Former West Chester Football Coach John Furlow Passes Away

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Former West Chester University football coach, educator, author and publisher, John Furlow, passed away Saturday, March 17, at his home in Fenwick Island, Del. He was 88.
 
Furlow was the head coach for West Chester University's football squad from 1972-78 where he racked up an all-time record of 36-33 in seven seasons at the helm while steering the Golden Rams' gridders to three consecutive PSAC Championship games (1972-74).
 
An Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education from 1961-90, Furlow served as an assistant coach on the football staffs of both Jim Bonder and Bob Mitten from 1961-72, before taking over the reins of the program following Mitten's tenure. Following his stint as head football coach, Furlow coached the Golden Rams' boxing club team from 1977-90, winning three national championships in the process.
 
"Coach Furlow's passing is very sad news," former WCU Athletics Director and member of West Chester football's fraternity, Dr. Edward Matejkovic said. "He was a great man and a life-long friend to many of us, who played for him. He taught all of us a sense of responsibility, the worth of ones character and honesty and how hard work brings success. My success in life was a credit to him, and I told him that often. He cared about us all."
 
Furlow, a native of "Devil's Pocket" of South Philadelphia, attended West Chester State College where he played football for legendary head coach Dr. W. Glenn Killinger. He graduated from WCU with his bachelor's of science degree in 1955. He later received his master's degree from West Chester University.
 
After his retirement from teaching at West Chester University in 1990, he authored a book titled, "West Chester Football: An Ongoing Tradition in Pride" that catalogued the long, rich history of the university's football squad. Other publications include: "A Teacher's Guide To Elementary School Physical Education" and "Board Sailing Made Easy". Time-Life educational films included: "Rope Jumping", "Movement Education", "Parachute Play" and "Learning on the Move".
 
"He was a life-changer for me," former West Chester University football player and head coach, Danny Hale said. "He played a major, major role in my life. He knew how to handle all the different personalities. For some people, all he had to do was give you the 'eye' and you knew. I emulated what he did as a coach, and I always tried to treat my players the same way that he treated his. When you played for Coach Furlow, you were a part of his family forever. He was a family man right to the end."
 
He was inducted into the Sturzebecker Foundation Hall of Fame in 1999 while also holding membership in both the Killinger Foundation Hall of Fame as well as the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He was a past president of the Delaware Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and was awarded the Downtown Athletic Club Champions Award for Collegiate Boxing.

A viewing will be held at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, 19 S. Main St. in Selbyville, DE on Thursday from 4pm to 5:30pm where a Lions Club service will start at 5:30pm. A graveside service will be held on Friday at 11am at Media Cemetery in Media, PA.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the Fenwick Island Lions Club, John Furlow Scholarship Fund, 37232 Lighthouse Road, Suite 109, West Fenwick Island, DE 19975 or to the W. Glenn Killinger Football Foundation (www.wcufoundation.org).