Jack McKay - Football, Basketball, Track, Bowling

Year Inducted: 1991

Jack McKay began his athletic career at Garfield Junior High School, starring in Football, Basketball and Track.

He became an outstanding Half-back on the ’46 and ’46 Port Huron High School Football teams.   The ’47 team earned Mythical State Championship status, and Jack was selected for All State recognition.  He was honored by his teammates by being elected Co-captain with Frank Staiger, and received the Harry Smith Award as the outstanding player on the ’47 team.  As an All State selectee, he was invited and recognized at the University of Michigan Bust in Ann Arbor.

He played two years of Varsity Basketball and was a power in Eastern Michigan League Trace.  He won the League Championship in the Low Hurdles and finished in the top four in the High Hurdles and High Jump.  He represented Port Huron High at the State meet in these events.

He enrolled and played freshman football at the University of Detroit.  He dropped out and returned to Port Huron where he closed his football career playing the ’49 and ’50 seasons for Port Huron Junior College.

Coach Anderle, who coached Jack at PHHS and PHJC, compared Jack’s ability and performance to the great All American and late “All Pro” half-back, Jug Girard.  Coach Anderle had the good fortune to coach both boys in high school.

Jack met an untimely death returning from a sporting event.  He was an ardent bowler.  He was returning to his home in Marysville, after bowling, on a foggy night, and crashed into a train.

Sports fans, which were fortunate enough to know Jack, have fond memories of great athletic ability, strong competitive spirit, and dependable loyalty.