West Chester University Athletics

A 12-time letterwinner across three sports, who also competed on the school’s men’s gymnastics squad, Al Gwinn earned All-America accolades with the soccer team his senior year. He helped the soccer team post a 38-1-0 record on the pitch during his collegiate career. However, it was on the baseball diamond where the Swarthmore, Pa., native was probably most notable. Team captain his senior season for legendary football coach, W. Glenn Killinger, the shortstop/catcher, guided the West Chester “nine” through an undefeated campaign. While a member of the school’s basketball team, he helped the Golden Rams to a 49-20 mark over his career. Combined, Gwinn was a part of 100 wins spanning three sports while at West Chester University.

Upon graduation in 1936, Gwinn began a short professional baseball career in the Philadelphia Athletics’ organization as a catcher. He returned to West Chester University to serve as an assistant baseball coach under Killinger. Gwinn eventually moved on to Haverford High School where he taught biology for 33 years while coaching the baseball team. There, he mentored John Edelman, also a member of the West Chester University Athletics Hall of Fame, leading Haverford to a 17-1 record and the league championship in 1953. Gwinn passed away on Christmas Day in 1975.