JOHN VINSKI

Coach, Lansdale/North Penn HS, 1951-1985

Football, 30 Yrs – Track, 33 Yrs
Track Official and State Meet Starter, 39 Yrs.

Inducted 2005

Coach (Deceased)

John, a 1940 graduate of the former Etna High School (now part of Shaler Area School District), lettered in football for two years. After graduation from Shippensburg State Teachers College in 1951, Vinski taught mathematics and Coached football and track at Lansdale High School and North Penn High School. He was rarely in the spotlight, but the sports teams at Lansdale and North Penn would not have operated successfully without him. For 30 years, he was an assistant football Coach, serving under Coaches who spanned the eras from Ken Poust to Jim Wilde. Vinski also served as assistant track Coach for 33 years. Behind the scenes, John was the official timer at North Penn boys' and girls' basketball games and wrestling meets for three decades. He also served as an official starter at North Penn and Bux-Mont League championships, Suburban One Colonial Division championships, District One championships, and PIAA championships for 39 years. He was one of the founders of the Greater Philadelphia Area Track and Field Association, which conducts the indoor track meets at nearby colleges on Saturday mornings in the winter. Off the playing fields, Vinski helped organize and served as the advisor for the North Penn High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.