Ponaganset High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2013
George Jacques
Coach 1961-2008: Basketball, Cross Country, Football,
& Outdoor Track & Field. Athletic Director.
George M. Jacques served the Foster-Glocester Regional School System as a teacher, coach, administrator, and building committee member for over 35 years until his retirement in 2010.
In addition to serving as Athletic Director for five years, George also dedicated his time coaching football, cross country, track, and basketball. He was instrumental in founding the Ponaganset Basketball Association, serving as its director for 18 years, while spending 22 years as President of the Brian Fell Memorial Fund, as well.
As the cross country coach, he helped lead his team to a Northern Division and State Class D Championship in 1969. Most noted for his successes on the basketball sidelines, his teams posted 509 wins in 34 years, producing 10 division titles, four state Championships, and five All-State honorees. Over the course of his career, George was recognized as RI basketball coach of the year an astounding six times.
In 1971 he founded Camp Ruggles, a summer program for emotionally handicapped children, helping run the organization for over 38 years. In 2010, George was recognized with a proclamation by the State Senate and House for his dedication and service to the youth of RI.
He also received the William Kutneski Award for service to youth, was named RI PE teacher of the year in 1992 and was inducted into the North Providence Athletic Hall of Fame that same year.
As a member of the Ponaganset Grants Committee, he helped form a study group to review the athletic facilities at Ponaganset. That group eventually expanded to become the Building Committee that produced the new Middle school and High school. George’s 8 year effort was rewarded with the high school field house being named in his honor in 2010.
George currently lives in Glocester with his wife Sandra of 48 years. His children are both graduates of Ponaganset High School, Bruce in 1985 and Amy in 1988. They also have a grandson named Matthew.