Jimmy Curran

Jimmy Curran
Jimmy Curran
	Curran after winning the Border Mile Championship in 1903
Born	James Michael Curran; January 7, 1880; Galashiels, Scotland
Died	February 7, 1963 (aged 83); Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation	Athletics coach
Spouse	Janet
Children	5

James Michael Curran (January 7, 1880 – February 7, 1963) was an athletics coach who trained and coached five

Olympic gold medalists. From 1900-1902, he fought with the Highland Light Infantry in the Second Boer War, serving much of that time under Major General Sir Hector MacDonald

.

While based at

Port Elizabeth after hostilities had ended, he discovered the sprinter Wyndham Halswelle. After the war, Curran trained Halswelle, who went on to compete in the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens, and at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, winning silver and bronze medals at the former, and a controversial gold at the latter.^[1]

Athletic career

On returning to Scotland Curran won the prestigious Hawick Border Mile Championship, competing as an amateur for the Gala Harriers.^[2] In 1905 he became a professional, running under the name G. Gordon, and continued as such until emigrating to the United States in 1907.^[3]

Curran arrived in the United States aboard the

First World War.^[7]

Coaching career

Curran coached at Mercersburg Academy for 51 years. In that time he coached four more Olympic champions -

Jimmy Stewart, Dick Foran, and John Payne, all notable actors, played minor roles in Curran's athletic teams, as did the sons of President Calvin Coolidge, John and Calvin Jr. Stewart would send a telegram of condolence to the family upon Curran's death.^[9]

In the late 1950s, he was celebrated at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia for having attended 50 meets in a row, including three as rubber and assistant coach with the University of Pennsylvania, and 47 as head coach with Mercersburg Academy.^[10]

Personal life

Curran married Janet Mabon in 1907, and the couple had five children. Through his wife he was related to the Scottish runner Eric Liddell, and the American professional golfer Scott Hoch. He died of a heart attack on February 7, 1963.^[8]

References

^ Halswelle Retires With Great Record, Washington Times, 1909-07-05
^ Sports and Pastimes, Berwickshire News, 1904-08-16
^ Amateur Runners Become Professionals, Southern Reporter, 1905-06-15
^ "Lusitania": Regains Blue Ribbon of Atlantic, Western Times, 1907-10-12
^ Mercersburg Group Sends Coach Overseas, Harrisburg Telegraph, 1924-06-07
^ Miami Herald, 1914-05-09
^ English Bid for Curran, New York Tribune, 1914-03-18
^ ^a ^b Heart Attack Fells Coach, Gettysburg Times, 1963-02-07
^ Curran's Biography More Exciting Than Fiction, Philadelphia Inquirer, 1939-04-30
^ 50th Year - And Still Molding Stars, Philadelphia Inquirer, 25 April 1957

External links

Anent Scottish Running

[1] Halswelle Retires With Great Record, Washington Times, 1909-07-05

[2] Sports and Pastimes, Berwickshire News, 1904-08-16

[3] Amateur Runners Become Professionals, Southern Reporter, 1905-06-15

[4] "Lusitania": Regains Blue Ribbon of Atlantic, Western Times, 1907-10-12

[5] Mercersburg Group Sends Coach Overseas, Harrisburg Telegraph, 1924-06-07

[6] Miami Herald, 1914-05-09

[7] English Bid for Curran, New York Tribune, 1914-03-18

[gtobit-8] Heart Attack Fells Coach, Gettysburg Times, 1963-02-07

[9] Curran's Biography More Exciting Than Fiction, Philadelphia Inquirer, 1939-04-30

[10] 50th Year - And Still Molding Stars, Philadelphia Inquirer, 25 April 1957

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Athletic career

Coaching career

Personal life

References

Further reading

External links