Why Bridgeport? Hall of Fame Speech
By Jon Griffith on October 14, 2023 from Why Bridgeport? via Connect-Bridgeport.com
For those who may not know, I was recently recognized by the Bridgeport High School Alumni and Friends Foundation for inclusion into their Hall of Fame. It is a prestigious honor. One that I do not take lightly. It is also one that I know that I did not earn entirely on my own.
The Bridgeport High School Alumni & Friends Foundation continues to be a stellar organization supporting our students, school, and community through the scholarships they provide to BHS seniors each year. Once again, they put on an outstanding banquet and induction ceremony. The dinner was held at “The O” by Oliverio’s. I must say, the food was superb. 
Thank you to the Foundation’s board for all the effort and time they put into this and all their events each year. Thanks also to President Teresa Lunsford for the incredible job leading this organization and emceeing the banquet.
My daughter, Marinda, did not make it in for the event, as she is in New York City for her work as a traveling Radiology Technician. While she was missed, I completely understood. My sons and their wives were in attendance. As were my in-laws, Ed and Jo-Helen Williams. My uncle and aunt, Don and Sharon Griffith, surprised me by traveling up from Charleston to attend. As always, I am so grateful for all of them and their continued support.
One of the difficult moments of the evening for me was listening to my introduction given by Emilee Yurish. What hit me hard was not the background or statistics from my career but the heartfelt sentiments she shared at the end of her introduction. To say that I was touched and emotional would be a monumental understatement. It was a challenge to compose myself and step up to that podium.
I had no idea what she would say as I wrote my speech. My pre-planned “thank you” for her incredible introduction proved markedly insufficient. I hope she knows how much she has meant and continues to mean to me. She is a shining star from a family of shining stars. Emilee is more than a student, athlete, coworker, or fellow coach. More than a friend. She is a part of my family and always will be.
My Connect-Bridgeport blog may seem like an odd place to publish my remarks about and from that night. Yet I believe it is very appropriate as it describes one more example of “Why Bridgeport?”
BHS Alumni & Friends Hall of Fame Banquet Speech
Thank you for that introduction, Emilee, and thanks to all of you for coming out tonight. Thank you to the Bridgeport High School Alumni and Friends Foundation for your outstanding efforts to support our school, students, and community, and thank you for this honor. It is
truly a privilege to be here this evening.
truly a privilege to be here this evening.
I am humbled to be included alongside the exceptional individuals who have previously received this award. Not to mention those also being recognized this evening. Congratulations to my fellow honorees, Phil, Greg, and Frank. Thank you for all you have done for Bridgeport High School and the city of Bridgeport.
As proud as I am to accept this recognition, please understand that I know I did not make it here alone. Any success in my career is the product of a team effort. I stand here tonight because of the hard work, encouragement, dedication, and support of my family, friends, coworkers, and the community.
First and foremost would be my wife, Heidi, and my four children: Ben, Nathan, Jacob, and Marinda. Coaching, for me, became an all-consuming profession. The long days and weeks combined with a nearly year-round schedule made home life challenging. Their seemingly unending patience with and support of my career at BHS is something for which I will never be able to thank them enough.
At BHS, I was blessed to have been a part of an incredible Track & Field and Cross Country coaching staff. Starting from nearly nothing, we built a program that has become among the best in the state. With the help of BHS Head Girls Track & Field coaches Jim Dawson, Ryan Nicewarner, and Emilee Yurish, the focus became improving year by year. And we did just that. Continuous improvement in the 
number of athletes, coaches’ education, equipment, and facilities became the norm. It continues today, even in my absence.
number of athletes, coaches’ education, equipment, and facilities became the norm. It continues today, even in my absence.
The reason for that is the large number of former athletes who have returned to become coaches in our program at the middle and high school levels, just as Emilee and Ryan did. Even my son, Jacob, came back as an assistant coach. They and many others who have been a part of the program as athletes understand the foundation and principles the teams were built on and have returned to carry those ideals forward. Three of my former athletes, Nathaniel Lutyens, Jeff Weimer, and Grant Burton, along with Grant’s wife Ali, are prime examples as they lead our BHS Track & Field and Cross Country teams today.
My fellow coaches and teachers at BHS also deserve a great deal of credit. Early in my career, I watched and learned from exceptional coaches like Wayne Jamison, Larry Burner, Hugh Gainer, and many others. Their wealth of experience and knowledge was invaluable in molding my coaching philosophy.
The three principals during my tenure at BHS, Lindy Bennett, Mark DeFazio, and Matt DeMotto, were always there to support and motivate me. Occasionally, they would give me coaching advice, sometimes more than I wanted. They were also quick to reign me in when my eagerness exceeded my reason. Thank you for that.
My teaching was guided by outstanding professionals as well. The way I instructed and interacted with my students and athletes was 
shaped by teachers like Pam Hotsinpiller, Bill Montgomery, Alice Rowe, and Tom Fogg. To name only a few. There have been so many great staff members at BHS during my three decades here it would take an hour to list them all.
shaped by teachers like Pam Hotsinpiller, Bill Montgomery, Alice Rowe, and Tom Fogg. To name only a few. There have been so many great staff members at BHS during my three decades here it would take an hour to list them all.
The primary advantage for those privileged to teach and coach at BHS is the exceptional quality of our students, athletes, and their families. Bridgeport is unique. It is more than just education or income level. The citizens of Bridgeport have high expectations and are eager to work hard to achieve their goals. That motivation and the desire to succeed are infectious. It permeates our community.
It is with great joy that I have watched my students and athletes leave Bridgeport High School and become highly successful and productive members of society. I am proud to call many of them my neighbors and friends. In some small measure, I hope I helped them to become the amazing people they are today.
Finally, the Bridgeport community has been a steadfast supporter of my endeavors. Coaching, teaching, blogging, or running for political office, they have stood with me. I am forever grateful for their acceptance, encouragement, and loyalty.
As I stated earlier, this recognition is not about me alone. The accomplishments are those of a team of people. As my friend John Wilson says, “The members of this community work together like a family.” He is correct. All of you are the reason for my success. Together, we share a vision of success through hard work and dedication. That is why I can stand here tonight.
I often tell people that Bridgeport is my adopted hometown. Tonight, I am confident that Bridgeport has adopted me as well. Thank you all.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Jon Griffith with his family, while the second shows Emilee Yurish giving the introduction speech. In the third photo, Griffith talks to the crowd at the ceremony. Below, Griffith, standing far right, is shown with, from left, Frank Jenio, Phil Dye, and Greg Brown.
