20070906 Tributes continue for Coach Jack Molesworth

Tributes continue for Coach Jack Molesworth

September 6^th, 2007

I was delighted to receive an e-mail earlier today from Coach Jack Molesworth’s son, John Molesworth.

Mr. Molesworth called to my attention that the Baltimore Sun had a write-up about Coach Molesworth in the Wednesday, September 5, 2007 edition of the paper. And that “Paul Gordon is writing a piece in next week's Frederick Gazette.” We’ll look forward to Mr. Gordon’s story…

I played football for Westminster High School from 1968 to 1971 and would attend an occasional then-Western Maryland College football game during Coach Molesworth’s tenure there. Although I only knew him well enough to exchange hellos, I was always impressed with the high regard for which he was held in the community.

Fortunately there are many folks in central Maryland who have worked hard and touched many lives. However Coach Molesworth was one of those rare individuals who leave an enduring legacy preparing many young men and women for a future of accomplishment.

Meanwhile, if you are not familiar with the life’s work of Coach Molesworth, be sure to read Fred Rasmussen’s piece in the Baltimore Sun.

I have been a fan of Mr. Rasmussen’s stellar writing for many years and he comprehensively captured the essence of this amazing individual. But then again, we would’ve expected nothing less from Mr. Rasmussen.

The story can be found here:

John Molesworth

[ Age 80 ] Former director of Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association also coached college football.

By Frederick N. Rasmussen | Sun reporter, September 5, 2007

John E. "Jack" Molesworth, former executive director of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association and a Western Maryland College football coach, died Friday at Frederick Memorial Hospital of complications from a fall. He was 80.

[…]

In 1948, Mr. Molesworth enrolled at Western Maryland College, where he played center for the Green Terrors football team and boxed.

"He was tall and lanky and always played with a lot of heart. He was also a member of our 1951 undefeated football team," said Victor J. Makovitch, a teammate who became a Carroll County school principal.

"He also ran a successful college catering business with Leroy Merritt, his roommate," said his college sweetheart and wife of 55 years, the former Nancy Walker, a retired Frederick County teacher. "They cooked and delivered hot dogs to students in the dorms."

After earning a bachelor's degree in history in 1952, Mr. Molesworth was a teacher and assistant football coach at Mount Airy High School, St. Paul's School and Westminster High School…

From 1957 to 1966, he was head coach and director of athletics at Frederick High School and worked in a similar capacity at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School from 1966 to 1971. In 1971, he was appointed vice principal of Westminster High School, which opened that year…

[…]

"He was the consummate professional," said Sam Case, a retired Western Maryland provost. "He believed in the educational process and always put his kids and players first. In his coaching, he always exhibited the highest ideals in integrity and sportsmanship."

Rick Carpenter, a sports psychologist and a former athletic director, described Mr. Molesworth as a "role model for the men he coached. He was the type of coach every parent would want their son to play for."

Read the entire article here: John Molesworth

Also, be sure to read: “Molesworth had impact on sports by Stan Goldberg”

Originally published September 03, 2007, By Stan Goldberg Fredrick News Post Sports Editor

FEW PEOPLE HAVE had as great an impact on Maryland high school sports than Frederick County's Jack Molesworth, who died on Friday at the age of 80. People in the county who knew him mainly think of Molesworth as the head football coach at Frederick and then Thomas Johnson high schools. But it was his work with state high school sports in the 1970s that may well be his greatest legacy.

Read Mr. Goldberg’s entire piece here: m“Molesworth had impact on sports by Stan Goldberg”

Another good read is that penned by my Tentacle editor, John Ashbury on September 6^th, 2007: “R.I.P. Jack Molesworth”

William Shakespeare once wrote "The evil that men do lives after them, / The good is oft interred with their bones." That won't be the case with Jack Molesworth.

When he passed away last week from complications from a fall in which he broke his neck, the outpouring of affections was nearly overwhelming. But that came from friends and relatives who knew him best.

[…]

For generations of young men and women, his legacy will remain with them for the rest of their lives. For thousands who never met him, his accomplishments in training those who were struggling to reach adulthood will remain a quiet heritage. He helped shape their lives in ways foreign to most of them. But it worked wonders.

The news of his passing was followed by newspaper articles and commentaries which - for the most part - listed the facts of his life, but failed to provide the flavor of this man who dedicated his long life to the betterment of the society into which he was born.

Read the rest here: “R.I.P. Jack Molesworth”

Indeed.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

20070906 Jack Molesworth passed away August 31 2007

Jack Molesworth passed away August 31 2007

Mr. John Molesworth

September 6^th, 2007

As originally published, in its entirety on Sunday, September 2, 2007 in the Frederick New-Post.

John E. "Jack" Molesworth died on August 31, 2007 at Frederick Memorial Hospital of complications from a fall. He was 80 years old.

Born on April 3, 1927 in Baltimore, Jack was the only son of the late John R. Molesworth and Margaret Burgee Molesworth of Monrovia. He graduated from Frederick High School in 1944, then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served with the second Marine Division in the occupation of Japan. After completion of his service Jack attended Western Maryland College, where he boxed, played football and, along with his roommate, ran a successful student catering business.

After graduating in 1952, Jack held positions as a teacher and assistant football coach at Mount Airy High School, Saint Paul's School in Baltimore and Westminster High School. Jack became head coach and Director of Athletics at Frederick High School and then Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, where he coached championship teams.

In 1971, Mr. Molesworth took the position of vice-principal at the new Westminster High School, where he stayed briefly due to being offered the position of executive director of Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association for the Maryland Department of Education. Molesworth held this position for 10 years until his retirement in 1981.

After retirement, Jack took his dream job as head football coach at his alma mater, Western Maryland College, where he stayed for five years. During his career, Jack also served for twelve years on the National Federation Football Rules Committee and two years on the National Federation of High School Athletic Associations Executive Council.

Active in the Frederick community, Molesworth was a member of the Frederick Rotary, V.F. W. Post 3285, the Elks Club, the American Legion and was a communicant at Calvary Methodist Church. His national affiliations include Lifetime Membership in the American Football Coaches Association and the National Football Foundation. Mr. Molesworth's honors include Hall of Fame induction in the Alvin Quinn Y.M.C.A. Sports Hall of Fame, the Maryland High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and the Maryland High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

More important than his professional accomplishments, Jack was most proud of his role as mentor to generations of young men in the Frederick community that he coached and taught. Jack was an avid reader, history buff and golfer.

Mr. Molesworth is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Walker Molesworth, two daughters, Janet Hough and husband Terry of Ocean City, Jean Molesworth Kee and husband Edward of Alexandria, Va. and a son, Dr. John Molesworth and wife Debbie of Frederick. Jack is also survived by grandchildren Sarah, Ted, and Caroline Kee, and Laura, Jack, and Kelly Molesworth; and step-grandchildren Coby Hough and Julie Hough Keefer.

The family will receive friend from 3 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4 at the Keeney and Basford P.A. Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 5 from Calvary United Methodist Church, corner of Bentz and West Second Streets, Frederick. His pastor, the Rev. Kenneth R. Dunnington, will officiate. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jack Molesworth to the Frederick Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Fund, Frederick Memorial Hospital, 400 West 7th St., Frederick, MD 21701.

Online condolences may be expressed with the family at http://www.keeneybasford.com/.

×PaperDate 9/2/07

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/local/obit_detail.htm?obitID=22370

Also see:

Molesworth had impact on sports
| No writer | By: Stan Goldberg | 09/03/07 | 671 words

Molesworth was the Executive Secretary of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association from 1971 to 1981 years and also the state supervisor of physical education the first seven of those years. His responsibilities got so big the job was split into two positions the final three years.

Molesworth is in critical condition
| Sports | By: Sarah Fortney | 08/30/07 | 255 words

Jack Molesworth, 80, was put on life support at Frederick Memorial Hospital after he fell Aug. 22, his son John Molesworth said.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

R.I.P. Jack Molesworth

John W. Ashbury

William Shakespeare once wrote "The evil that men do lives after them, / The good is oft interred with their bones." That won't be the case with Jack Molesworth.

20070405 Sports Hall of Fame preps for 2007 class

Sports Hall of Fame preps for 2007 class

Westminster Eagle

04/05/07

The Rotary Club of Westminster has announced the inductees for the class of 2007 Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame.

This year's members of the hall will be honored at the annual Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, April 13, at Carroll Community College, beginning at 6 p.m.

There are currently 54 persons honored in the hall of fame. The five inductees for 2007 are:

*Amber Clutter Hunter -- a soccer All-American, All-South Region, All-State and All-County player, Baltimore Metro Athlete of the Year and 12-letter winner at South Carroll High School;

*Tom Reese -- a football and wrestling standout at North Carroll High, All-County and All-Monocacy Valley League player in football, two-time county, regional and state champion and All-American in wrestling, three-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion and three-time NCAA qualifier in Division One.

*Charles Robert Barnhart -- the first quarterback on Westminster High School's inaugural football team. He also played basketball and played shortstop on one of Westminster's best baseball teams.

*Dwight Dingle -- has served many years as sports voice of WTTR-Radio. He has promoted and developed the station's Athlete of the Week Award, and covered nearly every sport played in Carroll County, following teams all over the region; and

*Paul "Pete" Widener -- played football, basketball and ran track at Westminster High, played football and lacrosse at Duke.

He was an All American, All-Conference and All-Metro player at Westminster. At the college level, he played football in the Cotton Bowl and the Blue-Gray Classic.

The unveiling ceremony of the plaques on the Sports Hall of Fame Wall will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the induction banquet in the college atrium.

Tickets for the evening are $30, and are available at The Boston Inn, 533 Baltimore Blvd., and branches of The New Windsor State Bank.

For more information, call 410-848-9095.

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20051130 Westminster, City College set to renew old football ties

Aerial photo of Westminster High School on Longwell Avenue in 1950

See related:

Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School

Westminster, City College set to renew old football ties

Westminster Eagle

11/30/2005 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

This Friday at 7 p.m., City College of Baltimore and Westminster High School will face off in the state football semifinals - at Westminster.

The only other time these two teams played each other on the gridiron was 54 years ago, in September 1951.

Two prominent local physicians remember that '51 game well - from opposite sides of the field.

Dr. John Steers Sr., City College class of 1952, played end for the City College Black Knights.

Dr. Dean Griffin, WHS class of 1952, was the team manager for the Westminster Owls.

In September 1951, the Westminster football program was only four years old. Herb Ruby first started Westminster High School football in 1947.

Fortunately, the lights for the field (later named Ruby Field) had been installed the year before or the game may never have happened.

According to Steers, as the bus driver was bringing the City College team up Old Baltimore Pike, (four years before Route 140 opened), "he got lost, and we followed the lights to the school."

It may have been just as well if City had gotten lost, as the Owls came up short in the contest, 20-6, in a game marred by too many fumbles, according to an account by The Sun.

(The 1952 Owl Yearbook notes that the Owls lost 22-6. Whatever ... Westminster lost.)

In 1951, head coach Herb Ruby, backfield coach Fern Hitchcock and line coach Nate Weinstock mentored the Westminster Owls, according to Griffin.

For City, Andy DiFassio was head coach. Steers still keeps in touch with Difassio after all these years, and will have dinner with him this week. Steers is considering inviting him up for this Friday's game, but may re-consider "due to [DiFassio's] age," he said.

Griffin noted that Ruby and Hitchcock were later recognized by the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Rotary Club, for contributions to sports in Carroll County. Nathan Weinstock was a volunteer coach.

Many will remember that Weinstock also owned "Weinstock's Dress Shop" on Westminster's Main Street.

A member of the Owls 1951 football team, Charlie Havens Jr., was also later inducted into the Hall of Fame. (So was his dad, Charlie Havens Sr., a Western Maryland College coach who also played professional football and was an active volunteer in the Westminster Fire Company. Griffin referred to him as a "one-man ambulance crew.")

Both Griffin and Steers remember the game as if it were yesterday.

Early in the first quarter Steers, playing end for the Knights, gathered up a fumble on the Westminster 15-yard line. Two plays later, Dick Whedbee, of City scored on a 13-yard run.

In the September 1951 Sun account, staff writer Edwin H. Brandt wrote: "City scored again after two minutes of the second quarter had gone by when Gene [sic Ð Carl] Fisher, Westminster quarterback, fumbled ... twice in a row. City recovered the second on the 9-yard line and [two plays later] Chuck Doering plunged over É"

"Westminster made its bid to get back into the game," Brandt continued, when "Fullback Al Kelbaugh got his shoulders over the goal line É"

In the third and final score of the game, "Quarterback Jerry Sisson then went around end on the initial play of the last period for the touchdown."

In this year's rematch, Westminster is ranked second in the state, according to a Nov. 23 poll by The Sun, while City is ranked 11th.

Griffin pondered that the 2005 Owl football team, coached by Brad Wilson, may be one of the three best ever fielded by Westminster. The other two teams he mentioned were the 1976 team and 1950 squad, which went 9-1 for the season. (This writer would add the 1981 squad.)

In 1950, Quarterback Jack Bowersox was named "All-Maryland" and halfback Bob Settle and tackle Calvin Dutterer were named "All-County."

The 1951 Owl yearbook notes that the success of the team "was the culmination of a great deal of work on the part of civic-minded citizens of WestminsterÉ"

Today, many "civic-minded" citizens who know their football expect Westminster to go on to win the state championship after they settle a 54-year old score with City College.

Dr. Steers said he is looking forward to the game this Friday, and asked that The Westminster Eagle spread the word for 1951 team members to get in touch with him, so that they may meet at the VFW at 4:40 p.m. for dinner and attend the game together.

It's a shame they'll all witness City College lose.

Go Owls.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

Copyright 1998-2007 MyWebPal.com. All rights reserved.
Contact us at webmaster@mywebpal.com
All other trademarks and Registered trademarks are property
of their respective owners.

History Carroll Co., History Westminster, People Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School, Westminster Eagle

20051130 Westminster, City College set to renew old football ties

Aerial photo of Westminster High School on Longwell Avenue in 1950

Westminster, City College set to renew old football ties

Westminster Eagle

11/30/2005 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

This Friday at 7 p.m., City College of Baltimore and Westminster High School will face off in the state football semifinals - at Westminster.

The only other time these two teams played each other on the gridiron was 54 years ago, in September 1951.

Two prominent local physicians remember that '51 game well - from opposite sides of the field.

Dr. John Steers Sr., City College class of 1952, played end for the City College Black Knights.

Dr. Dean Griffin, WHS class of 1952, was the team manager for the Westminster Owls.

In September 1951, the Westminster football program was only four years old. Herb Ruby first started Westminster High School football in 1947.

Fortunately, the lights for the field (later named Ruby Field) had been installed the year before or the game may never have happened.

According to Steers, as the bus driver was bringing the City College team up Old Baltimore Pike, (four years before Route 140 opened), "he got lost, and we followed the lights to the school."

It may have been just as well if City had gotten lost, as the Owls came up short in the contest, 20-6, in a game marred by too many fumbles, according to an account by The Sun.

(The 1952 Owl Yearbook notes that the Owls lost 22-6. Whatever ... Westminster lost.)

In 1951, head coach Herb Ruby, backfield coach Fern Hitchcock and line coach Nate Weinstock mentored the Westminster Owls, according to Griffin.

For City, Andy DiFassio was head coach. Steers still keeps in touch with Difassio after all these years, and will have dinner with him this week. Steers is considering inviting him up for this Friday's game, but may re-consider "due to [DiFassio's] age," he said.

Griffin noted that Ruby and Hitchcock were later recognized by the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Rotary Club, for contributions to sports in Carroll County. Nathan Weinstock was a volunteer coach.

Many will remember that Weinstock also owned "Weinstock's Dress Shop" on Westminster's Main Street.

A member of the Owls 1951 football team, Charlie Havens Jr., was also later inducted into the Hall of Fame. (So was his dad, Charlie Havens Sr., a Western Maryland College coach who also played professional football and was an active volunteer in the Westminster Fire Company. Griffin referred to him as a "one-man ambulance crew.")

Both Griffin and Steers remember the game as if it were yesterday.

Early in the first quarter Steers, playing end for the Knights, gathered up a fumble on the Westminster 15-yard line. Two plays later, Dick Whedbee, of City scored on a 13-yard run.

In the September 1951 Sun account, staff writer Edwin H. Brandt wrote: "City scored again after two minutes of the second quarter had gone by when Gene [sic Ð Carl] Fisher, Westminster quarterback, fumbled ... twice in a row. City recovered the second on the 9-yard line and [two plays later] Chuck Doering plunged over É"

"Westminster made its bid to get back into the game," Brandt continued, when "Fullback Al Kelbaugh got his shoulders over the goal line É"

In the third and final score of the game, "Quarterback Jerry Sisson then went around end on the initial play of the last period for the touchdown."

In this year's rematch, Westminster is ranked second in the state, according to a Nov. 23 poll by The Sun, while City is ranked 11th.

Griffin pondered that the 2005 Owl football team, coached by Brad Wilson, may be one of the three best ever fielded by Westminster. The other two teams he mentioned were the 1976 team and 1950 squad, which went 9-1 for the season. (This writer would add the 1981 squad.)

In 1950, Quarterback Jack Bowersox was named "All-Maryland" and halfback Bob Settle and tackle Calvin Dutterer were named "All-County."

The 1951 Owl yearbook notes that the success of the team "was the culmination of a great deal of work on the part of civic-minded citizens of WestminsterÉ"

Today, many "civic-minded" citizens who know their football expect Westminster to go on to win the state championship after they settle a 54-year old score with City College.

Dr. Steers said he is looking forward to the game this Friday, and asked that The Westminster Eagle spread the word for 1951 team members to get in touch with him, so that they may meet at the VFW at 4:40 p.m. for dinner and attend the game together.

It's a shame they'll all witness City College lose.

Go Owls.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

Copyright 1998-2007 MyWebPal.com. All rights reserved.
Contact us at webmaster@mywebpal.com
All other trademarks and Registered trademarks are property
of their respective owners.

History Carroll Co., History Westminster, People Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School, Westminster Eagle