Paul J. Gritmas

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Paul participated in football and track while attending Coughlin High School from 1953 through 1957. He earned six letters – 2 in football and 4 in track and was captain of the track team his senior year. The Coughlin Crusaders won the Wyoming Valley Conference title for the first time since 1938. However, Paul’s major contribution to Wyoming Valley sports was in the area of track. His career started in the Junior Olympics where he was Wyoming Valley champ in the sprints in 1951, 1952 and 1953. Paul was the Pennsylvania Junior Olympic State Champion in the 100 yard dash and the low hurdles in 1954. Paul was a varsity runner at Coughlin from 1954 through 1957. He was an undefeated runner on the 1956 Wilkes-Barre City Track Championship team. He was leading scorer on Coughlin’s track team in his sophomore, junior and senior years and was the leading point scorer in the Wyoming Valley Track Conference in his junior and senior seasons. In both the 1956 and 1957 track seasons, Paul was undefeated in the 100 yard dash, 220 yard dash and the low hurdles. He was the Wilkes-Barre City Champion in the sprints in 1956 and three-time City champion in the sprints and the low hurdles in 1957. At the District II track meet in 1957, he was a triple winner in the 100 yard dash, 220 yard dash and the low hurdles. In 1957, Paul participated in the PIAA State championship met at State College. Joseph Peel, a retired teacher, coach and assistant superintendent of Wilkes-Barre schools, stated that “Paul demonstrated a great desire to win, setting a model that motivated others to strive for improvement. His energy, drive and devotion to train made him a good leader and an outstanding athlete. He was a sincere student of the sport.” After high school, Paul attended King’s College where unfortunately there was no track team. He graduated in 1962 with degrees in Sociology and English. In 1966, Paul earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Scranton University. He has worked in the mental health field for over 31 years. Currently, he is employed as superintendent of Danville State Hospital, Danville, Pa. Paul resides in Dallas, Pa with his wife of 35 years, the former Jane Pulieri. They have 3 children – Matthew, Kingston; Kimberly Teufel, Kingston; and Paul, Dallas.