Remembering John Stavole '58

6/10/2024 1:55:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – A true Man of Carroll has passed away.

Following a Hall of Fame career on and off the court, John Stavole '58 passed away on Monday morning.

Stavole left his mark on the John Carroll University community as a student-athlete, coach, and person.

Full obituary with wake and funeral details

Stavole followed the well-known path between Ohio City and University Heights, choosing John Carroll after an exceptional career at Saint Ignatius High School. He would later be inducted into the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.

During the 1950's, Stavole was a preeminent player as a dynamic athlete and leader. Twice, Stavole earned all-conference honors from the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC). In addition, he was named to the All-Ohio team, and garnered honorable mention All-American status. He was a captain during his senior year in 1957-58. During his final two seasons, he averaged 20.1 points per game while playing against many now-Division I foes such as Xavier, Detroit, Loyola, Kent State, and Toledo.

His coaching accolades are just as impressive as his athletic accomplishments. Stavole was one of Valley Forge High School's most successful coaches. He steered the Patriots' boys basketball program for 20 years and softball program for 7 seasons. In 1987-88, Stavole steered Valley Forge to the OHSAA Final Four and then in 1996-97 to the state quarterfinal. In all, Stavole's squads won 5 district championships, eight sectional titles, and three conference championships during his tenure. Stavole twice won GCBCA Coach of the Year honors and garnered the 1992 Cuyahoga County Coach of the Year award, as selected by the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association.

Valley Forge inducted him into the school's athletic hall of fame, and Stavole also made the Parma Amateur Athletic Hall of Fame.

Stavole later returned to his Alma Mater to serve as an assistant under the legendary Mike Moran. The two forged a close friendship over the years. Stavole coached eight seasons for the Blue Streaks, helping JCU win 5 OAC Championships and make four appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Stavole was enshrined in the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976.

But above all his accolades, Stavole was simply a good man. He frequently attended John Carroll Basketball games after retiring from coaching, attending games as recently as this past season with his son, Joe, who does the shot clock for JCU basketball games. Coach Stavole always greeted everyone he met with a smile and a kind word.

Stavole will certainly be missed.

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