Remembering Jack

Guilford College mourns the passing of longtime teacher and coach Jack Jensen, who died suddenly March 28 after returning from a collegiate golf tournament. He was 71 years old and spent 45 of those years at Guilford as a teacher and coach.

Jack's accomplishments are many, but perhaps his most lasting contribution came through the many meaningful relationships he established. This page has been created for those influenced by Jack to share their reflections as we grieve his loss. Please click on the comments button to leave your remarks.

Thank you for visiting and for sharing your thoughts on Jack.

Comments

[Emory Department of Athletics]

On behalf of the Emory University Department of Athletics, our condolences go out to the Guilford and Jensen families. Jack's path crossed ours many times over the years on the court and on the course and those interactions were always memorable. Jack's passion for his work and his appreciation for the value of athletics in the development of young men and women was inspirational to all, including those with whom he competed. He was great at what he did and he did it well because he truly cared about people. We will miss him.

[Jamie Christensen]

I met Jack Jensen as a walk-on golfing pretender at Guilford in the fall of 1984. I had enough of the minimal golfing credentials to try out for the golf team, but a phone call from a golf team alumnus (Thank you Allan Small) sure didn’t hurt. I started in only one tournament as the 6th man of our second team, remembering that only 13 guys were trying out for the Guilford golf team. As I walked off the 9th green at a whopping 12 over par after my first 9 holes, I was not very eager to show Coach Jensen my scorecard. His comment will be one that I will never forget. “Looks like you had the jitters.” His perfect comment to a wet behind the ears college freshman was just what I needed to hear. I played the remaining 27 holes in 8 over par, including a tie for 3rd on the team with a second round 77. Coach Jensen told me later, that the look that I had on my face when I came up on my 18th hole of the second day was one that he would never forget. I am not sure what that look was of, but I can promise you that I will never forget the man Jack Jensen!

[Alan Montgomery]

A few weeks ago my son and I sat at our dinner table and weighed all of his options for college this coming fall. With a passion to play college golf, the decision was not going to be easy. All the schools in consideration where great schools but the one overriding factor in the decision to come to Guilford was the opportunity to play for Jack Jensen. He was devoted in his recruitment and Jon seem to always step up his play when Jack came to watch. Would Jon had been a better golfer after playing four years for Jack Jensen? Maybe. Would he have grown to be a better man? There is no doubt Jack's influance would have been tremendous. It will be hard to replace what Jack has brought to so many. I know Jon will be working and playing his rear off next year for Jack.

[Dsearls]

In the 4.1 decades that have passed since I graduated from Guilford, the one name that kept the college familiar to me has been Jack Jensen. Athletes, college presidents and notable faculty have come and gone; but Jack was always there. He was there as an assistant basketball coach when I arrived in 1965, and he has been a fixture in occasional mailings to alumni -- and of course, from time to time, in national sports news -- ever since. I barely knew him back in my undergrad days, but Guilford is a small school. We had many friends and colleagues in common -- Ted Malik and Carl Scheer are two who stand out (I ran the football scoreboard while sitting next to Carl, who did the most biased play-by-play in the world). I just remember Jack as a really great guy. It is Guilford's good fortune to have had Jack for so long, and serving the college so well the whole time. (I write a bit more on my blog here: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/doc/2010/03/29/remembering-jack-jensen/ .)

[Dan Kuzma]

I first met Jack when he came to Indian Hills Regional High School in Oakland, NJ to see a player on our team, named Mike Rakowski. Mike certainly did not impress that night, but Jack had the decency to take the time to talk to Mike after the game for quite a while, concerning things he could do to improve his chances of playing basketball on a college level. Among the things that Jack told Mike, was the first that he looked at concerning a big man, was did he "run the floor" on every offensive and defensive transition. Mike took everything that Jack told him to heart and ended up with a full scholarship to the University of New Haven receiving an education and enjoying a successful college basketball career.

Over the years, I spoke to and met Jack over the phone and when I visited Guilford. We formed a connection because of New Jersey, Guilford College basketball, and Coach Jerry Steele (my coach and Jack's coaching colleague and friend at Guilford). No one will ever duplicate the way Jack represented Guilford. I most remember his humility and the way
that he treated everyone he encountered.

[Stephen Chaconas GC'04]

As a freshmen in college in 2000 playing for Liam Behrens on the men's soccer team at Guilford College I struggled mightly with my academics and classroom performance. I was borderline academically ineligible to compete by the end of my first semester. I let myself become consumed in the fun that Guilford College was outside of the classroom. In doing this I hurt myself, my team, and my family (who contributed so much financially to my college education).

It was Jack Jensen who sat me down and told me life was what you make it. I could either make something of myself as a student-athlete and man, or I could toil in obscurity and waste the God given opportunities that were in front of me. Most of all he reminded me we ALWAYS a have a choice. Be something, or be nothing.

I will always remember Jack for helping me turn the corner and become a better student, athlete, and person. As a coach myself now in professional soccer I carry the lesson's Jack taught me as a mentor onto the field daily to teach the young men and women I interact with.

[Krystal Page]

Jack Jensen was an awesome person!! One day I went up to the batting cage to hit and his co-ed softball class was up there playing, I was being polite and asked him if I could hit in the cage and he replied with, "you know instead of doing that why don't you come and play with this team (the losing team) they could use some help". So I proceeded and played with them, it was a lot of fun and the team I was ended up winning!! After the game was over he ran up to me before I got into the cage to get my batting practice in and said, "You know you should come and play more often I loved having you today", and I never did. I regret that now because I could have gotten to know Jack a little better. But the chance I did get to know him was awesome!! He was a kind and gentle person!!
RIP Jack Jensen

[Mac Cheek]

I often think and speak about Jack to my family and friends, especially about loyalty and 'doning the right thing'. While I was at Guilford I had the distinct honor and pleasure of working with Jack and the basketball program.
I helped Jack do anything he needed in the Crackerbox as part of my on campus job. He would allow me to do everything in the gym from cleaning locker rooms to taking drinks to the home and visiting teams during half time to chaning the nets when they needed it.
The only thing he would not allow me to do was help him wash down the wood court before each game! He wanted to do that himself as a way to give even more back to his players and their safety.

What a special man we all miss today. I will continually miss him and think of his teachings to me often. Our prayers have been answered in life to just know a man like Jack. They dont often come around like him.

[Rick Pohle - golf coach @ Williams College]

I have known Jack for 25+ years through the collegiate golf ranks and I can honestly say that I have not met a person better equipped to mentor young adults than him. I found his sense of humor to be refreshing and well timed.

We had several conversations though the years concerning our players and I knew how compassionate he was towards helping people out. He was a great admirer of my son (Joey Pohle) who played for Skidmore College and often went out of his way to say hello or ask me how he was doing after graduation.

He is going to be missed, but his stamp on college athletics will remain forever.

[Caroline Steed]

I just heard of his passing and wanted to post my thoughts and memories of Jack Jensen.

I was not an athlete at Guilford but that did not matter to Coach Jensen. I first met Coach Jensen at our church, Guilford College United Methodist. He welcomed me there and would always tell me what a good job I had done whenever I sang for a worship service. Then when I attended Guilford College he welcomed me to campus as well.

When I returned to Guilford several years after I graduated to work there, Coach Jensen welcomed me once again. We did not talk about sports but about Guilford College United Methodist Church and he wanted to know if I was still singing. He remembered and was once again so gracious.

Guilford College lost a wonderful person, coach and mentor but what a wonderful coach God has recruited for His team.

[Jake Sorg '02]

Coach Jenson was a magnificent man. I had the pleasure of having him as professor in my golf class for two of my four years at Guilford. Just over a year ago, I called Coach Jenson for a friend of mine who was trying to get his son recruited. Coach picked up the phone and when I said who I was, he remembered me right away...I graduated eight years ago! That's the kind of person he was.

May Coach Jensen rest peacefully in the hands of God and may his family be blessed continuously for the life he lived. He may be gone, but his legacy will last a lifetime.

[Dean and Kenny Bethea]

My family met Jack in 2006, my son was considering playing Golf at Guilford. He was one of the most honest people that we had ever met. He did not give you false promises he gave you hope and he told you the truth. It didn't take long for us to realize that our conversation wasn't just about golf it was about life,the choices we make and the importance of becoming contributing citizen, education is number one. I could see my son hanging on to his every word. He was an amazing man. Although my son did not enroll we never forgot Jack and evidently he did not forget us either. One day out of the blue he call us to see how things were going with our son.I know that he would be proud of his accomplishments. This is such a great loss to all. He lived life to the fullest I am sure. May God bless the family and keep them near. His legacy will live forever.

[Paul Pecaro]

I was blessed to have been a golfer in Coach Jensen's golf program between 81-83. It just so happened yesterday I volunteered for a local high school golf team as an assistant, and emailed Coach Jensen to ask him for input. In response from Guilford, I learned of his passing. It saddens me greatly that others won't have the opportunity to meet Coach Jensen, and experience his gentle, yet competitive nature. By his example, Coach taught me you can be a competitor, yet, be a gentleman. He also taught me that being a good golfer was important, but being a good person was more important. During my time at Guilford, I was not his best player, and in fact, I was not always on his travel team, however, he always made me think I was his most important player. I am forever grateful for my time knowing Coach Jensen. My prayers to his family, and those who knew him.

[Mike Stewart]

A good Teacher, a great Coach, and a better Friend. Guilford will miss you and will always remember you. Mike Stewart Guilford '71

[Bruce Stambaugh]

I only learned of Coach Jensen's death this morning. It was sad news to hear. Coach was one of the reasons our son chose Guilford, and my wife and I were very glad he did. Coach was a respected father-figure for not only our son, but many other students as well. He was a great coach, but an even better person. Our belated sympathies to the family and the college.

Bruce and Neva Stambaugh

[torrent download]

I was not always on his travel team, however, he always made me think I was his most important player.

[mutuelle sante]

I didn't know Jack but he seems to be a great person...

[mill pond golf]

I am so sorry for your school's lost. Jack is a remarkable teacher and coach who have inspired so many students and co-teachers. He will always be remembered.

[SEO]

What a special man we all miss. I will continually miss him and think of his teachings to me often. Our prayers have been answered in life to just know a man like Jack. They dont often come around like him. He is going to be missed, but his stamp on college athletics will remain forever.