Former Wingate Women’s Basketball Coach Johnny Jacumin Passes Away

WINGATE, N.C. -- Wingate University women's basketball coach Johnny Jacumin passed away Thursday, June 17. He was 71 years old. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, June 21 at Wingate Baptist Church (109 E. Elm St., Wingate, NC 28174). The service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the Wingate Baptist Church fellowship hall. The visitation will be held Sunday night from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Gordon Funeral and Cremation Service (1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC 28112).

In 27 Wingate seasons, Johnny Jacumin compiled an overall record of 591-218. Jacumin credited the student-athletes and assistant coaches for the success of his teams. Bulldog fans could ask him about the whereabouts of one of his former players…and he would give them a full-scale report. When one considers the fact Jacumin was the dean of South Atlantic Conference women's basketball in terms of number of wins and longevity, the number of players he remembered was astronomical.

Wingate had a long history of postseason success during the Jacumin era. In 1987-88, the Bulldogs were 33-2 overall, winning 33 games in a row and earning an NAIA Final Four berth in Kansas City. During his tenure, Wingate participated in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional tournament nine times. Wingate won the NCAA regional in 1995 and 1996, advancing to the Elite Eight in Fargo, N.D.

In 2005-06, the Wingate women's basketball team (25-7 overall) advanced to the finals of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional tournament. Along the way, the Bulldogs earned their ninth SAC regular season title with a 13-1 league slate. Wingate was a perfect 11-0 in the friendly confines of Cuddy Arena during the 2005-06 campaign. His final team posted a 23-7 overall record.

Jacumin won his 500th game as head women's basketball coach at Wingate as the Bulldogs defeated host Tusculum College 74-60 March 1, 2003 at Pioneer Arena. At the time of his retirement, Jacumin was fourth on the NCAA Division II winningest active coaches win list with his 591 victories.

Since the SAC became an all-sports league in 1989, Jacumin's clubs won or shared the regular season title in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Wingate won the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1997. He was inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2007.

A graduate of Goddard College, Jacumin joined the Bulldog family during a 29-year teaching career in the public schools. Following his retirement from the Union County Public Schools (UCPS), Jacumin spent two years as the director of the multimillion-dollar Cannon Athletic Complex at Wingate University. He also spent several years as volleyball coach at Wingate.

Jacumin taught industrial cooperative training at Parkwood High School in Monroe. Prior to his coaching tenure at Wingate, Jacumin compiled a 102-47 overall record in six seasons as girls' basketball coach at Parkwood.

His wife (and number one Wingate fan) Cookie is a long-time employee of the Union County Public Schools. They have two children (Ginger and Scott) and four grandchildren. Both Ginger and Scott are Wingate graduates and teachers in the Union County Public Schools.

What They Are Saying
Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston:
"Johnny Jacumin put together an incredible record at Wingate University. Thanks to his leadership, our teams made numerous trips to the NAIA and NCAA tournaments. He leaves a tremendous coaching legacy."

"It is safe to say Coach Jacumin defined women's basketball on the Wingate campus. I believe his success helped raise the caliber of play in the South Atlantic Conference. Teams (in our league) had to practice harder, recruit harder and compete harder as a result of Wingate's successes."

"I feel it is important to remember Coach Jacumin was extremely loyal to his players and his coaching staff. His loyalty inspired fierce dedication, as evidenced by (former assistants) Doug Jones and Lacey (Hartley) Hart and their many years of service to Wingate. Doug and Lacey and countless other assistant coaches were very much a part of the team's successes. Their loyalty was admirable."

"Coach Jacumin was always willing to support other athletic programs at Wingate University. He was very supportive of other Bulldog teams; Johnny and Cookie were always present when the Bulldogs played at home."

"Johnny would provide suggestions about how we could improve our athletic program. Through his significant contributions, the entire Wingate University athletic department benefitted from his commitment and his knowledge."

Wingate University head women's basketball coach Barbara Nelson:
"Coach Jacumin is a legend. He built the Wingate women's basketball program into a nationally-recognized power. Coach Jacumin touched the lives of many young women. He will be missed."

Wingate University Women's Basketball Year-by-year records during the career of head coach Johnny Jacumin:

YEAR RECORD NOTES
1980-81 14-15 AIAW State Tournament
1981-82 19-7 NAIA District play-offs
1982-83 21-10 NAIA District play-offs
1983-84 9-15
1984-85 20-9 NAIA District play-offs
1985-86 26-6 CIAC, District, Bi-District champs, NAIA national tournament
1986-87 29-4 CIAC, District, Bi-District champs, NAIA national tournament
1987-88 33-2 CIAC, District, Bi-District champs, NAIA Final Four
1988-89 26-3 CIAC, District, Bi-District champs, NAIA national tournament
1989-90 27-6 District, Bi-District champs, NAIA national tournament
1990-91 28-3 SAC champs (RS, tour.), NAIA national tournament
1991-92 22-11 SAC champs (tour.), NAIA national tournament
1992-93 23-8 SAC champs (RS), NAIA national tournament
1993-94 27-2 SAC champs (RS, tour.), NCAA Division II Sweet 16
1994-95 25-6 SAC champs (RS), NCAA Division II Elite Eight
1995-96 23-8 SAC champs (tour.), NCAA Division II Elite Eight
1996-97 20-9 SAC champs (RS, tour.), NCAA Division II SAR
1997-98 15-12 Coach Jacumin wins 400th game at Wingate
1998-99 23-7 SAC champs (RS), NCAA Division II SAR
1999-00 15-12
2000-01 23-7 NCAA Division II SAR
2001-02 15-11
2002-03 18-10 Coach Jacumin wins 500th game at Wingate
2003-04 21-10 SAC champs (RS)
2004-05 21-11 SAC champs (RS), NCAA Division II SAR
2005-06 25-7 SAC champs (RS), NCAA Division II Sweet 16
2006-07 23-7 SAC champs (RS), NCAA Division II SAR

591-218

Johnny Jacumin quick facts
* National coach of the year honors: One (1988, Converse national coach of the year after leading Wingate to a 33-2 record and a berth in the NAIA Final Four)
* Conference/district coach of the year honors: 12
* 20-win seasons: 20
* National tournament appearances: 21
*Number of conference championships, regular season or tournament: 19