Dominik Hulak’s parents, Viktor and Michaela, knew nothing about football when they immigrated to the United States.
Thanks to their son, they know plenty.
Hulak is in his third varsity season at IC Catholic, the small-school powerhouse in Elmhurst that has won six state championships, including the Class 3A crown when he was a sophomore, and the 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior defensive end has been highly recruited.
“Both of my parents are from the Czech Republic, so they are the first generation to come to the United States,” Hulak said. “So when they heard about all this, it was all brand new to them.
“I was figuring stuff out, and I was working with the coaches, and they were just learning as they went.”
By the time Hulak committed to Notre Dame in November 2023, his parents understood what that meant.
“It was definitely a dream,” Hulak said. “They day they offered me, it was special. I talked to the coaches for a couple weeks before, and just being able to talk to them in the first place, I was like, ‘OK, this could be going somewhere.’ When they threw the offer, I’m like, ‘This is awesome.’
“When I told my mom about it, she cried because she knew how special it was.”
Hulak has been a special player for the Knights (1-2), and his prowess is only growing. In his first two varsity seasons, he racked up a combined 93 tackles, with 13 for loss, four sacks and seven pass breakups.
Most of that production came while Hulak was playing linebacker. But Notre Dame plans to use him as an edge rusher at what it calls the vyper position.
“I’ve kind of adjusted to that, and this year (IC Catholic) needed help at the D-end position,” Hulak said. “I’m working on fixing up the craft of the defensive end position so I can walk in prepared.”
IC Catholic coach Bill Krefft is prepared to use Hulak in just about every role imaginable. So far this season, Hulak has played linebacker, defensive end, running back, tight end and kick returner for the Knights (2-1).
“He can do anything he wants,” Krefft said. “He can go anywhere you want to put him. He’s one of those kids you can put anywhere on O and anywhere on D, and he really can do it.”
How can he do so much?
“I think as a football player, it’s the determination and dedication to the sport,” Hulak said. “It’s not easy to play the sport because there is always something going on.”
Don’t discount his athleticism.
“People usually say I move pretty good for how big I am,” Hulak said. “I’m pretty fast.”
IC Catholic junior Dean Kemph, who plays receiver and defensive back, has seen this firsthand, and not only on the football field. Hulak and Kemph are also teammates on the hockey and lacrosse teams.
“He’s great on the football field because he’s mechanically sound, he’s a smart player and he leads us,” Kemph said. “He just works hard. He’s got his eyes set on what he wants, so he just sees what he wants and shoots for it.”
Hulak said he and his teammates have gotten more serious about lifting weights lately, and he has taken on a bigger leadership role this season.
“Experience goes a long way, and being on the field for so long from such a young age kind of helped him in our program,” Krefft said. “The thing with Dom was even when the other (older) kids were around, he was a presence and a leader that way.
“Verbally, he was not as much outward as a younger player. He’s more outward now, kind of controlling things and guiding things.”
Then there’s Hulak’s attention to detail.
“Over the years, he’s gotten a little bit more specific in what he’s doing,” Krefft said. “His change from junior to senior year, even physically, was dramatic.
“We’ve seen him grow in all aspects of the game. He’s still growing.”
Hulak is quick to share the credit for that. He has savored his career at IC Catholic.
“Playing here has been awesome ever since I stepped on this field day one of my freshman year,” Hulak said. “There’s a lot of memories to it, a lot of ups and downs, but playing has been awesome because you learn a lot.
“The coaches are awesome. They really want you to succeed and grow and take you to that next level. Coach Krefft does an amazing job of doing that.”
Kemph said Hulak is an amazing teammate and not just for his performance.
“As a friend, he’s always fun to hang out with, and he’s always there,” Kemph said. “We play all three sports together, so we’re kind of always with each other.
“He’s a great athlete and a great person to be around, so that’s why he’s a super cool friend.”
Hulak thinks similarly of his future teammates and coaches at Notre Dame. He had numerous offers, including five from Big Ten programs, but the Irish held a special appeal.
“They had the best of both things: football and education,” Hulak said. “The place in general is awesome. The coaches are basically family now. I talk to them every week. I don’t think I can get that anywhere else.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
