Former St. Francis star Jack Phelan’s colleagues and friends shocked and saddened at his passing: Elevated Hartford to Div. I, served as A.D. for 17 years

Jack Phelan, A.D. at Farmington High School for 17 years
Photo: Hartford Courant

… so versatile he had a tryout with Steelers as a tight end

“Jack was a deeply caring person who understood what was most important in life - family,” the email stated. “Jack was in many ways, the head of the FHS family, always there for each one of us. He was quick to write an encouraging note, extend sincere praise and be present for others in their best as well as their most difficult moments. In every way, he modeled to us how to take care of one another as a mentor, coach and dear friend.”

Farmington principal and superintendent, Scott Hurwitz and Kathleen Greider

Jack Phelan covered a great deal of territory in his athletic career, which was continuing until his untimely passing this morning at the age of 66. 

A former coach at the University of Hartford, Phelan had been the athletic director at Farmington High School (Conn.) for the past 17 years. 

Many were shocked since he appeared to be in good health

One coach at Farmington expressed how he felt when he heard the news,

“We’re all stunned,” Farmington High girls basketball coach Keith Garbart said. “He was a mentor, someone who was very supportive of everything I did as a coach, but also supportive of every student-athlete who ever came through Farmington.

“He was the first person to congratulate you, the first person to build you up in those moments of defeat. He got to know people more than just that professional relationship. He knew everybody.

“He is the best athletic director I ever worked with.”

Lori Riley, “Jack Phelan, former University of Hartford men’s basketball coach and Farmington athletic director, dies at age 66,” Hartford Courant, July 20, 2020

Came to Loretto from Northwest Catholic High School

After graduating from Northwest Catholic High School, Phelan joined Coach Pete Lonergan at St. Francis. He was a great all-around player, teaming with Nick Leasure during those years to put together some impressive wins. 

After graduation, he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors, but did not make the cut. He had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were thinking of him as a possible tight end. 

In his coaching career, he made a tremendous effort to move the University of Hartford from Div. II to Div. I, something that the school appreciates today,

Phelan coached at the University of Hartford from 1981-1992, through the school’s transition from a Div. 2 school to Division 1, and had a record of 128-181. He was inducted in 2009 into the school’s athletic hall of fame as a pioneer.

Eric Crawford played for Phelan for two years at Hartford before graduating in 1985 and then served as his assistant coach. He called Phelan a “father figure” to him.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Crawford said. “That guy’s going to be missed.

“At Hartford, 100 percent of us graduated. We’re all doing good in life. We all invested in Hartford because he used to say, ‘I want you guys to stay around here, make this place a better place.’ He was like our father. He was tough between the lines but off the court, you could talk to that man about anything, if you needed anything. Be respectful and add value to your community, that’s the way he was.”

Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, July 20, 2020

Current coach John Gallagher identified as a friend of Phelan’s, and he tweeted this today after learning of the passing of one of his predecessors,


This morning was a really hard one-our former coach and one of my close friends Jack Phelan passed away-our thoughts and prayers go out to Patti and their 3 sons-Kenny, Jack and Patrick—Jack texted me after every game —was someone I leaned on-definition of a #Neighborhood guy


As I noted in the blog post in 2019, Jack’s greatest game was against Duquesne in 1977, but the best game the team had that year was defeating UNC-Charlotte and future Celtics star, Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell. 

As more details become available, I will post them here.

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