Jerry Puckett was a typical multi-sport athlete, playing football-basketball-track at Stivers in the 60’s. Jerry was a three year starter in football at running back. He played on the ‘66 team that had a winning record of 5-4. Also in ‘66 he received honorable mention all city recognition. In his senior year he was tri-captain of the team. Jerry played wing back as a sophomore and halfback as a junior and senior.
Jerry was also a 4 year letterman in track, where he was a sprinter running the 100 & 220 yard dashes. He was a two time qualifier in the final runs of the 100 yd dash in the City League finals, the first time a Stivers runner had accomplished this since Jim Lord in 1955.
Jerry went to Morehead State University where he played football his freshman year. After leaving college Jerry worked for the City of Dayton for 32.5 years in Water Distribution; he has been retired for over 10 years.
Jerry has continued his sports by coaching various sports at Chaminade-Julienne High School since 1985. He started out coaching girls softball for nine years in a very successful program playing in 7 district championships, winning one and finishing second in the regionals. The ‘87 team still has the school record of 27-2. He coached several all state players of which 3 received college scholarships.
Jerry started coaching football in 1989 and is still coaching. He is in CJ’s Hall of Fame (2000) and in the Miami Valley’s Football Coaches Hall of Fame (2011), all as an assistant coach. He has coached a state championship team in 2002, several all state players, 2 high school All Americans, 2 college All Americans, 3 that were in the NFL, and numerous scholarship players.
Jerry has coached track at CJ for the last 7 years. His teams have won 4 league titles, 4 districts titles and 1 regional title, 3rd in the state outdoor and 3 indoor state championships, 6 individual indoor state championships, and 7 outdoor state championships. His team has 7 college scholarship athletes competing now.
Jerry still lives in east Dayton with his wife of 47 years, June Ables Puckett. They were the “Cutest Couple” in 1968 and Jerry says they still are. They have 3 children, Katrekia, Shannon and John & 8 grandchildren.