Jack Fisher,class of 1967, retired this year after 37 years of teaching. The background for his teaching career came from his years at Uniondale H.S. and the many coaches that had influenced his life. Jack went on to graduate from Cortland State University where he received both his Bachelors and Master degrees. He student taught with the Newark New York Central school system and went on to remain there for his entire coaching and teaching career. Many of his coaches over the years were former student and athletes of his that were inspired to come back after college and work for the man that had shaped their lives.
As the athletic director,teacher and coach,he has touched hundreds of lives throughout his career.He has become legendary in the upstate New York area and was honored at the creation of a major wrestling tournament held yearly that is named after him. The Jack Fisher Tournament has become the symbol of the highest standards of excellence in the New York State wrestling tourneys.
Jack has always been a humble and modest recipient of the many awards and accolades over the years. He has become a well known celebrity on television and radio in the upstate New York area. Jack guided Newark's wrestling program as head coach to 4 section V championships,56 tournament titles,326 dual meet wins,43 individual sectional champions, 8 state wrestlers, 12 grapplers with over 100 wins and multiple coach of the year awards. Jack also coached the varsity football team for 24 seasons, in addition to coaching girls lacrosse and tennis teams.
At Uniondale, Jack played 4 sports,but wrestling and football were always his passion. In 1973 he took the helm of the wrestling program and would take his tenure as the longest coaching tenure in the schools history. Many of his inspired students came back to coach with him after they graduated college. He coached both the fathers and then their sons impacting multiple generations.
One of his former wrestlers, Bob Button,who logged a then U.S. wrestling record of 28 pins in a row said he still calls him "Coach". " I don't feel like a peer. He is somebody I look up to. I am probably one of hundreds who respect him and thank him for his service. It was selfless". Jack is regarded as a coaches' Coach. His wife Kathleen, his college sweetheart, gave him up for every holiday's wrestling practices. He feels that now is "their time" and is looking forward to spending time with his first grandchild come March of 2009. He raised two fine sons,both of whom he coached and who went on to become stars in their own right as record holders. He watched both of his sons help Newark win sectional wrestling titles in '93 and '94. "He was excellent in teaching kids how to set and achieve goals. He instilled confidence through training" said another of his former students.
He is most proud of his sons; Jack Jr. a Marine Corp attorney and his son Lance, a mechanical engineer with Secor in State College,Pa. He has been known to be a Penn State football fan due to his son, but has never given up being a diehard N.Y.Giants fan.
At a bittersweet retirement this year,Jack reflected on the blessing of having a wife that always supported him throughout his coaching career,keeping stats and dinners warm. "If not for her,I wouldn't do all this coaching all these years. She is a Coach's wife." Before he ended his retirement speech, Jack added that when he looked back,teaching and coaching was what he was meant to do. Uniondale H.S. certainly shaped Jack Fisher. He brought the values and goals to his entire career that were begun in Uniondale. He is a testament to the fact that one good teacher or one good coach can change and impact your life. He should know this well. He went on and did the same.