Jack Griffin

Class of 1955 – One of the best all-around athletes to ever wear the purple and white, Jack Griffin won at any sport of at any level that he competed. Despite being stricken with polio as a child, Mr. Griffin became a dominant football, basketball, and track & field star. As a freshman, Griffin would play three football games a week, playing on the freshman, IV, and Varsity teams! In 1955, Mr. Griffin, or “Mr. Touchdown USA”, as he was nicknamed, was named to the Division I-Section VI football All-Star team. He was also the leading scorer on the basketball team, and reamed to the Division I-Section VI basketball All-Star team. However, his greatest high school accomplishment could very well be setting the New York State Public High School, high jump record of 6’4.25”, (into sawdust), which he held for 21 years. Mr. Griffin went on to The Citadel, where he played football for the legendary coach and NFL owner Al Davis, also playing basketball, and competed in track & field. After his prolific athletic career, Mr. Griffin returned to Hamburg, where he raised his family, and served on the Hamburg School Board during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.