OUTSTANDING ATHLETE

Induction Year: 2006 | Graduation Year: 1961

Born in Dayton, Ohio on April 16, 1943. John was a member of the 1961 graduating class of Tecumseh High School. He was a two-sport star playing basketball and baseball. Baseball was John’s claim to fame. He was the Arrow’s pitching ace and lead the Arrows to a Co-MRVL Championship his junior year. John pitched his first no-hitter that year and was on the of the top hitters on the team. His senior year John pitched the Arrows to another MRVL Championship. John’s record that year was 7-2, he only allowed 12 runs, 5 of which were earned for an ERA of .532. He allowed 25 hits, fanned 99 and walked 11. He had five straight shutouts, but was nicked for one run in his last game. John pitched three no-hitters his senior year. Tecumseh finished one game short of going to the State Finals in 1961. John was selected to playin the annual East-West All-Star Series in Columbus at the end of the season. The first Tecumseh player to ever be selected. John made the best of his opportunity and pitched nearly a perfect game against the state’s best, in which he struck out 12 in a 2-0 West win.

With the success of his senior season and the East-West All-Star performance, John received a major league offer from the Baltimore Orioles and had three college offers from Ohio State, Ohio University, and Bowling Green. John turned down the Orioles offer in favor of higher education. John accepted a four-year scholarship to Ohio University where he received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Education. John spent one year in Vietnam while serving three years in the United States Army.

John married Jean Zimmer in 1972 and they have two children Jenny and Jeff. He earned his Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Dayton in 1976. And also, had a Certificate in Administration. He taught in the Tecumseh and Greenon School Districts before retiring from the Tipp City School system. John coached basketball, baseball, and volleyball during his teaching career. Presently John and Jean are retired and enjoying the good life on a small farm outside Pitsburg, Ohio. He sits on the board of the MRDD in Darke County.