A historic coach from Watauga High School has passed away.

Jack Groce, an N.C. High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame member, died at the age of 95 on Friday. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

The Wilkes County native attneded Wilkes Central High School, where he was a three-sport athlete. He took his talents a short drive over to Appalachian State University in Boone, where the halfback earned the moniker of the “Wilkesboro Rabbit.” Groce was named an All-American while playing for App State.

After graduating Appalachian State in 1953, he began his historic teaching and coaching career at Appalachian High School in Boone. At the high school, he wore many hats. Groce served as golf coach, baseball coach, football coach, athletic director, and assistant principal over his time there.

When Appalachian High School closed, Jack returned to Appalachian State to be an assistant football coach.

Later, Groce finished his career at the new Watauga High School, where he served as the golf coach, football coach, athletic director, assistnat principal, and the Watauga County athletic director.

Watauga’s football stadium is named in his honor.

Groce served as the president of the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association and later served a four-year team on the NCHSAA Board of Directors.

He is also a Charter Member of the Appalachian State University Athletic Hall of Fame, a Charter Member of the Watauga County Sports Hall of Fame, a member of the North Carolina Athletic Director Association’s Hall of Fame, and a member of the inaugural class of the Watauga High School Pioneer Athletics Hall of Fame.