Pyper, Jack (2021)

Jack Pyper is a well-known figure in GRCH circles, having spent his entire career at the high school as coach of the boys varsity Swimming and Diving team as well as being custodian and manager of the bookstore. “Pype,” as he is fondly known, graduated from Central Christian in 1969 and immediately began his career with GRCS, first at Central Christian and then at GRCH when Central and East Christian High Schools combined. 

Pype was the head coach for JV baseball at GRCH from 1984-1989, winning the City League JV Championship in 1985 and 1988.   However, most of his coaching career was spent at the pool.  Pype was the head coach of the Swimming and Diving teams for twenty-nine seasons, then continued as an assistant coach for seven more seasons, for a total of thirty-six seasons. His overall coaching record was 197-153-1, with a schedule that was designed to include the strongest competition available. His teams won ten conference championships (nine in the City League and one in the OK Conference) and finished in the top fifteen teams in the state thirteen times and in the state’s top 8 six times.   

Jack was recognized by his coaching peers as the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Regional Coach of the year in 1991 and as the Zone 5 Coach of the Year in 2011-2012. Jack has always been known as a steady leader and one who is quick to show kindness and empathy to his athletes and those around him. 

One of Jack’s favorite memories as swim coach is from a meet in his first year of coaching. The Eagles faced Catholic Central in a City League meet with the stands packed with spectators. The meet came down to the final event, the 400 Freestyle Relay. Catholic Central got off to a good start, holding the lead through the first three legs of the relay. The Eagles’ anchorman, Steve Konyndyk, had a poor first flip turn and fell even further behind. Encouraged by Coach Pyper and his teammates, Konyndyk dug deep, swimming his best time ever. He barely out-touched the Catholic Central swimmer by a few hundredths of a second according to the stopwatch timers (there was no electronic timing in those days).  Once the meet official confirmed the finish, the crowd went wild, and Coach Pyper got a celebratory dunking in the pool.  Over the years Pype was able to witness many other individual and team achievements and enjoy many victories with his Eagle swimmers.

Jack and his wife Marcie have three children: Jessica (Alex) Tiemens, Jeremy (Anne) Pyper, and Kerrah (Walter) Caballero.

Jack’s Favorite Scripture: Psalm 62:1-2

My soul rests in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.

He alone is my rock and salvation;

He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.