The "A Sports Legend Dies" Story

Eugene "Gene" C. Kruis

It was an ordinary day.  Opened the local newspaper and turned to the obituary section to see if any of my friends from the past had died.  There, on the far right of the first of four pages of death notices, was a photo I recognized immediately.  Heading read "Eugene 'Gene' C. Kruis."  I had known Gene since the late 1950's when he came to Manheim Township to teach and coach football.  At the time I was a a high school sophomore and no longer played football, having dropped out after my freshman year after realizing I was too skinny and not tough enough.  Mr. Kruis immediately took over the football team and by my senior year the team was undefeated and won the county championship.  

Gene in his Air Force uniform.

During the many years that Mr. Kruis coached football at Manheim Township High School he won 8 championships with four of them undefeated teams. He also had 19 consecutive winning seasons.  After graduating in 1962 I went to college and returned to the school in 1967 to teach alongside Mr. Kruis.  Took quite a few years before I felt comfortable enough to call Mr. Kruis by his first name.  Being 19 years my senior and a sports icon, Mr. Kruis was the only way I ever addressed him, but he told me one day to knock off the Mr. Kruis.  "My name is Gene!" he said one day to me, so that was that.  Gene was born in Altonna, PA and graduated from Altonna High School in 1943.  

Gene as a lineman for St. Francis College.

He served in the U.S. Airforce during WWII then entered St. Francis University near Pittsburgh, PA where he played football and baseball; being named "Most Outstanding Athlete" in 1948-49.  He later got his Masters Degree from Temple University.  He taught at Lancaster Catholic High School in Lancaster, PA for seven years before going to Manheim Township where he taught and coached until 1992.  When I began teaching at Manheim Township I also coached football for a year under Gene.  Other commitments made me give up that job, but later Gene, during his years as Athletic Director for the school, asked me to be Equipment Manager which I did for a few years.  

Gene as football coach at Manheim Twp.

I also helped Gene by helping announce the home football games for many years.  I also printed the football programs for Gene and while getting the stats for every player he would tell me to knock off 10 or 15 pounds from the players weight and an inch or two from their height so the opposing team would think his team was small in stature.  His players loved him even though he was a demanding coach Gene and his wife Stella had two sons who were both fantastic football players and during their high school playing years, Gene gave up coaching so someone else could coach them and make it less stressful for his sons.  He was a great family man and often talked with me about my family and their athletic achievements.  In the last 15 years I had a chance to see and talk with Gene during the retirees monthly breakfasts.  

Gene addressing the school at a Pep Rally.

Gene earned many honors during his teaching and athletic careers.  He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Lancaster Catholic High School, Manheim Township High School and St. Francis College as well as the Pennsylvania High School Football Coaches Association and the Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.  He was also honored with the George Kirchner Award in 1984 by the Lancaster Sports Writers & Broadcasters.  I will always remember Gene for his love of coaching and his interaction he had with all his players.  He influenced so many young men in his life, and they are better for it.  Life goes on and Gene will be missed, but certainly never forgotten.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.