|
I am sad to pass along the news that legendary coach, educator and athletic trainer Jim Stahl passed away early this morning. Coach Stahl devoted 32 years (1967-1999) to Columbus Academy, most notably as a very successful head baseball coach from 1970-87.
In his 22 years as coach of the Viking baseball program, Coach Stahl compiled over 260 wins, five district titles, a state runner-up finish in 1981 and the school’s only baseball state championship in 1982. He was inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1987. Columbus Academy honored him by naming its baseball stadium James W. Stahl Field, by inducting him into our Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and by presenting him with the school’s Alumni Service Award in 2002.
“Coach Stahl not only coached us on the field but taught us many life lessons,” says Dr. Scott Gurwin ’82, a member of the state championship team. “The 1981 and ’82 baseball seasons are the highlight of my time at CA. You will be missed Coach.”
He also coached track, cross country and basketball and assisted with football for many years. A licensed athletic trainer, Coach Stahl spent long hours at the school always at the ready to prevent and/or treat athletic injuries, including for many years after he stopped coaching. During his time leading our physical education program, Coach Stahl enjoyed working with young students and creating his own adaptive PE curriculum in 1971 that involved perceptual motor skills. He was always very complimentary of current PE department chair JoAnne Adams for continuing and enhancing many of his activities that lead to healthier children and better performance in the classroom.
According to JoAnne, “Jim had a gift for making each student and athlete reach their potential because he was truly a master of his craft. He was so good at instruction, attention to detail and inspiring kids to get better. He was my role model, and I still have all of his notes!”
Coach Stahl was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley, who passed away on March 31, 2023, one day before her 87th birthday. They met as students at Columbus North High School and enjoyed 69 years together. They are survived by two sons, Scott ’76 and Richard ’80, four grandchildren – including alumnae Bekka ’11, Danika ’12 and Brie ’14 – and four great grandchildren.
“Coach Stahl earned our respect through his own actions and demonstration of hard work and putting others – and especially the team – above himself,” another one of his former players, Erich Hunker ’81, tells us. “Team before self, prepare well and you will play well, and if you work hard good things will happen. All that and more we learned from Coach, and it has stuck with us for 45 years.”
Expect to hear from me again when we know service information and have a link to his obituary. In the meantime, please join us in keeping his family and all who have deep feelings and respect for Coach Stahl in your thoughts.
Thank you,
Melissa Soderberg
Head of School
| 
