Special Honorary Achievement
It might be said of Harry Gilcrest that he is “a coach’s coach”. Coach, as he affectionately become known, graduated in 1930 from Kent Roosevelt High School and six years later, in 1936, from Kent State University. Coach Gilcrest arrived in Ravenna in the fall of 1943. He went on to become a legend in his own time as a teacher of English, Social Studies, Physical Education and Industrial Arts and as Head Varsity Football Coach. His true impact was not his undefeated football team of 1964 and 1965, but rather the impact he had on the lives of students. When he retired in 1971 the Ravenna Stadium was renamed Gilcrest Stadium. It should also be noted that he is an accomplished musician and was a world archery champion and captain of the U.S. Team in the World Championships in the Netherlands in 1967 and the United States in 1969. “Retirement” is a poor choice of words to describe Coach Gilcrest’s life after his career in teaching and coaching. Put simply, Coach was program director of Adult Basic Education classes for five years, served as a counselor at the Juvenile Detention Center and led a six piece band until very recently. Coach Gilcrest will always be our Coach!