For Jack Cramb, entering the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 is more than a dream come true. He etches his name on the honor scroll as a contributor, but his prowess on the athletic field as both a scholastic and collegiate gridder and cager take a back seat to none.
Born July 25, 1920 in Youngstown, Ohio, he attended Princeton Junior High School (1935-1937), then made a name for himself at nearby South High School where he starred for the Warriors from 1938-39. A two-way performer at quarterback and defensive back on Busty Ashbaugh's last Warrior squad in 1938, he was the only junior in the starting line-up that season.
When John McAfee became the head coach the following season, his team leader was Cramb (he was captain of the team as a senior), who scored six touchdowns and rushed for over 400 yards. In addition to his grid exploits, he distinguished himself for Head Coach Dave Williams' cage squad as well.
Upon graduation, he was another home-town boy who opted to go to college in his hometown, playing both football and basketball for the Penguins-the former sport both prior to and after the war and the latter just prior to the break out of World War II. While the sports at the YU were discontinued due to the war, so too was Cramb's education for he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and served his country from 1943 to 1946.
As an "A" formation side saddle quarterback and defensive back, he was an integral part of the 1941 squad that posted a 7-0-1 mark-the only team that has ever posted an undefeated season despite a tie which was the only blemish on the overall mark. During his three varsity seasons, he helped the Penguin grid team to a 20-4-1 overall mark and was a part of the cage team that posted a 20-17 overall mark from 1941-42 to 1942-43.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1947, and immediately entered the teaching and coaching profession. His first job was at Columbiana where he was the football and basketball coach of the Clippers, followed by seven years of coaching both the football and track and field programs at nearby Youngstown North High School, bringing resurgence to that school's grid program.
In 1956, he exited the teaching and coaching ranks and opted for a job in the business world, joining Commercial Shearing (now Commercial Interech) where he retired in 1985 as the Vice-President/Tunnel Division after 29 years of service.
One of his proudest moments was to see the building of YSU's All-Sports Complex, serving on the fundraising committee and in short, overseeing the project from groundbreaking to finish. A member of the Curbstone Coaches' Hall of Fame (1986), his memberships also include the Youngstown Country Club, Chamber of Commerce, YSU Penguin Club, YSU Alumni Association, and Boardman Methodist Church.
After serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the firsts eight Athletics Hall of Fame banquets, he'll just sit back this year and listen to someone else do the introductions.
Married to the former Jean McFarland, they are the parents of three sons, Jack Jr., Don (a former Penguin football player), and Gary. They have seven grandchildren.
