Jack Magnin probably didn’t know me from Adam, but I certainly knew him.
He passed away Nov. 22 at the age of 86, and his contributions to the Oconto Falls community — especially Oconto Falls High School and its athletic programs — won’t be forgotten.
I first met Jack at least 25 years ago, while he was the Panthers’ varsity wrestling coach. Oconto Falls joined a new athletic conference — the Valley 8 — in 1999, which also included Waupaca High School. At the time, I was the sports editor of the Waupaca County Post, the weekly newspaper in Waupaca.
Before Waupaca and Oconto Falls joined the Valley 8 and, later, the North Eastern Conference, I knew absolutely nothing about Oconto Falls High School and its sports teams. I knew the Panthers won a WIAA state football championship in the late 1990s, but that was about it.
It didn’t take me long to realize that Oconto Falls had an outstanding wrestling program and that Jack was a big reason for the program’s success over the years.
I covered some of the Panthers’ wrestling meets with Waupaca over the years, as well as a few conference, regional and sectional meets, too.
I would also see Jack just about every year coaching his wrestlers at the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Meet in Madison. I would also see him at track meets and basketball, football, baseball and softball games.
I only had one conversation with Jack, and it’s one I won’t forget.
I was in Oconto Falls to cover a Division 2 wrestling regional about five years ago. By then, he had stepped down as the Panthers’ wrestling coach, but he was helping out at the tournament.
I took a seat at the media table in the fieldhouse and was getting ready to shoot photos of my wrestlers when Jack pulled up a chair next to me and asked how I was doing.
We talked about all kinds of things, mostly wrestling. He knew all about the top wrestlers at the meet, especially the kids from Oconto Falls. He seemed to know more about the kids I was covering from Waupaca, New London and Clintonville than I did.
We talked about where to get a good burger in town. We talked about his years of teaching, his retirement and his grandson.
It hit me on the drive back to Waupaca that Jack was a one-of-a-kind coach and person. He didn’t have to come up and start talking to me. I usually don’t talk to many people at out-of-town games and meets. I’m there to cover an event, and most people don’t know me anyway.
That’s why Jack was different. He went out of his way to say hello, and we ended up having a 20-minute conversation.
Jack was fortunate enough to return to his hometown in 1970 to teach and coach. And Oconto Falls was fortunate to have him back.
He was a good guy who will be missed by a lot of people. Add me to that list as well.
