Garrettsville – John Bennett, long-time teacher and coach in the James A. Garfield School District, shared that he’s been an athlete since the age of five, when he began playing baseball on the team coached by his father. He honed his skills, and played all the way through high school. He continued his athletic career at Hiram College, where he noted that the path of teaching and coaching “just fell into place” for him.
His coaching career officially began when he volunteered to help coach the JAG football team as a graduate with a teaching degree…but no job. Bennett’s no-nonsense coaching style drew the attention of the high school principal, who pulled his resume from the stack and called the 1977 GHS graduate in for an interview.
Remarking that he received the teaching job as a result of the coaching position, he admitted that his initial role teaching eighth graders reading and writing was “not so much smooth sailing.” He eventually moved on to teach language arts for 34 years, spending the final few years of his career teaching physical education and health. He learned a great deal along his 37-year journey in the District, and as the longevity of his career can attest, he’s “grown to love it”. In addition to his teaching position, Bennett has coached GHS football, as well as GMS football, basketball, and track. He’s served as head track coach for 32 years and head cross-country coach for 21.
“Serving as Head Coach of two varsity sports, coupled with serving as Assistant Athletic Director, is a monumental time commitment,” shared fellow educator, Lori Morgan. Current JAG Athletic Director, Jim Pfleger, agreed. “Having someone coach this long in the same sport is definitely unusual. Especially in this day and age.” Pfleger continued, “We’re very lucky as an athletic department to have so many tenured coaches, but having someone stay in the same position and be able to perform at such a high level is unheard of.”
Pfleger added that Bennett was his high school coach…and the one to offer him his first coaching position at JAG in 2002. “I’ve coached with him 18 of the last 20 years. It’s been the highlight of my career,” he added. “Some of my fondest memories have been while coaching track here with JB. I’ve been fortunate to ride his coat tails and be part of all six of our PTC League titles, with one being as an athlete. I’m truly going to miss coaching with him,” he added.
“[..] the biggest thing that has made JB so successful is that he builds solid relationships with his athletes. John truly cares about his athletes and builds lifelong relationships with them”
Jim Pfleger
“He’s obviously extremely knowledgeable about the sport and puts in a great deal of time, That’s what has really set our programs apart from other districts. But I think the biggest thing that has made JB so successful is that he builds solid relationships with his athletes. John truly cares about his athletes and builds lifelong relationships with them,” finished Fleger.
Some former students attest to that fact. “Coach Bennett was my track coach way back when the YMCA was the Middle School. He’s currently coaching my freshman daughter in track for the High School. I think he’s a vampire,” joked Bailey a graduate from the Class of ‘92. Candace from the Class of ‘97 shared, “Coach Bennett is a legend on and off the field. He pushed us because he knew we had it in us to succeed. The JAG District is truly blessed to have had him…and the man never ages!” Recent graduate (2020), Chris Perme, described Bennett as, “A great coach, but an even better role model. He taught life lessons I will cherish forever.”
Though his beginnings were humble, Bennett and his two brothers learned by the example of their mother to care for others. Raised in a close-knit family, Bennett credits both his mom and her mother with teaching the importance of compassion. He and his brothers spent summers in West Virginia with their grandma, who taught in a one-room schoolhouse. “Caring for others, trying to do things for others, that’s her and her mom.” He shared his philosophy, “If you compete to make mamma proud, you’ll do okay.” He noted that his mom is the reason behind the “Make Mamma Proud” t-shirts he and athletes have worn. He was proud to note that his mother made it to several State meets to watch his teams compete, proudly wore her very own ‘Make Mamma Proud’ t-shirt.
Bennett also credits his success with his ability to find common ground with students. He advises: “Don’t stand toe-to-toe with them — you’ll lose. I’ve found that out the hard way,” he added. “Finding common ground in any aspect of working with kids is key. They want to be respected just like everyone else.”
Fellow teacher, Lori Morgan, shared, “He always finds a way to help his athletes, whether it’s in finding equipment, helping with summer jobs, John would treat them as if they were his son or daughter. He’s got a gift for making people believe in themselves. And the bonds he creates with them are phenomenal.”
“[..] He’s got a gift for making people believe in themselves, And the bonds he creates with them are phenomenal.”
Lori Morgan
“They see me as a father figure, or these days, more of a grandfather figure,” Bennett noted. “Those relationships are built on trust, and that’s what makes it difficult to move on. It’s led to many tearful goodbyes.”
Superintendent, Ted Lysiak, declared, “With John, what you see is what you get. He’s willing to do anything for anyone, whether it’s his sport or not. He’s everywhere to support ‘his kids’. He’s certainly not in it for the money; it’s his love for the kids and love for sports.” He continued, “Whether as a teacher or a coach, John’s super consistent, supportive, and pushes kids to set goals. In fact, the sheer numbers in the program prove John’s success in using cross-country to get kids involved.” Lysiak explained, “He encourages kids to try it, which keeps them engaged and helps them become interested in staying active and possibly joining other sports.” He joked, “If cross-country is the gateway, then John is the ultimate dealer.”
“He’s willing to do anything for anyone, whether it’s his sport or not. He’s everywhere to support ‘his kids’. He’s certainly not in it for the money; it’s his love for the kids and love for sports.”
Ted Lysiak
“As a colleague, one of the coolest things is he can look at the Hall of Fame board and tell you about each person, how he’s been involved in their lives, and how they’ve impacted his.” John Bennett was a 2012 inductee. “We each make a ripple by the lives we lead,” Lysiak continued. “His ripple is far-reaching. His legacy is how he’s been able to mold students in a positive way. He’s just a great human being.”
Bennett shared that one of the most memorable parts of his career has been seeing students’ progression into adulthood, since many of the middle schoolers he’s taught continued with him through high school as a part of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. In fact, Bennett has even had the pleasure of coaching the children of some former students, like Ryan Stoller and his mom, Amy. “To be able to witness the transition, to share it with both generations is pretty cool,” Bennett noted. “I love it! I’ve done it for so long,” he noted wistfully. Asked if he’s living his calling, he answered, “No doubt.”
“After spending so much time here, I’m attached by heartstrings…it’s difficult to walk away.”
John Bennett
Bennett and his wife, Suzann (‘Wifey’, as he lovingly refers to her) have been married for 36 years. Their daughter Hannah was born in 1997, during the time he coached football. Desiring to be a hands-on dad, he left behind the time-consuming sport to focus on fatherhood. But when the head Cross-Country coach retired, Bennett was offered the position, which he accepted on the condition that Hannah could come with him, “and that’s how it started,” he noted. Not surprisingly, his daughter ran cross-country in high school and competed in throwing events, as well. But she excelled at swimming, he noted proudly. Hannah is currently a teacher, having earned her bachelors degree at Hiram College, just like her dad.
“After spending so much time here, I’m attached by heartstrings…it’s difficult to walk away.” He continued, “I didn’t want to leave when we were struggling to have success. When I began coaching, I dreamed we make it to the State meet, and we’ve done that on several occasions.” He continued, “The current group of kids are successful, and will continue to be successful.” He began coaching the GMS track team in 1985, and took over the GHS program in 1990, when he had his first athlete qualify for the State meet.
“We don’t consider it a boy’s team or a girl’s team, but a program,” JB replied. “We’ve got an outstanding coaching crew that includes Jessica Crookham, who has been a part of the program since 2002; Jim Pfleger, who competed on Garfield’s 1999 Track & Field team and ranked 4th in the State throwing and Kelliann Collins, who is so knowledgeable and serves as our Jumping coach. We coach to our strengths, which is the reason we’ve seen such success. I’m an old man, so I get all the accolades, but we wouldn’t get that success without my fellow coaches’ expertise.” When asked about his successor, Bennett expressed his confidence in handing over the reigns to Matt Pfleger. “He is fully capable of taking the team to the next level.”
On Senior Night at the end of the regular season, Coach Bennett joined students on the field as the most senior of the class. “Thank you to the Garfield Track Team and the class of 2021, as I join them in ‘graduating’. We have 23 seniors, including me,” he joked. “This has been a great season, so far. The post season begins next week — let’s make it memorable,” he added.
This year has truly been a memorable one for Garfield’s Track & Field teams, with the boy’s team earning the PTC title, the girl’s team earning runner up position. During this final season, both coaches and athletes worked tirelessly to make JB’s final season a success. Zoe Turner broke the school record for the 200 Meter Dash twice in 2020, the final time at the St. Thomas Aquinas Big Ox Invitational. The 4X200 relay team of Trinity Williamson, Madeline Shirkey, Grace Mills and Zoe Turner broke the school record at the PTC Finals; and the 4X100 team of Grace Spreitzer, Grace Mills, Trinity Williamson and Madeline Shirkey broke the school record at the Northeast District Meet.
In addition, Ryan Stoller was selected as PTC Runner of the year and Zoe Turner was selected as co-PTC Runner of the Year. Not surprisingly, John Bennett was once again named as PTC Coach of the Year, providing a fitting conclusion to a wonderful career. But Coach Bennett’s legacy, just like Garfield’s talented Track & Field teams, won’t end there. Last week, nine young ladies and eight gentlemen competed at the Regional Meet. This week, three athletes (Ryan Stoller, Riley LaPorte, and Grace Edwards) will compete at the State Competition in Columbus; a truly memorable way to celebrate a final season with this well-loved coach and educator. As a result, Bennett led nearly 100 athletes to the High School State meet, 11 of them being State, 52 All-Ohioans, and two All-American Athletes.
As for his plans for retirement, “There are lots of places I haven’t seen and things I haven’t done.” His time commitments to teaching and coaching meant he’s never had a Spring Break. He and his wife plan to scout out new places. Their first plans include a trip to the Grand Canyon, as well as Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona. They also plan to visit Rock Hill, South Carolina to see his mother, who is undoubtedly proud of all the people her son has helped along the way.
