Trustees for 1998

Jack Myers, Jr. is the first recipient of the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame Trustee Achievement Award. Jack was born in Ashland in 1918. He has been active in sports and as a boy played in pick-up games until he left Ashland to attend University School in the Cleveland area, where he played football, soccer, basketball (captain), and golf. After graduation, Jack enrolled at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where he played basketball (captain) and golf. He also participated in intramurals playing football, soccer, swimming, and softball.

During World War II, Jack served as a Captain in the U.S. Army for 4 years and was awarded 4 Battle Stars and the Bronze Star. During the last 2 years of service, Jack played on the Allied Forces Headquarters basketball team. After the war, Jack returned to Ashland and became a public relations and employee relations executive at the F.E. Myers and Bros. Company. He started the first Myers All-Star basketball team as player/coach. This team created statewide recognition for Ashland as they compiled over 40 wins per year. More than winning, Jack took great pride in the professional success of his players as he felt their basketball experience contributed to their success as well.

Besides participating in sports, Jack was an active supporter of Ashland County sports. He was president of the Ashland High School Booster Club. He was financial chairman and financially supported the first lighted Ashland football stadium (YMCA Myers Field). Jack served on the board, which coordinated the building of Ashland Community Stadium.

Many of Jack’s gifts were unnoticed as he took no credit and anonymously sponsored activities such as all expense paid bus trips to take Ashland High School football teams to the Pro Football Hall of Fame or providing one hundred warm-up suits for the girls and boys on the YMCA swim teams.

Jack has been active in Ashland’s non-profit organizations, serving on the Trinity Lutheran Church Council as Chairman of Finance Committee for 16 years; Board Member for the Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of the Boys Scouts of America (receiving the Silver Beaver Award); and Chairman of the Red Cross Fund Drive. He was a Trustee and Board Member of the YMCA for three years. He is a member of the Young Men’s Business Club, the Country, and the University Club. He was a founding member of the Kiwanis Club and Toast Master Club.

Jack and his wife, Jean, spend their winters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, but is happiest in Ashland, which he considers his one and only hometown. Jack and Jean have two sons, Jack and Paul, and five grandchildren, John, Jennifer, Kristin, Megan, and Olivia.

Jack recently said, “I have always loved Ashland and Ashland County sports which teach such important values of life. Supporting sports gave me more than I can ever repay. I strongly encourage everyone to support the Hall of Fame and greatly appreciate receiving the Trustee Achievement Award.”

Nominator: George Valentine