Temple University Athletics
Former Temple Track Coach Jack
3.21.07 | Men's Track and Field
March 21, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Jack "The Saint" St. Clair, who compiled a 104-32-1 record as Temple University's head men's track coach from 1967 through 1983, passed away Wednesday at the age of 80 following a long illness. Mr. St. Clair, who also served as the program's head men's cross country coach for 20 seasons, was a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and a past president of the ICAAAA Track and Field Coaches Association.
"The Temple Athletics Family is deeply saddened by the loss of Jack St. Clair," said Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw. "I knew and respected Jack from my days at La Salle. He was admired by his colleagues in the coaching profession, and touched many lives during his time here at Temple."
At Temple, Mr. St. Clair guided the Owls' 1971 mile relay team to the NCAA finals. He also coached two seven-foot high jumpers, George Horne and Glenn Irion. One of his javelin throwers, Rick Thomas, was a member of the United States Junior National team that toured Europe in 1977.
Besides his 1979 induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Mr. St. Clair received numerous honors during his long coaching career. He received the Jack Glascott Memorial Award and the Philadelphia Coaches Clinic Award for contributions to track and field. The ICAAAA honored him in 1977 for 25 years of service in both club and scholastic coaching.
Prior to his arrival at Temple, Mr. St. Clair had compiled an impressive resume as the head cross country and track coach at Cardinal Dougherty High School. There, he led his charges to eight Philadelphia Catholic League and City Cross Country Championships.
Mr. St. Clair, a 1951 graduate of Penn State University, was a standout collegiate runner for the Nittany Lions. He was the captain of PSU's 1950 NCAA cross country championship team. He also was a member of five National AAU title-winning teams.
Mr. St. Clair is survived by his wife, Jean, and 11 children, Jack and Chris St. Clair, Kathleen and Frank Carver, Jeannie Chieffo, Patricia and Fred Sharp, Karen and Jim Hatfield, Eileen and Patrick Gallagher, Kevin and Ellen St. Clair, Anita St. Clair, Michele and John Billie, Colleen and Michael Felix, Brenden and Laurie St. Clair, 31 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Services will be held on Sunday, March 25th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Bryers Funeral Home, 406 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA, and Monday March 26th from 9:00am to 11:00am at Our Mother of Consolation, 9 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19118, a mass of Christian Burial will follow. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in support of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center's Heart Failure Program. Please make checks payable to "The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania" and mail to: Penn Development Office, c/o Penn Presbyterian Medical Center's Heart Failure Program, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104 or the Cardinal Dougherty High School John Saint Clair Scholarship Fund.
