Former University of Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle will be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame as a member of a loaded 2026 inductee class.
Baurle spent 43 seasons as the head coach of the Bulldogs’ program in Athens, beginning in 1979 with the women’s program, taking over the men’s program in 1983, and retiring from the position in June of 2022. That mark of 43 seasons is the most of any athletic coach at the University of Georgia, and ties former LSU Gymnastics coach D-D Breaux for the longest ever in the SEC.
His coaching resume also includes seven NCAA Women’s Coach of the Year wins, 14 SEC Women’s Coach of the Year honors, and another two SEC Men’s Coach of the Year nods. Bauerle was also a member of three US Olympic Team coaching staffs (2000, 2008, and 2020).
As an area native and La Salle College High School graduate, Bauerle went on to swim for the Bulldogs, where he was a four-year letter winner and a team captain from 1973-1975.
This induction is the latest in a long list of Hall of Fames that have immortalized Bauerle’s success as both an athlete and a coach.
Jack Bauerle Hall of Fame Inductions:
- American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2010)
- Montgomery County (Pa.) Coaches’ Hall of Fame (2011)
- (State of) Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (2012)
- Georgia Aquatics Hall of Fame (2012)
- Athens, GA Athletic Hall of Fame (2017)
- Pennsylvania Aquatics Hall of Fame (2023)
- Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (2024)
- International Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2024)
- Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2026)*
*The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on November 5th at the Live! Casino and Hotel in Philadelphia
Baurerle is one of 18 indictees in the 2026 class, joining the likes of Carli Lloyd (US Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup winning soccer player), Jimmy Lynam (1990 NBA Coach of the Year), Johnny Gaudreau (Seven Time NHL All-Star, will be posthumously inducted after his passing in August of 2023), and Lisa Salters (ESPN Reporter and Sports Emmy Award winner), among many others.
The full list of inductees can be found here.
Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026
- Agnes Stegmuller (Lacrosse/Field Hockey) – Local
- Art Still (Football) – Local
- Ben Shibe (Baseball) – Local
- Bobby Smith (Soccer) – Local
- Carli Lloyd (Soccer) – Local
- Dave Raymond- Local – Legacy of Excellence
- Edith Houghton (Baseball) – Local
- Gina Procaccio (Track & Field) – Local
- Hugh Douglas (Football) – Eagles
- Jack Bauerle (Swimming) – Local
- Jimmy Lynam (Basketball) – Local
- Johnny Gaudreau (Hockey) – Local
- Jon Runyan (Football) – Eagles/Local
- Lisa Salters – Local – Legacy of Excellence
- Sal Paolantonio– Local – Legacy of Excellence
- 1926 Frankford Yellow Jackets
- 1970 Philadelphia Textile Men’s Basketball
- JFK Stadium-Venue Enshrinement
Congrats Coach!
Well deserved Jack ! Now you’re up their with Rocky right ….
Congrats Jack. I’ll never forget talking to you on the pool deck about the Astros hiring Ed Wade as the new General Manager. You weren’t a fan of his and you were right.
Congrats to one of the BEST COACHES in America. Well deserved. Jack always treated everyone with respect. A great Bulldog and Friend.
Finally, after wearing a Phillies Ball Cap every day. He gets pay back. Great job Jack.
Every time I read 43 seasons I’m still impressed. Amazing work
Congrats! And shout out to LaSalle College High School!
Kinda cool that most of the people that are getting inducted are because they are from Philly rather than because that was the site of their athletic success.