James A Spoerl

SPOERL, James Arnold (Coach Spoerl), age 86 of Dayton, passed peacefully at Hospice of Dayton on Thursday, April 18, 2019 surrounded by family. On Thursday, family, friends, and former football players visited him. He waited for a quiet room before he departed to be with the love of his life, JoAnn (Ruhlman) Spoerl. JoAnn passed on September 5, 2006.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence (also known as “Cack”) and Helen (Kreke) Spoerl, his two brothers-in-law, Tommy and Robert (Charlene) Ruhlman and his in-laws Robert and Helen Ruhlman. He is survived by his brothers, Gene (Pat) of Hamilton, OH, Jude (Louise) Spoerl of Fairfield, OH, sister, Diane (Vince) of Media PA and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is survived by his 9 children, 25 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. His children are: Nancy (Rick) Vogel, Mike (Sybille) of Germany, Sue (Rob) Smith, Maureen (Jack) Hamby of Columbus, OH, Jim (Valerie) of Avon Lake, OH, Diana (John) of South Carolina, Theresa (Grant) Stumpf, Patty Bergman and Kathy (Bill) Lyons of Wyoming, OH. His children attended Dayton schools, Immaculate Conception School and Carroll High School. His grandchildren are: Brian (Carrie) Vogel, Renee (Tom) Cope, Brenda (Mike) Helsel, Marcus (Connie) Spoerl, Emily, Julia, and Nick Smith, Josh (Lauren) Hamby, Tony (Laura) Hamby, Angela (Jake) McSurley, Michael Hamby, Jennifer, Allison and James Spoerl, Maria (Jamie) Burkhardt, Johnathan (Kristina) Frebis, Emma, Beth, Grant Jr. Stumpf, Tom, Greg, and Jimmy Bergman and Kelly, Meghan and Billy Lyons. His great-grandchildren are: Nicholas and Leo Spoerl, Reagan, Maggie and Tim Cope, Annie and Charlie Helsel, Jonah and Eliza Vogel, Parker, Griffin and Charlotte Hamby, Addyson and Harper Hamby, Isaac, Isabelle and Ava McSurley and Jackson Frebis.

Jim grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, where he attended an all-boys Hamilton Catholic High School. He excelled in football and basketball. He acquired varsity letters for two years in each sport. He played baseball for 2 years and pitched four “no hitters.” Jim’s goal was to play college football, as a quarterback. After graduating from high school in 1951, Jim earned a full athletic scholarship to University of Dayton to play football and pursue an Education Degree. He played with football great Chuck Knoll. Their team was a part of the only UD Division 1 team to play in the postseason. The team was 7-3 and participated in the 1952 Salad Bowl in Phoenix, which was the forerunner of today’s Fiesta Bowl. Jim remembered taking the overnight train to the game.

Jim and JoAnn married in 1954. During college, Jim worked the night shift at NCR to support his family. Jim was drafted into the United States Army after two years of attending college and playing quarterback. He proudly served in Germany. JoAnn and their first child, Nancy, joined him in Germany. Their second child, Mike, was born in Germany. After serving in the Army for two years, Jim returned to University of Dayton to finish his football career and Education Degree. He was fortunate to play with another football great, Jerry Faust. They would become life-long friends. Jim graduated from University of Dayton in 1957. Jim often expressed gratitude for the religious Brothers and Sisters whom assisted him throughout his time at UD. He said, “There were many people who seemed to be there when I needed them.” His Faith gave him strength through the difficult times.

Jim started his teaching and coaching career in Monroe, Michigan at the Brothers of the Holy Cross. He continued to teach for three more years at a public school in Hamilton before moving to Dayton, OH in 1962. Jim and JoAnn moved their 6 children to a home in Dayton. Jim was excited to be a part of a fairly new high school, Carroll High School, Home of the Fighting Patriots.

Coach Spoerl taught Health and Physical Education at Carroll HS. During his Carroll career, he was also the Athletic Director, Baseball, Basketball and Football Coach. Football was his special love! The football field was christened in 1971 due to the diligence of committed volunteers. Coach Spoerl was proud of finally having a football field and spent hours grooming it. To prevent field damage, it was not uncommon for him to rent a helicopter to dry out a wet field before a home game. The field expanded the Carroll Campus and the future hopes of the school.

The Carroll football program benefited tremendously when Coach Spoerl introduced the Veer Offense. He attended a 5-day coach’s conference at the University of Houston and met Coach Bill Yeomen. Coach Yeoman used the Veer offense at the collegiate level with the Houston Cougars. Coach Spoerl returned to Carroll to share his new knowledge with his coaches and teams. In 1969, the football record was 6-4. In 1970, the season finished with a 9-1 record. In 1971, the season had a 9-0-1 record! The trademark of Coach Spoerl’s teams were execution by mental toughness, conditioning and discipline. A player shared, “Coach taught us that as long as we did our best and played our hardest, whether we won or lost, we could leave the field with our heads high.” Coach Spoerl was proud of all of his players who he inspired to become MEN of Faith.

Coach Spoerl was the head football coach at Carroll High school until 1989. He continued to teach until he retired in 2003. After retirement, he continued to coach with Jim Place at Middletown HS and Mike Kelly at University of Dayton. After JoAnn’s retirement, they stayed active by playing squash and swimming at the UD Recreation Complex, visiting with and keeping up with children and grandchildren activities, gardening, riding bikes and hosting family gatherings for the growing Spoerl clan.

Coach Spoerl was inducted into the Hamilton Badin Hall of Fame in 2000 and the FIRST Carroll HS Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2002, he was also honored for 40 years of educational service by the Archdiocese of Catholic Schools. In 2016, he was recognized by the Miami Valley Coaches Association. Their focus is to honor football coaches that have achieved many milestones throughout their careers and have served as mentors and leaders in the Miami Valley area.

Jim’s life-long partner, JoAnn, died in 2006. He moved to the St. Leonard Retirement community in 2009. He enjoyed the Catholic community and the volunteer opportunities. Over time, Parkinson’s disease was the battle he continually fought. He endured through his Faith and the support of his family.

Jim thoroughly enjoyed visits from his former players, students and colleagues who shared past stories and recreated many happy memories of past experiences. His family is forever grateful for those who took the time to visit, write a letter, or send gifts. Jim often wondered why God blessed him with 7 girls but only 2 boys. When he retired, it was his daughters who visited often and tended to his needs. It reminded him that God had planned ahead for his care in later life.

Jim was a member of St. Albert the Great Parish. He lived a life of deep faith and integrity. He felt so blessed that he had many opportunities to positively impact the lives of many young people. While in school, Jim struggled in his academic life. He felt extra compassion for those whom experienced hardships in and out of the classroom. Although his teaching techniques and social handling of situations could come across as harsh or unconventional, he had a sense of deep purpose for the common good. Memories of going out of his way to help students, neighbors, and his fellowmen were daily. He was a great example of living by “paying it forward.”

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled at Noon on May 3rd, 2019 at St. Albert the Great Church. Family will receive visitors from 5-8 pm on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 at Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Ave at the corner of Far Hills and Rahn Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be gratefully accepted for the Spoerl/Barlett Field Campaign at www.carrollathleticclub

.org or to the charity of your choice.

Coach Spoerl, Dad, Brother, Grandpa, Teacher: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21). You will be missed. Your legacy will live on.