John Black

Inducted Class of 2001

John attended Tucson High School from 1934-1937 where he played football, basketball and track. In 1936 he was named All State Football and All State Basketball. In 1936-37 he ranked second in the State Meet in Track Pole Vault, High Jump and Football Throw (which was later replaced by the Javelin).

John attended the University of Arizona from 1937-1941, where he lettered in football and basketball. He was named Football All Conference in 1939 and 1940 and was team captain in 1940. He was a starter in basketball with his team winning Conference Champion honors in 1939-40.

After graduating in 1941, Black was drafted by the NY Giants, but chose to enter the Navy, participating in several Naval team sports. Black held many coaching positions at the University of Arizona, including Freshman Football and Basketball Coach, Backfield Coach, and Assistant Basketball Coach. From 1947-51 he was the football coach at Phoenix Union High School, and was named Arizona Football Coach of the Year in 1948, the same year his team won the State Championship. His many accolades include the UA Letterman Service Award (1961); UA Outstanding Service Award (1964); UA Sports Hall of Fame (1979); and the Tucson High School Athletic Hall of Fame (1995). Black was also President of UA Wildcat Club in Phoenix from 1956-60 and was on the Board of Directors until 1975.