Jack Griffin

John Thomas Griffin Sr. passed away on May 29, 2017 at Frederick Memorial Hospital. Better known as Jack Griffin or Coach Griffin he lived in Frederick, MD, during his lifetime. Jack and his twin brother, Joseph T. Griffin Jr. were born in Baltimore, MD on July 13, 1927.

Jack graduated from Parkway Elementary School in 1940, and Frederick High School in 1944. He went on to attend The Maryland Institute of Art in 1948, having received the Senatorial Scholarship. He then went on to attend New York University on an athletic scholarship, graduating in 1953. Upon graduating from the Maryland Institute of Art, Griffin was presented a Peabody award, from NYU a Bachelors of Science Degree and later earned his Advanced Professional Certificate. At FHS he played basketball, baseball, and Seneca football. While at NYU he earned letters in track, basketball, and swimming: He had a lot of fond memories of playing in Madison Square Garden.

Griffin began his thirty year career teaching Physical Education in Frederick County at Elm Street Junior High School, (1953) West Frederick Junior High School 1959 and retired in 1984, from FHS. While at WFJHS he served as department chairman for 15 years. In the early 1950's Griffin introduced his classes to swimming, bowling, lacrosse, and rifle safety-a first at the time.

Griffin began his thirty year career teaching Physical Education Teachers Association (1961-1962); the Frederick Count P.E. Association (1960) and was an active county committee member for 30 years. In the Mid 1970's Griffin helped organize the Annual Bernard Lorensen Cross Country meet for elementary and junior high school students and the Hugh B. Noland elementary and junior high school spring spring track meet.

Griffin also served as a member of the Maryland State Physical Fitness Commission, the Frederick County Fitness Commission and the Frederick City Recreation Commission spanning 20 years. He organized the National Pike Marathon from Shepherdstown, WV to Boonsboro, Middletown to Frederick, the race had four divisions; 26, 13, 6, and 3 mile races by age groups. The program lasted 20 years. As a charter member of the Frederick County Coaches Association, in the early 1970's he served as chairman for The Annual Scholar Athletic banquet. He also helped develop The Senior county Boy/Girl Basketball Game as a fund raiser to provide money for scholarships awarded to the one boy-girl winners.

During a coaching career of over 60 years Griffin often worked several jobs at the same time: school teacher (30 yrs) YMCA (25 yrs) City Recreation (47 yrs) Frederick Track Club (28yrs) high school track coach (42 yrs) Frederick Community College coach (7 yrs) MSD coach (5 yrs) and Hood College track coach (7 yrs). In 1966 he found time to organize the Eastern Girls Track League consisting of teams from Virginia to Rhode Island. In 1985 he founded the Western Maryland Track Officials Association.

His summers were spent working at New England private camps as a waterfront director (18 yrs) and at the Frederick City Swimming Pool (35 yrs).

During his 25 years with the YMCA Griffin organized the first Frederick County CO-ED swimming team in 1946 and coached until 1972. He helped develop the Mason Dixon YMCA Swimming League in the 1950's. His teams won the combined boy/girl age group league championship trophy twice (1959, 1968). Several of his swimmers earned college scholarships, the Frederick County High School Championship swimming trophy was named for him in 1980. Alvin Quinn, YMCA General Secretary encouraged Griffin to become a teacher and coach in the early 1940's.

During his 37 years part time with the City Recreation Department and his ten years full time, in 1985-1995 he organized the first men's/women's volleyball league, first triathlon (swim city pool, bike to Yellow Springs and back, run Baker park) elementary, junior and swimming classes, family swims, morning lap swims, senior citizen and handicap evening swims. He had great respect for Helma Bowers, the city's first recreation director (1929-1975). She was largely responsible for Bill Talley and Griffins involvement with the City Recreation Department.

In 1957 he organized the first youth track club in Frederick County, the Frederick Track Club lasted 28 years and produced two world record holders, two Olympians and eight USA tour athletes. Debbie Thompson and Tammy Davis set world records in the Sprints and hurdles respectfully. Ellen Cornish ran for the USA at the World Cross Country Championships in Spain. Cheryl Poirier competed against the Russians as a hurdler. In 1965, 1966 and 1967 the club traveled to Mexico City, Mexico and won the international meet team trophy three consecutive years. The team set five meet records. Between 1961 and 1984 the FTC won national medals in cross country, indoor and/or outdoor track 23 consecutive years.

In 1985 Griffin founded the USA Deaf Track Federation. He coached three deaf Olympic teams. The first in 1965, then 1985 followed by the 1989 New Zealand Games. In 1985 he coached the USA 4 x 100 relay team to a world record over France. He served on the Executive Committee from 1985 to 2002. The National Deaf Cross Country Meet was held by MSD in 1985 and 1995. Frederick also sponsored The National Deaf Track Meet in 1989 and 1999.

While coaching at the Maryland School for the Deaf he helped seven athletes make the World Games for the Deaf Olympics (1981, 1985 and 1989). During those years MSD won its first prep school national girls championship, setting four American Records; 4x 100, 4x 200, 4x 400, and 4x 800 relays.

During his 38 years coaching at FHS he produced 13 state championship track teams. Four boys outdoor teams (1967-1970) nine girls indoor and outdoor teams (1979-1984) Diane Thomas won the national 100 meter hurdle title in 1983 with a record 13.6 seconds. In Griffins five years at Walkersville High School the team set 23 new school records. (2003-2007). Many of his athletes earned track scholarships to college. Griffin ended his career coaching seven years at Hood College 2007-2011.

On an international level he coached three Olympic teams (1964 Tokyo, 1976 Montreal, 1984 LA) and eight USA international tour teams including three trips to Russia. With the support of the Jaycees Griffin bid for and won the 1966 Women's National Track Championships, 1968 National Women's Cross Country Championships, 1970 the 4th annual Women's World Cross Country Championship and the 1972 Women's Olympic Trials to Frederick. Hood College provided housing in 1966, 1968, and 1972.

Over the years he received international, national, State, County and City awards for his involvement with track and field. These awards included the Joe Robichaux international coaching award and the Doris Brown National Cross Country Coaches award. He was presented a life time membership to USA Women's Coaches Association and nominated to the USA Track Coaches Hall of Fame. Griffin was inducted into the USA Deaf Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2002 and nominated to the NYU Hall of Fame in 2005.

On a state level he was singled out by five Maryland governors between 1968-1984 and declared, a Maryland sports hero. He was also nominated to the Maryland Sports Hall of Fame for a Life Time Achievement Award in 2008. The Maryland State Physical Education Association presented Griffin with the William R. Burdick award for outstanding contribution as a Physical Education teacher.

In 1978 he was inducted into the Frederick County Sports Halls of Fame. In 1980 the Frederick County High School Championship for indoor track was named for him. The County Commissioners presented Griffin with several Distinguished Citizenship awards between 1965-0984. He was also honored by numerous area men's and women's service clubs.

The Mayor and Board of Alderman honored him with a Service to Mankind Award. He was named an Outstanding Young Man by the Frederick Jaycees in the 1960's. The Sandy Springs Bank selected him as a Community Champion (2007), St. Johns High School inducted Griffin into their Hall of Fame as a basketball coach. The Frederick High School Stadium was named for him and a plaque placed on the Monument wall (2000-2002). He was also selected a FHS Distinguished Alumni in 2009. The YMCA and the PTA awarded him life memberships during the 1970's.

Griffin especially enjoyed serving as a member of the United States Olympic Committee in 1972-1976. Being a charter member of the Frederick County Sports Hall of Fame was also very special (1977-2002). He looked forward to the monthly breakfast meetings of the Washington, Carroll and Frederick County retired coaches, athletic directors and sports writers association. Equally as important was his participation with the Mystic Knights of the Sea, a dedicated group of track coaches. He credits Alvin Quinn, YMCA General Secretary; Mike Brittian Senca Football Coach; Helma Bowers, Frederick Recreation Director: Dr. Warren Evans, County PE Supervisor; Pat Rico and CC Jackson, Olympic Committee Members, Olympic Coach Ed Temple, and his parents for their encouragement, support and guidance over the years.

He considered himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend a life time doing what he had dreamed of as a boy. More importantly were the lasting friendships of athletes and coaches alike. Such relationships were rewarding and meaningful during his long career."Ribbons fade, medals tarnish, but friendships are forever."

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph T. Griffin Sr., and Margaret Day Griffin and in 2006 by his brother Colonel Joseph T. Griffin Jr.

Jack is survived by his three children and their families; John T. Griffin Jr., wife Debbie and daughter Emily Rebecca Griffin; David L. Griffin, wife Katherine and daughters, Georgia Winnett and Lorelei Day Griffin; Rebecca Kay Griffin and son Elijah James Griffin, her husband Quinn Abiba and his three children. Jack is also survived by two nephews, Joseph T. Griffin III, his wife Martha and Earl Todd Griffin. Jack will be remembered by his relatives in Baltimore, MD, Margaret Lamar Cordi and family and Barbara Hull Francis and family. He will also be remembered by his former wife of 30 years, Rebecca McCutcheon Griffin and her family.

The family will received friends from 1pm to 5pm, on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. The funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, June 12, 2017 at the funeral home. Rev. Terry-Thomas Primer will officiate. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John T. "Jack" Griffin Scholarship Fund, in C/O the Frederick Community Foundation, 312 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.keeneybasford.com