Jack Curran
Born
John Joseph Curran

(1930-09-06)September 6, 1930
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 2013(2013-03-14) (aged 82)
Rye, New York, U.S.
Resting placeSaint Marys Cemetery,
Rye Brook, New York, U.S.
40°59′46″N 73°40′52″W / 40.996°N 73.681°W / 40.996; -73.681
NationalityAmerican
Alma materSt. John's University
Occupationsports coach

John Joseph 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 City. Curran won more basketball and baseball games than any high school coach in the United States.[1] He has been elected into nine different Halls of Fame.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Curran was born on September 6, 1930,[4] the son of New York City police officer Thomas Curran and Helen Curran, who worked in the New York City Police Commissioner's office.[3]

Curran graduated in 1948 from All Hallows High School in the Bronx, New York City.[5] He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from St. John’s University, where he became a pitcher of the varsity team.[5][6]

Curran played minor league baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies organizations.[6]

Coaching career

Curran began coaching in 1958 at St. Ann’s Academy, which was later renamed as Archbishop Molloy High School.[1][7][8] During his career at Archbishop Molloy, Curran won more basketball and baseball games than any high school coach in the United States.[1]

Among his former players are the former NBA players Brian Winters, Kevin Joyce, Kenny Smith, Robert Werdann, and Kenny Anderson.[1][8]

Honors

Curran was named CHSAA Coach of the Year 25 times in baseball, 22 times in basketball, won city championships in three different decades.[2]

He has been elected into nine different Halls of Fame, including the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.[1]

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 "through the years" after a game vs. St. Francis Prep.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Mallozzi, Vincent M. (February 8, 2008). "Celebrating Jack Curran's 50 Years at Archbishop Molloy". The New York Times. New York, New York. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Garcia, Julian; 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.
  3. ^ a b Weber, Bruce (March 14, 2013). "Jack Curran, a Mentor in Two Sports, Dies at 82". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  4. ^ "Curran John Joseph 'Jack'". Daily News. March 17, 2013. Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  5. ^ a b 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. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Coach Jack Curran". Frank McGuire Foundation Biographies. New York, New York: The New York Athletic Club. Retrieved January 12, 2010.[dead link]
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b CBSNewYork/AP (March 14, 2013). "Archbishop Molloy HS Grieves Loss Of Legendary Coach Jack Curran". CBS New York. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
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