Steve Shiffler, Class of 1972

Do you know what 3 actions make up the triple jump? You can ask Class of 1972 and Wall of Fame inductee, Steve Shiffler! He became very proficient at the triple jump during his junior year for the Hamburg High School Track & Field squad. Steve’s best effort in the Triple jump (Hop, Step & Jump) that year (1971) came at the AAA Sectional Qualifier meet, where he recorded an effort of 43’-6”. This jump won the event and qualified him for the Section VI Intersectional meet and set the Hamburg school record for the Triple Jump. Steve went on to compete at the NYS meet that year, and although did not place, it set the stage for things to come his senior year.

In 1972, Shiffler set the Hamburg High School, ECIC, and meet records at the Alden Invitational Track Meet with a jump of 46’ 2 ¾”. The jump that Steve made at that meet was just six inches shy of the Western New York record at that time. With something to prove the second time around, Steve would go on to win the State meet and be selected 2nd team All-State in the Triple Jump. His Hamburg school record would go on to survive for 50 years!

After graduating from Hamburg, Steve went to Hilbert College where he participated in soccer, basketball, and track. After spending 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, obtaining the rank of Captain, as a Weather Officer, he started his career as a Mechanical Engineering Designer on Gas & Wind Turbines for General Electric (GE) in Greenville, South Carolina.  Steve retired from GE in 2017 and is enjoying full retirement in Greenville, where he stays active in local dance groups, gym activities and Meals-on-Wheels deliveries.