Jack Plunkett Tribute Page
Jack Plunkett, a long-time teacher/coach at Chestnut Hill Academy, and described as "the moral compass of the school" by football coach Rick Knox, passed away of a heart attack 1/12/10. Jack was the head coach for 24 seasons, through 2004, and since then had assisted Knox, his former player and a '92 grad.
Services were held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jenkintown, PA.
More Than X's and O's
Bill Gallagher of Episcopal Academy wrote: "I have known Jack since the early '70s when we coached together at CHA. He has been a huge contributor to every step of CHA's football and its return to glory. And it wasn't necessarily the X's and O's. It was the manner in which he related to the players, the coaches and the families. Caring, compassionate, classy."
Gallagher continued: "We often spoke of what we referred to as the greatest fraternity of all -- the fraternity of football players and coaches. That fraternity has lost one of its most loyal brothers!"
Basketball Official
Beyond coaching, Jack was also a highly respected basketball official in the Catholic League. Paul Kitchen recalled: "He would talk basketball official technique to anyone who would listen and was always available to give a rules interpretation on any situation. Whenever I would get my Catholic League basketball schedule I would always check to see how many games I would get to do with Jack -- he could make the toughest game a walk in the park."
The Teacher
A colleague reflected: "Coach Plunkett was the best person who I encountered at CHA. No matter what it was, Coach Plunkett knew the answer and gave the answer with that characteristic warmth."
Lynn Milligan, Basketball Head Coach, and other CHA colleagues all attested to Plunkett's extraordinary character. As one former student said: "Coach Plunkett was truly an amazing example of a man that I hope to emulate."