Jack Curran

Jack Curran
Born John Joseph Curran
September 6, 1930
New York, U.S.
Died March 14, 2013 (aged 82)
Rye, New York, U.S.
Resting place
Saint Marys Cemetery,
Rye Brook, New York, U.S.[1]
40°59′46″N 73°40′52″W / 40.996°N 73.681°W
Nationality USA
Education Bachelor's degree – English
Alma mater St. John’s University
Occupation High School basketball and
baseball coach
Archbishop Molloy High School (1958–2013)
Religion Roman Catholic
Children (none)
Parent(s)
  • Thomas Curran
  • Helen Curran

John Joseph "Jack" Curran (September 6, 1930 – March 14, 2013) was an American baseball and basketball coach. Curran was the head coach at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, New York. Curran won more basketball and baseball games than any high school coach in the United States.[2] He has been elected into nine different Halls of Fame.[2][3] Curran died on March 14, 2013 at the age of 82.[4]

Early life and education

John Joseph Curran was born on September 6, 1930,[5] the son of New York City police officer Thomas Curran and Helen Curran, who worked in the New York City Police Commissioner's office.[4]

Curran graduated in 1948 from All Hallows High School in Bronx, New York.[6] He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from St. John’s University, where he became a pitcher of the varsity team.[6][7]

Curran played minor league baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies organizations.[7]

Coaching career

Curran began coaching in 1958 at St. Ann’s Academy, which was later renamed as Archbishop Molloy High School.[2][8][9] During his career at Archbishop Molloy, Curran won more basketball and baseball games than any high school coach in the United States.[2]

Among his former players are the former NBA players Brian Winters, Kevin Joyce, Kenny Smith, Robert Werdann and Kenny Anderson.[2][9]

Honors

Curran was named CHSAA Coach of the Year 25 times in baseball, 22 times in basketball, won city championships in three different decades.[3]

He has been elected into nine different Halls of Fame, including the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.[2]

On February 8, 2008, the school community honored his 50th year as head coach of baseball and basketball by unveiling a mural of the coach "though the years" after a game vs. St. Francis Prep.[2]

References

  1. "John J. "Jack" Curran". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Mallozzi, Vincent M. (February 8, 2008). "Celebrating Jack Curran's 50 Years at Archbishop Molloy". The New York Times (New York, New York: The New York Times Company). Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Garcia, Julian and Abramson, Mitch (March 14, 2013). "Jack Curran, the legendary baseball & basketball coach at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, dead at 82". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Weber, Bruce (March 14, 2013). "Jack Curran, a Mentor in Two Sports, Dies at 82". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  5. "Curran John Joseph 'Jack'". Daily News. March 17, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Barry, Dan (February 10, 2003). "Father Basketball, Long Into Overtime; After 45 Years, a Coach Still Teaches Layups and Life's Lessons". The New York Times (New York, New York: The New York Times). Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Coach Jack Curran". Frank McGuire Foundation Biographies. New York, New York: The New York Athletic Club. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  8. Abramson, Mitch (March 20, 2013). "Jack Curran, former boys basketball and baseball coach at Archbishop Molloy, laid to rest in Rye, NY, following death at age 82". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  9. 9.0 9.1 CBSNewYork/AP (March 14, 2013). "Archbishop Molloy HS Grieves Loss Of Legendary Coach Jack Curran". CBS New York. Retrieved September 24, 2013.