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Obituary: John C. Mamajek / Once almost a Steeler, he made his mark as a coach
Thursday, April 19, 2001 By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
John C. Mamajek, a standout athlete at Central Catholic High School who went on to teach and coach at his alma mater and Serra Catholic, died Tuesday from complications of diabetes. He was 70.
Mr. Mamajek grew up in Hazelwood. He starred in track and field and football at Central Catholic. In 1948, he set a state Catholic-school record in the long jump. His football exploits earned him a scholarship to The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
He was an All-Southern Conference halfback his last two years at The Citadel, scoring 171 points as a senior. He won championships in the long jump as a freshman and sophomore is a member of The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mr. Mamajek was invited to try out for the Steelers in 1953. He was among the last players cut by Coach Joe Bach. Mr. Mamajek was approached by the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins and Dallas Texans, but he declined the chance to try out for those teams.
"He had his heart set on playing for the Steelers, said his brother Jim, a Pittsburgh resident. "He didn't want to leave town."
After a hitch in the Army and a two-year stint with B&O Railroad, Mr. Mamajek began his teaching and coaching career at his alma mater in 1958. In 1962, he moved to Serra, where he would spend the next 34 years. A social studies teacher, Mr. Mamajek coached football, cross-country, track and field and girls' softball.
"The best way to describe John is loyal," said Serra Athletic Director Bill Cleary, who taught in the room next to Mr. Mamajek for many years. "He was loyal to his family, loyal to Serra."
He coached the Serra football team from 1963-75, but his coaching passion was track and field. He posted 107 dual-meet victories and five undefeated seasons at Serra before stepping down in the late 1980s.
In addition to his brother Jim, he is survived by his wife, Lena; a daughter, Rosella Mamajek-Switalski of McKeesport; three sons, John of Whitehall, and Paul and Thomas, both of McKeesport; another brother, Richard of Cranberry; and two grandchildren.
Friends will be received from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home, 2703 O'Neil Blvd. in McKeesport. A service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow in the chapel of the funeral home, followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery, Hazelwood.
There will be a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at Serra Catholic, 200 Hershey Drive, McKeesport.
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