John F.(Jake) Patrick, Jr.
- Post by: mcalibrary
- January 3, 2024
- Comments off
INDUCTEE
Today, Jake joins his father John F. Patrick, Sr. and his uncle, Clem Patrick as a member of the Ed Romance Lower Anthracite Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.
A graduate of the class of 1946, Jake’s athletic career included three years of high school football under Coach Joe Ambrose. He was co-captain of the 1945 squad that posted a record of 8 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties. He played basketball for three years for Coach Frank Kostas and was a steady contributor to the track team, where he ran the which and low hurdles and was a member of both the mile and half mile relay teams for Coach Gerald Breslin. He was a member of the Tornado squad which captured the mile relay at the Penn Relays and went on to win the Pennsylvania State Championship in June of 1945 along with George Teufel, Bob McCann, and Adam “Ace” Williams.
Jake continued running in the Navy where he won the 50 yard dash and placed third in 100 in an AAU meet held aboard the flight deck of the USS Randolph while docked in Boston. Following his Navy Service, Jake walked on at Villanova and after one week of practice was awarded a full scholarship by Coach Jordan Oliver.
During the next 4 years, Jake played in 20 varsity games that included wins over Penn State, Boston College, Texas A&M, NC State, Army, Duquesne and others. Jake played both offensive and defensive end early in his career before establishing himself as a starting quarterback during his junior season. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury after 2 games of his senior season limited his playing time during that season.
He then entered the teaching profession and coached football and track at Lakewood High School in NJ where his track team won the Shore Conference Championship twice and had four state champions during his tenure.
He has enjoyed success in tennis and golf since leaving contact sports and was honored as a recipient of the N.J.A.S.A.’s Distinguished Superintendent’s Award upon retirement.