In 1951, Jack Halloran, a year out Cortland, took a new job as Whitney Point Central's athletic director. He would enjoy success there coaching a number of sports, but as a basketball mentor, Halloran would rewrite the record books. Halloran, still active, has amassed 470 career high school basketball victories during those years - the most ever in Section Four - to rank him fifth among those who have ever coached the sport in New York State. His 1970-71 Whitney Point squad won the New York State Sportswriters Association small school state basketball championship, while his 1973-74 team was ranked fourth. Halloran's hoop squads have captured nine league championships and a trio of sectional titles.
The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named him their Regional (New York and New England) Coach of the Year in 1982. The New York State Coaches Association awarded Halloran with its Special Honor Award in 1970 and 1981. The Susquenango Association Coach of the Year in 1975 and 1984, Halloran has received achievement awards from the New York State Basketball Coaches Association in 1982 and the Binghamton B.P.O.E. in 1981. Since 1983, Halloran has been the vice chairman of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association's Basketball Committee.
A native of Chenango Forks, N.Y., Halloran came to Cortland in 1947. A five-foot seven, 143-pound dynamo, Halloran played three years of football and, as a halfback, was the third leading scorer as a senior. He was a miler in track and managed the freshman, junior varsity and varsity basketball squads. Halloran was president of the Kappa Delta Phi honorary society, sang with the Glee Club, and belonged to the Newman Club and Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity. He earned a B.S. in physical education and hygiene in 1950 and a master's degree in education from Cortland in 1966.
Halloran began the 11-man football program at Whitney Point. He remained football coach for the next 12 seasons, posting a 49-28-5 record, winning four league titles without a losing season. Halloran returned to coaching football after a seven-year hiatus. During the next four seasons, his teams went 24-7-2 winning the league championship once more.
During his 32 years as athletic director, Halloran guided a program that expanded from three sports for boys only to a program that offered 10 boys and nine girls sports, including a full complement of junior varsity and junior high teams. In 1966-67, Halloran was an advisor on the construction of physical education and athletic facilities at Whitney Point. In 1958, Halloran established the Summer Recreation Program at Whitney Point. He still works as its director.
Halloran and his wife, Evelyn, have eight children: Kathy, Michael, Maureen, Patricia, Kevin, John, Thomas and Mary. In addition to their seven grandchildren Katrina, Rebecca, Gary, Troy, Stephani, Ian, and Sean.
UPDATE - March, 2015: Halloran retired following the 1993 basketball season ending his career with a record of 129-20 during his final six seasons as the varsity basketball coach at Whitney Point High School. He led his team to the final four NYSPHSAA Classic C Championships three times, winning the title of NYSPHSAA Class C Champions in 1993. He was acknowledged by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for having the highest number of wins in history at 630 wins.
Halloran was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and selected as the New York State High School coach of the Year in 1993. In 1995, he was inducted into the NYSPHSAA Section IV Hall of Fame and in 1997 inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2005, Halloran was inducted into the NYSPHSAA Hall of Fame honoring his outstanding coaching career.
UPDATE: Halloran passed away on Jan. 14, 2021, at age 94.
