Kutztown University Athletics

James McGovern (1935-43) coached baseball, men’s basketball and football at Kutztown from 1935-43.  His coaching career was highlighted by a conference basketball championship and one of the most successful eras in Kutztown football history.  Known for football and basketball, McGovern was also an accomplished baseball coach.  In his first four seasons, Kutztown posted a record of 19-10 on the diamond.  After an initial football season of 3-5, McGovern quickly turned around the program, guiding the Avalanche (which was Kutztown’s nickname then) to records of 5-2-1, 4-2-1, 4-1-2 and 5-3.  The span of four-straight winning seasons has never been matched.  He achieved the most acclaim, however, in his first season as men’s basketball coach.  McGovern led Kutztown to the 1935-36  Pennsylvania State Teachers College Championship with an 11-2 record.  The next two seasons, Kutztown had a combined record of 14-10.  During his time at Kutztown, McGovern coached eight future KU Athletic Hall of Famers.  After Kutztown, McGovern joined the Navy, then served as Director of the Parks Department in his hometown of Elmira, NY.  He passed away in the late 1970s.