Jim Gratz

Jim Gratz was Avon Lake’s first 11-man football mentor in 1955. He developed the program from its infancy as a JV squad the first year to a Varsity schedule in 1956. During his tenure his teams were 39-15-1, wining four conference championships. He also was an assistant basketball coach for 1956 to 1962. An excellent college athlete and former service boxer, Gratz played an important part in the development of the traditionally excellent football program at Avon Lake. He left Avon Lake in 1962 to become football and baseball coach at Manchester College in Indiana, a position he has held until he retirement this past year.






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