Jean Hunt, Connecticut – 1989
Jean Hunt graduated from Sargent College of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1952. That same year she began her teaching and coaching career at Litchfield High School in Connecticut. After five years she moved to Farmington High School, CT, where she stayed for 30 years until she retired in 1987.
Jean grew up in Lexington, MA. She began playing the bugle as a youngster and was always in the town parades. Following the parades, Jean played her bugle on the town common. Many years later, she picked up the bugle again as the “wake up” caller for college students at the Sargent Summer Camp.
During her career, Jean Hunt coached basketball, softball, field hockey, volleyball, soccer, track, and badminton. Hunt’s overall sports record was an amazing 502 wins, 139 losses, and 44 ties. Her teams won 11 state championships, eight conference championships, and enjoyed 20 undefeated seasons in six sports.
“When we first started basketball in the 1950s and ‘60s, we were only able to use the gym on Tuesday and Friday afternoons because the boys played their games at night. We played maybe six games in a season.”
Hunt officiated basketball for 24 years at both the high school and college level. She served as Chairman of the Connecticut Board of Women Officials and as CIAC Committee Member for Tournament Play.
Hunt has received numerous honors. In 1986, the CIAC Class M Most Valuable Player Trophy was named in her honor. She received the Field Hockey Coach GOLD AWARD – a National High School Coaching Award. She received the NAGWS Pathfinder Award (1992), was honored with the Project Acclaim Mentor award in 1996 by NAGWS, and in 1999 received Connecticut’s “Best of CENTURY” award from the Hartford Courant in the multi-sport category. She was honored with the Connecticut Sports Writer’s Alliance Gold Key Award in 2001.
In 1985, she was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame (1998). Jean Hunt was inducted into the New Agenda: Northeast Hall of Fame in 1989 and also served on their selection committee until 2009. Hunt was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame and the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2003, she was inducted into the Litchfield Athletic Hall of Fame.
“Jean has had an illustrious career as a teacher, coach, official, and mentor,” related longtime classmate and friend, Rose Somensini.
After a career in Connecticut, Jean has recently moved back to Massachusetts to be near family and friends. She is currently living in Lexington, MA.