John Leon Szponar

Known to many as simply “Coach,” he is survived by his wife of 44 years, Anita and his four sons, Jonathon (Yvonne), Nicholas (Ashley), Matthew (Allison), and Mark Joshua. John will also be lovingly remembered by his six grandsons, Jack, Will, Preston, Luke, Jake, and Grant as well as his two sisters Ursula (Louis) Braden and Sue McInturff. John was preceded in death by parents Leon and Helena.

Known for his kind heart and relentless spirit, John was able to overcome any obstacle in his way, with nothing other than the hard work instilled in him and his innate sheer will; as evident in his successes in the game of basketball.

His prolific athletic abilities would be most evident during his final season at Culver High School, receiving a multitude of full athletic scholarships to numerous Colleges and Universities nationwide. He ultimately chose to accept an offer to play basketball at the prestigious Tulane University. It was during his time in New Orleans that he would meet his beloved wife, Anita.

After graduating from Tulane University and playing three varsity seasons on the men's basketball team from 1970-73, he and Anita, would eventually return to his future wife’s native city of Tampa where they would eventually wed and he would lead a successful career as Teacher, Administrator, and most notably Coach at both Tampa Catholic (1974-79) and Jesuit High School (1980-89). It was here at Jesuit where he would lead the Jesuit Tiger Basketball Team to the 1984 Florida High School 3A State Championship as Head Coach.

Szponar lived his life by the quote “Good things happen to good people,” a saying which he oft repeated during his interviews and general conversations regarding his 1984 High School Championship run and most evident in his day-to-day activities, treating everyone he encountered as if they were a close, personal friend, as could win over anyone with his infectious laugh and warm personality as well as charm them with his uncanny ability to make the most meaningless of events into a captivating story.

John was responsible for countless events and community initiatives since joining the Yankees organization in 1989, having worked closely with George Steinbrenner and the Steinbrenner family. Szponar was intimately involved with some of the Yankees' most-cherished longstanding traditions, including their annual Holiday Concert, Boys & Girls Club Luncheon, and Hillsborough County "Coach" Foundation Dinner/Dance, all of which served to provide joy, recognition and resources to members of the Tampa Bay community.

He will be profoundly missed by all.

Services will be held by Fr. Richard C Hermes on Monday, July 2nd at 1:00PM at Jesuit High School, located at 4701 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL

Memorial donations in memory of John can be made to Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, 1307 N. MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Gonzalez Funeral Home, ph. 813-931-1833. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting GonzalezFuneral.com.