THANK YOU

The Spring family would like to thank the many wonderful friends, family members, students, teammates and colleagues of Jack’s who continue to support higher education opportunities for West Valley students in his honor!  Because of your ongoing generous support, Jack’s memory and impact continues to inspire and lift up the next generation of young people in our region.  Your donation helps students reach for their dreams – thank you!

SCHOLARSHIP

After a career in Major League Baseball, Jack Spring dedicated his life to education, and working with young people at West Valley High School in Spokane, Washington.  Each year, the West Valley Education Foundation considers scholarship applications from West Valley High School students striving to pursue higher education opportunities after graduation.  At the school’s annual awards ceremony, $1,000 is awarded in Jack’s honor to a student meeting the selection criteria.  The Spring family has participated in the ceremony each year since the scholarship’s inception in 2016.  These funds help make college more affordable for the recipient by assisting them with school related expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and living costs.

JACK SPRING’S IMPACT

• Major League Baseball pitcher, Los Angeles Angels (1961-1963)
• West Valley High School teacher, administrator, and coach for 23 years
• 1978 Washington State high school baseball champion (coach)
• Inducted - Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame (class of 2005)
• Inducted - Washington State Coaches and Administrators Hall of Fame
• Jack Spring Stadium named in his honor, West Valley High School

This scholarship honors the legacy and impact of Jack R. Spring – Spokane native, beloved West Valley High School teacher, coach, administrator, mentor, master storyteller, family man, and major league pitcher – who passed away in 2015 after facing Parkinson’s disease with dignity, courage, and without ever losing his signature sense of humor.

As a gifted young lefty pitcher, Jack Spring attended Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane.  His talent and work ethic led him to a successful career in professional baseball, most notably as a reliever with the Los Angeles Angels from 1961 to 1963.  The Spokesman Review called Jack, “perhaps the finest left-hander pitcher ever produced in Spokane.”  Spring achieved a 12-5 win-loss record, with a 4.26 ERA after appearing in 155 major league games over eight seasons.  His professional career included a stint with the Spokane Indians, who recognized him on their “Rim of Honor” in 2014.

Jack counted it as an incredible experience to hear himself introduced at Yankee Stadium in New York by legendary public address announcer Bob Sheppard, “Now coming in to pitch for the Angels… Jack Spring.”

As a ballplayer, Jack played along such all-time greats as Yogi Berra and Satchel Paige.  He loved recounting stories of his days in “The Bigs” and hilarious anecdotes of his time getting to know baseball’s many larger than life characters.  Later, Jack returned to Spokane and gave back to the community by teaching social studies at West Valley High School.  During lunch, students and players would gather in his classroom to hear him recount such tales.  “He always kept the audience in the palm of his hand,” said Spokesman Review sports writer Steve Christilaw, a West Valley alumnus who credited Spring’s storytelling with inspiring him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Jack Spring served the community at West Valley High School for 23 years, including as athletic director.  He led the 1978 baseball team to Spokane’s only state high school baseball championship.  At a ceremony in 2014, West Valley High School named its baseball field in Jack’s honor.  Spring was incredibly moved and grateful to receive this honor – the Spokesman Review reported there was not “a dry eye in the house” at the family gathering where Jack first learned the news about Jack Spring Stadium.

At the naming ceremony, West Valley alumnus and 1978 player Bob Finn recounted Spring’s good-natured jabs as a coach, which helped motivate players.  Finn laughed as he recalled Coach Spring teasing him about his lack of speed on the base pass, “Finny, I know you have to carry that piano down to first base with you every time, but do you have to stop and play it along the way?”  Jack was inducted into the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 alongside Gonzaga and NBA legend John Stockton.

Jack’s “right arm” was his wife of 63 years – Vona – who he met in high school by accidentally striking her on the head with a canoe paddle at Liberty Lake.  Jack and Vona had five children.  Jack is remembered for making learning fun, as well as for his warmth and kindness, humility, sense of humor, love of baseball, and dedication to community.  Coach Spring enjoyed telling jokes and recalling funny stories, but had a hard time making it to the punch line without laughing first.  Despite earning a relatively small salary as a major leaguer – which was common for players in his era – Jack called himself “rich indeed” for his many wonderful relationships, opportunities, and experiences in life.

West Valley is pleased to honor the legacy of Coach Spring by supporting the next generation of Eagles as they build character, honor education, serve their community, and reach for their dreams – as Jack did.  Thank you for supporting the Jack Spring Scholarship.