maybe some day.”
Following his undergraduate days and sensational playing career at Cal U Boltnar moved on to a highly successful professional soccer.
In 2007, Boltnar completed his sixth season with the Des Moines, IA, Menace of the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League (PDL) and for the past three years has also served as an assistant coach. He was the league’s Most Valuable Player and leading scorer in 2002 and 2003. He led the Menace to the PDL championship in 2005 and also was the PDL’s Rookie of the Year in 2002. Five times he has been voted as a first-team All-PDL selection, including this past season. In 109 total games played with the Menace, Boltnar has scored 89 goals with 54 assists for 232 career points.
“It does not matter where you play the game. The rules never change and it’s always the same,” Boltnar said. “You just have to keep doing your best. When I first started playing for Des Moines no one could believe that I played division II soccer. They all thought I had to have played at a top 25 division I school. That just speaks highly of the program we have at Cal.”
Boltnar resides in West Des Moines, with his wife, Jessica, and the couple’s 16-month old son, Dominick Michael. Tomas also works as a cost analyst for Kum & Go, the 18th largest c-store chain in the United States.
